Loveland snowmaking ops Thursday

Photo courtesy of Colorado Ski Country USA, which reported today that Colorado resorts are taking advantage of the cold temperatures and ideal humidity conditions to make snow." Copper, A-Basin and Loveland are now all making snow and the latest storm dropped either a dusting or a couple of inches. Last year, A-Basin and Loveland both opened on October 15th. "This was the first time Colorado had two resorts open on the same day for the season," CSCUSA says. Copper Mountain is slated to open on November 6th.

Snowmass, First Day of October, 2009-2010 season. SkiCo photo by Jeremy Swanson

East side base layer?

Probably not. But inspirational, nonetheless. A cold front blew a dusting of snow clear down to mid-Nell last night and the upper slopes had what appeared to possibly be actual potential coverage. It may be a fall illusion. Sunny and cool is the forecast for Friday and then mostly cloudy and still cool on Sunday.

Dusted pumpkins

Moody fall day

While it was pleasant at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, a winter weather advisory from the National Weather Service has been posted for the Aspen area. Wind, cold temps down to 27 degrees, and snow are expected after midnight in Aspen, with less an than inch of snow forecast. The lower valleys may see freezing temperatures tonight as well. It should be windy with gusts up to 40 miles per hour in town and higher on the ridge tops. It should be a tough night to drive over Independence Pass, with some intense passing snow showers. It is also the kind of weather that frequently catches hunters exposed. Thursday morning, another inch of snow is possible in downtown Aspen, which comes pretty early, as sometimes it doesn’t snow in town until the end of October. The high peaks around town got a nice dusting early this morning. Storm looks like it will blow through by Friday, which is to be mostly sunny with temps in the low 50s. Fall colors are peaking now and are just beautiful. The mixed sunlight through the the clouds only highlights different patches of golden leaves. Just a stunning time to be in the high country. Where are you?

Movie Notes from The Meeting

Sundeck session
The screening of the new film from Teton Gravity Research at the Sundeck on Aspen Mountain Friday night worked well from one perspective — it was a great Red Bull-fueled party that went well past midnight. It was the first time at The Meeting that a film had been shown at the Sundeck, but alas, the film projection set-up did not do TGR’s “Re: Session” much justice, as the film looked yellow and washed-out. One loyal TGR fan wondered aloud during the showing if maybe the boys at TGR were trying some new visual effect.If you looked past the projector quality, “Re:Session” was a solid effort,though, reflecting TGR’s usual “take no prisoners” approach to movies, life and skiing. Another Aspen screen date is not yet on the schedule on TGR’s website, but maybe the Jackson Hole boys will add a showing at the Wheeler if we ask them to.

“Dav” in deep
The latest ski film from Matchstick Productions of Crested Butte, “In Deep,” was well done and like many of the ski movies shown this year, included footage from the Haines, Alaska area. There, Aspen’s Chris Davenport is shown taking two terrible tumbles down a steep and rocky slope. Davenport introduces and describes both his falls in the movie, where a less confident athlete might have begged to be left out of the film. In the movie, Davenport signals after both falls that he was okay, but the tumbles are both truly scary looking, and both were caused by him catching a rock with a ski near the top of the slope. The segment ends without Dav getting “back on the horse” and taking a hero lap, which many in the audience were likely rooting for, and which hopefully he did in real life. His falls demonstrate how potentially dangerous big-mountain skiing is and how classy Davenport is for sharing the horrific experience with the audience. Davenport is also featured in the upcoming movie “Dynasty” from Warren Miller Entertainment while skiing in Norway. Here’s hoping to see him ripping things up in his usual flawless manner.

Warren in the Wheeler
While the legal details are worked out between Level 1, Warren Miller and Bonnier Corporation, owner of Warren Miller Entertainment, about "Refresh," it is safe to say that it was cool to hear Miller's voice come out of the big speakers at the Wheeler in the middle of a crisp and classy ski film. Now, we hope no one gets economically hurt in the squabble, or by the film, because the film is fun and Miller does a great job connecting to a young audience. If you never thought you'd care about guys sliding down rails in the city, "Refresh" might change your mind. If you are the guy sliding the rail, it should pump you up and make you crazier than you already apparently are.

