Fall Photo Shoot...

Well Jeff and I got the opportunity to go on a photo shoot together just the two if us. It was nice with no dog to care for and no kid to say I'm bored can we go do something now. Ahhh... it was so relaxing. Jeff and I listened to a book on tape that made the travel time go much quicker. Also it enabled us to watch the beautiful fall colors and scenery. It was so amazing. We dropped Zac off to school and after we packed the truck we headed out. Following the directions of google earth. As we came to Kanoche Pass we were surprised that the colors were amazing and so vibrant. I could hardly wait to get to Kebler Pass if this was any indication of what we were going to be seeing.
Both this picture and the one below are taken at Kanoche Pass.
Then that afternoon we got into Gunnison and checked into the KOA where we had reserved a Kamping Kabin.
This is our Kamping Kabin at the KOA in Gunnison. It was a really nice KOA with a park like atmosphere. Then we took off to Crested Butte and up to Kebler Pass to see what awaited us. We got there just in time for some beautiful fall color sunset shots.
Above Jeff is taking some fall color sunset shots. Below is my attempt at the sunset shot. Then after it was dark we headed back into Crested Butte for dinner. We decided to check out the Wooden Nickel where Jeff and I shared a dinner of prime rib and baked potato. The prime rib was about an inch and a half think. It was a lot of meat. However there was no bread or salad that came with the dinner. They were going to have you pay for anything else. So we decided the dinner would be just fine and headed back to our cabin. Then Saturday morning we took our time getting up and getting going as we were a little tuckered out after a full day of traveling. We got into Crested Butte about 11 am and decided to try out McGill's. It was good food and we were sat at the bar in front of the chef's where we got the opportunity watch them cook all the yummy food. Each dish that came out looked so delicious. Then we walked through the shops and headed out to the mountains. Later that afternoon we moved on the McClure Pass. The colors there were not quite ready yet. We did stop for a few minutes and just as Jeff got out to set up the camera to take a few shots there was a lightening strike over Jeff's head that went into the valley below. The next thing I knew Jeff was loading the camera gear back into the truck and said that we were leaving that lightening was too close for his comfort. We headed back into Kebler Pass just in time to get a good evening sunset shot. Sunday we got up and headed back out to Kebler Pass and tried out a road called Ohio Pass where we got some beautiful fall color shots. About 11:30 am we headed back into Crested Butte for a brunch where we ate at McGill's again. Oh the food was good! Then we decided to check out some other areas. We went back to Almont toward Cottonwood Pass and there was not much there. So we went back to Crested Butte where I looked at the map and saw this loop that went out of Crested Butte and came back so we decided to try it out. As we got to the other side of the loop and were heading back the road was climbing up the mountain side where the road was very rocky. We were sure glad to have 4 wheel drive at this time. As we kept climbing we were unsure with all these other roads off shooting from the main road where we were even going and then it started to snow on us so as soon as it was safe we turned around and went back the way we came. That was too much adventure. Just so you know there were sheer drop offs to the side and with the road so rough and rocky we do not like to take any chances of rolling down the side of the mountain. Not our cup of tea you could say. So we got back in time to scout out where we wanted to take our sunset shoots. So we had to hike about a quarter of mile down the mountain side to a clearing and sat there waiting for the sun to set. We were there about 2 hours early which was ahead of schedule. So we sat and waited and waited for sunset and watched the clouds slowly roll in only to have them block out our sunset and then just before it got dark we quickly hiked out without our sunset shoots. Oh well we sure can't control the clouds. Then on Monday we stopped off at the Coffee Bean in Gunnison for some hot chocolate for me and Chai Tea for Jeff. Then headed to Independence Pass where the colors were not what we expected. Some areas were still very green and other areas were already turning brown. There were some yellow but nothing like what we saw in Kebler Pass. I told Jeff we were very spoiled by Kebler Pass. So we went into Aspen and had lunch at Boogies Diner. Then we headed out to Vail where we walked through the shops and had dinner. Jeff and I both picked up new t-shirts and I also found a new sweatshirt too. Then it was time to head for home. It was nice to be home with our son. Thanks to Gigi and Papa for taking such good care of our precious boy and dog while we were gone. I heard that Zac played a great game of Golf with Papa Saturday morning.