PAGOSA SPRINGS, COLORADO

Hello Everyone,

It is great to be on the road again--glad you're joining us!

For this trip we'll spend most of our time in the southwest quadrant of Colorado.  Colorado actually has 5 seasons:  Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall, and Aspen Viewing.  Aspen trees can be found throughout the state.  Viewing of these beautiful golden trees starts at the beginning of September and usually goes through the first week in October.  The phases on the map below vary depending on the year (weather dependent).  Thousands and thousands and thousands of people take to the roads and drive all over the state in search of the "most" trees and the "most beautiful" trees with the "most" spectacular backdrops.  This year we decided that we'd wait to "view" until toward the end of the Aspen Season and head south to the San Juan Mountain area.  

Here is a video of a few "quaking" aspens:

If you want to learn a little bit more about aspen trees check out this link:  http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/beauty/aspen/grow.shtml

On our first day we headed to Pagosa Springs.  If you want to know a bit more visit this great page:  http://visitpagosasprings.com

Here is an excerpt from the webpage above:  

Located within the San Juan National Forest amid the majestic San Juan Mountains, Pagosa Springs offers visitors a rich geological and cultural history to explore. Known for its world-famous hot springs, "Pagosah" is the Southwestern Ute word for "healing waters". The soaring cliffs, ragged peaks, magical alpine pools, undisturbed wilderness, cascading rivers, and soothing hot springs reveal a dramatic geological history that invites voyagers, young and old, to venture into the backcountry.

A few photos from Gary:

Here are a few from me (I played with filters):

We ended the day at the Wolf Brewery in Pagosa Springs!  Watched the Chiefs and the Steelers!

Day 2 photos will be posted tomorrow!  Gorgeous photos [we got snow and sneet (snow + sleet)] and a few short videos coming your way from Ouray!  More tomorrow!

Love and hugs to all,

Ellie and Gary