Blood in the Wheeler
The movie “Blood” from was made by a pair of brothers working out of Aspen, Wyatt and Cory Stasinos and Zach and Aaron Hooper.The relatively short movie included lots of footage that appeared to be shot on terrain around Richmond Ridge, Little Annie and Independence Pass. It includes lots of hand-held shots taken while riding through deep snow and tight trees, and lots of shots of riders pounding through pillows of deep snow. The local fans in the Wheeler Opera House on Saturday gave this enthusiastic local film a good reception.

Fun on Saturday
The film, “Everyday is a Saturday,” from Poor Boyz Productions, includes some footage of the Winter X Games in Aspen and portrayed what it takes to be champion freestyle skier. It had some compelling interview footage with Aspen X Games veteran Tanner Hall after a recent accident where he severely damaged both knees. Hall hadn’t been out of the hospital long when he waved the filmmakers in to his house to interview him while he was still on the couch.

Taking a stance
“Stance,” a film from J Mills Entertainment, promised to “reexamine women’s snowboarding from the inside,” but the movie seemed more like a promotional vehicle for a variety of women snowboarders, including Aspen’s Gretchen Bleiler. There were lingering shots on clothing logos and lots of shots of trucks and snowmobiles. And much of the footage seemed to be shot in less than ideal late spring conditions. Still, the women riders ripped and they do things in the park and in the backcountry that most males aren’t ever going to try, or do.

Peeking leaves today on Indy Pass, nearly all trees and scrub bushes bursting with color.

Face of Aspen Mtn at peak color? Looks like it.

Another pleasant morning in the old mining town.There is a local movement afoot today to get and out and enjoy the weather while we can as there is snow in the forecast for Wednesday night. The National Weather Service is calling for one to two inches of new snow Wednesday night with a low of 29 degrees. Thursday also has another 50 percent chance of snow and a high of 39 degrees. After that, though, the weather forecast is calling for mostly cloudy or partly sunny conditions over the weekend with temps in the mid 50s. If the snow does come, it should make for a scenic backdrop to the fall colors.

September glory

Just a ridiculously nice afternoon in Aspen. Warm air, hot sun, glowing leaves and a chill vibe. Very nice Monday to round out the month. It is just quit-your-job nice, it really is. And, yes, there is still "snow" in the foreceast. On Thursday, there is a 50 percent chance of snow showers. It should be cloudy, with a high near 39 degrees. That's great, right? It is always great when it snows, right?

Moto-X track set-up for attendees of The Meeting at The Milk.

Paraglider heading for Wagner Park on a wing and a prayer on a blue-sky Sat.

Todd Jones of TGR sets up, with grace and gusto, "Re: Session," late Fri. night at the Sundeck

Gretchen signing autographs before the Aspen preview of "Stance."

Crisp, bright and sweet day along the river in Aspen Junction with more fall warmth on the way.

Travis and Dav, otherwise known as Twinkletoe Fantastic-tastic-tastic and Baby Blue Magic, working it...

The crowd favorite at the 7th annual NEPSA short film competition was "Aspen Extreme Redux," by James Logan, Tyler Middleton and Derek Koster. It was a good little spoof on the beginning of Patrick Hasburgh's now beloved "Aspen Extreme," complete with the van from Detroit rolling down from the Bells and across the top of Red Mountain.

The first place award from the judges went to "Apres 101" by professor Pat Sewell, a local self-proclaimed expert in advanced apres ski techniques and a professional apres skier. The short film had a nice clean logic to it, a collection of good local footage of Sewell, and ended with a splash. Should make a great self-promotional short. Second place was give to "Aspen Extreme Redux" and third place went to "The Flight of the Sniper Cub" by Mike Cuseo, which provided a bird's eye of early-morning Ajax from a camera on a small remote-controlled plane, complete with a Tecate beer can patch on the fuselage.

