Aspen in October 2012
As every year since 1998, the "John Denver Week" will take place again this October in Aspen -- lots of events in memory of John and his music, concerts, sing alongs, hikes, campfires...
Many dates and events between October 10 and 15 have been set now - several more will be added as time passes.
Since we have learned that quite a few people have decided to participate in the events this year, as it is the 15th anniversary of John's death, we have decided to prepare a special category for this week here.
So, first of all, here comes the try to answer the questions which came up most frequently as well as possible.
For questions, info and discussions about for example car pooling or sharing hotel rooms, a Yahoo-Group has been set up as well
To Denver and then go the rest by car - or better fly to Aspen directly?
Each version has its own appeal - the flight across the Rocky Mountains is beautiful and the approach to Aspen Airport is kind of a thrill, since the valley is very narrow. Besides this, you are at your destination as soon as you have landed. Most hotels offer a shuttle service to pick you up at Aspen Airport and take you back for departure. Besides this, Aspen really has a nice, small, cleary laid out airport.
In case you would like to visit an event which is not in walking distance, it always makes sense to ask other fans if maybe they have some space left in their car. Travelling together can be so much fun! Besides this possibility, there is a free bus service in Aspen which takes to to many interesting places.
The drive by car on the other hand takes about 4 hours --- photographers should plan more time... :-D --- and offers beautiful looks into the Rocky Mountains. I'd especially recommend the "scenic route" via Indepencence Pass (be careful to check the signs along the Highway, which will inform you in case the pass is closed, which can happen at this time of the year). You should stop on top and take a little walk around to enjoy the breathtaking landscape. I know, I sound like a tourist guide, but in case you didn't feel it up to now, you will certainly get your first impression of "Rocky Mountain High" here... :-)
Also on the way from Denver to Aspen, you can make a little detour to visit Georgetown, the nice little town where "The Christmas Gift" was filmed. The tourist info there is also the ONLY place where you can buy the DVD of this film - if Gabi and I didn't really grab the last two available copies last year.
You also have to keep in mind that, from our own experience, flights directly to Aspen are - at least from Europe - quite a bit more expensive. Considering this, it may be worth calculating if it would not be cheaper to rent a car. Even if most places in Aspen are in walking distance to each other, it may always come in handy to have a car available if needed.
Where to stay in Aspen?
Well, here comes the difficult part.... :-)
First of all, you should be aware that - even though October is absolute off-season - Aspen is expensive. Of course there are many, many hotels in the town, but inexpensive accomodations are in short supply.
I deliberately don't want to give any recommondations here - too different are the wishes, requirements and pockets of those who may read here. This is why I will limit this to mentioning the two "most important" hotels for the John Denver Week -- so once there is the Mountain Chalet, traditionally the hotel where they have sing-a-longs each day, most of them until the wee hours of the morning, in the lobby.. Many fans consider it their "home away from home"... Second then the Limelight Lodge, where the artists performing at the Memorial Concerts stay as well, and where they usually offer a "John Denver rate" for the time of the events. In the last two years, they also held the VIP receptions after the Wheeler Memorial Concerts there.
The Mountain Chalet is the less expensive choice, while the Limelight is very new and comparatively offers more comfort. It's all a matter of taste.
Both hotels are located in sight distance to each other in the middle of Aspen, which is very convenient, and both hotel fees include breakfast, which goes, after all, not without saying in the USA.
Information about more hotels can easily be found, for example, by using an Internet search engine.
Where is what?
A list of the events which have been set by now can be found here - more events will be added as they come up.
Where is the John Denver Sanctuary?
The John Denver Sanctuary is located on the outskirts of Aspen and is part of the Rio Grande Park, I have marked the place with a green A here .
Follow North Mill Street downhill until, after the big meadow, you can turn to the right into a path - it leads you directly to the Sanctuary. There are also signs which will help you.. At the entrance, you will have this view. The left path is the correct one...
How do I get to Windstar?
The Windstar Land is one of the places you can only reach by car (or on foot, but I guess this is a little TOO far, it is about 17 miles....). Windstar is not located in Aspen, but near Snowmass, about a 30 minutes drive away.
You leave Aspen on Highway 82 direction Glenwood Springs, until you see a gas station from the Highway at a turnoff to the left. Turn left into this street (this is the Snowmass Creek Road), follow it to the end, then turn left again. Windstar will be on your right after about 0.7 miles. Here the route from Windstar into the middle of Aspen on Google Maps.
We are, of course, happy to answer any further questions we are able to answer via our contact form.
