Notes from the road #16: Colorado to Utah and back again

Hello dear readers and welcome back to another edition of Notes From The Road.  This monthly practice of reflecting on where we’ve been over the last 30 days is a tangible reminder of just how fast time goes by.  And that sentiment feels like it’s never been truer than in September.  All of a sudden it’s fall, the temps are dropping, the leaves are turning, and the days are getting noticeably shorter.  More than any other time of year, fall reminds us to savor what remains because all too soon winter will be upon us.  

Before we settle into October, here’s a look back at where the road took us this past month.

Crested Butte

In early September work took us to the small, secluded mountain town of Crested Butte.  After 20 years photographing weddings at nearly every ski resort in Colorado, we were thrilled to finally add the elusive Crested Butte to our resume.  However, I think my favorite part of the weekend was the route we took to get there.  If you’ve never been over Kebler Pass (west out of CB) I highly recommend adding it to your list.  With some of the most sprawling aspen groves in the state, now would be the time to see Kebler in all its glory, but I think it’s so good that it’s likely to turn heads any time of year.

Our friend Peter Holcombe recently made a video featuring Kebler Pass:

Utah

In mid-September our little road fam (that you likely recognize from many other posts here on the blog) made good on our plan to spend some time together in Utah.  Over the last two years we have spent months traveling alongside Heather & Adam and Josh, Darci, and their daughter Hannah but it’s usually in Mexico, not the US.  This time of year we are widely spread out across the country so the opportunity for us all to come together was an unexpected delight.  Anytime we’re together I feel such gratitude that we all met (rather serendipitously) two years ago. This group has quickly become family to us.  

Our rendezvous spot was at one of Mark & I’s favorite campsites south of Moab. Perched on a canyon rim, Utah’s breathtaking canyonlands served as the backdrop while we enjoyed endless conversation, shared meals, crafts, and bike rides.

Fall in the Rockies

I say this every year and I’ll say it again. Fall in the Colorado Rockies is extraordinary. The last week of September and first week of October are arguably the most breathtaking weeks of the entire year. If you live in Colorado, be sure to take some time off this week and go for a drive. If you don’t live in Colorado and have never experienced fall here, I urge you to add it to your wishlist. Today I’m driving five hours round trip for a one hour portrait session and I wouldn’t have it any other way – it’s simply an excuse to get out and enjoy some leaf-peeping : )

In case you missed it

If you’ve been following our journey for long, you know I love to share the ins and outs of our life on the road via daily post series. I may not be the best at how-to guides, gear reviews, and technical articles but by way of daily journaling I’m able to share a candid look at what this lifestyle is all about. Not the highlight reel, but the real deal. The good, the bad, and the mundane.

In August I wrote and shared 26 daily posts which you can find here. In our six years living on the road full-time, I’ve never shared much about what life is like during the summer when we’re traveling around Colorado for work. This time of year feels so normal for us that I’ve fooled myself into thinking it’s not worth sharing. I’ve realized it’s probably the most realistic look at what life is like living on the road full time. If you missed the series, be sure to check it out at the link above.

That’s all for September! I’ll leave you with this photo of our furry friend Duke who was showing his disdain for driving days by hiding in the sage while Heather & Adam packed up their truck.

Happy fall friends,
Michele & Mark