When you think Aspen, Colorado, do you think of summertime? Probably not. But the Aspen, Colorado area is so much more to offer than just snow sports. You might even be able to get a deal on your trip because summer is the off season. Aspen in summertime is especially recommended for the animal lover, as well as the lover of a great vacation.
Horseback Riding
In 1988, I was lucky enough to take one horseback ride in the Aspen, Colorado area. I've had many horseback rides in three countries, but I can still clearly remember that Colorado ride and the sturdy bay Quarter Horse that gracefully carried me. Even when I fainted briefly due the altitude. The bay just stopped, sighed and waited for me to regain consciousness.
Horseback riding is better in Colorado than in most places of the world because of the fascinating scenery. Wildlife will also be less frightened of you on a horse than in a car or on foot. We went at a steady, unadventurous walk. Now, this usually bores the experienced rider (like myself), but with the high altitude, the incline and descent and the scenery, you won't want to go any faster!
When going horseback riding in the Colorado area, you need to wear jeans, footwear with a good heel to it and a lack of clunky jewelry. Rides generally take an hour. Be sure to check in advance if you can go out with a guide by yourself or if you have to wait for several people to get together before you can hit the trail.
Bird Watching
Officially called "twitching", the Aspen Colorado area features celebrities of the human and avian type. If you are not native to the area, it is incredible to realize just how diverse the bird kingdom is. Bird watching is not only a highly educational form of entertainment, it's also economical. All you need is a halfway decent pair of binoculars and a bird identification book and you're set to go.
The birds range from hummingbirds to bald eagles. In the summertime, you can attract hummingbirds by setting out a bright red object outside. Coke-can red is irresistible to them, because it looks like a tropical flower.
Even birds considered common and dull, such as the ravens, take on a whole new life in the Colorado tundra. They often play while on the wing, doing aerial somersaults and tumbles just for the sheer fun of it. Sights like that definitely help recharge the old batteries inside of yourself and stick with you for the rest of your life.
Before you pack your red hat, binoculors and cowboy boots, here is a handy acclimation tip (Remember the horse black out? Take it from me!): If you do plan an Aspen summer vacation, be sure it is for at least a week if you do not live in the mountains. It will take at least twenty-four hours for you to get over the worst of altitude sickness. Be sure to have someone check on you on your first day in Colorado. I say this because on my first day, I walked directly into a wall! Even with that, it was still one of the greatest trips of my life!
This guide to mountain-high Aspen was brought to you by Rena Sherwood.
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