In the spring, Independence Pass opens, allowing access to the wonderful town of Aspen.  Last week, President and Hillary Clinton were there taking part in a Great Ideas conference.  It's also home to the Aspen Music Festival, excellent theatre and hiking.  Tomorrow I plan to drive to Twin Lakes, outside Leadville, then bicycle to the top of Independence Pass and the 40 or so miles into the town.  Only the last part is really steep!  I'm in training for a ride over Monarch Pass into Gunnison - 60 miles of incline.  This takes place next week, and I'll join 30 young men from Yale.  Why Yale - don't know, it just happens every year, and we are all raising $ for Habitat for Humanity.  Let me know if you want to pledge.  $10 a mile?  $1 a mile?  10 cents a mile?