Over the river and through the woods... 2/25

I have always wanted to go for a sleigh ride. I guess it all began with my great grandparents' royal blue and red velvet lap robes from Kentucky. At last, the time has arrived. Aspen Carriage will provide that long awaited opportunity. But first we will have a carriage ride from downtown Aspen to the awaiting sleigh. Why not?

Our driver told us about some of the history of Aspen, as well as places to eat and to not eat! 

Shortly we switched to the sleigh and our new driver, a somewhat funny fellow, with stories to tell.

We all dressed warmly and Chris' fur hat was perfect for the day! Is that Chris texting on a sleigh ride? That somehow seems odd.

The countryside was beautiful as we passed 28 million dollar homes while we rode through the meadow alongside the Roaring Fork River on the Stillwater Ranch. The only thing lacking was snow falling and perhaps a little more snow on the ground.

We stopped for hot chocolate and I couldn't resist testing the depth of the snow on the other side of a little slippery bridge. These boots are indeed waterproof!

Yes, there were sleigh bells! 

After skiing we found ourselves enjoying a stroll in the sunshine in town. The streets were pretty dry as I think many of them are heated. This giant bear was a pretty good use of nails.

A little further down the street we found what was left of two large structures. This one was a Buddha. 

The Wheeler Opera House was preparing for an evening performance by various comedians so we got a quick short tour of the interior.  This handsome red sandstone was built by Jerome Wheeler about the time he built the Jerome Hotel in 1889.  

From there we walked a few block to the Ajax Tavern in the Little Nell is nestled at the base of Aspen Mountain. It is one of the more popular aprés ski spots in town. What a busy fun place it is! 

We caught the bus back to the Pokolodi in Snowmass Village and enjoyed our usual cheese and crackers with variations and refreshments for dinner in the lobby of our super friendly home for the week.

Snowmobiling 2/24

Becky and I started the day posing to send our daughters photos of the outfit for the day! This was my "Darla pose" that I learned from her granddaughter who also likes to play dressup.

Soon we all convened at the bus stop for a ride to the Aspen Highlands Ski Resort. There the people from T Lazy 7 Ranch would pick us up to ride to our destination for the highlight of the day and perhaps the trip.

Barbara and I are quite excited about the snowmobiling. I am going to be sure I do not get cold!

We soon arrived at the office and along with lots of other folks got signed in and outfitted for our 2 hour excursion. Due to avalanche dangers they had to change the route and we did not get to go see the Maroon Bells.

We traversed the countryside on prepared trails through the forest that were quite breathtaking with a view of Pyramid Peak in our sights much of the time.

In this flat, open area we got to play and go as fast as we wanted as long as we did not pass our guide. He was the winner from the beginning. I soon learned that I could hang back for awhile and then go pretty fast. 

Part of the time we rode on this maintained forest service road. Often we would pass cross country skiers or people hiking with snowshoes.

At our first stop Becky just couldn't hide her excitement. We all agreed it was a fabulous experience and wanted to go another day. We just ran out of time. We were all impressed with the leopard seats on the snowmobiles and the hand warmers in the handlebars. Who knew?

Pyramid Peak

Our guides were a cute young couple saving their money to get married. At this stop they had hot water for our tea or hot chocolate.

After our ride we were driven back to the Aspen Highlands, a ski area with hotels and 3 restaurants.
We wasted no time finding a wonderful place to eat at the base of the slopes. It amazes me that it can be so cold and you can sit outside in the sun and feel toasty warm.

We then made ourselves at home in front of the fireplace in the welcome center while we waited for our bus. We are getting pretty good at this and it is only our second full day! Leon got me these cute boots for my birthday. 

Chris, Becky, and I kept each other awake till the bus arrived.

Back in Snowmass Village we gathered around the fire at the base village to await the 6pm torchlight descent down Fanny Hill.

Then we went into the nearby restaurant, Out of Bounds, for a scrumptious dinner before calling it a day.

Check out the torchlight descent on you tube.

