Aspen, CO

The Colorado Rocky Mountains are covered in pine and streaked with aspen trees. In late September, all the aspens change to gold. They're striking against the contrast of the dark pines. Most of the locals set aside a day to drive up and see the changing aspens. We're no different. This year, we decided to make the drive up to Aspen.


We ended up spending two nights and one full day in Aspen.  We stayed at The Little Nell on East Durant Ave. The hotel was quaint and absolutely everything you'd want on a trip to the mountains. The staff were very friendly and helpful.

Each of the rooms had:

• Fully-stocked refreshment bar, with complimentary non-alcoholic beverages and snacks refreshed daily (my favorite were the gummie peaches from Dean & Duluca)
• Bose Bluetooth Speaker
• Stone-clad, gas log fireplace
• Fili D’oro down comforters and white goose-down pillows
• Shower and separate soaking tub
• Dual Caesar stone vanities
• Crème de Marfil heated marble flooring and walls
• All-natural “First Tracks” June Jacobs spa amenities

We had breakfast at Element 47 both mornings it was a buffet style meal they had made to order omelets, oatmeal, assorted pastries, variety of meats: sausage, bacon, smoked salmon, berry and yogurt bar. The buffet included coffee or juice but was alittle steep at $34 a person, but the food was really good. For dinner one night we stopped at AJAX and had a good steak dinner.  Our food was very expensive though not sure that we would go back. The next day took the Silver Queen Gondola to the top of the mountain to the Wedding Deck. To do a wedding photo shoot. The pictures turned out gorgeous all of our friends and family commented on how beautiful the pictures were and the time of year couldn't be better with the gold aspen leaves.

Residences at The Little Nell and Audi of America are pleased to offer hotel guests the complimentary opportunity to test drive the 2017 Audi Q7. We took our Audi to Maroon Bells and Independence Ghost Town.

Independence Ghost Town, the wooden skeleton remains of a Colorado mining operation of the 1880s. The remains of the town include, in various states of assemblage, a stable, a general store, two boarding houses, and Farwell Stamp Mill. Guests are welcome to tour the grounds and let their imaginations roam. Preservations do ask, however, that no souvenirs be taken from the site. For more information call (970) 925-3721 or visit www.aspenhistorysociety.com/independencemuseum.htm.

The most photographed place in Colorado is Maroon Bells, located just outside of Aspen. We drove up Maroon Creek Road to head to Maroon Bells. The drive up to Maroon Bells was picturesque. It's forever ingrained in my mind. The aspens grew tall and, at some parts, touched over the road. They created a tunnel, and we drove below the aspens.

It was absolutely majestic. When we reached the beach of Maroon Lake, it was like we stepped into a postcard. No wonder Maroon Bells is the most photographed place in Colorado.