I was away last weekend visiting Crested Butte, Colorado, with my husband, for an early anniversary getaway. Since moving to Colorado six years ago we have been trying to take trips to all its four corners and in-betweens of this beautiful state. Crested Butte has been on our list to visit and we felt that the autumn season would be a good time to visit the town as well as see some beautiful fall foliage along the way. We were not disappointed! (All photos will enlarge if clicked on)
Crested Butte has been fondly referred to as "The Gateway to the Elk Mountains," "Colorado's Last Great Ski Town. " and "The Wildflower Capital of Colorado." It sits at an elevation of 8,885 feet (2708 meters) and is located 28 miles north of the city of Gunnison, and a 228-mile distance from Denver, which was a 4-hour car trip for us.
We were impressed by the size of the 12,162-foot (3,707 m) Mt Crested Butte summit that is the site of the Crested Butte Mountian Ski Resort.
We stayed on Mount Crested Butte in the Elevation Hotel and Spa.
We could see the ski resort chairlifts close to our hotel. Vail Resorts has recently bought the family-owned Crested Butte Mountain Resort and locals hope this won't change the ambiance of the town.
It was late afternoon by the time we checked into our hotel room and we heard from the front desk that the town was going to have a Fall Harvest Festival that evening that they called "Vinotok," which is a storytelling and fall harvest festival with ancient roots, and is a long-standing annual event in Crested Butte, that takes place on the autumnal equinox. You can read an interesting story about how this festival originated on this Colorado Public Radio link.
We had noticed some of the streets in town were closed off when we drove by and now we knew the reason. We had dinner reservations so instead of driving to town we took the free shuttle bus service that the town provides from the mountain into the historic district.
When we exited the bus the sun was on the horizon, soon to set. We heard the beat of a drum and people wearing costumes and aspen leaves in their hair walking towards the center of town. We followed the crowd and soon saw free-form dancing in the street.
All of the costumes and dancing were very colorful! We watched for quite a while as we waited for our dinner reservations.
As you can see by the video above--make sure to turn on the sound--or watch the video on this link on my Mille Fiori Favoriti Facebook page, Vinotek is a fun and happy celebration for all ages!
Around 8 pm, the Vinotok Tribe presents the "Trial of the Grump." The community puts The Grump on trial with harvest maidens dancing and a play of the Harvest Mother, Dragon, Knight, and Green Man. The performance is amplified and lit so the community can hear and see the tale take place on the stage.
Around 8 pm, the Vinotok Tribe presents the "Trial of the Grump." The community puts The Grump on trial with harvest maidens dancing and a play of the Harvest Mother, Dragon, Knight, and Green Man. The performance is amplified and lit so the community can hear and see the tale take place on the stage.
The Vinotok Fall Harvest celebration then ends with the "Burning of the Gump" bonfire. You can also watch this video on my Mille Fiori Facebook page on this link.
We dined at Marchitelli's Gourmet Noodle where we had the specials--Osso Bucco for my husband and Rainbow Trout over risotto for me, and since it was an anniversary celebration we indulged in desserts--spumoni with cannoli and tiramisu. Everything was very delicious!
We were happy to spend this full moon and the first day of the autumn night in Crested Butte! Come back soon to see more!
See my Part Two blog post about the Historic Town of Crested Butte here.
We dined at Marchitelli's Gourmet Noodle where we had the specials--Osso Bucco for my husband and Rainbow Trout over risotto for me, and since it was an anniversary celebration we indulged in desserts--spumoni with cannoli and tiramisu. Everything was very delicious!
The National Historic town of Crested Butte is so pretty.
Many of its buildings date back to its early history as a coal mining town from the 1880s. We went back to explore more of the town on another day and that will be on my next blog post.
After dinner, we returned on the shuttle bus back to Mt Crested Butte and our hotel.
We had driven part of the beautiful West Elk Loop Scenic Byway over Kebler pass earlier in the day to see the autumn colors--more on that in a future post-- and we were tired from our long and festive day.
We were happy to spend this full moon and the first day of the autumn night in Crested Butte! Come back soon to see more!
See my Part Two blog post about the Historic Town of Crested Butte here.
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Thank you!
...what a colorful and beautiful part of the world!
What fun that you had!! It looks like Crested Butte is a town that likes to let its hair down and have some fun. A beautiful setting also.
Wowzer! Excellent adventure. Looks like i better get myself into travel mode . . . I'd like to visit - or saty here a little while. Thank you!!! (thought i knew Colorado . . . giggle, looks like i have a LOT to learn.)
What a wonderful place to spend your anniversary! That food looked delicious.
Hello, gorgeous views of the mountains and aspens. The trees are just gorgeous. Looks like a fun place to visit. I like the cute bus and the moon capture is lovely. Happy Monday, enjoy your day and new week!
That was some adventure with a festival, great food, and the beauty of nature.
Pat, these folks are dancing like no one is watching. What fun. Thanks for sharing.
This looks like a wonderful place to visit in any season, and the festival was a big bonus. The colour on the trees is gorgeous. - Margy
Beautiful! That's the way I remember my visit to Colorado - Vail, Estes Park, and Denver. I got so used to the comforting presence of mountains in the background that I had an uneasy feeling for days that "something" was missing when I returned home to Michigan!