There was also some nice work from Nate Berkel on appreciation of neon and the dangers of fixation, while Aaron Berne and Chace Dillon shared some classic footage of closing day parties at Highlands. The biggest gasp of the evening came during "Speed Riding: Attack of the Killer Gringos," a film from Darrell Miller of Jackson Hole that featured skiers using paragliding-style canopies to ski and swoop off cliffs. Completely unhinged - yet apparently a very effective and graceful method of getting down a mountain.

The Vegas theme for the evening seem well-appreciated by the inebriated crowd. Chris Davenport makes for an athletic Elvis, Naka G on the turntables was right on it, and the NEPSA/Vegas sign was spectacular. The Meeting event continues today with a session on the state of the snowports industry and screenings at the Wheeler and the Sundeck. The Wheeler screenings begin at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. and the movies at the Sundeck start at 10 p.m. The gondy starts running at 9 p.m. for the event.

Somewhere on the outskirts of the winter of 09/10, talent beckons...

Not quite ski season, but we still find ourselves drawn to the base of Nell...

Okay campers, hope you enjoyed that tease of winter. It was just enough to remind us that we live in a ski town. But Sunday in Aspen should be sunny with a high near 78. We now return you to your regularly scheduled warm September. There is still a chance of snow in the forecast for Thursday night, with a low around 34 and a 20 percent chance of precip, which means coming over the pass could still be dicey. Friday should be sunny with a high of 62 — perfect for getting out on the trails. Saturday looks to be nectar with a high of 69 and then Sunday is coming in all balmy and such. Still, it’s a good weekend to take in a bunch of ski and snowboard flicks at “The Meeting.” Flicks are at the Wheeler Friday night and at the Sundeck on Saturday night. Tickets are at the Wheeler. Go get your stoke on.

Town of rain

Well, okay, at least it is not snowing in Aspen today. At least not yet. We’re all for snow and everything, but truthfully we can wait until Halloween. There is still a chance of some snow in the forecast on Wednesday night and Thursday, but we’ll see. It feels a bit warmer today under gray skies with a hint of rain. There is a cool event at the Wheeler Opera House tonight at 8 p.m. with Craig Childs, the author of “House of Rain” and “The Secret Knowledge of Water.” Childs is going to show photos of various locations around the southwest where he went looking for signs of an ancient people. The event is a benefit for KDNK, which launched its fund drive today.

Autumn arrives on frosty sled

A few snowflakes fell this morning and the top of Aspen Mountain looks like it got another dusting. Scattered rain and snow showers are in the forecast this afternoon, Tuesday night, Wednesday, and Wednesday night and there is a slight chance for snow showers on Thursday.

"New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible,” states the National Weather Service about Wednesday. Love that phrase, “new snow accumulation.” Haven’t seen that one in a while.

But it is cold and gray, for sure, on this first day of autumn. And a hat and ski jacket seemed like appropriate clothing this morning. At 12:40 p.m., it was 39 degrees in downtown Aspen. However, the NWS did lift the freeze warning as temps are supposed to slowly warm over the next few days.

Fall begins today at 3:19 p.m. and to mark the event, the Historical Society is presenting a talk, at 3:19 p.m., with River Rat Goddess Katie Lee, the queen of the once Glen Canyon, and the author of “Glen Canyon Betrayed.”

As Tom Egan, the communications director for the Aspen Historical Society, put it recently in an e-mail story pitch, “if you don't know, Katie is either 89 or 90 (born in 1919) and was the 3rd woman ever to run the Grand Canyon (in 1953) after Powell's expeditions.

“She has written 3 books (at least), is a songwriter and singer (with numerous albums from the '50s) and was an actress who was girlfriend to Burl Ives back when he was one of the leading men in Hollywood.

“She chucked most of that Hollywood life in the mid-50s to become a river running guide in Glen Canyon before Lake Powell and was devastated when it was damned. She is now an ‘activist’ living in Jerome, Arizona, who's goal in life is to see Lake Powell drained and returned to its former glory as Glen Canyon.

“I interviewed her about 10 years ago and she was the liveliest, sharpest, most energetic older woman I think I'd ever met, in the same category as Klaus.”

