Wednesday mom and I, Zeb the duck, took I-70 west to C470 and then south on Highway 285.  We were going to have lunch at Pine, Colorado and then drive to Kenosha Pass to see the Aspen Trees.  It was a beautiful, sunny Colorado day.

We met our friend, K-rad, and then headed to Pine.  We decided to have lunch at the Historic Colorado Saloon, the BuckSnort Saloon.  To get there, we drove into Pine, then turned left on 4^th Street, then right on Elk Creek Road.   This mountain road is very scenic.  Even a small waterfall in Elk Creek.

When we arrived, ready for lunch, we discovered the Bucksnort is closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

And this is Wednesday.  Mom…you picked the wrong day.  These might just be winter hours now, but check before you come.  We took some pictures here.  The log building is over 100 years old.

It is from the 1890s when this was a stage stop and general store.  The BuckSnort Saloon is very popular with motorcycle riders.  One even arrived while we were there.  He was looking for lunch too.

Leaving the Bucksnort we drove back to Pine and had a very nice lunch at Zoka’s Restaurant and Bar.

Zoka’s is family owned and has a large deck also.  And, Zoka’s is open 7 days a week.  We all had the pork sandwich.   It is house smoked and has hwy 126 BBQ sauce.  It is usually served with cole slaw on top, but we wanted the cole slaw on the side.  Then we could choose French fries, cole slaw or purple potato salad.  We had French fries.  It was delicious!

Pine is a pretty town with the river and surrounding mountains.  I want to come back here!  And, each of these restaurants allows well-behaved dogs on the patios.  If they like dogs, they must like ducks too.  We are coming back.

We left Pine, drove to highway 285 and south toward Kenosha Pass.  In Colorado we have lots of aspen trees and this time of year (autumn) the leaves turn red for a very short time and then a beautiful gold.  The leaves are rather small and turn and shimmer in the wind.  I love the quaking aspen.  They look so pretty on the side of a mountain, with green pine trees and Colorado’s bright blue sky.  Of course, I love yellow—it is my color!  Kenosha Pass is famous for its aspen trees and gold leaves in the fall.  Can’t wait to see it.  Hope this is the right week for us to be here.

These photos were taken as we approached Kenosha Pass.

Here is one at the pass.  It shows so many aspen trees on the side of this mountain.

Then we went over Kenosha Pass to South Park and into the town of Jefferson.  At Jefferson we saw our only bear,

and it was at Jefferson Real Estate, Inc.  Mom said we didn’t really want to see a bear today.  I can agree with that.

I hope you will check out Colorado’s aspen trees in the next few days.  They are beautiful.  I think we will go to another place for more leave watching.  I will let you know.  Even if the leaves are not gold, go to Pine for lunch.  For information visit www.thebucksnortsaloon.com and www.zokas.com.   See you soon for food and beverages.