First day of AUTUMN.  That perfect time of year when Aspen blaze yellow & we don morning jackets.

Smack in the midst of Fall run season [marathoning Cheyenne tomorrow] – no time for hikes?  How bad do you want it?  Autumn’s once a year, summer’s retreated.  Anything is possible 😊

4am crack-of-dawn start Saturday a.m.  Backpack readied outside my front hall closet.  Bottled water, snacks for Pup.  No 14er attempt this day, purposely staying tree-line.  Leaf peep slow-soak.

West on I-70, HIKE DAY destination: Silverthorne.  Haven’t been since May last year, Ash & Tom’s Colorado wedding.  Town will always tug at my heart.  Whatta life memory!

Fast forward 15 months: mountain HIKE, no wedding.  Angler Mountain.  Trailhead start tucked outside a residential subdivision, notta lotta parking.  Arrived early – early enough to watch the sunrise/crest the Divide.  Slow, deep breath.  Magic.  Colorado HIKE celebration.

Sunshine poured thru tall naked groves of Aspen.  More leaves on the ground than on the trees themselves.  UP, UP, UP.  We’d hike 2 ½ miles above Silverthorne, snap scenic shots of Lake Dillon – and SURROUND ourselves with YELLOW.  Colorado aspen ablaze.

Filled an old swag bag with mementos of the season while Ro ran off-leash.  Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter – all celebrated, shared with family & friends.  Why not Autumn?  Idea💡

Purchased cards in Georgetown.  Stuffed each with a piece of the day – Aspen leaves, pine cones, burnt thistle.  8 of you received impromptu LOVE from Colorado.  Gonna DOUBLE that count next year.

‘Tis the season, my personal fave.  Happy Autumn 2018! 🍂🍁

[Confession: day’s hike – Ash’s plan.  They’d repeat my trek Sunday morn with Grandpup Marty.]