Every winter I try to visit my friends in Aspen, Colorado. Aspen is indeed a fun mountain town, paradise even, but it is by far the best when you get to see it with the locals. As much as New York City has its extreme people, I am never disappointed with the stories I come home with to tell from meeting the folks in Aspen. I think more than stories, it is awe I have for these people and their love for the nature. One of the few times I did yoga was in Aspen with my dear friend who is definitely advanced in the practice. Me – not so much. Nonetheless, we took a very hard class and I could barely stand after it. While people were gathering after the class a man, at least twice my age, said “Wow! Wasn’t that great – who wants to go hike up Buttermilk Mountain with me now?” I laughed out loud and then realized he was for real! I know Buttermilk is more or less a beginners’ mountain, but it’s still part of the Rockies and more than an average man’s workout! So, this past December, my friend told me a story I have to share. When flying into Aspen, there is always a good chance your bags won’t make it as you have to catch a connecting flight where weather may be an issue. This was the case for my friend’s luggage this past trip. Now, I find in any airport when retrieving lost luggage I need to take a deep breath and wish for the best. Aspen Airport, on the other hand, has to be one of the quaintest one-terminal airports in the country. Easy to maneuver and get the answers you want, and full of very friendly people, and staff, eager to hit the slopes. When my friend called up to see if her luggage had arrived, she found the person in charge to a little too relaxed and too eager to hit the mountain. She said she was looking for luggage and the guy on the other end said he had no idea if it was there, but she should just swing by the airport and check. She asked how he could have no idea as he was responsible for lost luggage. On the other end of the phone all she could hear was a lot of wind and the guy explained that he was in charge, but there was fresh snow in the morning and he had to get some – “I’m on the mountain, but I’m sure your bags are there, cheers!” Lo and behold, she pulled up to the quaint Aspen Airport and there were her bags and about 100 others, no security, no nothing! Was she thrilled about the lack of security? No, but I guess there has to be something said for small towns that are left in the world with honest people just looking for a little fresh air. -Alex Young, vice president and associate publisher