I replied to your nice comment on my blog post - to answer your question here, too - "fire in a paper" was a Chinese lantern!
Oh I just love your photos of the yellow trees on the adjacent mountains! Crested Butte is someplace I'd love to ski. Someday!
Looks like a beautiful area to explore.
YOur second capture could have been in Switserland - awesome views, Pat! It wants me to go back to see some more in Colorado! The costume festival reminds me so much of the hippie time, lol. Wow, scrumptious food. We, at All Seasons can enjoy all aspects of your trip with you! Have a lovely week!
Thats gorgeous and I want that bus!!!!!!!!
The landscape is jaw dropping! Wow!
A Colorado resident for over 50 yrs. before retiring to the coast, I know Crested Butte well!! Your photos & narration was like going home!
Oh what fun!I Love festivals! Looks like a beautiful place to visit! There wildflowers are stunning. Thanks for linking up with us #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty 31
You had perfect timing. What a gorgeous place.
Worth a Thousand Words
thank you for sharing the journey to this fascinating region, Pat
What a fun getaway. Crested Butte looks like a lively town at the festival season. Your dinner sounds and looks delicious!
What a wonderful anniversary trip! Beautiful photos! Love that fall color!
Wow, Pat. If I didn't know better, I would say that you had painted that yellow on the mountain scenes. So spectacular!! I love these small-town festivals - they are unique and bring out the passions of the townspeople. Very cool! Like the residents there, I hope the purchase by Vail does not change the vibe!
Your anniversary trip looks and sounds amazing, the scenery, the history and Vinotek too! You really take us to some wonderful places, thanks for sharing it all with the MM crowd this week.
The foliage is superb.
Autumn is such a beautiful season in the Rockies. I do miss the aspen! Now you've added the fun Vinotek Fall Harvest celebration to your Colorado travel journal. You should write a Colorado travel book!
Ooh, I have been to Crested Butte a few times, but never in the fall. Lovely photos and lovely stories! I have stayed at that hotel and had breakfast with the owners! Wonderful people. I, too, hope Vail Resorts doesn't muck up the CB Mountain resort.
Thank you for sharing. I wouldn't trade where I am now, but I do miss Colorado sometimes, especially the unique places.
Lucky you, getting to see the aspens ablaze!
I think your anniversary trip looks and sounds absolutely brilliant.
Loved seeing all of your photographs, and I'm sure you have so many special memories of this trip.
All the best Jan
Amazing,Loved the post.
Happy Anniversary. Colorado is so beautiful. Have never been, but when son lived there he brought home some amazing photos. Your captures are beautiful of the scenery.
Peabea from Peabea Scribbles
How lucky you were to arrive there just in time for that festival. So much to see and do in your adopted home state!
It is such an fun and interesting town! We really enjoyed our stay last summer -- though we were kind of in between seasons it was so worth it! We drove to the Mountain as we were staying in a b&B inn within walking distance of downtown. I recognize the background in some of your street shots and that surprise entertainment looked like fun to see and hear ... really neat to get a festival that you didn't expect!
Such a pretty place! Hubby and I went up into the mountains today. It was gorgeous and we had a great time. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
What a nice surprise to see the Festival in full swing when you got into town. I just love the stores in Western towns....oh and restaurants! Wonderful post my friend!
I love how you can see the beautiful fall colors creeping up the sides of the mountain, as if hoping to make it to the summit!
Great trip you went on and opportune to visit during the festival. Looked like a lot of fun. It was fun to travel to this pretty place from my armchair. Thanks so much!
Great scenery.
Since my son moved to Colorado five years ago, we, like you, have been trying to visit all it's corners. Crested Butte is one place that has eluded us - but my son and his fiance went this summer and loved it. I'm hoping to rectify that situation next summer. Looks wonderful!
Vinotek!!!!!!YAY.
What an exciting time and beautiful town
MB
I love the fact that you, and your husband, are traveling throughout the state. Colorado is so beautiful! Glad you are enjoying all of it. Thank you for linking up today!
lucky you! Congrats on the anniversary and the fun tourism. Where are you again? We moved to Aurora a few months ago and also try to visit new to us places while in CO. I'd love to meet you, we're in South Aurora area... is that doable? LeeAnna at not afraid of color where you'll find my address. I think we've emailed before...
What a beautiful and interesting place to celebrate your anniversary in. I love learning and the festival video was great. But the scenery...the scenery....Michelle
It looks a fabulous little town to stay and to get a festival for your anniversary was kind of them. Love the colours and your photos.Dinner looked delicious too. Do you get altitude sick up there?
Gorgeous and what an interesting festival, but Colorado always surprises one with such things.
Have a great week!
Wow, what a colorful and unique celebration. I read the link for the origin of the festival and appreciate how the people in the town worked to learn to live together. Interesting note that the Gump might be the inspiration for Burning Man.
I'm so enjoying the scenery and finding the festival is such a fun extra.
Your photos always amaze me, Pat! What a beautiful town. Thank you so much for sharing with us at the Whimsical Wednesdays Link Party! Have a wonderful week!
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