FOR A RECENT FALL getaway, I took a trip downvalley for an overnight staycation in Carbondale with a few close friends. It was the perfect respite for a change of pace from Aspen, packing in as much as possible while being mindful of today’s safety guidelines with social distancing, mask-wearing and hand-washing.
We started with a hike up Red Hill, meeting at the newly configured parking area at the intersection of Highways 133 and 82, a major enhancement from before with a better-defined arrival experience, more space to allow for parking apart from one another and direct access to the trail. The steep ascent led to stunning vistas of Sopris, then we looped around and down, back to the lot and headed straight to Main Street. We strolled downtown, stopping to shop at local boutique, Lulubelle, to find thoughtful holiday gifts, a selection of stylish masks and cute and clever greeting cards. Next up was a blissful massage at True Nature Healing Arts in their spa set behind the main building, accessed by an outdoor path. I opted for a 60 minute massage (masks are required for both the therapist and guest), which wasn’t an easy choice as the entire spa menu is enticing from reflexology to facial treatments to sound healing.
