Tuesday September 22, 2015
Aspen – Breckenridge over Independence Pass
98 miles driving, 5 miles walking around Independence Pass, Breckenridge (per iPhone)
Hate to leave our beautiful room and fun town of Aspen. We had the car packed up and were at Paradise Bakery for the first time this visit by 8:15. I walked down for my $6.56 latte around 7a and took these photos of the cottage cheese sky and the Hyatt.
We ate our warm apple-filled croissant (Bob) and my Morning Glory muffin (like a spicy carrot cake — gluten and dairy free; Bob: “Barf.”) sitting outside while looking at this.
We headed off to Breckenridge via Independence Pass and, once again, these photos do not do justice to the brilliance of the colors. I probably took 100 photos as every turn was more beauty. We took our annual photo at the top of the Pass. We always look freezing!
We arrived in Breckenridge at 11:30, parked the car and set out to explore and find lunch.
We walked around for an hour or so looking at menus, reminding ourselves of places we have been before, and landed — per usual — at Kenosha for lunch. It has become a tradition. It was cloudy and cool but still nice on the patio. They always have really interesting cocktails — the whole town does. Bob ordered a Master Caster (Breck bourbon, Breck bitters, ginger ale and fresh squeezed lime juice, served on ice. I had the Sunshine Bloody Mary (lemon and basil infused vodka with the house Bloody Mary mix, three olives, a pepperoncini, lime wedge). Refreshing and tasty. Bob ordered a Polish hot dog with cole slaw and a loaded bake potato. I ordered a cup of bison chili and the quinoa spinach salad with red peppers, glazed walnuts, apples and mustard vinaigrette. Delicious and too much to eat.
While we were eating they called to say our room was ready so walked back and spent the next couple of hours catching up on email, news etc.
We saw these guys.
We wanted to go to Hearthstone for happy hour but they were closed for a private event: 500 lawyers are in town for a convention. Yikes. So we went to our next favorite place, the Briar Rose. There were two seats left at the bar and nice Henry is still bartending. Cocktails are two for one during Happy Hour and they have lots of small plates. Bob had his Chivas and I had the White Flame Martini: Breck chili vodka, habanero olive juice, Turkish stuffed olive. Not as hot it sounds but a pleasant quick. Had to try the grilled shishito peppers. Tasty and done the way we (used) to do them with just olive oil, salt and pepper.
Modis is another of our favorites. They have a spectacular (and not crazy expensive) wine list and during happy hour glasses of wine are $3 off. We have discovered great wines here in the past — Orin Swift’s Prisoner for one. Bob ordered the Coppola Directors Cut Zin and I had the Project Paso Zin. A local named Dan was next to me and was quite the talker. A retired chemical engineer who splits his time between Englewood and Breck. Reminded me of Dad a little bit. Bob bought him a glass of wine so he kept talking… he was very nice. We ordered Bison sliders and parmesan fries to split. Spicy sliders and decadent, delicious fries.
We were still just a little hungry so we stopped at Kenosha on the way back to the hotel for a cup of Bison chili. Bob had a glass of the Terra d’Oro Zin we had in Grand Junction and I had the Quandry Zinfandel.
Done!
Bob and Sharon's Travel Diary 