I occasionally go to Aspen, Colorado for a day or two in the winter, so I can mingle with the rich, famous and people that can really ski. While I don’t ski well, nor am I rich or famous, I still find plenty to do. I always make it a point to take a 40- minute taxi ride in Aspen’s Ultimate Taxi, sometimes called “The crazy taxi.” I just cruise the town with my family or friends and people watch. Once in the taxi however, the tables are turned and people start staring at the unusual taxi. It is certainly a sight for all eyes.
Aspen’s Ultimate Taxi
Jon Barnes has been driving tourists around Aspen in his 1978 Yellow Checker Cab since 1984. Sometime in the early 1990’s he started putting “stuff” inside his taxi. Barnes said he started adding items into his cab and it just kind-of snowballed into all of this craziness.
Barnes has added colored fiber optics on the inside roof, a mirror ball, a laser projector, a roller coaster simulator and even a mini recording studio. Somewhere along the line it was dubbed Aspen’s Ultimate Taxi. Barnes and his crazy taxi never seem to be lacking for customers, especially in the winter, Aspen's big skiing season. He has quickly become a sort-of local legend.
The Ultimate Taxi has keyboards, drums, flashing lights and a web cam. If passengers choose, they can be shown live on camera in his taxi and it is broadcast to his website, for posterity. Barnes has made quite a name for himself and his taxi over the years, as local TV programs have featured him as a newsworthy oddity. He even carries tourist items in the trunk of his cab for sale as well as staples you may have forgotten while travelling. Just ask and he will open the trunk for your further inspection.
Barnes hands out 3-D glasses for your viewing pleasure because as we all know, everything looks better in 3-D and even with all the “stuff” in this taxi, you can still squeeze anywhere from three to five people inside. It’s a little pricey at $140 for 40 minutes, but it really is a crazy ride and you can split the price with friends. It's a great way to tour downtown Aspen.
Some passengers over the years in the Ultimate Taxi have been: Jerry Seinfeld, Clint Eastwood, Bob Woodward, Ringo Starr and George Lucas, among others. Glad to find myself in such good company.
Cathleen Shaffer - I am a freelance writer for many print and online publications. My specialty is travel. I ghostwrite blogs for businesses and websites. My ...
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