Donne Tempo - Colorado

In order to get to the higher elevations of Aspen, one must climb the lower peaks of the mountains. Not something for a novice to do on the proverbial dark and dreary night. The higher you climb, the darker it get. As the road width thins, so does the air.

Then you hit the peak of Independence Pass. And the recognition that to the left is little more than a cliff and to the right, a jagged rock wall, is nothing less than unnerving for those faint of heart.

Flip the scene over and the only difference between the dark below and the dark above are the amazing stars.

At the top of the pass, a snow squall, just short of a blizzard and now, instead of just rock to the right and dark to the left, there is an eight-foot thick snow pack to the right and those stars are no-longer visible.

Actually nothing but snow is visible.

But we are not faint of heart and we carry on. Then from the dark emerges a yuletide vision in the summertime. From the lights of the town to the picturesque historical registry spot, The Hotel Jerome, an immediate sense of calm and elation descends.

Warmth. Safety. Food. All at arms reach.

Hotel Jerome
The Historical Hotel Jerome was built in the late 1800’s as a quality stop for those interested in seeing, and possibly investing in, a very lively silver mining industry. Here in Aspen, the world’s most valuable silver nugget, 93 percent pure and weighing 2,350 pounds, was found in the Smugglers Mine.

But it took Jerome Wheeler and his influx of cold, hard cash to bring Aspen to the forefront of the mining boom. Independence Pass and the Continental Divide provide a formidable foe to those needing to bring supplies in and silver ore out of the mountains.

Jerome Wheeler, along with a handful of investors, brought the railroad into Aspen along with an early history of Grande Excess as the “swells,” the wealthy societal upper crust, traveled to Aspen.

They came not only to witness, and profit, from this silver boomtown but also for the therapeutic air and health-giving qualities of the mountain environ.

But that was then and this is now. And now The Hotel Jerome must be, without a singular doubt in my mind, one of the most premier friend and family destinations in the U.S., if not the world.

Big statement. Big mountains. Big hearts.

The Hotel Jerome, and Aspen, Colorado is not just for ski season. By far, one might think ski season is an afterthought following a June visit.

Nestled amongst the pines of the White River National Forest and literally in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Aspen is most often clear and sunny. At almost 8,000 feet above sea level, the air is dry, pleasant, invigorating.

Even in the deepest of winter it is not as cold as say, Chicago, with average temperatures ranging from 20-55 degrees. Plus it is that wonderful “dry cold” that is bracing and marvelous.

When it is not winter, the temperature is moderate and the air remains crisp and healthful.

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