SAD NEWS ON A SMALLER SCALE. A construction helicopter dropped a load of concrete on a ski-lift gondola near Innsbruck, Austria. Nine died. The surrounding mountains are snow-covered all summer, and this accident spoiled some skiing trips.

Last fall, I attended the Railway History Conference up on the Semmering Pass, and I was impressed with the legions of day-hikers making their way across the mountains and boarding the trains back to the cities at sunset. (The gondola on the Hirschenkogel sells one-way tickets. Day hikers buy a return ticket, walk up, hoist a brew, and ride down at sundown.) Yes, we are digging out from some difficulties in the States. Spare some thoughts for the Germans and Austrians.