Aspen Mountain 2/23

Many of our days began at this same location waiting for the bus. Chris, Susan, Becky, Darla, Barbara, and Carolyn decided to spend our first full day wandering about in Aspen.

The transportation in the area is supreme and free.  A bus came not a block from our lodge every 15 minutes or so and away we went. In the morning we usually had to wait for the skiers and snowboarders to unload on the way to a day on the slopes in Snowmass.

Darla, Chris, and I were doing the happy dance as it was such a beautiful, sunny day to be strolling the avenue.

Aspen Mountain loomed in front of us and it seemed the perfect day to ascend the mountain. Actually this photo was taken on a different day - it wasn't this sunny! But the cloud makes for a nice picture.

We got our tickets for the lift and away we went. Some forgot to ask for senior discounts and others got it without asking! 

Sometimes we sat color coordinated - three to a side - the blue side and the red side. But no matter where we sat we smiled.

The views were magnificent but the swaying on this windy day made us just a little nervous.

We each posed for a photo op at the top of the mountain! The views were just breathtaking.

We reached our destination and enjoyed some delicious soups and chilis with a view.  It just felt like a soup kind of day! 

Back at the base of the mountain we located a hand warmer. They are scattered about throughout the area and are a nice place to convene. I want to build one in my back yard but it will burn wood! It rather amazes me how energy conscious Aspen appears to be and yet gas is going into the air here and there. I guess one has priorities. 

Hotel Jerome was built in the 1880s by the co-owner of Macy's, Jerome B. Wheeler. It was one of the first hotels west of the Mississippi to have full electric lighting.  

We wasted no time making ourselves at home on the comfortable sofas in front of the fire, as noted from the second level. It is quite a grand old hotel!

The attached J-Bar is a popular watering hole but we were too tired to stop for a drink or snack. The fresh, chilly air just sometimes tires one quickly.

Darla seemed happy to be back on the bus for the 15-30 minute ride back to the Pokolodi, depending on the number of stops. 

Snowmass Village, Co

February 22 finally arrived and away we went after a fine evening of visiting, dining, and sleeping in Little Rock so we would have to leave quite so early.

There was not room in my suitcase so I had to wear my hat!

I kept looking out at the clouds from the aisle seat and then all of a sudden this view caught me by surprise.

Five of us arrived at our destination and would soon be joined by two more - girls day out!!!

In no time we were settled into Pokolosi Lodge, our home for the week in Snowmass Village, less than 100 yards from the ski slopes.

We unpacked in a hurry and headed over to Brothers' Grille in the Silvertree Hotel for lunch. Darla, Becky, Sandi, Barbara, Chris and I were quite enthused to be alongside Fanny Hill with a fantastic view of the skiers. It was all new to me as I have never been to a ski resort in the winter.

While we ate we watched the skiers and snowboarders ride up Fanny Hill and then descend right outside our table by the window.

I was impressed with how they could ski right up to the restaurant, park their transportation, and come in  dressed in their skiing regalia. Someday I hope to be able to come to a stop like that and not crack my helmet!

After lunch we spotted the gondola that would take us down the hill to the base village shopping area and away we went.

Back up the hill on the other side of our new home was the Snowmass Mall. I could walk there to shop faster than I can drive to Cornerstone for shopping at home!

At the end of the day we would relax in a somewhat exhausted state in front of the fire in the lobby of the Pokolodi. Employees just couldn't come any nicer. It probably didn't hurt that Sandi's son works there.

Before I turned in each night, I would peer off the balcony to get one last look at the Aspens standing proudly in the snow.

Then each morning, anywhere from 3:15 to 5:15, I would be awakened by the snow removal equipment clearing the parking lot across the street.  Beep, beep, beep as he backed up and scraaaaapppe as he drove forward. The streets are heated and clear themselves. 

Soon it is time to descend to the lobby for a continental breakfast. By 7 am when they open, Becky and I have usually had three pots of coffee and Chris has come from next door to join us.

Then it is time to match our outfit for the day, choose a hat and the matching gloves, and go out to play once we convene in front of the fire.

Some days there is more snow than others but there is always plenty to do.