Mountain Mayhem: Happy fall, y’all

The in-between season has seen its share of ups, downs, and transitions, from the changing foliage on the trees to the sending off of a beloved restaurant, a retirement party for a longtime employee, a literary festival, a shopping benefit, and locals’ night with an up-and-coming musician. 

On Sept. 24, Bob Bayless was honored at a bon voyage party in Basalt for his 25 years in sales at Aspen Skiing Company. He’s now off on far-flung travels through the fall. 

In late September, Mi Chola closed its doors after a decade with a party for the ages throughout the Mexican restaurant on Main Street in Aspen. It was a bittersweet bookend to the corner establishment’s impactful chapter. 

From Sept. 26-28, Aspen Words presented its first-ever literary festival, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the organization. The successful weekend featured 40 authors over three days with panels, parties, attractions, and distractions, including ticketed talks and complimentary events.

On Oct. 4, friends Marina Sharpe, Kiki McBride, and Kate Craft hosted a shopping event at Veronica Beard benefiting Community Health Services Aspen, with 15% of sales donated to the nonprofit.

Also, that night, Carbondale-based musician Tristan Trincado, an 18-year-old American country singer-songwriter, performed at a locals’ show at Belly Up Aspen. After a traumatic brain injury gave him a newfound ability to play guitar, he’s opened for John Oates, Max McNown, Paul Cauthen, Thompson Square, and more, blending folk-tinged storytelling à la Tyler Childers with the grit of Zach Bryan.

For a pro tip this Thanksgiving, purchase a holiday turkey from Aspen Center for Environmental Studies’ Rock Bottom Ranch. This year’s turkeys are raised in partnership with Marigold Livestock Co. and are pasture-raised to the highest animal welfare and environmental standards, roaming with free access to grasses and more to contribute to their exceptional taste and quality.