Colorado Review

Yesterday I spent the morning with my son’s kindergarten class at Aspen’s Maroon Bells, some of the most photographed mountain peaks in the world. How blessed are these children that they get to retreat into glorious nature as part of their curriculum?!

My group of five little boys and I (and another helpful mom) talked about our five senses and explored the lake, traipsed on trails, and collected leaves, pine cones and sticks. It was a beautiful, robin’s-egg-blue-sky day and I certainly felt blessed.

Aspen, Maroon Bells

Burlap sack–wearing dancers. Kids wrapped up in aluminum foil Dogs costumed as tater tots.

Who knows what sort of irreverent get-ups you might see at the 98th annual Potato Day festivities in Carbondale, Saturday, September 29.

Spud-themed floats share the street with American Legion vets, scout troops, school bands and teenage homecoming queens during the five-block-long, downtown parade—a main event during Potato Day, whose roots date back to 1909.

Back then, Carbondale was one of the country’s biggest potato-growing regions. Residents would gather to celebrate a successful autumn harvest. Today, Potato Day is just a reason for the community to come together to “hang out,� says longtime organizer Lisa Quint.

“We’ve thought about advertising outside of the valley, but with [July’s three-day] Mountain Fair getting so big, we decided we just wanted it to stay the way it is,� says Quint. “Everyone likes the local, small-town feeling.�

The theme of this year’s festival, which coincides with the local high school’s homecoming weekend, is “007.� The event poster shows a James Bond–like silhouette packing a potato peeler instead of a pocket pistol.

Quint hopes parade participants embrace the theme. “You know, ‘Spud. James Spud.’ and ‘License to Bake.’ You’d think the high school kids would get into it. But some years are better than others.�

The parade is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Other events include an early morning 5k and 1-mile road race. In downtown Sopris Park, free live music starts at 11:30 a.m., followed by a noon picnic lunch for $8. The menu includes barbecued beef roasted in an underground pit and, you guessed it, plenty of baked potatoes.

The 3 p.m. “Bareback Bonanza� at the local rodeo arena features barrel racing, kids’ mutton bustin’ and the annual favorite team race, “catch the 220-lb pig and get it in a wheelbarrow to cross the finish line.� Visitors can enter any event.

If you haven’t gotten your fill of taters, head over to Russets restaurant (225 Main Street; 970-963-3036). Order a side of fresh-cut Belgian fries to accompany entrees such as Sesame Crusted Pan Seared Ahi Tuna or New York Cut Sirloin. Families are welcome here: children are given a Mr. Potato Head to play with before dinner arrives.

Carbondale, Colorado

I was remiss in my earlier list of state-wide Oktoberfest celebrations. I neglected to mention one that’s in my backyard:

Glenwood Springs
Saturday, September 29, 2007
11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Centennial Park, 9th and Grand Avenue.
Beginning at noon, Soul Feel, with its “funky roots rock and a twist of Delta blues” takes center stage. Entertainment turns to more traditional Oktoberfest music with Alpine Echo at 3 p.m. Alpine Echo will entertain the crowd with traditional German polka tunes with John Pataky of Rosi’s Bavarian Restaurant as the accordion player. During Alpine Echo’s breaks, D’Miesbacher Oimtaler, a Bavarian club dedicated to the preservation of the Bavarian culture will perform traditional Schuhplattler dances and folk dances. Audience participation is encouraged. Erdinger Oktoberfest-Weizen, and Veltins Pilsener will be available on tap along with Woody Creek wine.

My family doesn’t have much of a reason to head about an hour’s west to Rifle, Colorado. Just off of I-70 on the Western Slope, Rifle isn’t known for much besides its outdoor recreation (Rifle Gap and Rifle Falls state parks; great rock climbs). It’s the site of the annual Garfield County Fair, and it’s home to Super Wal-mart (that’s why we made the trip on a recent, rainy Sunday afternoon).

But my family did discover a little slice of sophistication in this old West town. On 3rd Street, just off of the main downtown drag (Railroad Avenue), we ducked into Creekbend Bistro for brunch. Although next to Texas Mesquite BBQ & Bar, across the street from Miller Dry Goods and around the corner from the Moose Lodge, this eatery is no typical diner.

You won’t find mundane French Toast here. Instead it’s Parisian French Toast made with wheat pecan shepherd’s loaf with grilled plantains. Forget a ham & cheese omelet. Instead sample the Tucson Cactus Omelet, with Nopal cactus and housemade chorizo-infused rancho sauce. And don’t expect farmer flapjacks. On this menu it’s Taos Pinion Nut Pancakes.

