If you generally think of Colorado as a ski vacation Mecca, let me introduce you to the “off-season”. Summers in Colorado are known for whitewater rafting, camping, hiking, golfing, mountain biking, fly-fishing, festivals, horseback riding and more! And Keystone’s central Colorado location excels in all of these Rocky Mountain summer activities.

Flyfishing – AugustKids029 Whether you are a beginning or experienced fly-fisherman the streams, ponds and rivers surrounding Keystone have something for every angler. Summit Fly Fishing offers casting and fishing clinics as well as guided trips on the Snake River.
River Rafting – Two world-class adventure rivers, The Arkansas River and The Colorado River, are right out Keystone’s backdoor. The area boasts extreme whitewater to casual float trips and everything in between.
Golfing – Two remarkable golf courses featuring 36 incredible championship holes will amaze even the most refined golfers as they tee off into the light Rocky Mountain air. Open Memorial Day through September, the courses put a new meaning to “golfing on the edge”. For the family, Keystone also has a miniature golf course in River Run.
Mountain Biking – Take advantage of the mountain’s lift service to experience world-class downhill mountain biking terrain, complete with views of the Continental Divide and Lake Dillon. Members of your group that don’t wish to go down on two wheels can take the lift back down to safety. Or mountain bikers can try out any of over 100 miles of cross country biking and hiking trails that wind through the Keystone area. Bikes, helmets, and safety equipment rentals are available at the Adventure Center in Lakeside Village. The center also offers paddle boating, kayak and canoe rentals, and fish feeding activities. Printable bike trail maps can be found on Keystone Resort’s website.
Festivals – Summer in Keystone is the time to catch art shows, jazz festivals, a fiddle contest, Celtic festival, culinary galas and more! The 15th Annual Bluegrass and Beer Festival will be held this year August 6th – 7th. Enjoy mountain music, sample Colorado’s microbrews, and let the kids burn off energy in a free family Kidzone. Also in August, the 7th Annual Blues Festival and Art Show will be held. An art show and competition complete with tasty dishes and an array of brews and wines will be accompanied by live guitarists. Keystone also offers free weekly family events like storytelling, stargazing, craft nights, and gold-panning. Call for more information: 800-354-4FUN (4386).
Unique Adventures – In addition to the summer mountain activities mentioned above, Keystone has a few unique activities like a bungee trampoline, barn dances, beaver patrol, mine tours, and llama lunch hikes on Keystone Mountain.
Lodging – Whatever your reason for visiting Keystone in the summer, let the experts at Summit County Mountain Retreats provide accommodations for your Keystone Resort rental. Featuring homes and condos on the mountain or in town, Karen and William Fuller are happy to help you choose a vacation rental to make this your most memorable Colorado summer vacation!

Come see why many locals deem summer their favorite time of year!

Welcome back!

Many people immediately think of world class skiing, grand mountain lodges, and winter sports when they think of vacation in Colorado, but the fun doesn’t end when the snow melts.  Colorado’s mountains are home to a plethora of warm-weather activities, from water activities such as white water rafting and gold-medal fishing to backpacking and hiking throughout the amazing rocky mountain region.

Now that the snow has thawed, Colorado locals are hanging up their skis and dusting off their summer gear to enjoy the beauty, adventure, and fun that the state has to offer during the summer months.  A favorite activity of both locals and visitors alike, is taking a step back into Colorado’s wild past.  Visiting historic landmarks and vacationing at dude ranches are two of the most popular ways to do this.  Colorado has a rich and colorful history, take a step into any mountain town, and you’ll see the signs of an era long gone.  Bars owned by men like Doc Holliday that still have bullets lodged in the cieling, historic homes, abandoned mines are abundant throughout the mountain region.

Another fun way to get a taste of old Colorado is to take part in one of the state’s dude ranch vacations.  The state is home to over 30 guest ranches, varying in size and number of amenities.  Some of our favorites even feature spa services to enjoy after a long day on the trail!  (Okay, maybe not completely authentic, but ranching is hard work!)  Most ranches provide amazing accommodations, three meals a day, and a variety of ranching activities to enjoy.  These trips are an excellent way to get the whole family engaged in the vacation experience, with something for everyone.  You can participate in ranch activities at your leisure, so you still have time to take in the amazing scenery or go play in the river for an afternoon or two.

What are you waiting for?  Toss your work clothes aside, turn off your cell phone, and come and enjoy a piece of the rockies -you’ll never want to leave!

Images courtesy The Home Ranch, Clark Colorado

I remember reading Edward Abbey’s Desert Solitaire in high school and imagining the Great Southwest to be a vast land of rock and caves where the ancient Anasazi Indians made their lives as cliff dwellers going in and out of our world through their time machines known as kivas. 

Ten years ago I, personally, made the move from out east to Colorado and have since thoroughly enjoyed exploring Colorado’s southwest corner and Utah’s canyonland areas where Mr. Abby spent some time learning and writing about that rugged and ancient terrain.

