Aspen Hiking Trip-Part 1

This past weekend, I went back up to Aspen! I really love that little town and I had a couple extra days off because of a shift switch at work...what better way to spend it than in my favorite mountain town!

My friend Becky came up with me to do some hiking. Aspen experienced the hottest weather it's ever had, 92 degrees, while we were there but we had the most wonderful time nonetheless!

{riding up the gondola to the top of Aspen Mountain to hike!}

{we hiked separately for half the day-i love being alone in the mountains!}

{11,212 ft-fresh mountain air!}

{absolute splendor}

{there's nothin' like the Rocky Mountains to make you feel small. :)}

{there were hula hoops at the summit-so fun! I picked the hot pink one, of course!}

{it matched my shoelaces and bag!}

{on the way down, we decided to ride the red car...little did we know, it had air conditioning and music playing inside! we just picked it for the color and got a fun surprise!}

After hiking all morning, we rode the gondola back down to town and had lunch at my favorite cafe in Aspen-Peaches! They have organic, free-range, healthy, amazing, delicious food. (let me tell you how I really feel?!)  It's also located at a prime people watching corner and right next to Aspen's only thrift shop. :)

{some shots from around town}

Later that evening we discovered that the Aspen Music Festival had begun the night before. There was a performance going on, so we got a tip from our hotel manager to take a blanket and picnic over to listen. The locals all sit outside the tent (for free!) to enjoy the music...it was packed with families, dogs, picnics...perfection! What a great way to spend the evening outside.

{looking into the music tent from outside}

After the concert, we drove around a few neighborhoods looking at the houses (Becky studied Interior Design too). We came across this...so helpful in case you were lost-ha! Next stop, Istanbul!

{gorgeous sunset}

Belly Up is the hot spot for music in the evenings in Aspen...so we stopped in. Turned out to be a DJ from Australia, Anna Lunoe. Coastin (a Vail DJ team) opened for her.

Part 2 is coming with photos from the Maroon Bells hike we did!