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For seven days I enjoyed the beauty of Aspen and Snowmass, Colorado. I never knew or understood no humidity…I do now! No wonder those people can hike and ride bikes…they don’t even sweat! For one entire week, I did not sweat! When I walked off the plane in Jackson, MS, I nearly fainted…and Monday was not even one of the scorcher days!
The beauty of the mountains, lakes, and trees was breathtaking. But, the beauty of Mississippi is equally as beautiful.
When I first arrived, I thought “those are the most beautiful trees.” I had no idea what type trees —Aspens of course! I learned that Aspen trees grow as clones: many trees, all genetically identical, and all linked together through a common root system. Scientist consider all of the trees in a clone to be a single organism. Aspen trees have relatively short lives (only about 100 years or so) and are gradually replaced by spruce and fir. How weird is that? The white bark with black stripping is gorgeous no matter the season.
Aspen trees are in the background of the picture with my grands: Harleigh, Hudson, Larkin, Connor, and Preston as well as the picture with Larkin and Harleigh. 
Coloradans are all about recycling (something we all should be doing!) and dogs! Almost every person I saw had a dog. Most of the dogs were large ( I bet there were some labradoodles from Barksdale Kennels in Magee, MS roaming the streets!)
A push to eliminate plastic straws is in full swing in Colorado. The “Straws by Request” movement is part of a conservation movement that is gaining momentum across the country. Starbucks announced it will replace its disposable straws with recyclable straw-less lids by 2020.
Americans use 500 million straws everyday, according to the Plastic Pollution Coalition. Straws are responsible for only a small percentage of overall plastic waste. But, only a few years ago, the recycling revolution began with plastic bags. Maybe the straw is in reference to a much bigger problem.
I don’t see “straw banding” coming soon to Simpson County since we do not even promote recycling of any items. But, traveling other places sure makes one aware of the world around them.
I’ve come home with a list of things I would like to see happen in Simpson County. I’ll drop those on you one day at a time!
(Main Picture is my family minus Connor and Preston. The picture was made in Maroon Bells in Aspen—a nice little hike!)
This is my famous person I recognized, Lester Holt of NBC News. (at the Aspen Airport) 
