Well, I’ll try not to echo the same sentiments I did back in this post, but it is worth repeating.  This is one of my favorite spots in the state, and maybe the world.  Views and mountains forever.

So naturally, this was one of the places I insisted that we hit up for some aspen hiking.  Unfortunately we were there a little before peak season (some aspens were still green) but of course a walk at Wilkerson Pass is never a waste of time in my book.

As much as I love exploring new places – in fact I crave it after not too long – there is a wonderful comfort in visiting the same locations over various periods and seasons.  It’s a spot that bridges the gap of time and you can remember your first visit, along with how you felt and what you were experiencing at intervals in between then and now.  And through all that looking back there’s this impossible wonder at where you’ve ended up and how long ago yet close those memories feel to you.  Spots like that – like this one – that change with each season, yet remain reassuringly familiar, are worth their weight in gold.

This is definitely one of my timeless spots, at least, one of probably only two in the state of Colorado (of course, hometowns have a way of cramming themselves full of these remarkable time portals).  Always a comfort, no matter the season.

It’s a spot where you feel forever.

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  • Texas RamblerOctober 10, 2012 - 9:54 am

    Awesome… I miss Colorado… and fall there…ReplyCancel

  • Jack ViereOctober 10, 2012 - 10:09 am

    I’m jealous that Colorado’s autumn is so pretty-then again, I’m just jealous of all things Colorado.
    I really love the yellow you’ve shot-something I don’t see too often here on the southern East Coast. We have some darker hues…ReplyCancel

    • Annabelle MintzOctober 10, 2012 - 11:21 am

      Jack – thank you! Funny, I often look out and wish we had more than just yellow here, I’m from the midwest and miss all the deep oranges and reds. Good reminder to appreciate what we have 🙂ReplyCancel

  • charOctober 10, 2012 - 10:04 pm

    Your pictures are gorgeous. Would you mind if I pinned your posts to my idea board in Pinterest occasionally? Your scenes spark off nice scenes in my mind for stories. I won’t if you don’t want me to though.ReplyCancel

    • Annabelle MintzOctober 11, 2012 - 4:07 pm

      Char – of course! 🙂 as long as it links back here and everything (credit etc) I don’t mind. I appreciate you asking!ReplyCancel

      • charOctober 11, 2012 - 6:35 pm

        Okay, I did it. I don’t use my Pinterest too often, butI like to pin blogs as I read so I can peruse them more in depth when I have time. Thanks.

  • Meghan JohnsonOctober 11, 2012 - 6:36 pm

    Gorgeous. I love everywhere/everything fall. I’m realizing Colorado is probably an autumn experience I shouldn’t miss out on! Thanks for sharing these lovely photos.ReplyCancel

    • Annabelle MintzOctober 12, 2012 - 9:35 am

      hooray! I definitely agree 🙂 and thank you!ReplyCancel

  • Everyday Adventure // Fall Drive to Cripple Creek « Beautiful GeometryOctober 16, 2012 - 11:46 am

    […] the evergreens.  It’s perfect hiking weather and perfect cuddling weather.  And it’s my […]ReplyCancel

This is the first of a few leaf-gazing drives we took over the course of the fall here in Colorado.  We started in Colorado Springs and headed into the mountains on 24, then turned up 9 through Hoosier Pass to Breckenridge.  There were a few wanderings off course as we scoped the best groves of trees to explore, but that’s the general route – scenic at any time of year, but we really hit this one at it’s peak.

If you’ve never hiked through an aspen grove, this is something that needs to go on your bucket list.  There is no sound quite like it, with the leaves crunching under your feet and the wind through the leaves like ocean waves sweeping the shore.  And when the leaves rustle and fall, they’re like gold dust fluttering to the ground.

Oh, fall.  You’re a stunner.

Finally arriving in Breckenridge, we stumbled upon an Oktoberfest celebration (win) and so we enjoyed some great food and beer and fall sunshine by the river walk until evening.

I think one of the most fun parts of living in Colorado is these mini-road trips, scenic drives and towns that you can spontaneously pop in and out of, discovering new things and even the landscapes you’ve seen before take on a whole new dimension with the changing seasons.

Even though I’m sometimes homesick for the many great places I’ve rested my head over the years, there is definitely much to be thankful for in the here and now.

And there’s much more to come!

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1. With the weather we’ve had lately, I’m tremendously jealous of this guy’s amazing fur coat.