I had the wonderfully tasty Monterey Feta Omelet. The lightly sauteed veggies–sugar snap peas, fresh green beans, spinach, mushrooms and potatoes–weren’t cooked in my eggs, but rather smothered an omelet. My husband gave high praise to the Blues Brothers’ Steak Sandwich (he especially liked the soft roll). And my kids ordered Silver Dollar Pancakes off the children’s menu. They cleared their plates of three silver dollar pancakes (WAY bigger than a silver dollar) and two slices of bacon each.

Surprisingly, despite the number of alcoholic morning drinks on the menu–Bloody Mary, Mimosa, Espresso Martini–I couldn’t order a drink. “We’re not serving alcohol,” the waitress said. When I questioned why, she replied, “Oh, it’s nothing bad. [The owner] just didn’t renew.” She meant the liquor license. However, I read in that morning’s paper about a sting on local bars and restaurants. Many were fined for serving underage patrons. (Just made me wonder…)

Though I couldn’t wash down my meal with a stiff one, I very much enjoyed my meal. We’d return the next time Super Wal-mart beckons.

Creekbend Bistro & Catering is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Serving both breakfast and lunch foods on Sundays until mid-afternoon. East 3rd Street, downtown Rifle, 970-625-3131.

Colorado, Rifle, restaurants

I’ll be honest. I’m not one to worry about the impact my family’s annual trip to Mexico has on Mother Nature. We’re not going to not hit the tropics in the dead of winter because of our plane’s emissions. Similarly, we take regular weekend road trips in our non-hybrid car. (Oh, and we are often pulling a pop-up camper behind the minivan.)

However, I know that many travelers are more green than I am. (My family does recycle and we use energy-saving light bulbs!) Many want to offset their carbon footprint. As a result, Aspen, which has long been an eco-conscious ski resort, is offering the new Aspen ZGreen Carbon Offset Package, valid September 15 to December 22, 2007.

With the Aspen ZGreen Carbon Offset Package, visitors who book two or more nights at any participating Aspen lodge will receive a “Canary Tag� certificate, confirming that $60 has been invested in a third-party, verified energy efficiency and renewable energy project through the City of Aspen. (Note: $60 offsets the carbon footprint for three commercial airline passengers from New York City to Aspen, plus average area driving and hotel stay for one week. Verification of Canary Tag offsets will be from a reputable third-party carbon verifier such as the Chicago Climate Exchange or the Environmental Resources Trust.)

Many Aspen lodges are participating, including the Gant and Sky Hotel, and bookings can be made through Stay Aspen Snowmass. To reserve the Aspen ZGreen Carbon Offset Package call 800-670-0788 or visit the Aspen Chamber Resort Association website or StayAspenSnowmass.

Aspen encourages guests to use the free bus system, walk or bike while visiting. Participating lodges will include free parking. In addition to the carbon offsets, the City of Aspen will give participants two complimentary passes per reservation ($30 value) to the Aspen Recreation Center.

(more…)

I’m a huge fan of renting condominiums when I go on vacation with my family. With a one- or two-bedroom unit, we just have more room to spread out than we would in a standard hotel room. Plus, with a kitchen, we can purchase food at a local grocery store and cook for ourselves, saving a ton of money along the way.

If your family continually visits the same Colorado ski resort every winter (or vacations in the mountains in the glorious summer months), you might consider buying property in the area, instead of shelling out the bucks to rent.

Instead of buying a second home, which could easily reach millions of dollars in the high-end resorts, or buying into a fractional ownership property, which can costs hundreds of thousands of dollars for a share of a unit, consider a timeshare resale, which typically cost under $5,000, plus yearly maintenance fees.

These properties are previously owned timeshare units, from studios to multi-bedrooms, that are typically part of Resort Condominiums International (RCI) or Interval International (II) exchange companies. That means when you purchase a timeshare, you can exchange your week (either a floating week or fixed week of the year) for a week at any of the RCI’s or II’s thousands of resorts in countries around the world.

A quick search of Holiday Group’s timeshare sales turned up more than 20 timeshares available throughout Colorado. They’re in mountain resort areas such as Breckenridge, Pagosa Springs, Vail and Winter Park.

Buying a timeshare resale from a reputable provider (Holiday Group has been in the business since 1992) has its benefits. For example, you don’t have to sit through any hard-sell presentations or gimmicky sales tactics like you would if you visited the resort in person!

