July 7, 2009 - Fishing

July 7, 2009

The weather today in Aspen needed no improvement. We started off by going fishing in a little pond about a half hour outside of Aspen. The pond was located on a large property where there was also a ranch with a number of horses. It was all just beautiful. To stand beside the pond and fish while looking out at all the mountains and meadows with a gazillion wildflowers growing was a real treat. I saw some poppies that were not only red, but also pink and orange. I didn’t know they even came in those colors. I actually caught two rainbow trout! Rich and Kristen each caught a rainbow, too. We had a guide who taught us how to do everything and brought all the poles and bait. More later.

July 8, 2009

David and I went back out to our campsite at Difficult yesterday and packed up our tent and other pieces of equipment to get ready to move out today. Then we went back into town to get cleaned up and ready for a nice dinner out with grownups. Kristen arranged for a babysitter. Last year, she met a really nice girl who was a Brown Univ. student working at the Aspen Nature Center for the summer. She didn’t return this summer, but a friend of hers did. In between giving nature classes to kids, she babysits. She came over around 6 p.m. and we went out to a nice little place called Brexi’s Brasserie, a short walk from our place. We noticed a big difference in the number of people out on the streets—the 4th of July crowd had clearly left town. When we arrived at Brexi’s, it was quiet, but soon filled to capacity. It was a very cool place with an interesting menu. Anyone who knows Kristen, knows she does a lot of research before choosing where we’re going to eat, so we knew it would be a good place. I took a few pictures for Holt (He’s the owner of a tile business.) when I went to the ladies’ room. I’m going to describe our meals for those I know will be interested. The rest of you can read on. David and Rich started with a dozen oysters on the half shell. They noticed the oysters were a little more briny than those served in N.O. and FL, and they enjoyed them. David, Kristen and Rich had the Colorado striped bass, roasted with a crispy skin, over a bed of artichokes, carrots and onions, topped with lemon confit. I started with jumbo shrimp and followed with a delicious watermelon, frisee salad with pine nuts and feta. We shared two desserts: lemon madeleines served with espresso ice cream and marshmallow sauce and French feta wrapped in phyllo and baked, topped with fresh figs, pine nuts and honey. Our sommelier recommended a dessert beer, of all things, so naturally Rich had to try it. It was an India Pale Ale and Rich liked it. It was 10% alcohol. Maybe that’s why he was later seen talking to a horse.

We took the long way home, so we could enjoy the perfect weather and the quiet streets. We didn’t even need sweaters. In front of the Paradise Bakery, they often have different musical groups playing. Last night there was a group called, “Bassooner or Later”. There were probably 30 people listening.

Today we have to do a little laundry, pack up and head to Steamboat Springs. There’s going to be an air balloon festival there which should be interesting to see. We have reservations for five nights at the Stagecoach State Park.

Ella will have horseback riding today. Betsy will have a lesson with the Level 3 gymnasts from Aspen. They’re going to the rodeo tonight, if they can make it that long. Ella is going to have a skateboarding lesson tomorrow—we can’t wait to hear how that turns out.