Just outside of Dolores, Colorado you will find The Anasazi Heritage Center where guests can see, touch and learn about the Four Corners “prehistory” era.  There are roughly 3 million records and artifacts that make up the Center’s attractions.

The Anasazi Heritage Center also represents the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument.  Here you will find a pre-Puebloan culture that dates back to at least 10,000 years.  Evidence of their villages still remains for visitors to see.  The Canyons of the Ancients is a vast land protected by the BLM and is open for exploration but one must be very careful and respect these ancestral ruins.  Leave no trace as they say and “they” (Bureau of Land Management) mean it.

Mesa Verde country consists of just about every type of terrain so that all kinds of recreation can exist.  Everything that can be done outdoors, even skiing, can be done in Mesa Verde country.  To me, the best way to experience and explore this country is on foot and since we are talking about the desert that means lots of sun and heat in the summer.  Use common sense and hike during the morning or dusk hours and not during the middle of the day when the sun is at its’ highest.  One can find camping in designated areas to really get the feel of day turning into night.

So, if you ever find yourself traveling from Denver going west and if you have a couple of days to spare consider the Mesa Verde Country in southwest Colorado.  Experience a beautiful and ancient land which is home of the modern day Pueblo People, descendants of the Ancient Anasazi Indians.       

Mesa Verde Overlook by Mulsanne

Mesa Verde Kiva by norrisbaby

Mesa Verde by neuroticcamel

These days everybody knows the term “green” means having a conscious mind to recycle, reuse and clean up our environment.  We as residents of this earth need to do our part to ensure a lasting relationship between us and Mother Nature.  I tend to look at businesses around me to see if they are doing their part since a lot of waste comes from today’s commercialism.

When I think of Boulder, Colorado, I think of technology, quality of life and an amazing effort to becoming and maintaining a “green” and eco-friendly lifestyle.  As a Coloradoan, I definitely have found myself adopting a regimented recycle program to do my part for my family and everyone around me.  I would like to expose some of the green efforts currently going on in Boulder.

City of Boulder Green Points Program

 This program outlines and enforces issues on home energy, construction waste recycling, deconstruction plans and new construction for additions and remodels.  Boulder building codes are now strictly following green standards and sustainable development practices.        

For recycling construction waste, new construction sites must donate, reuse or recycle 50% of all the waste material generated.  Being energy efficient in reducing the amount of energy used and carbon emissions is the city’s green goal.  By simply using energy efficient light bulbs, one can reduce about 75% of the energy normally used up in incandescent bulbs and the efficient light bulbs last generally 10 times longer with a $30 plus savings in electricity costs over time.

Boulder Recycling Program

Waste management companies are providing more simple ways to commingle your recyclables from your trash.  Just knowing some tiny details about what is accepted and what is not adds up when you are talking about just under 100,000 people living inside the city limits.  2008 was called “The Year of Zero Waste” and I’m sure that mantra will continue for years to come until zero waste is achieved.

Boulder Local Businesses

I see a little bit of green consciousness going on around me with the local businesses and that’s uplifting.  Hotels are one type of business that being green can be very beneficial.  A hotel can become a green hotel in a multitude of ways.  The Hotel Boulderado, a downtown Boulder, CO  hotel does this by recycling, donating, reusing and eliminating waste.  This can all be done with little effort.  Old linens are used for rags and items that cannot be reused are donated to homeless shelters and local charities.  Leftover banquet food is donated to the Boulder Community Food Share Program.  Habitat for Humanity and regional Indian Reservations also benefit from donations.  Using environmentally friendly products such as biodegradable solvents and non toxic cleaners make a positive impact as a whole.  Saving energy and water can be done by simply setting thermostats at a median temperature and using low water toilets use less water as a result.

Let’s encourage each other as well as local businesses to embrace green standards and practices this new year.  If you make an honest effort, a positive impact can result for all to see and experience all around the world.

Flat Irons in Boulder, Colorado by jebb

Recycling Sign by akeg

Downtown Boulder by Brian and Shannon

Hotel Boulderado by davidburn

Bazillions of people zoom by this spot as they pass through Glenwood Canyon on Interstate 70 across the Colorado Mountains and most never think about stopping here. Those who find a couple of hours to spare in their journey and have the energy to take a steep, but short hike up Dead Horse Creek, are rewarded with one of those surprisingly scenic gems that hide in the forest-Hanging Lake.

It’s only a little over a mile to this small, crystal clear emerald lake fed by a restful waterfall. It’s a tough mile, though, starting off with rock stairs, climbing relentlessly, crossing across the creek and requiring a rock scramble close to the top. However, every time you feel yourself about to turn back, just ask someone coming down the trail if it was worth it. The answer is always a resounding yes.

Tips:

• Because of the narrowness of the canyon in this spot, you must enter coming from the west. For those coming from the east, the turnaround is at Grizzly Creek.
• If you have any leg power left after reaching the lake, take the very short add-on hike to spouting rock.
• Take your camera, plenty of water and a snack with you.
• The snow is slow to melt in this deep canyon.

• Dogs are not allowed.