Rocky Mountain High and Dry(er)

Our second part of Colorado, near Aspen was a bit drier in that it only hit us with storms, rather than constant rain.

We went climbing at Monitor Peak but got stormed off by small hail. I had to lower Shannon and Olivia down the scree slope and across the slippery, wet slab of granite.

 We drive up higher towards Independence Pass at over 12,000 feet.

 Towards Aspen, we found a great camp ground that required some off road action.

 The climbing gear certainly needed some drying out.

 This is a Pika. I think that they are called that because when you go to get a photo, they always leave early.

 And of course a squirrel.

 Still haven't seen one of the residents of one of these houses.

 Aspen is pretty much a standard ski town. Quite nice.

 Why wouldn't you.

 Then there was the saga of Derrick, Abagail and Oliver.

 The next day, they all took a hike together on our way out while I went for an 8 mile hike around the back of some mountains on a trail called Lost Man Lake.

With all of that greenery in Colorado, it is pretty hard not to get really high.

 A lake still half frozen over.

 It was very solitary out there. The kind of place that bears might be but I didn't see any.

 Of course it stormed. That is my basic MO.

 We got back to the camp and made a fire using what we now call the Derrick. He was nice enough to leave me a great fire starting toy. Gas, flame, noise. What more could someone want?