Teika and Sam were set to go on their first date where they met in Aspen. Teika, however, texted that afternoon that "I don't think I'll be able to make it tonight, since I hurt my knee skiing." Sam, leaving back to Austin the next day, thought she was politely standing him up and wished her the best.
It turned out, however, that Teika had a legitimate excuse! She was in the hospital with a torn ACL and would need to stay in Aspen for a couple more weeks for surgery.
So Sam returned two weeks later and they went on their first real date, with hot chocolate under the cold snowy stars. Sam flew back to be with Teika in Aspen every chance he got. Without a torn ACL, we would have never had the chance to fall in love!
With Teika back in D.C. and Sam working in Texas, a brief long-distance relationship began, meeting up every few weeks to go on adventures from Montana and the Pacific Northwest to New Hampshire and Maine. It didn't last long because Sam, falling head over heels, shortly moved in with Teika in their tiny Mass Ave apartment.
In between their travels and Teika's work in the White House, they bought a home in Georgetown, celebrating holidays with friends and family. Teika taught Sam how to cook and uphill mountains. They took every opportunity they could to continue their hiking journeys from Patagonia to the Alps.
Until one day...
Alternatively, you can fly into Denver (DEN), rent a car, and drive approximately
four hours to Aspen. Flying into Denver can be cheaper, but you will likely
need to rent a car. Other airports nearby that you could consider that
have shuttles available: Vail (EGE), approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes
from Aspen by car and Grand Junction (GJT), approximately 2 hours from
Aspen by car.
