Arrival in Aspen. If you have notified us of your flight arrival time, an Aspen Meadows shuttle should be there at the airport outside of the baggage claim area to meet your flight. It is a 5-10 minute drive from the airport to the Meadows. If you do not see the van right away, wait a few minutes or call Aspen Meadows (970-925-4240) and ask to be picked up. (Note: the number on the Aspen Meadows website for the reception desk is incorrect!)

If you are driving from Denver or elsewhere, directions to Aspen Meadows are given on their web site at http://www.aspenmeadows.com/property/prop_map.php.

Altitude. Aspen is at 8,000 feet elevation. Take it easy on arrival. Beware of dehydration.

Weather. The temperatures are starting to drop at this time of year. It could be as low as 55 or as high as 75 degrees.

Finding the Aspen Center for Physics. It is a ~5 minute walk from the Aspen Meadows to the Center for Physics, either via streets or by a pleasant path through the grounds of Aspen Meadows. If you look on the map at the link above, the ACP is where 6th Street and Gillespie Street intersect. We will be in the main building, Smart Hall (how appropriate!), which is the building on your left as you walk up 6th Street. Come into the lobby and follow posted signs to the registration and meeting room areas.

Registration and Reception. From 4pm to ~7pm on Sunday afternoon you are welcome to come to the Center, register, pick up information packets, and try out the network connections for your laptop. We'll have some refreshments available to hold you over until dinner time, when you can explore some of Aspen's restaurants.

Computers. Please bring a laptop with you. Windows 2000 or XP, Macs, and Linux systems are all ok. We will have a wireless network and a limited number of wired connections. Please bring a wireless-equipped laptop if at all possible.

Instructions for downloading software and tools are posted elsewhere on this site.

Aspen Meadows also has a wireless network and access is complimentary.

Meals. We will provide breakfast and lunch on-site at the ACP. Wednesday afternoon is free time. A buffet breakfast is also available at the Aspen Meadows (the restaurant is in the main building, downstairs); however, this is $12 for the continental or $15 for a full hot breakfast, and will be your financial responsibility if you choose to go there. On Wednesday night we will have a Summer School Dinner at the Mezzaluna Restaurant, 624 East Cooper Avenue. This dinner and the other meals mentioned here are provided for participants. For other evenings you will be on your own.

Getting Around Town. It is a 15-20 minute walk from Aspen Meadows and the ACP to the center of Aspen. Aspen Meadows runs a complimentary shuttle into town every half hour, and it will pick you up on request, again on half-hour intervals. Details are available in the Aspen Meadows main lobby.

The Cross Town Shuttle is a free local bus service. There is a stop close to the ACP. Other free local buses are also available -- details at http://www.aspenpitkin.com/depts/57/.

Parking downtown is difficult. Best to leave your car at Aspen Meadows or the ACP and walk or take the Aspen Meadows Shuttle or Cross Town Shuttle.

Bicycles can be borrowed from the ACP. They will have a sign-out sheet and waiver forms on the front desk. The bicycles will be available on the front walk. Anyone who would like to use one can sign it out, complete the waiver, and put an orange "dot" on the seat to show that it's reserved. Bike helmuts are also available.

Recreational Facilities. The Aspen Meadows has a complimentary swimming pool, jacuzzi and fitness center. Enquire at the front desk for more information.

Kids. For those of you with young children the ACP does have strollers available for your use.

Contacts. If you need to be reached at the ACP, the number is +1-970-925-2585; a message will be delivered to you. The fax number is +1-970-920-1167. All major cell phone networks have a presence in Aspen, though coverage can be a bit spotty.

-- BobHanisch - 01 Sep 2004