Our time in Idaho was great. Now it was time to return to Colorado after leaving one year ago. The temps were heating up and the fires on the east side of the mountains were leaving ash on our truck. Bringham City, Utah was 97 degrees when we arrived and the next day in Green River, Utah 106. We found the shadiest spot and let the campground host know that would be ours. Walking the short distance to do our laundry felt like real work in that heat.
Aspen is a ski town in a valley surrounded by 13000 foot mountains that was originally built around silver mining and ranching. Highway 82 runs through the town and makes for slow going and parking that is one of its biggest issues. Friday was not a good day to drive thru town since the Enduro Games were being held over the weekend.
Whenever we are close to the Maroon Bells, we like to ride our bikes from town to the lake. It is a pretty steady climb over 12 miles. We were one mile from the top when the black flies were so bad that I considered turning around. After some swatting of the bugs, I decided to make the last push. A breeze came up as we turned the corner and all was well. We made it. After a brief rest and walk around the lake, we had to start back as the rain was starting. Fortunately, no thunder and lightening.
On the ride down, Mike saw these marmots sunning themselves on some rocks.
There were some easy interesting trails just up Independence Pass from our campground.
The Ice Caves were nice and cool.
Just down the road was a short 0.6 mile hike to Weller Lake.
We started this blog to keep our family and friends posted as to where we were and so we could look back and remember what we did and felt. Now as we sat down to look over the past year, our heads spin at how fortunate we were to go all of those places. We have had to learn to live together in a small space and find we wouldn't do it any other way. At least for now.
