Colorado Mountain High, Redux

We have now been in Basalt Colorado for over a week and will be here another 4-5 days. I must say it has been splendid.

Our first Saturday here we went to the farmer's market in Aspen. It was about 6 or 7 city blocks long of produce, baked goods and crafts. Right next to it was an Art Fair but that is not held every Saturday.
On Sundays a similar but smaller farmer's market is held in Basalt.

Aspen Colorado Farmer's Market

This Airstream is full of art, mostly sculpture, for sale

Inside the Airstream

Called "Artstream"

Roy and Lee Goetring, photographers, were exhibiting at the Art Fair.
They were also our neighbors at the RV park.

Look at these colorful refinished bicycles

Priced from about $650 to $1995

On Sunday afternoon we took the gondola to the top of Ajax mountain for a horn concert. At that place I felt, for the first time,  that I was doing what I set out to do, that this was the enjoyment I had been seeking, that I was in love with Debbie and the world, that everything was good. I am so thankful for everything.

A family has its' picture snapped with the symbol of the Olympics which started that day.

There is a deep valley between the foreground and the mountain in the back

People gathered here to listen to the concert.

Debbie and I were so happy to be on this peak physically and  emotionally.

And here are some statistics up to now:

   Odometer:  91538 miles

   This trip: 3040 miles

   Fuel used:  232.6 gallons

   Average MPG:  13.1

I know I am falling behind on our travelogue. Where does the time go?

Love you all,

Frank

Colorado Mountain High

Aspen, Frisco, Breckenridge, Basalt, Carbondale. These are charming towns in the Colorado mountains. We have been busy sampling all they have to offer. We were in North Platte in western Nebraska when the thermometer hit 106 F and we decided to cut short our stay there. We drove about 350 miles in one day to Breckenridge. As we arrived the mercury read 65 F, and what a relief it was!  We stayed at Tiger Run RV Resort a charming if somewhat expensive park midway between Frisco and Breckenridge.

The plaza in Breckenridge on a bright warm summer day

Just behind the plaza in Breckenridge dozens of kids cool off in the river.

There were 2 unexpected occurrences while in Breckenridge.

1. One morning our truck would not start. After a towing and 2 new batteries, about $350, everything was fine. We did not have use of the truck for one day which was nice since we had to ride our bikes to get anywhere.

2. Rosie woke us up in the middle of the night as a bear was looking for food right outside Diva. Rosie scarred it off and all was well. Later we saw warnings that because of the drought and lack of food, bears are actually braking in to homes. After I read that I moved the pepper spray from my duffle bag to my bedside! At least I will taste good to the bear.

Next stop was Basalt CO, about 16 miles west of Aspen. The drive from Breckenridge to Basalt went through a beautiful canyon

Our first stop once in Basalt? Of course, someplace to eat. Riverside Cafe is awesome, right on the river. We could see trout in the river right from our table..

Lunch at the Riverside Cafe

Debbie had the mahi-mahi sandwich and I had the pot stickers. Both were great.
My Colorado Wheat beer has a slice of lemon and orange in it.

We went fly fishing on the Frying Pan River, one of the best and most famous trout streams in the world. The river runs about 17 miles from the Reudi Dam to just past the town of Basalt where it joins the Roaring Fork River, itself a world class fly fishing destination.

The Frying Pan River

Close to the dam a fisherman plies his skills.

We caught about a dozen rainbow trout like this one.

We used a #20 Pheasant tail nymph.

Aspen, itself, is the home of artists, athletes and entertainers. It is bike-friendly, dog-friendly and pedestrian-friendly. And friendly to the eye.

Aspen Colorado

An elegant woman walks a lovely Jack Russell  down the street. On the slope you can see a ski run.

Boogie's, a renowned spot for burgers and T shirts

Many of the streets in Aspen are blocked to motor traffic.

They have this water feature in Aspen. Little children and unsuspecting dogs like Rosie walk through it and get wet. I was planning to continue this blog but once I added the video I can't. suffice it to say that Rosie refused to go over any more grates on the street.