Wintry weather

An unsual early freeze warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for Aspen and much of Western Colorado tonight. The low in Aspen is expected to drop down to 30 degrees. Tuesday should be partly sunny with a high of 50 degrees. It should climb back into the high 60s by the weekend. It has been rainy, snowy, cold, and gray today in town, with small piles of snow ending up on the crooks and corners of rooftops downtown.

Something's falling

What could be called “snow” is falling outside, just after noon. It’s wet, it’s white, it’s close to hail, so maybe it is not snow. But Bell Mountain was nicely dusted after a passing storm this morning and we have reports of three inches of snow on top of the pass last night. Work to remove snow fencing on top of Independence Pass has been postponed today until better weather comes. Foliage is at a nice stage. Lots of early colors mixed with greens. Quiet autumn Monday in Aspen. Some nice events happening this week, with river goddess Katie Lee at the Historical Society to mark the equinox at 3:19 on Tuesday. Author Craig Childs will be at the Wheeler for a KDNK benefit on Wednesday at 6 p.m., and The Meeting gets underway with snow industry films, seminars and parties on Thursday.

There's this place...

...where it is good to go. Yes, it is outside of Aspen. But one of Aspen's strengths is its location on the Western Slope, on the Colorado Plateau, in the West. The Roaring Fork River runs into the Colorado River, which used to run into the Sea of Cortez. Float down from Aspen, take a left, surge across the state line into Utah, Arizona, California... It can take a long time to realize that Aspen's location as off-season base camp provides multiple opportunities to get out of town and take a break. Happy to live there. Happy to leave. Happy to come back refreshed and ready to spend a few weeks in town and then leave again! Sand, sunshine, and water is an essential combination that can be found in the West, a few wandering hours from Aspen. And so, we're off. Aspen Journal remains posed to capture the coming winter season with dispatches from the gondola. We'll be back in a week to pick up the drumroll of life in Fat City and start watching the snowline creep down the peaks to the bottom of Little Nell. In the meantime, keep those oars in the water.

Another soft summer day in the old mining town, where culture is the goal.

You know, move to Aspen, get a little house, walk to 1A on powder days, enjoy the blue sky.

Street monster takes downtown streets, citizenry stupified by industrial noise.

The meadow at Aspen's entrance

The view into Aspen this afternoon on what turned into a warm and gray day. As you can see, the grass in the meadow has dried out and turned brown and a few trees are starting to light up. The view provides an idea what coming into Aspen might have looked like years and years ago. No vehicles in sight today...at least when looking in this direction.

Sure, just a bridge...over a sparkling river in Western Colorado, on a sweet day, with no one around...

God, it’s a nice day. Really. The air is soft and crisp and the sun’s rays are hot. It’s amazing. Just closing your eyes and feeling the dry air on your skin is pleasant. Wow. Colorado is so nice in September. High of 74 forecast for Wednesday, with a lilting northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph. Maybe some clouds drifting in and out, but no rain yet. The rest of the week, through the weekend, looks like temps will be in the mid-70 and pretty sunny, especially over the weekend. Okay, we can deal with that. The hillsides starting to turn brown, gold, tan, yellow and orange. Slowly, subtly, but definitely, fall is on the march. It’s after Labor Day, as you know, so it is now officially okay to hope winter comes strong and early. Or at least right on cue for the Thanksgiving opening weekend.

Trout's eye view of a sublime September day. Few fishermen to be found.

Coasting into off-season

Another nice week of weather ahead of us, with temps in the mid-70s and no more than a 30 percent chance of showers. The California smoke is gone, the leaves are just starting to turn, town is quiet and it is a glorious time to be out and about in the Rockies. Cool. Labor Day is behind us and it is on to other pursuits and events and quiet off-season days.

Serving up the Motherlode volleyball tourney in Koch Park

Hot summer day in Aspen with a high of 75 and some blustery weather in the forecast. Maybe some thunderstorms this afternoon. Saturday said to be mostly cloudy with another high of 75. Sunday and Monday, still mostly cloudy with a high in the mid-70s.