2. Pumpkin spice almond chai from the coziest place with some good company.

3. Sang at a conference this week where we used in-ear monitors for the first time, how exciting.  And a little strange.

4. Got a happy mail package from JessLC with a pretty new necklace, and now I’ve worn it like 3 times.  In one week.

5. Happy first day of corduroy season!  Love these cozy pants, one of my favorite parts of cooler-weather style.

6. Went running on a trail up in Boulder that was featured in this past month’s Runner’s World.  More on that to come!

7. This sky never gets old.  Ever, ever.

8. Three seasons in one photo, you’re welcome.  All we need is a tulip, and the mash-up would be complete.  Colorado, you are confused.

Have a beautiful weekend! Stay warm!

Filed in:Life

News flash – I love fall.  Can we just say that again in case it’s been unclear?

We’ve been out a few weekends this month to scope the changing aspens and I have been in heaven.  I miss the multicolored mess that is fall in the Midwest, but there’s something about yellow aspens that just makes up for it.

I’ll be sharing some more photos and details about some of my favorite Colorado leaf-peeping drives in the coming weeks, but for now, here are some snippets of the goodness to come.  I just couldn’t wait any longer to get some more autumn up on the blog.

October is looking like it’s going to be a fabulous month, indeed.

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  • datbookreviewsOctober 3, 2012 - 2:56 pm

    Your fall collage is really artistic, wow. I love the first photo too. Please look at my blog and follow the link to my cousin’s photography page?ReplyCancel

  • JennyOctober 3, 2012 - 3:32 pm

    it’s beauuuuutiful!! Ah, I miss fall so much. Thanks for sharing so I can live vicariously through you 🙂ReplyCancel

    • Annabelle MintzOctober 4, 2012 - 5:32 pm

      Thanks Jenny – I’m sure I’ll be living vicariously through you when it’s freezing in February and you’re swimming 😉 xoReplyCancel

  • charOctober 4, 2012 - 9:32 am

    Fall is Fabulous! Love that geometrical collage. It’s stunning.ReplyCancel

    • Annabelle MintzOctober 4, 2012 - 5:33 pm

      Thank you! A bit of experimenting, I’m really happy with how it turned out 🙂ReplyCancel

  • Everyday Adventure // Fall Drive to Cripple Creek « Beautiful GeometryOctober 16, 2012 - 11:46 am

    […] Fall in Colorado is sunny days and cool evenings, bright yellow aspens peppered through the evergreens.  It’s perfect hiking weather and perfect cuddling weather.  And it’s my favorite. […]ReplyCancel

Seasons are just part of nature.  Some drag on with day after day of the expected sameness.  Some are full of change and transition – and although those are the most unpredictable and {sometimes} uncomfortable – I do find them the most beautiful.  The blossoming of newness in spring, and the colorful explosion of fall.  They never seem to last long enough.

You can never figure out what to wear, whether you should order your coffee hot or iced, and there’s this play-it-by-ear in the air because it could be snowing or 75 degrees when you wake up.  Last weekend we hiked through the changing aspens in sweatshirts and sat by the pool in swimsuits – on the same day.  You just never know.

Life seasons are somewhat the same.  There are times where everything is predictable and comfortable and you are juggling everything with little effort because there’s no doubting what’s coming next.  Then there are seasons like spring and fall that are crammed full of so much awesomeness and uncertainty that you’re not even sure which balls are in the air anymore.  But they are completely beautiful in all their confusion.

I’m definitely wrapped up in autumn at the moment, caught up in the craziness of life and change and newness.  Trying to reorder what I’m juggling and bring some sense to the universe.  Knowing that soon it will be behind me and all the beauty will be a memory along with the discomfort.

Because change is beautiful.  And growth is beautiful.  And letting go is beautiful.

Because trust is beautiful.

I say all that to say that not much has changed, yet everything is changing.  It’s a hard season, but a good one.  I’m thankful, and it’s beautiful.

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  • Meghan JohnsonOctober 1, 2012 - 9:12 am

    “Because change is beautiful. And growth is beautiful. And letting go is beautiful.

    Because trust is beautiful.”

    What a great message. I’m going through a tough transition period right now as well, returning to the US, and I sometimes fail to remember that there are seasons to life as well as nature. We’ll get through this season and many more. 🙂ReplyCancel

    • Annabelle MintzOctober 1, 2012 - 9:52 am

      Thank you Meghan! It’s very true, that we often focus on the tiny difficult details instead of the bigger picture which often is working into quite a masterpiece! Sending you good thoughts this season…ReplyCancel

  • Everyday Adventure // Fall Hike at Wilkerson Pass « Beautiful GeometryOctober 10, 2012 - 9:52 am

    […] This is definitely one of my timeless spots, at least, one of probably only two in the state of Colorado (of course, hometowns have a way of cramming themselves full of these remarkable time portals).  Always a comfort, no matter the season. […]ReplyCancel

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