Turn off the season!<\/p>\n
Turn on the sleepy peaceful, yes I said peaceful, small town,<\/p>\n
Quiet in its abandonment except for tired locals,<\/p>\n
And drowsy bears<\/p>\n
Turn off the snow!<\/p>\n
Turn on the mud!<\/p>\n
Enjoy some extended weekends on Aspen Mountain,<\/p>\n
Shushing through slush on a slope all by yourself.<\/p>\n
Bring on the sunshine!<\/p>\n
Chartreuse leaves,<\/p>\n
And the song of a robin or two.<\/p>\n
Crawl out of hibernation and hiding from Aspen\u2019s guests.<\/p>\n
Bask in the glow of neighbor\u2019s smiles.<\/p>\n
Share some stories with old timers at the Red Onion.<\/p>\n
Stretch out in empty grocery stores.<\/p>\n
Whizz in and out of town, free of bumper to bumper traffic.<\/p>\n
Delight in free parking Saturdays and the \u201cgenerosity\u201d of the City of Aspen to its citizens.<\/p>\n
Thrill in parking at City Market without even having to circle the block!<\/p>\n
Take advantage of off season specials,<\/p>\n
Prix Fixe,<\/p>\n
Spring Sales!<\/p>\n
Hope for minimal road construction<\/p>\n
And a lot sun!<\/p>\n
Feel the breeze in your face as you pedal your bike for the first time in a while.<\/p>\n
Watch out for potholes!<\/p>\n
Jump for joy!<\/p>\n
Soak in the small town experience.<\/p>\n
Scout out quiet hikes and spaces for future refuge.<\/p>\n
And then anticipate,<\/p>\n
Brace yourself,<\/p>\n
Despite the snow (really!),<\/p>\n
Summer is coming!<\/p>\n
Summer season on!<\/p>\n
Julie Markalunas Hall<\/p>\n
Aspen<\/p>\n