TeamDiva.com Blog: 2008-07-13

Thursday, July 10--the 3 of us--Adrienne, Tim, and I hit the road via our favorite Wolf Creek Pass to Hwy 40--ending up in Steamboat Springs for the night on our first leg of A's b-day trip to Aspen. She wanted to have her b-day dinner at our very very favorite restaurant in Aspen..., D19! Tim rented an Ultra Classic Harley from Eaglerider in SLC so she could be more comfortable--backrest, armrest, and her own volume control for the tunes! We stayed in Steamboat right in town on Hwy 40/Lincoln Ave. at the charming Hotel Bristol. 24 rooms in one of the historical buildings in town with western/ranchy decor. Will and Roy rode their bikes over from Aspen (in record time of course!) We had a nice dinner at the Yacht Club right in town on the Yampa River. Next morning we walked to the famous "Winona's Restaurant" on Lincoln Ave.---don't miss this place--especially if you love your giant cinnamon buns--or homemade corned beef hash! This day --July 11, is Will's b-day--so he got a candle in his bun!!!

We headed south on Hwy 131--all of us on the bikes from Steamboat to Wolcott on I70. We had a nice b-day lunch at Wolcott Yacht Club on their patio--they are very famous for everything from fish tacos to their burgers. Mounted up and said good bye to the boys--(they wanted to go the "fast way "---we wanted picturesque!) We headed a few miles east on I70--then turned south on Hwy 24 through cute town of Minturn--over the glorious Tennessee Pass--part of the Continental Divide at 10,424 feet. After some great photos--(check my gallery), we rode through Leadville and turned off on Hwy 82--a road I have travelled since my childhood. My goal years ago was to ride on my own bike over Independence Pass (elevation 12,093 ft. and another stop on the Continental Divide) --and now I can say I have ridden it 4 times--on my 2 different bikes!! Made lots of friends on the top of the pass--more photos and chatting with a great family from Palm Beach--Diva Darcy, Neil, their darling daughter and her friend--we are now invited to stay with them there!!! The ride down the pass makes you fell like you are in the movie set for Sound of Music--all the wildflowers are blooming, snow on the peaks, shimmery Aspen trees, and the old miners shacks--makes you think what it had to be like back in the day of those silver miners who travelled here! At the end of this rainbow is the even MORE shimmery town of Aspen. I have travelled here since I was in elementary school, even learned to ski here--so I have a fond place in my heart for this little "mining" town. We rolled into one of my favorite places to stay--THE GANT--a deluxe unit, flowers waiting, and Zach the bellman helped me wash the bike!!!

Now of course --travel to Aspen would not be complete without experiencing great food. We ate the first night at my super friend Tommy's new place called "Social." It is right next door to his other fab restaurant, Elevation. We sat on the patio that is 2 stories up and a view extraordinaire from Independence Pass to Aspen Mountain. The concept we loved was the "social cuisine" ordering small dishes to sample different fair--eating family style --but much more contemporary. We ordered 6 different dishes--for the 3 of us---and finished off with chocolate fondue and handmade ice cream sandwiches--under the twinkling stars--with great music and a lively crowd. The evening was complete with a chilly walk home window shopping--the most affordable type of shopping in this little designer town!!

Next morning, A's b-day--we shopped the Saturday Farmer's Market--featuring all Colorado made, produced, and grown goodies--everything from sheep milk soaps, darling kids clothes, and locally grown cherries and peaches! Talk about lucky--to be in Aspen on your birthday and Dad with his credit card for shopping !!!

Now--on to the reason we came here--to see Dena, Marcus, and their new baby Cash at their famous restaurant---D19. We not only ate lunch there--but also dinner . Dena is an award winning chef, rubbing elbows with the likes of Emeril, Mario, and Tyler--she creates incredible Italian dishes--and of course we tried as many as we could in our 2 meals in one day we had there! Make sure to call ahead for reservations--it is so popular! A's Aspen Daddy Ron and his family joined us for dinner and b-day singing! After dinner I dropped in to see my favorite, award winning bartender--Jordan at Eric's--we have known each other since the Tippler days---yikes----loved those Disco Tuesdays...an era gone by!

A beautiful Sunday morning to hit the road home, and a nice surprise--dear friend Andy Mill stopped to see us before we left--haven't seen him in years--and the years have been so kind to him--looking good!!! Time to hit the road--- travelled HWY 82 to Glenwood Springs--I70 west to Rifle--north on Hwy 13 to Meeker--then west on Hwy 64 through Rangely, Dinosaur, and Duchesne. A cool ride over Wolf Creek Pass and back into Park City.Another fabulous trip and luck was on our side!!The bikes ran great, ate great food, and visited with old friends and made new ones on the road--love it--ready to roll anytime!!!

Diva's links:

http://www.eaglerider.com/ Harley Rentals

http://steamboathotelbristol.com/ lodging in Steamboat Springs

http://wolcottyachtclub.com/index.htm lunch in Wolcott

http://gantaspen.com/ lodging in Aspen

http://social-aspen.com/ new, hot restaurant in Aspen--tell Tommy Diva Amy sent you!

http://www.d19aspen.com D19 Dena in Aspen

Photo #1 Diva Amy taken by Will in motion on the Hwy

Photo #2 Lunch at Wolcott Yacht Club

Photo #3 Palm Beach Darcy's Divas top of Independence Pass

Photo #4 Chef Dena, partner/husband Marcus, Studly Cash

Photo #5 Lovin' Our Andy