An event weekend in Aspen with both a solid line-up of Jazz Aspen Snowmass shows and the Motherlode volleyball tournament. The v-ball tourney is a great boost to Aspen’s summer and is a huge reminder to all Aspenites to get to a beach, any beach, ASAP. In the meantime, the beach at Koch Park is gonna have to do. Welcome to all from far-flung shores.

New downtown fire station emerging on Hopkins Ave.

The Blue House, still a favorite Victorian in the West End, where first leaves are starting to fall.

Renovation underway at Paepcke Auditorium...

As a full moon rises in Aspen, a crowd gathers to watch a bear in a tree, in front of the courthouse. It has a "Jellystone Park" kind of feeling to it

It was kind of surreal, really. Driving down Main Street, and there it is, a Bear Crowd. A knot of people on the sidewalk rushing toward a rustling tree, pointing, laughing and smiling. The bears are delighting visitors who are not used to the site of large, furry and potentially dangerous mammals hanging out in their town. A photographer with a long lens got closer. The tree branches shook. The crowd moved across Main Street. They yelled at someone coming down the sidewalk to be careful. The dark spot in the branches came down and scampered off. The photographer followed. The people talked about the bear as the moon continued its climb.

Onward through the haze

WEATHER: Hot and hazy still, but at least no hillsides around have burst into towering walls of flames. High temps in the upper 70s today. The moon-set before dawn this morning included a huge orange moon dropping through the smoke in front of Sopris. We’re with you California, or at least, you are with us.

NEWS: SkiCo adjusts its season pass program to make it easier, perhaps, for people to choose between a full pass or a one-day-a-week pass with $49 lift tickets. The first deadline to buy “super-early” passes ends September 18. What are you going to do?

NOTES: WSJ reports that the DOW wants Aspenites to be mean to bears in town. Could be a rush on slingshots...

Hot and hazy over the upper Roaring Fork River Tuesday with CA smoke.

Hazy and lazy

WEATHER: Relatively hot and quite hazy today, with temps in the mid-70s. Tuesay should be sunny with temps in the upper 70s. Wednesday brings some clouds and still high temps. Biggest change in the weather is the smoke in the air, presumably from Southern California.

NEWS: The Wall Street Journal covered the upcoming renovation of The Little Nell in full detail, down to the color of chosen fabrics. At $18 million across 86 rooms (the six suites have already been re-done), the project comes to $209,000 a room. The renovation of the Nell, along with the opening of the Viceroy hotel in Snowmass, makes lodging the “what’s new” story of the winter for Aspen Skiing Co.

NOTES: It is that great time of year when town is a bit quieter but summer is still in full effect. Trails, fishing holes, etc. all a bit quieter now.

Well, well, if it isn't Highlands Bowl. Hello bowl....

...so good to see you again. You know, last time I saw you like this you were covered in deep snow. I look forward to the day when you look like that again. Soon, soon...

SkiCo says it will expand its marketing effort this winter.

Also rolling out series of promos through the season...here the luncheon crowd settles in.

Heading up for ski-season preview with ACRA and SkiCo. Very nice summer day.

Here comes ski season. What a wonderful thing to look forward to.

An august day

WEATHER: Tuesday was a little gray and drizzly, but Wednesday has blossomed into a very nice summer day. Forecast through the weekend calling for mostly sunny conditions with temps in the mid to high 70s. Well, that’s sweet.

NEWS: The Aspen Book Store, which has been in The Little Nell hotel since 1989, is closing the Tuesday after Labor Day. John Edwards, the dedicated owner, cites a combination of economics, his lease ending, the Nell being renovated and being closed from Sept. 8 until Dec. 1, and the fact that he is ready for a break. Aspen now is down to one bookstore, Explore, which is still a great store and getting better. Still, it was nice to have a book store at the Nell. GM John Speers said no new tenant has been named for the space, which is just under 300 square feet in size.

NOTES: Aspen does have a slight connection to Ted Kennedy, in that he and Bobbie and Jackie started coming to Aspen in the early 1960s on ski vacations. There is no record of JFK ever coming, but Ted came for at least a couple of Christmas holidays.

