We woke up this morning after a few extra roll overs in bed and no rush to get out and about as we knew the weather was forecast to be average at best. By the time we got up there was some blue skies about and the sun was shining so we went off to find a good place for breakfast… the Bluebird Cafe in Glenwood was to be the place. We already knew that anything out to the east of us was going to be very wet and since that was the general direction of our travels it would be best to just wait it out in Glenwood Springs. Aspen had a semi decent forecast with thunderstorms in the late afternoon.
So after breakfast we set off towards Aspen. On the way we stopped at a couple of motorcycle stores to find decent gloves for Zoe but no joy there. Aspen was only a short 40 minute ride from Glenwood so we quickly arrived at the ski resorts and took some scenic detours through the valleys. We tried to get to Maroon Lake but unfortunately the road was still closed half way there. So we parked and went for a short walk. In the melting snow we found moose tracks and all over the place there were some very fresh “traces” of moose presence but we didn’t see any.
We then carried on to Aspen going through town and as far up the road to Independance Pass as we could. There again the road is still closed but we got about 10 miles up and saw some pretty impressive properties surrounded by Aspen trees. We now know where Aspen gets its name from.
The weather was now starting to turn and our stomachs were in need of a feed so perfect timing to go hide inside for a little while. We stopped at a Peter Lik photo gallery for a while, had an interesting conversation with one of the employees who also pointed us towards a good place to eat. Being Aspen our small lunch was quite pricey but… By far the best food we have had on the road trip possibly the entire time we have been in the US!
By the time lunch was over the rain had slowed down and after another very brief walk around we went on back down the hill for round 2 at the Iron Montain Hot Springs. The way back to Glenwood turned out to be quite wet. I guess we cought up with the storm… There must have been quite severe hail / snow storm just before our arrival in the valley as the side of the roads had a 2 to 5 cm layer of hail / snow laying there and sections of the road were pretty flooded. Not a very fun ride, being rush hour as well. We got to the hotel and got ready for the hot springs when we realized there was no Uber around today… So we got back into our rain gear and braved weather and traffic again down to the hot springs. Well worth it and as we sat there enjoying the warm water, the skies turned to blue again and the sun came back out.
A lovely relaxing evening again. The weather tomorrow looks more promising and we should be able to move on towards Boulder.
TA
So today was relaxing except from the rain and cold weather…. join the club here is the same !
See you tomorrow guys !
Mum x
Aspen rings a bell as THE US ski resort, right?
Hence the pricey lunch I guess.
The weather is as planned in your earliest trip layout but it doesn’t allow for much progress North-wise, unless you find gloves and boots.
At least there are the hot springs.
Baci on this 43rd day!