Sawmill Trail Breckenridge
The Sawmill Trail is just a few steps from downtown Breckenridge at the bottom of the Snowflake lift. An easy hike that is kid friendly and takes about an hour round trip.
Elitch Gardens: Holding a Lofty Place in Denver History
“Not to see Elitch’s is not to see Denver.” That sign on the giant Ferris wheel greets guests as they enter the Elitch Gardens theme park in downtown Denver, which, in 2010, is marking its 120-year anniversary. The slogan may have been more relevant when Elitch Gardens was in its heyday in north Denver, located for more than 100 years at West 38th Avenue and Tennyson Street. It moved…
The Wild Animal Sanctuary: Keeping Creatures Safe in Keenesburg
Lions and tigers and bears – plus wolves, bobcats, coyotes and other large carnivores – call the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg, Colorado, home. The sanctuary, 30 miles northeast of Denver, provides 320 acres of grassland habitat and shelters to more than 200 animals rescued from horrible living conditions around the world. Visitors can see these animals in their spacious habitats and learn about their wildlife rescue and care…
Top Five Gunnison Activities: Water Sports
At 7,700 feet of altitude and inside a river basin, Gunnison, Colorado is a well-endowed setting for summer fun and high adventure. Check out Gunnison for iconic outdoor Rocky Mountain activities like rafting and fly fishing, or try something new and brave the rapids by surf board, “duckie,” or stand-up paddle. Gunnison is so into its river sports that it holds a yearly Gunnison River Festival, “an annual river…
Step Back in Time: Loveland’s Sweetheart of a Museum
The tidy city of Loveland is known for its sculpture shows every August. But, make no mistake, this city serves up art year-round — on the streets, in the parks and at the Loveland Museum/Gallery in the heart of downtown. To get a taste of this artful little town about 50 miles north of Denver you don’t have to be an artist. A visit to the Loveland Museum/Gallery reveals…
Colorado Camping: Mesa Verde National Park a Favorite
Colorful Colorado just seems to be built for family camping because it’s packed with magnificent scenery, fascinating history and superb outdoor adventure. Of all the great places where our family has camped in the U.S. and Canada, we rank Mesa Verde National Park in southwestern Colorado as our all-time favorite. For several days at Morefield Campground, we slept under the stars and explored the wonders of Mesa Verde National…
The Cellar: A Boutique Wine Shop in Fort Collins
Nestled in the charming town of Fort Collins lies a boutique gourmet wine shop called The Cellar. I went to their popular wine tasting event they host every Saturday and, needless to say, I was not disappointed. This charming boutique wine cellar opened in August 2011, and is stocked with over 500 unique wines from all areas of the world like France, South Africa, Argentina and California. I had…
Snow and Spas: Stay in Keystone
Keystone is one of Colorado’s many premier ski locations. Cradled amongst the vistas of the Continental Divide and steeped in thousands of acres of wilderness, Keystone makes for the perfect location for Colorado vacation skiers, snowboarders, and outdoor enthusiasts. With powdery slopes, lakes, and rivers nearby, this ski town provides activities to take part in all year round. While the town offers vacationers all these perks, it can also…
Ahhhh, Spa! Englewood’s Inverness Feels Like a Retreat
Driving to a strip mall and clumping my clothes into a corner of the massage room isn’t really my idea of a spa experience. So I am a bit uneasy about visiting a hotel spa located in a business park. As it turns out, the Spa at the Inverness includes none of the drab styling of its namesake hotel. Just one floor below the lobby, a bubbling fountain welcomes…
Scenic Byway: Trail Ridge Road
In an alpine meadow carpeted with lush grasses, newborn white-spotted elk frolic under the watchful eyes of their mothers. Travelers edge their cars onto the shoulder of Trail Ridge Road, opening their windows to gaze at the endearing wildlife “nursery.” Around another bend, snow-mantled Never Summer Range scrapes the sky. Such wondrous sites unfold as this Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway traverses Rocky Mountain National Park from Estes Park…