If you follow me on Instagram, you probably noticed where I ended up for Passover…Aspen, Colorado. I’m still pinching myself as I unpack my suitcases.
It was a week before Pesach, my upstairs was cleaned, and I was stressed. I’ve never made Pesach in my life. The kids were off of school, I had to shop for everything, and I had to tackle the kitchen and playroom. Dear G-d. I was kvetching to my mom, who was headed for Aspen as one of the guest speakers on the Prime Experience Program. Lets just say, a couple of hours later, she had pulled some strings and my family and I were headed to ski country! We booked our tickets faster than you can say “I have no idea how to ski!” and the rest is history!
I can never thank my mom enough for the unbelievable experience of Pesach in Aspen. We had the most amazing time relaxing, making new friends, taking in the most beautiful scenery and enjoying delicious Kosher for Passover food. The elaborate smorgasbords of salads, fruits, crudities, cheese, charcuterie and pastries spanned breakfast, lunch and dinner for a full 10 days. It’s no wonder I’ve hopped on the South Beach Diet train the minute I got back! I’ve never eaten so much in my life!
Luckily, there was a lot to take in around the city, so we explored the beautiful views on foot. Hiking the Rio Grande Trail, visiting Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, and going 11,212 feet up on Aspen Mountain. And no, I did NOT go skiing. I’ve got four kids and I’d rather not hit a tree head on while I speed down a mountain uncontrollably (ok, I’m a chicken, I admit it!).
This was my first time on a Passover program, and I totally get the hype. You get to send your kids to daycamp, chill by the pool (I’ve never sat by a pool with evergreens and snow in view!), and enjoy lavish meals that someone else prepared. What can be wrong with that?! Well, to be honest, I have to say, that while the program was the vacation of my dreams, it wasn’t the beautiful family-oriented Passover of my youth. It was fun, relaxing and delicious but it lacked soul. Even with all the hard work and prep, there is so much beauty in a homemade Passover, and I look forward to giving it to my kids one day.
That’s not to say that if I have the opportunity to head to an exotic island for the holiday, I won’t take it up. Are you hearing me KMR, Kosherica, Prime, VIP Ram??? I won’t say no if you invite me!!
I love to travel, and if I ever have the opportunity to visit a place I’ve never been to, I jump on it. When I walked around Aspen, I couldn’t get enough of the gorgeous view, and everywhere I went, I just kept drinking it all in. I can’t believe that I’ve lived in the U.S.A. my entire life and I never knew that such a beautiful place existed just a couple of hours (planeride) away. Forget Europe and The Islands, we’ve got a goldmine right here in this country! It really made me realize that I’ve got to start exploring more of the States. Maybe even drive cross country in a mobile home (I’m pushing it now, aren’t I?).
Now that I’ve learned to take semi-professional pictures, I love to put together a family photoshoot with the beautiful surroundings. I took the most incredible photos of my kids with the most breathtaking scenery that I will treasure for a lifetime. I mean, how can you beat this?
I thought I’d seen it all until we hiked the Rio Grande Trail. O.M.G. Can I go back now?!
Photos along The John Denver Sanctuary, with poetry inscribed in the rocks….
And the drive along the Colorado River to Denver, wow! The red mountains, the beautiful land at every turn, it was beyond!
I’m so very thankful to have enjoyed Passover in Aspen. I have a newfound appreciation for this country and I can’t wait to explore more of it (hey hubby, are you listening?!)!
Have you ever been to a Passover program? How did you like it? Share with me in the comments below!
And don’t you worry, BIB is back next week with lots of new healthy and exciting recipes!
Sounds like a wonderful trip. Beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Julie!
I hope you checked out the magnificent Chabad center on Main Street. (It’s hard to miss :)
Of course I did, it’s beautiful! I love the art gallery!
A Pesach Program is something that once you do go, it’s hard to make Pesach at home agin. We have been going for the past 7 years. It’s an amazing vacation. But, as you say, it does the lack the heimishe varmkeit and it is important for children to see and experience home made Pesach.
I’m glad you had a great time.
Very beautifully said, Mrs A!
However, I have to disagree on one little point
you make.
“…lacks soul…”?!
I beg to differ!
I’ve made over 20 Pesach’s at home.
Been to several Pesach programs both in
the U.S. and in Israel.
“Soul” is what you make of the holiday.
It cannot be bought, given or provided by a
program, or at home for that matter!
So, Chanie, where I agree wholeheartedly
with everything you’ve written about
Pesach in Aspen, the SOUL issue, IMHO,
comes from within.
You have a point Shelley, it’s definitely what you make of it!
We went to pourto Rico for pesach it was an amazining program sun beach pools georgous hotel and the food was unbelievable none stop eating from pizza to sushi to noodles to rac of beef to BBQ every Dayton desert ect.
I lived in Colorado for 6 years so your photos really bring me back. I’ve never been on a Passover trip and I would definitely consider it but I also agree that being at home with friends and family is a big part of the tradition for me. But that said, absence makes the heart grow fonder as they say and being away once and a while can give you all new appreciation of the ties and traditions you’ve built at home. Oh, and I don’t ski either!
Glad I got to bring you back to Colorado!
Was at KMR this Pesach and we have a fabulous time. I have also been to Colarado in the summer with KMR. Love your pictures and your blog. Happy that you got a vacation.
Looks like a beautiful trip. Why no food photos! I would love to go on a Pessach vacation but my husband can’t part with his traditional family Pessach dishes (that have taken me years to perfect). Maybe if I was able to show him how great the food on your Aspen trip was I could convince him… Also he loves to snowbaord and I ski. Win win!
Thanks Hana! I couldn’t take pictures of the food on Pesach itself, and during Chol Hamoed, it was usually very hectic with the kids around eating time so I never managed to get photos. But I can tell you that the food was nonstop and it was absolutely delicious!