About Aspen

We found Sunday afternoon in Aspen to be fairly laid back. Here are some things that caught our eyes as we walked around there.

In front of the Fire Museum, we found a plaque designating the area as a park to memorialize a Mr. Clapper; the plaque was at the base of a large bell ---with a clapper, of course.

This friendly guy waves to all who walk by his lovely townhouse.

He is, however, a dummy---and I mean that in the nicest possible way. 

I was baffled by the potty sign.

See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil--life-size, in bronze.

This appeared to be a life-sized, stuffed bison. We saw a herd off the interstate, not too far from there, but none of them were skateboarding.

These bears were made of nails!

I had never remembered seeing a Subaru quite like this. (B read recently that they did not sell well.)

While we were walking around, it started to rain, but the drops dried almost as soon as they fell.

Announcement!

We can't quite believe it yet, but we have learned that we are to be grandparents in March!

Mailbox Monday: Aspen Copper

You know you are in Aspen when the mailbox is copper -----and it is still there. In Florida, thieves are ripping air conditioners apart to steal the copper for resale.

Thirty-five Years Goes By Fast!

Thirty-five years goes by fast! It has occurred to me that that sounds like an old person talking but I don't think of myself as old at all.

Thirty-five years ago today, I put on my long-sleeved(!) white dress, took my daddy's arm and walked down the chapel aisle to B.  We made a few promises and left as a married couple.

I think we are closer than most couples. We enjoy being together and spend most of our free time together. My sister and brother-in-law sent us a card that shows a tough-looking couple arm-wrestling on a table. The inside reads, "Still  holding hands!" It was a hilarious picture.

But we do often hold hands when we walk. It is good to have a partner to walk through life with you--- to hold your hand.

Happy anniversary, B!

Very Early Basalt Log Homestead

We were looking for a lunch spot in Basalt and happened up a hill into a modern neighborhood. Smack in the middle of it was this quaint, ancient-looking log homestead. There were signs warning against trespassing so we stayed in the car for pictures. The tree made for less than ideal viewing. The ore-cart was nice.

The timbers were large.

Notice the square notch work. It is disappointing that in the noonday sun, the sod roof ---which truly made this home so interesting for us---does not really show up.

At the Basalt Sunday Market

While staying in Carbondale, we ventured toward Aspen, Colorado. Along the way we came upon a sign on the highway directing us to the Sunday market in Basalt. I had heard good things from our daughter-in-law about Basalt, and so I was curious. We spent several hours in the town before going on.

We parked near this very tall, carved tree stump. Nice work on the fisherman and big fish. There were other sculptures around town.

We found interesting booths at the Sunday market. 

I would call that a serious pizza peel. 

If you could read the sticker on the vehicle below, it would say, "Real trucks don't have spark plugs."

This one sure had an insect-like face.

So this was a smooth(ie) ride:

The vendor hooked a blender cup onto the back of the bike on a stand and the customer got on and pedaled.

The blades turned in the cup, and before no time---voila!---a smoothie was born!

But check out the handle bars. (Kind of creepy.)

We came across this sign stuck on a tuxedo on a "man-nequin" in a consignment shop.

Loved the trout bench!

We had a good time exploring Basalt. I could live in Basalt.....in the summer.

When the Sun Shines on Mt. Sopris

Driving around in Carbondale after our evening dinner and walk, we paused to admire the local mountain, Mt. Sopris, which peaks at 12,953 ft above sea level. As the sun was setting, only the top was still in the sunshine.

This was the sky further west.

It was one of those "thankful to be there to see that!" moments.

Carbondale, Colorado: A Fun Town

I had read that Carbondale had won some award for being a great place to live. So when we were working out our route, I picked there to spend a night. In the end, we spent two.

We went into town for dinner at a little cafe called the Village Smithy. It is on the site of one of the town's  old blacksmiths. This ore cart full of flowers was out by the entrance.

This iron gate shows the blacksmith at work at an anvil. 

This double gate was at the bottom of the yard off from the open dining area where we ate in the pleasant evening air. 

Across the street from the restaurant was this barber shop. I am thinking that THE Floyd's of Mayberry (from the Andy Griffith Show, of course) did not have solar panels on the roof, nor did Floyd do coloring, manicures or pedicures.

On the same street was this little establishment.

This sign in front of a shop made me smile.....

But this one cracked me up!

And just WHO was driving this truck?

We enjoyed our evening in town and the two nights we slept in Carbondale.

Glenwood Canyon

I guess I had not done my homework well enough as I did not see Glenwood Canyon coming until we were deep into its belly. Oh my goodness! It is quite a place. I only wish there had been some place we could pull over; we found none. As I drove the interstate, B took pictures through the windshield.

On the left in the  picture below, you can see the rushing Colorado River that has carved out this canyon over the eons. What you can barely see are the other lanes that head east. At times, the roads were all but stacked to accomodate the narrows.

Below is the only shot we got of the sign for the exit to No Name, Colorado.

Mailbox Monday: Colorful Colorado Mailbox

This colorful house in Carbondale, Colorado had a colorful mailbox that was painted to match.

The Betty Ford Alpine Garden in Vail

I had discovered the Betty Ford Alpine Garden in Vail, Colorado in a AAA tour guide.  It turned out to be a little tricky to find: the GPS was hopeless. But we eventually got there and it was well worth the effort. Below is the large iron gate that serves as the entryway.

It is a beautiful garden planted to honor Betty Ford, who had just recently died when we were there. 

Look at the wooden rails.

Columbine is the state flower and there were  many colors of columbine in the garden. (This carved stone sparrow was huge.)

These flowers below are not identified, but do not appear to be columbine.

The poppies were just extraordinary!

and just look at the lupines!

Such a gift, as the garden is open free to the public.