My Page: Christie Aschwanden

Western Wildlife

The Colorado Division of Wildlife released another moose on the Grand Mesa yesterday. The two and a half-year-old female moose was transported from an area north of Ogden, Utah and released on the Grand Mesa just east of Vega Reservoir.

This newest addition brings the total number of moose on the Grand Mesa to four—two cows and two bulls. But that number should rise dramatically over the coming months as biologists capture more Utah moose and relocate them to the Grand Mesa. [more]

The Person vs the Page

I was visiting Sun Valley, Idaho a few years back when I saw a notice in the local paper about a reading by James Galvin. I couldn't believe my luck. Galvin wrote one of my favorite books, The Meadow. I wasn't about to miss a chance to meet the man who'd penned this masterpiece. The reading would take place in a small gallery and promised to be an intimate affair. As I headed to the gallery, my head spun with anticipation. [more]

Beer Blog

This week I'm taking a break from the wine tour to rave about my current favorite beer. It's called Hazed and Infused, and it hails from the Boulder Beer Company. If you are looking for something light and sweet, Hazed and Infused is not for you. This beer is hoppy and happening. And since my local liquor store only carries it in bombers, it always gives me a pleasant buzz. (I'm not one to share a beer). [more]

Snow Go

I spent the past weekend snowboarding at Telluride. The snow was perfect, the sun shone brightly, and the slopes were deserted. It doesn't get much better than this. With even more snow expected in the next few days, I am itching to return this week. Except I can't. Telluride closed for the season yesterday afternoon. [more]

The Beverage Blog

The second stop on my Colorado winery tour took me last week to the Stoney Mesa Winery. It sits in my very own town of Cedaredge. Fourth generation Delta county resident Ron Neal started making wine as a hobby when he worked for United Airlines, but the hobby eventually took over his life. In 1990, he quit his job and started the Stoney Mesa Winery, which he now runs with his wife, son, his son's family and a handful of employees.

Stoney Mesa has doubled its production each of the last five years, and this year it will put out about 36,000 bottles of wine. The grapes come from the 50-plus acres the winery owns, including a plot in Grand Junction. The winery won special recognition for the highest and most consistent overall wine scores at the 2004 Colorado Mountain Winefest. [more]

Colorado Wine Tour

Over the coming months, Christie Aschwanden will be reviewing Colorado wines. She begins with the Surface Creek Winery in Eckert. [more]

Eckert Crane Days

Sandhill cranes are back! The magnificent birds make several stops in Colorado on their migration northern migration route. Here in western Colorado, birdwatchers toast the birds' return over local wine. [more]

Anniversary of the Iraq Invasion

About 100 peace activists gathered in Paonia on Saturday to mark the two year anniversary of the US-led invasion of Iraq. The event began with a march through town, and ended with a peace rally in the town park football field, where pink flags commemorated American, Allied and civilian deaths. Participants included an 87-year-old whose peace activism began when he registered as a conscientious objector during WWII and a young girl who expressed worry that her older brother might be drafted if the war drags on. [more]

Random Roadside Items

Christie finds beer on the side of the road. How did it get there? [more]

Mountain Life

It's official—mountain living is good for your heart. A study published this week in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health concluded that living in a mountainous area seems to offer some protection from heart disease mortality. [more]