Posted in Colorado fun

The plan was to drive from Buena Vista and make a round trip starting with Independence Pass, then through Aspen, over to I-70 East then back over Battle Mountain to Leadville and back. Plans changed though when the time was 7:00 pm in Basalt. We turned around to go back over Independence Pass. The Pass is gorgeous at sunset!! I'm thankful we turned around.

Below: The top of Independence Pass on the first drive over. There are now paved walkways since I've last been up there. People cannot drive on the old jeep trail that is up there that leads to an old ghost town.

Below: Looking up from our picnic spot on the Aspen side of the pass.

Below: As I was getting back in the van to drive to Aspen I noticed this large mushroom. I love this picture!

Below: Still not quite to Aspen yet. We all had to stop for a potty break. After everyone was done we took a short hike.

Below: While hiking I noticed these mushrooms up on a hill. These ones are not edible! There was a man, I figure a chef from Aspen who was picking some of the other wild mushrooms (Not the orange ones). I noticed them in his basket as he was getting into his car and said a nice, "Oooooh, got some yummy mushrooms there." He smiled said, "Oh, yes." and looked thrilled that I knew my mushrooms.

My mother and I were shocked to see how big Aspen has grown. My aunt and uncle used to live up there and I'd spend weeks at a time with them. The whole valley to I-70 has really grown. Amazing. I never thought I'd run into rush our traffic in Aspen!

Below: On the way back up Independence Pass just before sunset. When we got to the top we were blessed with seeing a rainbow.

Below: See the rainbow? It was breath taking.... literally, as I tried running at 12,000+ feet altitude to snap a better picture of the rainbow before the sun went down.

Below: Sunset at the top of Independence Pass. It was stunning! It had also snowed up there while we were down the valley in Aspen.

Just as I drove to the bottom of the pass it was dark. I will never forget being up there at sunset. What a glorious show the Lord gave us that night!