A hike in the colors and clouds Part 2

If you were there you know magical this was....

And if you weren't, you wish you were!

Was relating to my hiking friend, Jim, how I decided about 5 years ago that sitting in front of a computer 70 hours a week was not the way I wanted to live my life.

So I put together a 5 year plan.....

And here I am.....

In a New Place and a New Life....

The last of the SuperUnctious Eggplant sandwiches - this one with the Turkey Bacon!

Lunch in the Clouds and Mist at 11,900'.

It doesn't get much better than this!

And a pause on a windblown ridge at the top of the ascent!

This little feature allows you to view 12 different peaks with tubes dialed in on each one of them. Might wanna pick a clear day for this little gem!

I gotta tell you the ascent was wonderful for me....

The descent was challenging for my left knee but I held it together and Dave gave us a couple of rest and recupes on the way down.

The perfectly straight aspens gave it the feel of a golden gauntlet.....

Where we wound our way past the thousands of sentries....

We all seek our own form of Serenity but few can argue that we all touched a little bit of heaven today!

And speaking of Serenity and Heaven....

What better way to follow up on 4-1/2 hours of hiking....

But a Cast Iron Skillet grilled Ahi Tuna Steak over Spring Mix and Arugula with Tomato and Avocado, Brussel Sprouts, Red Bell Pepper and Sauted Banana with Cinnamon.....

With a little painkiller on the side in the form of some Hennesy Cognac!