Blogs from Aspen, Colorado, United States, North America

Geo: 39.19, -106.818On Friday, we drove from Grand Lake toFruita, Colorado, by way of Aspen in order to visit the site of the John Denver Sanctuary Memorial Park there. On the way to Aspen, our Tom Tom GPS routed us along Colorado highway 82 over Independence Pass. At the pass, elevation of 12,095 feet, highway 82 reaches the highest elevation of any paved Colorado state highway on a through road. The road is very scenic, but is also very steep, curvy, and only one lane wide in places, thus traveling along it is an experience in and of itself. In Aspen, the memorial park called the John Denver Sanctuary is located in a peaceful nook of Aspen's RioGrande Park along the banks of the Roaring Fork River. Many of thesinger's songs are engraved in large granite ... read more

Bonjours à tous, Black Hawk, est un petit Las Vegas, avec quelques différences, pas de grands hôtels ostentatoires, et surtout personnes dans les rues, tout est à l'intérieur aux tables de jeux. C'est la première fois que je vois autant de monde jouer. Atlantic City était désert, Las Vegas du monde mais dans la rue, ici c'est tout l'inverse. Un gros avantage de faire étape dans une ville de jeux, le hôtels ne sont pas chers, ou du moins pour le même prix, c'est un hôtel de lux. Idem pour les restaurants, je suis rentré hier au soir complètement gavé. Le Casino dans le quel je suis allé souper est tellement immense que j'ai mis près d'une ½ heure pour trouver la sortie, des machines à sous, des tables de jeux, sur je ne sais pas ... read more

I remembered the village of Aspen as beautifully nestled beneath its towering ski area and Terry hadn’t seen it before, so we added it to our itinerary. For lodging, we selected an old-fashioned inn, Mountain Chalet, which dates back to 1954 when it was right at the foot of one of the original lifts and stood all by itself. It's reasonable for Aspen at well under $100 a night and you can’t beat the location. There’s no AC and the furnishings feel like a real ski lodge but it’s a nostalgic experience to stay there and stroll around town. Additionally, the complimentary breakfast is sensational. There is an actual fresh orange squeezer for your morning juice. Another reason I wanted to go to Aspen was to see nearby Maroon Bells, the dream of any photographer that ... read more

Don't get fooled by the bland brick building and simple Victorian architectures around town. Aspen is very opulent; the epitome of luxury, style, and grace. Strolling down the streets, big fashion names that fill Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, Fifth Ave in Manhattan, Avenue Montaigne in Paris, and Bond Street in London are well represented here. Arts Galleries that cater to the strangest tastes are as common as Toyota in Tokyo. I never heard the "organic contemporary style" till I opened the Aspen Home Design magazinethe magazine, should include classic, clean, and simple sinuous lines. It incorporates pieces crafted from reclaimed wood and recycled materials. Furthermore, the style uses fabrics that utilize vegetable dyes. I would remember that for future reference. Either I was way behind with my vocabulary or this town really leads the bleeding ... read more

The length of the byway is 115 miles long and takes approximately three hours to drive, although you may allow more time for stops and photo opportunities. The entire route is a paved, two lane highway with access to a vast network of trails and recreational activities including hiking, climbing, wildlife viewing, mountain biking, horseback riding, off-road 4WD touring,and ATVs. The numerous lakes and streams offer some of the finest trout fishing in the country, kayaking, canoeing or just relaxing by the shores. You may start the drive from Copper Mountain on Highway 91, from Leadville at the juncture of Highways 91 and 24, from Minturn on Highway 24 or from Aspen on Highway 82. The Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Commission has adopted the Columbine, the Colorado state flower, as its logo. As you tour ... read more