Sagebrush to Spruce Trees

It was time for a road trip.  We left the wind and dust behind to travel to Steamboat Springs for the day by way of Rabbit Ears Pass.

One stop we made was to the Botanical Gardens for a little stroll among the flowers.

The Blue Columbine, Colorado's state flower.

This Black-billed Magpie was posing among the Johnny Jumpups.

On the drive over,  we saw this herd of Elk.  Notice the calves with their spots!!!  They just kept coming out of the woods.  We counted about 20 with 8 young.  

On the way, we passed this trail, Bruce's Trail.  We had to hike it because one of our son's name is Bruce, so this one's for you!!!

The road through town is closed for market days every Saturday.

This fellow was doing a bang up business with his baked goods.  We just had to have some banana nut bread, our only purchase.

The Mustangs were in town showing off.  They also had a timed race.  These two just happen to be from Texas (license plates).

Next was the gondola ride to the top of Mt. Werner.  We had gone over to Steamboat Friday and did some of the things on our list.  They had just closed this ride because of threatening weather.  We were so disappointed, BUT the fellow told us if we would come back tomorrow we could both ride for the price of one...$40.00.  Since there are so many things to do there, we returned Saturday.  You will notice we are wearing different clothes????

A view from up top showing the road we came in on.

The Vista Trail at the top was a fun little hike.

The kissing aspen trees...liplocked.

When we got back from our mountain top experience, this was going on...kids activities.  There was sidewalk art, an obstacle course, a rock climb, and bungee/trampoline jump.

This child looked scared to death.  All I could think of was how much our grandkids would have loved all of this fun.

This was probably the thing I enjoyed most.  A hike down to Fish Creek Falls.

The pause that refreshes...I always have to do this.

A good ending to a good day...actually two days.  We spent a great deal of time here, just relaxing and listening to the babbling brook.  We saw an American Dipper zip by while we were there.

I still have an unfinished list of things to do...ice skating, going down the alpine slide is always fun, and taking that dip in the hot springs.

Until next time...