Telluride --> Denver, driving back

Driving back from Telluride to Denver, it was quite cloudy (had rained most of the night)... but still a pretty ride!

Then things cleared up a bit...

Telluride, CO is a cute mountain town

I'm so glad we made the trip to Telluride! I would have stayed a bit longer! It's a cute mountain town... and even had a number of restaurants to choose from. We ended up getting great food at a Middle Eastern place (mmmm... falafel and Baklava!)... and then Thai food for dinner.

CUTE town with a gorgeous view all around!

We walked along the stream and came upon a BEAR!

I ended up just cuddling the bear to death  : P

Rainbow!

hiking - on the way back, Telluride, CO

The day was so beautiful. ...But it was a good thing we went hiking when we did... because the afternoon got quite cloudy and then rainy at night. You'd never know from the photos below... but I guess that's how mountain weather works.

You can see the mine at the bottom...

You can see the town of Telluride in the middle of the valley...

Where we had just been, at the falls...

...And once more, zoomed in...

at the tallest waterfall in CO - Telluride

We made it to Bridal Veil Falls!

hiking to Bridal Veil Falls, Telluride, CO

The hike to Bridal Veil Falls was nice... it was pretty steep at first but then we started trekking on the main road, which had a lot of switchbacks. I'd say it took us about 45 minutes or so each way.

There are supposed to be two waterfalls... one on either side of the house, I believe... but just the one side had water when we were there (still really pretty!).

Mike... making his own path?!

THIS cutie!!

Does your perspective change a bit once you notice how small the two people are towards the bottom right?!

hikin' start point at Pandora Mine, Telluride, CO

After the gondola ride, we drove to the old Pandora Mine... seemingly, still up and running.

This was the starting point for our hike to Bridal Veil Falls (the tallest waterfall in Colorado!).

There's the mine...

Aaaand that's where we're hiking to!

(There's a house set on the edge of the cliff beside the waterfall... pretty cool.)

Closer view of the mine...

gondola to the top, at Telluride, CO

Our first morning in Telluride, we took the free gondola up to the top of the mountain. GORGEOUS.

Towards the middle of the photo below is the Telluride airport!

One runway... and three flights a day.

Mike, setting up his camera in front of the glorious view...

Ski lift...