Whoa, rainbow upgrade: the shimmering double! Very nice.

Golden light and rainbow over Aspen end a cool Monday.

Bear buffet closed at Marolt just after 6 pm. Good work. Sorry bears, on to the next dumpstet.

Student transit vehicles...

What's the best thing about school in Aspen? Outdoor ed river trips!

Bear buffet open Monday afternoon at Marolt housing complex.

As the cafeteria gets cleaned out, as the music students depart, the dumpster gets filled to overflowing, to the potential short-term delight, and long-term, detriment, of the bears. Photo taken at 3:45 PM.

Cool day for bears

WEATHER: It is fitting that the day after the Music Festival ended, the weather turned gray and cool, offering the first hint of things to come. It is good weather to begin thinking about season passes, which went on sale here today. It is 62 degrees this afternoon and might reach 71. A few minutes ago, it actually felt good to stand close to the pizza ovens at NYP. Low around 44 tonight, following by a couple of cool days with temps just over 70. Good hiking and biking weather, to be sure.

NEWS: More news about problem bears in Aspen today. It may be time to update the bumpersticker to “garbarge doesn’t kill bears, people do.” We’ve got a corps of city bears who feed on unsecured garbage and also seem to know where the Hagen-Daz is kept. They know the calorie-rich ice cream is in the freezer, in the house, behind the easily breakable doors. One Aspen police officer said the bears are just like very large racoons.

NOTES: Other signs of the season change: Friday was the first day of school for grades 8 though 12 at the Aspen School District and the kids in K through 7 arrive Tuesday.

Big finish to 60th summer of music

Verdi’s “Requiem” closed the Aspen Music Festival this afternoon with wind, rain sprinkles, bracing air, thunder and commercial flights landing into the wind by circling over the tent en route to the runway.

The music as was beautiful and an ethereal full chorus gave the performance a glossy punch throughout.

It was sixty years ago this summer that a classic music audience was first given the chance to listen to music in a tent surrounded by the mountain air of Aspen.

The summer was a serendipitous success.

Walter Paepcke, who put the event together, looked back on the nascent festival in 1950 in the forward to “Goethe and the Modern Age, ” a collection of the speeches given at the Goethe Bicentennial Convocation and Music Festival, as the 1949 gathering was called.

Paepcke’s festival had been planned to cover the work of a German poet. And music, and then magic, was added.

“It was decided to add a musical program to offer Goethe ‘Lieder,’ compositions from the Goethe era, and other musical works of a monumental character, representative of the stature of the man,” Paepcke wrote. “While the meeting was a convocation to render earnest and solemn tribute to genius, it took place in an atmosphere of numerous quickly found friendships, of serenity, even of joie de vivre. So many new acquaintances created a lively stream of conversation; in the mountain fastness of Aspen, the cares and apprehensions of the plains were left behind.”

That spirit, that “mountain fastness,” was evident in Aspen today. Locals, seasonals and visitors were all sorry to see the summer season end, but the stirring air and swirling music will long be treasured.

Evening up in Castle Creek

Pretty up there. Busy, too, mostly. With lots of traffic up and down the road to Pearl Pass and back. Full trailhead parking lots. Plenty of bikes, campers, etc. .. But scenic? And cool? Yes, and yes.

Kettle drums ready for thundering Festival finale.

Cool temps, breezy air, as crowds gather to the sound of an encouraging french horn. Come now or come next summer!

Tent filling for summer's "Requiem"

The classics tend to bring 'em out. A good number of locals are taking their seats along with visitors and seasopnals.

Another overly pleasant August morn in the greater Aspen area

WEATHER: Love this time of year. Crisp nights and mornings. Hot and sunny during the day. A little less busy all around. Very nice. Saturday should be sunny in Aspen with a near 83. Sunday, also nice, with a high near 79.

