© 2014 MJL

Aspen Love

Grand Junction to Aspen

Grand Junction to Aspen

We left the parking lot behind the bus and caravanned through some incredible rocky mountain beauty.  Jim had drove us expertly through the mountains so grateful for Zack to be able to see some beauty for a change without having to be the driver. We arrived at Snowmass Village with the bus as planned but we were denied access into the underground lot.  We scrambled to arrange parking for the RV and access for the dogs in the shuttle.  Someone told us the dogs would not be allowed on the shuttle and our hosts sent us to watch the show without them.  It would put appall over the day as we headed up the hill on the shuttle I was already scheming how to remedy the situation.  My plan was to find one of two acquaintances we had been introduced to the night before to drive down to shuttle the dogs up the hill before the show.   I was hoping to find Stephen and Catherine since the other folks hadn’t seemed as fond of me.   I had a few hours to locate and arrange this, if I couldn’t I was going to rent a taxi.  But before the end of sound check Jim told me they would be up in time for the show.  My mood was instantly improved with the news. It was a public sound check I enjoyed my lunch outdoors on the deck of a restaurant listening to the band play.  I staked a spot by the fire pit. After lunch Zack and I went to the Geeen Room with Tato and Anthony.

photo Credit: Jim Eckenrode Free show in Aspen/Snowmass

photo Credit: Jim Eckenrode Free show in Aspen/Snowmass

My new realer friend Catherine of Colorado

My new realer friend Catherine of Colorado

The show was great although it had been a long day waiting for the show to start.  The weather was in the mid 60’s we were so lucky.   I got to spend a little more time with Stephen and Catherine whom I had briefly met in Grand Junction.  This couple dances cheek to cheek the entire set.  We became fast friends.  I hope to have a pen pal relationship with her and who knows we may have an opportunity to meet again her daughter lives in Berkeley.

The Aspen Show

The Aspen Show

The venue was not my favorite for the band even though I was the most excited to see Aspen.  The stage was set up with a large barricade in front set back away from where the people stood by several feet – way way out of the transfer  zone.  This was true for everyone but one girl who stood in the snow in a long dress that was hanging wet in the snow (had to be hella cold) I’ll give it to her she was resourceful and well balanced on a hill in the snow doing this sexy dance (at one point she even used the sapling aspen trees as a stripper pole that had been planted in the way of the stage). Aspen is the original Cougar Town and they came out to see the band.  I found myself watching the crowds more than the band this show.  There was a lively bar next to where we were sitting and this table close to us was getting Shitfaced and stupid.  They were passing around one of the lady’s prosthetic breasts posing for lewd pictures with it in their mouths on their heads And even down another lady’s shirt.

Me and Z at the Aspen show

Me and Z at the Aspen show

After the show it was time to check into my room which was so romantic it made me think I should of skipped the show.  Our window looked out on the ski mountain,  if I wanted to ski I could walk to the ski lift.  We threw down our bags and went on a tour of Aspen proper in the RV.  I was blown away with the size of the town.  It was the largest mining town I had ever seen.  Street after street of old brick buildings.  It was booming with silver money once, now the streets are paved with gold, Aspen boasts some of the most expensive real estate in the country.  We had dinner at Hickory House Ribs.  Delicious and probably the only place in town we didn’t have to take out a second to eat.  What a town, what a night.  I may never get to see it again I tried to take it all in just in case I don’t.  The mountains of Colorado are incredible, I was so impressed.   The end of the tour is in sight, we have just one more show left.