Aspen

Brrrr!

Gondola!

Maroon Bells

Ashcroft Ghost Town

31st March- 1st April 2009

I guess this was one time that I was grumpiest during a trip.

Its interesting how the state of ones mind permeates an experience!

I wasn't particularly happy but nevertheless the beauty of this small town wasn't lost on me.

(Day 1)

We set out really early towards Aspen, we were up at the treacherous and insanely beautiful independence pass by 6 am. I wish I was better with my camera or at least more aware of the potential of my compact zoom camera..but no worries its never too late. Though it was rather warm at Fort Collins here it was real chilly! We reached Aspen in good time...a good number of cyclists were riding on roads I didn't dare to drive!! We took a short nap in the car while parked in a garage. Then we set off towards the Silver Queen gondola, the weather was most definitely a bummer with the dark clouds and drizzling. Nevertheless we took the gondola up to the peak had a nice lunch up there and came down a while later. As we walked through the town's "small downtown area", we noticed though the stores were small every known designer brand that I could recognize and some of which I had no clue were here..we didn't sight any celebrities and if we did I wouldn't know. We sat for a while and watched some of the little kids playing in the fountains on a cold day..nothing fazed the kid, he played and laughed !

We had a quick dinner at a Mexican restaurant which served by far the worst Mexican food I've ever eaten & the most expensive as well!! After we were done the server actually had the gall to ask us if " everything hit the spot!!!" It was one the few times I packed left overs and threw it in the trash right away! There on we picked some medications for my friend who was beginning to come down with flu like symptoms from being ill dressed for the cold weather.

We check into our lodging for the night and there after I draw a blank as to how we spent the evening..serves me right for recording stuff years after it happens :( Im working on getting more details however.

(Day 2)

With another early start, we head off to the Maroon Bells. We took the shuttle from the Aspen Highlands Ski Area to get there. The drive gave us a glimpse of the Aspen tree groves which I thought was beautiful.The leaves appeared to be almost dancing in the breeze :) As one of the most photographed places in Colorado the Maroon Bells truly didn't disappoint! The view of the rugged peaks above the lake is stunning and its reflection in the lake when there is no breeze is breath taking! We did not hike around the lake as we were not dressed for the weather...living in colorado long enough we should have learnt our lesson..but no, even to this day we continue to undermine the weather and it gets us every time!


From there we proceeded to the Ashcroft Ghost Town. Once a prosperous silver mining town,twelve empty cabins is all thats left. The ghost town is in a valley a along side a creek in a rustic setting.I did get what I think is one of my best shots that visit! Thereafter we drove back towards home and made multiple stops to click pictures or just to take in the views realizing how futile our attempts to capture the insurmountable beauty spread before us!


By nightfall we were back to our warm homes, safe and sound the way every trip should end!