Interested? Check out these Timeshare FAQs for more information.

Colorado, timeshare, Holiday Group

Full disclaimer: I recently started writing for 5280, Denver’s Mile-High Magazine. (Get it? Denver is at 5,280 feet above sea level.) But despite being paid to cover travel in my home state and beyond (my first piece is on a resort in Utah–shhhhh!), I can honestly say that this award-winning publication is chock full of great stuff.

Not only does it cover the political scene in the state, but there are some fun reads about interesting personalities, thorough Denver-area restaurant reviews, and my favorite, suggestions for state-wide weekend trips. The current issue covers fall getaways–the best scenic drives for viewing autumn foliage. I also like the annual “Top of the Town” issue, “best of” lists of everything from favorite city parks to where to find the tastiest martinis to opinions on the most overrated Denver sports professional.

If you’re in Denver, pick up a copy. If you visit the state often, consider subscribing. Or check out some of the articles that are posted online.

Colorado, city magazines, Denver, 5280

Here’s a good deal for folks who live in the Dallas area and who enjoy skiing at Crested Butte. Not only can kids fly for free from DFW to the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport, but they basically stay for free, too, in a two-bedroom condominium with their parents. Here are the packages:

American Airlines
Packages are based on two adults and two children (ages 12 and under) and include four nights lodging in a two-bedroom condominium in Mt. Crested Butte, three days of lift tickets for Crested Butte Mountain Resort, roundtrip airfare from Dallas-Ft. Worth and roundtrip ground transportation per person from the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport. Other lodging options are available. Valid dates of travel are Jan. 6–Feb. 15, 2008. Cost starts at $2,050 per family. Packages featuring flights originating from other cities also are available.

United Airlines
Unplug and recharge with a United Airlines’ “Kids Fly & Stay Free� package starting at $1,807 for the entire family, based on two adults and two children (ages 12 and under). The package includes four nights lodging in a two-bedroom condominium in Mt. Crested Butte, three days of lift tickets for Crested Butte Mountain Resort, roundtrip airfare from Dallas-Ft. Worth and roundtrip ground transportation per person from the Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport. Other lodging options are available. Valid dates of travel are Nov. 28–Dec. 13, 2007 and Jan. 4–Feb. 14, 2008. Cost starts at $1,807 per family. Packages featuring flights originating from other cities also are available.

Book “Kids Fly & Stay Free!� ski vacations through Crested Butte Vacations, (877) 326-1467 or www.GunnisonCrestedButte.com by clicking on “Stay & Play Deals.�

Crested Butte, Colorado

Can you spot the wild animal in this picture?

Check out the lower right hand corner. That’s a female moose (cow moose) grazing off the side of the road in Rocky Mountain National Park last June.

Two friends and I were on a mini road trip at this national park northwest of Denver. We actually entered the park on Trail Ridge Road (the highest continuous paved road in the continental U.S., topping off at 12,183 feet) on the west side near Grand Lake, with our scenic drive finishing on the east side near Estes Park.

To say the views were stunning is an understatement. Now, in the fall, with the glorious autumn foliage, I’m sure the vistas are breathtaking. And wildlife viewing is plentiful.

It’s mating season for elk, so if you visit now, you’ll likely hear the male elks’ mating call–a bugle sound–especially in the early evening. When wildlife is spotted, cars pull over and line up on the side of the road. Be sure to drive carefully on the winding roads.

Here’s a shot of us taking a short hike up to 2.3 miles above sea level. This point is reached via a steep path from the Alpine Visitor Center (11,796 feet). Don’t do as I did; wear sturdy hiking shoes! Snow remains on the ground year round there, and I traipsed through lots of slush to reach the top. (That’s me on the far left.) Chilly feet!

Rocky Mountain National Park, moose, Colorado

I went out of town this weekend and returned home to this:

Gorgeous hues of burnt-orange leaves on Roaring Fork Valley mountains, and a dusting (actually more like a good cover) of snow on Mount Sopris, a nearly fourteen-thousand-feet peak that overlooks Carbondale. My point-and-shoot digital doesn’t do the scene justice; you’ll just have to road trip up here to see for yourself! (This is the morning view from my front porch; I should wait until the afternoon to show you the robin’s-egg blue sky that appears once the sun rises a bit more.)

I love autumn in the Rockies. Winter is not far behind. I sent my kids to school in their fleece jackets and mittens this morning. (Waiting for the bus in the shade is chillllly!)

Carbondale, Colorado, snow, Rockies