My mom, me, and Mike
Maroon Bells, Aspen
June 2008

This is what summer in Colorado looks like, grins included. Last week Mike and I took my Mom to Aspen for a bike tour of the beautiful Maroon Bells region. My father had to cut his CO trip short to get some work done, so unfortunately he wasn't able to join us for this great trip. Still the three of us had a lot of fun. I only wish we could have stayed longer! A few days in Aspen cost as much as a week anywhere else in the state, so we had to make our time there count.

Speaking of the high costs in Aspen, we decided to visit a condo's open house while we were there, out of curiosity. It was a 1000 square foot apartment with two bedrooms and a 70s-era exterior. It was nice, but nothing special, except for its location in downtown Aspen. The asking price was $2.3 million. Yeah, my dreams of living in that blissful town pretty much evaporated at that point. But I can see why it's so expensive there. Aspen really is a delight. I'm just grateful that we live only a few hours away and can visit. OK, on to the photos!

Mom and Mike at the top of Independence Pass, at about 12,000 feet above sea level.






Doing my Maria von Trapp thing.









My mom was thrilled to see so much snow this time of year!



We spent much of that afternoon lounging on the patio at the Hotel Jerome.
Mom and I drank too many margaritas and giggled a lot.



The next morning we took the gondola up the mountain. Yes, I walked around in a souvenir t-shirt. I'm crazy like that.



We at lunch at the top of the mountain! I wanted to move in to the restaurant.






There's that Colorado summer grin again.



There was an insane juggler entertaining the kids by tossing around a flaming bowling ball.



I can hula a mean hoop.



After lunch we took a guided bike tour with Blazing Adventures.



We started at this lake at the Maroon Bell mountains, and biked down to the town.


















Rumor has it that the Maroon Bells are the most photographed area in the state. I can see why.









Mom took this cute one of the two of us.


















My mom took this one of herself while biking!

One more photo, after we got back from Aspen... Mom took this one of me at Springs Spree last weekend. I think technically those bouncy things are intended for kids, but who says 33-year-olds can't be kids, too?