The motherlode

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If you don't mind driving into town and parking in Aspen (parking spaces are a rare commodity in Aspen), then the Inn is a great place. Our room had two comfortable double beds, a large bathroom, necessary for us women, and a cabinet with TV and refridgerator. Great place, but just make sure you want to be outside town if you stay here. Here's their website: innataspen.com.

You get a HUGE slice of pizza, every flavor you can imagine, for only $2! This is the cheapest place in Aspen, cheaper than McDonald's. When I was at the Motherlode three years ago, we ate every lunch and dinner there because it was the only place we could afford.

Yes, it's cheap, but it is really good pizza. They make their own dough and use fresh ingredients and all kinds wonderful meats and vegetables. Add in a soda and you've got a meal. Whole families can eat there for only a few dollars. The place is small so it's always nice to get your slice and just walk back out to the pedestrian mall and eat at a bench. They're open until 2am.

Now, if you’re on a budget, Lucci’s can be very reasonable; however, whenever I’ve gone there, I just can’t resist all that pasta and wine. I’ve had their lasagna and veal parmesan, both excellent. By the time you add in some calamari and a glass of wine or two, you’ve spent over $20.

Slightly on the romantic side, Lucci’s is a great place to dine in the evening with a small group of friends or just your significant other.

Serving standard American fare such as hamburgers and sandwiches along with some great salads, Boogie’s is a great place to take the family. It has a 50’s style décor with old records and advertising signs on the walls and lots of neon. The diner is actually quite small, but it does have a wonderful outdoor patio with umbrella-covered tables. Great views. They do have pricier items on the menu, such as steaks, fish, etc., but if you stick to the sandwiches, you will have a very affordable meal (around $10 with soda, tip).

I’ve had their club, tuna melt and grilled chicken sandwiches and they were all wonderful. They also have milkshakes and other kinds of ice cream desserts, but I have yet to sample them. Maybe something to try next year…

The Motherlode is a doubles volleyball tournament with four divisions: Open (for professionals or wannabe pros) A, BB, and B. The Open division is played at Koch Lumber Park in the sand. The other divisions are played at various parks around town on grass and outside of town at the high school. There are also Master (over 35) and Senior (over 55) divisions played the Thursday before Labor Day.

Co-ed teams play on Friday. Men and womens teams play on Saturday and Sunday. Double elimination so each team plays until they lose on Saturday. The more games you win, the later in the morning you will play on Sunday. Finals are on Monday.

Whether you play or watch, if you enjoy the sport of volleyball, this is the place to be Labor Day weekend. In Motherlode 2000, I met the man who is now my husband and now we go back to celebrate our anniversary. Check out their website for more info.