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As warmer weather arrives in Aspen, the fashion show of Bogner one-piece ski suits becomes conspicuous by its absence. The only fur coats you might see are the ones that belong to its original owners. Look carefully! There's a red fox hiding amongst the golden aspens. Ah, the glories of Aspen in the summer time.

There's much to do in this spectacular mountain playground, whose historic sites can be explored while communing with Mother Nature. Timberline Bike Tours offers overnight mountain bike tours that explore the 10th Mountain Division's Hut to Hut system. During World War II, 10th Mountain Division soldiers trained at Camp Hale, which was located near Leadville. When they wanted to have fun, they came to Aspen. While many people do the hut-to hut tours on skis, the mountain bike tours offer a nice alternative for those who'd rather not freeze their butts off. If it wasn't for the 10th Mountain Division we'd all be speaking German, so it's your patriotic duty to take this tour!

If you'd rather meditate on peace, as opposed to war, the Aspen Mountain Yoga Hike is the ultimate Kumbaya experience. A 45-minute intermediate mountain hike is followed by a yoga session on top of Aspen Mountain. While the yoga session is open to all levels of proficiency, combining "intermediate hike" with "Aspen Mountain" creates an oxymoron. Aspen Mountain is so steep that it's practically perpendicular to the land. Add a high altitude environment, and "intermediate" may not be the best distinction. That said, if you're sure that you have the endurance, but you're not yet acclimated to the thin air, spend your first day on one of Aspen's historic walking tours. Choose between tours of Victorian homes in Aspen's West End, or explore the historic sites in downtown Aspen.

The Aspen Historical Society also has a three-day summer camp for adults, entitled Planting and Tending Heritage Fruit Trees. You'll learn the history of the heritage fruit trees, and help plant a heritage fruit tree garden on the grounds of the Wheeler/Stallard Museum. When you grow weary of spending time on your feet or knees, your spirit may still be willing, but your body will protest. You can still soar to new heights by going up and away on a beautiful hot air balloon. When the flight lands, you'll enjoy a champagne brunch. The champagne helps ease the pain associated with the $245 price per person.

Fortunately, there are Aspen activities that don't involve taking out a second mortgage. The twin peaks of the Maroon Bells are, for better or for worse, one of the most photographed areas in Aspen. If you go by foot or by bike, you do not have to pay a road fee. You'll share the trail with hundreds of other hikers, and perhaps an occasional mule deer or elk. Warning: The top question most hated by Colorado locals is "At what altitude do deer turn into elk?" Avoid that question, and you'll discover that Aspenites are a really a friendly bunch.

Learn more about this author, Lisa Marie Mercer.
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