Fort Collins - 2015 - Over the mountains to Steamboat Springs

We headed out about 9:30 toward the mountains.  My brother-in-law, Don, was our driver.  James always enjoys this as it is one of the few times he can sit back and just enjoy the sights.  The view of the mountains was outstanding.  I don't think we could have come at a time that was more colorful.  The aspens were as gold as I have ever seen them.  It was cloudy which made the colors more brilliant.  We went over two mountain passes, Cameron and Rabbit Ears.

Penny and Don at our first stop going over the mountains to Steamboat.

Take note of the Poudre River in the background.

Can you believe how brilliant the aspen trees are?

We brought our lunch and found a park in Waldon to enjoy our picnic.  It was very windy but we were able to find a table which was protected with some trees and bushes.  Walden is a very small town but is famous for the 1990 nation's Christmas tree which was supplied from this area.

More aspens in the background.

That is a beautiful blue spruce.

While in Walden, we saw a large number of foreign cars. After a little investigation, we discovered that the Colorado Grand was stopping in Walden for lunch.  This car cruise occurs once a year.  It starts and ends in Steamboat Springs and covers 1000 miles.  The cars must be 1960 or earlier.  I should have taken photos but was so startled to see these wonderful machines.  I did see one in Steamboat so I snapped a photo.  

After leaving Walden, the road became flat and less winding.  It was a different scenery than we had been having but also beautiful.

After arriving in Steamboat, we went hunting for our bed and breakfast.  Once we got close, it was easy to see as it looked exactly like the photos on their web site.  We walked in to find our name on an envelope with the key to our room.  We were on the third floor with no elevator.  It was certainly worth the walk up the stairs. 

My sister playing the music sitting on this Victorian piano.

Our room is the peak looking down on the garage.

We ran uptown for a bit of shopping and then back to the B&B for happy hour.  It consisted of several appetizers and some wine.  After enjoying happy hour, we decided to go downtown for supper.  We chose Mahogany Ridge Brewery and Grill.  We all ordered hamburgers.  These were 8 ounce burgers, so each couple split an order.  We certainly had plenty to eat.

 See brewery in the background.

After supper, we returned to the B&B to watch a movie in the theatre room.  They have a large screen projection TV.  Apple TV is what they use to operate the system.  We chose to watch Rush.  We had all seen it once before but certainly enjoyed it a second time.