NEWS: DOW shot the bear that broke into an Aspen home and mauled a woman. Compelling story. Our trash management still at the heart of the bear problem. Ski pass changes continues to offer good discussion and debate. Is the change good for you? Seems to go case by case. Other ski news now picking up steam. Casey Puckett is on the U.S. Ski Team skiercross “A” team and is heading for Vancouver. And “The Meeting,” a ski film trade show, again slated for late Sept. in Aspen. Will include movie premiere at the Sundeck. News of the coming ski season seems to come the same week as the first leaves daring to turn ...

NOTES: Went out yesterday on the street to talk with folks about the ski pass changes. Found it hard to stop and chat as so many folks were cruising around chatting on the cell phones. It was also interesting trying to discern between visitors and locals who might be pass buyers. You can’t always tell...

Pussy Paepcke once again lights up the Aspen Meadows...

On a perfect August morning, her spirit shines on. Photo is on a banner recognizing the 60th year since the 1949 Goethe convocation.

Working groups presenting in Doerr-Hosier.

"Can new models be profitable?" Big question for journalists... A lot of bold-face names in journalism were around the table peering toward a sustainable future. Most everyone agreed journalism was important, that how it was delivered and published would continue to change in the coming years, and that there were ways to help sustain it. One takeaway from the last morning session was that foundations had a larger role to play in helping the non-profit model grow from start-up to sustainability. And the Knight Foundation was recognized for its leading role so far. Conference included Marcus Brauchili, the executive editor of the Washington Post, Esther Dyson of EDventure Holdings, William Dean Singleton of the Denver Post and MediaNews Group, Bill Kling of American Public Media and Paul Steiger of ProPublica. The proceedings can be watched on aspeninstitute.tv.

Future of journalism discussed at Institute.

"We're really in a period of experimentation," said the Institute's Charlie Firestone, adding that it would likely be that way for the next five years.

Rope from the courthouse roof evoking Western heritage. Hanging justice?

Balooning toward the divide

It was a cool and clear morning in the valley. Several hot-air balloons were seen cruising along toward Watson Divide sometime before 8 a.m. this morning. The balloons, including a familiar unicorn balloon, haven't been seen as much locally as they once were. But the day seemed like a fine day for floating.

Like a classy variety show in the tent...Wallis Giunta sings tune from "Show Boat."

60th anniversary of Goethe Bicentennial celebrated in tent

First Walter Paepcke award given to Lester Crown and Dana Gioia reads Goethe poems in German and English. Paepcke would be proud...

Albert Schweitzer bust in Paepcke Park. It marks his visit here 60 years ago.

Schweitzer, who was 74 at the time, was convinced to come to Aspen by Walter Paepcke, who offered an appearance fee of $5,000 for Schweitzer's hospital in Africa.

"In accepting, Schweitzer was apparently unaware that Aspen was half continent away from Chicago, the origin of the cable," according to James Brabazon, writing in his biography, "Albert Schweitzer. "He was under the impression that it might a suburb of the city or a nearby town. 'Schweitzer would not have come to America in the first place,' said Mrs. Paepcke later, 'had the great doctor not laboured under an illusion."

When he did arrive, Schweitzer felt the attitude. He said to have noted that "Aspen is built too close to heaven."

Brabazon also recounts this story.

"Schweitzer did not stay long on the heights of Aspen, but while he did the reporters were around him in droves, wanting a good quote or two. One, who had been keeping him from his dinner, said to him, 'You're a great man, but what is this business of Reverence for Life?'

"'Do you want to practice it,' asked Schweitzer, 'or do you want me to explain it to you?'

"'You explain it first,' said the reporter, 'and I'll decide if I want to practice it.'

"Schweitzer liked that.

"'If you let me let go and eat my soup while it's warm,' he said, 'you've already practiced Reverence for Life.'

"It proved a successful and lasting quote."

Remote fishing hole

Think for a moment about how much time is spent looking for the perfect fishing hole. Here is one, perhaps. Was there proof that it was filled with feisty brook trout? Well ...

Time in the backcountry

If Aspen wasn't here, there would be a meadow in its place. It is good to remind yourself of that and escape the busyness and head out to the high country to find some serenity. While this looks serene, it does not show the horde of mosquitoes that greeted me at sunset. But the fish were rising along with a nearly-full moon.