Aspen Bomb Threat

Sad story about a man disenchanted with Aspen's growing popularity and reputation for being a playground for the wealthy. Article here.

I was in Aspen for New Year's Eve exactly 10 years ago and paid $125 for a ticket to get into Eric's Cigar Bar for New Year's Eve. Betting it is quite a bit more expensive now and that there were plenty of unhappy tourists when 16 blocks of the downtown area (which covers just about everything) was shut down that evening.

Before moving here, I had skied Colorado twice and fell in love with Aspen. Now that I live here, I understand that most people in and around Denver don't care for it. Too expensive, too popular, over-flowing with celebrities....and why go 4 hours into the mountains when you can ski at numerous resorts 1-2 hours in? I distinctly remember having a brief conversation at a snowboard shop a couple of years ago about Aspen and being told by a local that "no one here claims it."

Regardless of its reputation, I enjoy going there. It's a beautiful area and I'll gladly claim it.

Glenwood Springs Pool

More pictures from our trip a few weeks ago. Here we are at the Hot Springs Pool. Pretty amazing. The main pool is kept just above 90 degrees and the therapy pool is 104. Steam rises above the water most of the year and it's really cool to see.

Carter jumps right in the second we get there.





Jack gives it a try. You can kind of see the steam here and more so if you click on the picture.

Lainey isn't quite sure about it.



Never shy Carter claims a lap lane and starts swimming. Not a kid in sight....all adults swimming....and our little fish, too.

Cannonball!!!!

The therapy pool is pictured here in the distance, adjacent to the big one. You really have to save this for last because after feeling the temperature there, the main pool feels very cold.

Our drive out of Glenwood and into Aspen.

Widespread Panic In Aspen

Several pics from our weekend trip to Aspen a couple of months ago to see Widespread Panic play at the jazz festival. Yep, just now posting them.

Such a pretty setting.

Almost as much fun as watching the band.....watching these guys below. Oh, to be fun and stupid and in college again.


Lovely Blake.

And, a lovely sunset.

The band.





The next day included a trip into town for shopping and lunch. Walked through this outdoor market. Bought a $60 dress for Lainey. I have no will power.

I think that is Ajax Mountain behind the fountain park. I never can remember in Aspen.

Lots of room to walk and the weather almost always seems perfect.

A tribute to Aspen history.

Lunch at Boogie's Diner.

These two little cars were so cool. First, notice the double ski rack and hard shell container for ski gear. This tiny vehicle will hold as much as our Suburban will for ski season. I bet they get better gas mileage, too.

Super cool.

Fall Color, Take 2

Wow....didn't realize how poorly that picture of the leaves changing turned out until I got home and saw the blog. Let's blame the camera phone and not the photographer.

So, here is a larger account taken with my regular camera. Colorado gets lots of yellows and not really much red, purple, etc like other parts of the country. No complaints. It's really beautiful.

A few pictures near Maroon Bells in Aspen.

Lovely drive.



You can almost see the trees transforming color. This change doesn't last long....just a few weeks each year. At this time, too, more wildlife are present due to the early snows pushing them down from the mountains.



Carter and Blake...

Favorite From The Trip

From Glenwood Springs. Click on the picture for a close up of the mountains and town below.

Monday

Plans are changing. We got the "Oh, Mercy NO" response when I asked if we should hike to Hanging Lake. It seems that you have to be very skilled and that strapping two toddlers to you is advised against. Something to look forward to in future visits. From Kansas! It won't be long.

So, instead of our morning hike, we're switching gears and hitting the World Famous Hot Springs Pool instead. (Pictured above) Amazing!!!! And, something that shouldn't be missed.

We had originally planned on bypassing this venue due to the high cost and us already dropping $150 on our day today. Plus, Blake and I both figured we'd get there and spend $75 getting in, only to have the babies melt down and us have to go an hour after arriving. That's an expensive swim! Looks like off season rates are a bit more affordable, so we're going to give it a shot.

Afterwards, we hope to hike Maroon Bells near Aspen. It's one of the most photographed locations in the United States. Located in both the White River and Gunnison National Forests.

Details here. A lady I spoke with said it's even lovelier than Hanging Lake and a much easier destination! Hoping both accounts are true.

8:40pm currently. Blake is out with the boys getting ice cream. We have a quiet room for Lainey to sleep and Lord, she needed it. That sweet baby girl can turn into a little stinker when she's tired.

Have a great night!

The Drive To Aspen

A few photos from our drive into the mountains a couple of weeks ago. Aspen is about 3.5 hours away, but it goes quickly. Lots to see along the way.

Part of our path included The Top of the Rockies, a scenic byway recognized for its beauty and place in history.

The Eisenhower Tunnel....significant to our ski trips. Typically covered in snow and the other side holds a steep decline and usually a pretty good indication of road conditions closer to the resorts.

The mountains always look so different in the summer....no snow on the ski runs!



Interesting town of Leadville.



10,200 feet elevation.



I love how the clouds cast shadows on the mountains.

About 30 miles out from Aspen, the roads start winding around. Such a scary drive!

These pictures don't do it justice. Such tight turns and we couldn't see a thing coming our way. And, does this look like a 2 lane road?!

Closer to the hotel... you can see the festival down below...the white tents.

The view from our room. We stayed in Snowmass at the Skier's Chalet, placed perfectly slope side.

Everything looks so different without snow.