"Starwood in Aspen" home sold by Annie Denver

UPDATE: This was not the home built by John Denver in Starwood, as noted in the comments below. Here is a post by Sarah at the blog House Crazy about the original house which, apparently, remained with John until his death. Lots of photos and great background info here for John Denver fans.

John Denver's former wife, Ann Denver (of Annie's Song fame), has sold their Starwood home in Aspen for $7 million.

As reported in the Aspen Times, the four bath, five bedroom, 4,705-square foot home at 2480 McClain Flats Road in the gated community of Starwood was built by the couple in 1985. After their divorce, Annie remained in the home and raised their two children. John Denver died in 1997 while flying an airplane over the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California.

When I read the news, the song Starwood in Aspen started running through my head, a reminder of happier times for the Denver family, and a reminder of John Denver's love of the Rocky Mountains and his desire to return to them as soon as possible while traveling. It is one of the many Denver songs I play on my guitar.

Starwood in Aspen
by John Denver
(From the Best of John Denver collection)

It's a long way from LA to Denver
It's a long time to hang in the sky
It's a long way home to Starwood in Aspen
A sweet Rocky Mountain paradise
Oh, my sweet Rocky Mountain paradise

Springtime is rollin' around slowly
Grey skies are bringin' me down
I can't remember when I've ever been so lonely
I forgot what it's like to be home
Can't remember what it's like to be home

But I think on my lady's sweet memories
I think on my children's sweet smiles
I think on my home in Starwood in Aspen
All my friends and the snow covered hills
Oh, my friends are the snow covered hills

And I tell you I'm happy to be here
To share and consider this time
For I see here the shadows of changes
And a feeling of new friends to find
And I see here some new friends to find

But it's a long way from this place to Denver
It's a long time to hang in the sky
It's a long way home to Starwood in Aspen
A sweet Rocky Mountain paradise
Oh, my sweet Rocky Mountain paradise

Also in Rocky Mountain News.

Mary Travers of "Peter, Paul, & Mary" ... dead of leukemia

"If I Had a Hammer" ... "Puff the Magic Dragon" ... "Blowin' in the Wind."

Ah ... the folk music of the 1960s and '70s was a big part of my growing-up years. I saw Peter, Paul, and Mary at the Richmond Mosque (now known as the Landmark Theater) when I was very young. (My friend's father did the sound systems for the groups that came through Richmond so we often got to sit in on concerts for free.)

Folk singer Mary Travers, the female third of Peter, Paul, and Mary, has died at the age of 72 from leukemia.

I did not agree with their politics ... but I loved their music.

R.I.P.