Colorado or Bust!

We've traveled the US several times in an RV, and for reasons unknown to us, have missed Colorado during our prior trips.  This time out though on October 3rd, we finally made it to Colorado!

At the welcome center Fruita, Colorado.

 

We spent our first night just north of Carbondale, Colorado at an RV park nestled in a mountain valley, on the Crystal river, where we were treated to a peek-a-boo view of snow capped Mt. Sopris.

 

 

Mt. Sopris, Carbondale, Colorado.

 



On Saturday the 4th, we drove into beautiful Aspen, Colorado and were treated to a dazzling show of fall colors!

 

 

Fall colors Aspen, Colorado.

More fall colors Aspen, Colorado.

 

Aspen was bustling with a Saturday market in full swing, with many eclectic items on display.  The most eclectic was perhaps the wire artist's full scale woman's dress.  Now how did she do that?

 

 

Aspen Saturday market wire artist.
 





Where else but Aspen can one look up from a Saturday market to see ski runs within a stones throw?  Today the slopes were adorned with fall colors, but the locals tell us snow is just around the corner.

 

Aspen ski area within walking distance.



For lunch Sheila treated Tom to a birthday lunch at Aspen's own Creperie Du Village.  We had some of the best French onion soup and fondue we have ever tasted, eating so much we left no room for crepes.  Thanks honey!!

 

Well fed TravelGrahams.

After lunch we took a drive out State Highway 82 to Independence, Colorado, a ghost town situated high in the mountains west of Aspen.  Getting to Independence proved to be an adventure in itself!  The road to Independence begins innocently enough...tree lined and lovely with fall colors in full bloom.

 

 

 

 

 

However, as we climbed deeper into the mountains, the road became a narrow single lane road in spots, with just enough room for a single vehicle to proceed in places....

 

 

 

 

 

We made it through the skinny spots without Sheila loosing too much adrenaline and arrived at the parking area located on the highway above the town site and prepared to hike down.  And yes...we are 10,830 above sea level....

 

 

 

 

 

Hiking down to the town site from the parking area winded us a bit, but the hike back up to the parking area quickly reminded us we were hiking at almost 11,000 feet above sea level!!