Wordless Wednesday

Forests at Risk Symposium

DH and I were fortunate to be able to participate in the Forests at Risk Symposium at the Aspen Institute yesterday. Wow! So many great thinkers gave talks, participated in panel discussions, and answered questions.

We took the bus in to the Institute --- I mean, really, could we have driven to such a symposium? Actually, we use the bus a lot, not just to get to this symposium!

We walked in quite a ways to get to the actual building, but it was wonderful.



















Former Governor Ritter (called the "greenest governor")was the emcee of the event which lasted from noon to about 7PM.







Rene Montagne, from NPR Morning Edition, was the moderator. My goodness, she's so tiny! She reminded me of a little gnome.







Some shots of the proceedings, talks, panels:




























Former Vice President, Al Gore, was the keynote speaker, and gave a passionate talk!










“It is a call to action,” he said, “if you love these forests, if you think for a moment about the obligation we have to those who come after [us].

“This is a forest issue. It's a political issue. It's an economic issue. It's a national security issue. It's a jobs issue. But at bottom, it is a moral issue,” he said to widespread applause. “And we have to be willing to stand up and do the right thing.”

For more info, here is a link to the speakers: Speaker list
And a newspaper article from today's paper: Aspen Times

It was a very long day, but so worthwhile.

Thankful Thursday

This week I'm thankful for our dog, Kona. She's an amazing 16 years old and I guess that's rather old for a 60 pound dog.







This is what she does most of the day and night. Except in the late afternoon when she realizes it's time for her walk! She still loves to go for her daily walk with DH. Her hearing is gone, but she does seem to be able to see things so I think her sight is still pretty good. Her sense of smell is the best, though. She catalogs all new smells on her daily walk and knows when there's a new smell nearby!


Today I let her play with the Zhuzhu hamster. She likes to lick it to stop it from running around.







I've come up with a new name for Kona. I think Timex would be a great name. You know, keeps on ticking. I know someday we'll wake and find that she has died, but in the meantime there's food to be eaten, a little toy to play with, and that daily walk!

Wordless Wednesday

Friday Hike

Perfect day for hiking the Jeanne Golay trail (Red Mountain trail), at least I think that's what it's called! You might remember Jeanne biking in the Olympics.
Met my hiking buddies down at the plaza. Here they come:









Usually we are the only one's on the trail but this time it was different. I think we ran into three other folks and their animals:

Here was one group. Look who's the only one who remembered his boots!






Little buddy thought he saw some bear tracks....








Little buddy making a snowman.












Always have to have the pointing picture! This was where we turned around and headed back.







Lots of birds this time. Spring must be coming! If anyone knows what kind of bird this is, please tell. I'm leaning towards a female Western Tanager......






NO, little buddy! We are NOT going that way!








A very proud little hiker.








This guy tried to show us up by RUNNING on the trail, but notice please --- he has his dog carrying the heavy stuff for him!







Some shots around town as I walked back home:











I really do love these winter hikes.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful that my blog-friend, Alice, who lives near Perth, is safe from the fires. See her wonderful art here.

Wordless Wednesday

Hiking the Transfer Trail

Temps got down below zero this past week, but by the time our Friday Hike Day rolled around, the air had warmed up and it was another perfect day to go hiking. This week HC chose the Transfer Trail, just north of the city.





As we set off, we were greeted by some mighty fine wild turkeys in a nearby yard.







Wonder-Chihuahua thought we were going a bit too slow!








Part of our trail.








Looking down on the little town of No Name, tucked between I70 and the Colorado River. A bit of the history of No Name here.







Yet another abandoned vehicle high up on the hiking trail.








No, I really don't want to take the short cut! :-)








I really am thankful to have such a knowledgeable hiking buddy. I need to learn to hike as simply as she does. I seem to have to carry my pack which, as she reminded me, contained a library book last week. Maybe that's really unnecessary... What do you think?

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful for such great hiking companions!

Wordless Wednesday

Going to the Movies

Sunday we decided to ride the bus into Aspen to see a movie. Black Swan. Creepy. But anyway, we had a nice little excursion. Because of the X-Games, we knew traffic would be crazy and parking at a minimum; hence, the bus.

Quite a comfortable, even if slow, ride to town.








Here's what we saw of the X-Games as we rode by. The Flying Tomato was winning Gold!
















A couple of shops that we like, one for the name, one for the goodies.


Gotta love a guy who spends a lot of time on his hair!











These three little gals were engrossed in a book they just bought at Explore. SO CUTE! They never saw DH in front of them.







Here's what I found at Explore. One of my favorite authors!

















The Isis Theater carries their theme all the way through the building. We love this theater!


After the movie, walking back to the bus stop, we passed a few folks enjoying the beautiful day, eating hot dogs and drinking cocoa, around the fire pit.





Will we take public transportation again? You bet! Even without the X-Games. It was a stress-free way to go!!