A String of Pearls

This weekend I went to Somewhere Else, Colorado. Somewhere I hadn’t been before. And then, shortly after, I went somewhere else. And then somewhere else.

It’s what we do here in the great state of Colorado. When we realize we have a free day, or, if we’re really lucky, an entire weekend to kill, we get in the car and go somewhere. It might be somewhere we’ve already been or it might be somewhere new, something we haven’t seen or experienced yet.

That’s just the way it is when you live here. You never run out of amazing and unique places to go. Plop me down anywhere in this state and, regardless of whether I’ve been there before or if I have no agenda or what the weather is doing, I can easily find plenty to do.

Such as:

Setting up base camp at this lovely cabin along the Crystal River.

Exploring the Grottos (also known as the Ice Caves) east of Aspen.

Hiking to the viewpoint of Independence Pass in 35 degrees and sleet on September 14, 2013.

Exercising my dog on the Crystal Valley Trail beneath Mt. Sopris (12,953 feet high).

The Night Glow portion of the Snowmass Balloon Festival on Fanny Hill (a ski run in Snowmass Village).

Sunrise launch in Snowmass Village.

Checking out the coke ovens near Marble, Colorado.

Shopping at Walmart in Glenwood Springs. (Yes, it’s true; my friend Jim forgot his duffle bag and needed clothing, shoes, and a toothbrush.)

So, yes, though I’ve been around this state and done all sorts of activities, I can now say I’ve been to Somewhere Else, Colorado. Actually, make that Several Somewhere Elses, Colorado.

I can’t wait for my next free weekend.