Sunsets / moonrises from last week

These photos represent sunsets / moonrises from our family trip to Colorado last week. We were treated to some awesomely dramatic weather!
The first series came after we left the Blue Lakes Trailhead in a rainstorm. As we headed back to Ridgway in the evening, I noticed a band of blue sky in the rearview mirror. Figuring it was worth being in position in case something happened, we headed back out for the Dallas Divide overlook. As we were going up the long steep hill, the sun came out. We pulled over immediately and started photographing one of the more dramatic sunsets I've seen in a long time. The conversation went something like this:

(1) Eh, nice light and all, but was it worth being late for supper?

(2) Woah - a Todd Caudle (tm) fog bank!

(3) The light is getting really sweet. Sure wish we could see the moon. Wait - there it is!

(4) OK, how about a rainbow? Wouldn't that be awesome? - Whaddya know? There's a little rainbow!

(5) But I really want the moon and a rainbow. Is that too much to ask? OK, here you go. Better hurry, because you're losing the light. Count yourself lucky to be in the right place at the right time.

(6) Here's moonrise (earlier in the week) from Yankee Boy Basin.

On our last day before the flight back to Texas, we drove from Gunnison to Silverthorne (via Kebler Pass, Independence Pass, and up through Leadville, naturally.) With the dramatic weather and stunning scenery, it took us all day. We checked into the La Quinta in Silverthorne and I went to the Quizno's down the street for some supper. On my way back, I saw the clouds over the lake to the west starting to go all rosy and pink. I couldn't see much from the parking lot, and anyway my camera was in the hotel room. Luckily our room faced the right direction, so I raced in and willed the elevator to hurry to the 6th floor. Here's what ensued. What a way to end our trip!
(7) Moonrise from Room 641.

(8) Time to break out the "big gun" (for me, at least) - 70-200 + 1.4 teleconverter.

Yep, that's I-70 in the bottom of the photo. Oh, well!

(9) It looked pretty awesome further to the north, as well! I had to get rid of some condos in this photo.

That's all for now.

Gotta say, I think I like your Caudle cloud pic best. (I know, call 60 Minutes.) But there's lots to like here. Looks like you had a fun time, Erik.

I gotta agree with Todd..the second one is very nice!

For me #4 and #5 are really sweet.

Beautiful light on 3,4 and 5. The rainbow and the moon really adds to it. Nice set of images.

Another vote for #2!

Glad you had a successful trip!
You got a whole buncha keepers from it, for sure.

Hopefully the Genie will still be in your bottle for the next trip when you ask for nice conditions again. I like the late sky colors and moon exposure in 8.
Would you consider more of a pano crop in 4&7?

Doug, funny you should mention that. I didn't think about 4, but I initially started to post a pano version of 7, instead of the one above. Here it is. I have no problem cropping if I think it improves the image!

Nice stuff, Erik--especially those cloud and moon shots!

I like 3 the best. I would have been going crazy with a situation like this. Nice!

The pano version does it for me.