Oktoberfest and Fall Colors

We actually had a very busy weekend. On Friday we went out to dinner with WS' sister and her 2 daughters. We actually found a good Mexican restaurant out here. It's called Los Dos Potrillos and it's only about a 5 minute drive from our house. I'm a little bit picky about Mexican food from restaurants. They have to serve homemade beans. If the beans aren't homemade I won't even bother with it. Los Dos is really good.

On Saturday we went to the Denver Oktoberfest with E and met up with one of my high school friends who lives in the Denver area too. She has a 2-year-old. It's good to have someone living nearby who I've known for a long time. The Oktoberfest was okay. It was touted as family friendly and was supposed to have a kids carnival. However, I wouldn't consider a jumper and slide a "carnival." Also, the jumper was $3.00 for a 4 minute jump. So, that part was pretty poor, but at least we had the chance to drink a few beers with friends, listen to polka music, and see downtown Denver all at the same time.
E enjoyed the expensive jumper. Here she is on minute 1 of her 4 minute ride.


My high school friend.


Enjoying our beer.


German Dancers


E and my friend's little girl give bavarian pretzels a try!

On Sunday we decided to check out the fall colors before it's too late. The last weekend in September is known to be a pretty peak time in the mountains. Colorado is known for the changing of the Aspen trees. They turn a really pretty golden color. So, we drove up with WS' sister and her girls to a place called Kenosha Pass. It's about a 90 minute drive from our house. When we got up there, we took a hike on the Colorado Trail. The hike was great. The key is to arrive early. We were on the trail by 9 am. When we were hiking back down at about 11:30, it was really crowded. The hike was pretty amazing. At one point we found ourselves in a pretty big Aspen grove.


E is getting ready to start the hike.


The smallest of the crew.


E with the girls on the hike. Her cousins and their friends.


Our view of the aspen tree tops.


Aspen grove



Taking a rest



Family shot! E was ready to go back at this point. She was done with all the picture taking.

We have had beautiful weather. Our morning in the mountains was a little bit chilly, but by the time we were leaving to go back into Denver it was the mid-seventies in the mountains. It's actually been pretty hot down here. Everyone has been telling us that this is unseasonably warm for the end of September.