Keeping Our Beaches Beautiful and Protected

Only a few months from the two year anniversary of the BP oil spill in the Gulf, and it’s in the news again. Or is it still? Either way, the news is all good; for residents, business owners, and travelers!

• Damage claims resume
• Required 6% hold-back on claims no longer applies retroactively (good decision, Your Honor)
• Victims won’t be required to give any portion of their received monies back (which means they don’t have to stick it to the consumer to get it back)
• The beaches have been clean for awhile                         
• TRAVELERS RETURNED to give many businesses a much-improved 2011

A lot of money, blood, sweat, and tears went into returning the beaches to their former pristine beauty.

Now residents and holiday visitors can help to further restore the beaches and dunes by

RECYCLING CHRISTMAS TREES!   

So, if you’ve been vacationing in one of the many Gulf Shores condo rentals, staying in a rental home or reside in the area year round, you’ll want to drive by the Gulf State Park Pier and drop your Christmas tree at the parking lot toward the east end.  This effort will not only help preserve and protect these fragile beaches, but it will bring new meaning to ‘Take only pictures. Leave only memories.’

Bring the family back next year and remember how you helped to build the secondary dune line.
Or go to Middle Lake and create stories about how your Christmas tree  may be one of those that were sunk under the dock to attract fish!

I’ve often left my Christmas tree out for the birds to have protection during the cold, winter months of the Midwest. I never imagined you could have the same sense of satisfaction in a warmer climate!

Welcome back!

Where O Where Has All the Snow Gone?

Here we are in the new year of 2012 and Old Man Winter

  has been hiding the snow from most of the ski resorts in the nation. Many skiers, snowboarders and outdoor winter enthusiasts are wondering where o where has all the snow gone!

So what is a person to do if they are looking to strap on that new Christmas gear and hit some slopes knowing that most of the nation is experiencing record warm temperatures and low snowfall? Perhaps consider more than just snow amounts.

For instance Deer Valley Resort boasts the ability to backup natural snowfall with state-of-the-art snowmaking equipment and:

5 years in a row voted #1 ski resort in North America by the readers of SKI Magazine

First class service reminiscent of a five star hotel including

• Gourmet dining
• Customized lodging
• Lift ticket, lessons and rental packages
• Award winning ski school
• Luxurious amenities such as ski valets, on-site childcare and 3 elegant day lodges

A great resource to check before you go is On the Snow with

• Current snow and surface conditions
• Live webcams
• Trail maps
• Guest reviews

With recreation, dining options, equipment rentals and lessons all taken care of, it’s time to think about where to settle down to share your adventures with friends after a great day on the slopes. Customize your Deer Valley Resort rentals with options to accommodate

• Private Condos/Townhomes
• Private Home
• Drive, walk or shuttle to lifts
• 2-6 Bedrooms
• Economy to Deluxe pricepoints

 Now that everything is planned, you’ll just need to focus on getting old man Winter to give up his stash of snow!

Function is the key in renovating the famous Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington. Visitors are not going to notice much of a change after this four year renovation project is complete with most of the changes focusing on updating the public market’s core infrastructure to take it through its next century. Mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems have been updated and important historic buildings are benefiting from improved seismic stability. Continuing work will improve accessibility to the market with three new elevators and an extensive bathroom remodeling procedure.

Known as “The Soul of Seattle,” Pike Place Market was originally brought to life on August 17, 1907 when farmers brought their produce directly to the people of Seattle who showed up in overwhelming numbers. The farmers’ goods were sold out by 11:00 am thus beginning a supply and demand market that opened its own building with every space filled by the end of that first year. Today, the market is internationally known as America’s premier farmers’ market housing over 200 year round businesses.

“The Market,” as it is known by the locals, pulls in nearly 10 million visitors a year to enjoy shopping, dining, and entertainment provided by street performers and musicians. The Market remains open during the renovation and with Phase II of IV wrapping up this month many businesses will be relocated back to their original locations and seasonal vendors returning. Heritage Tours also continue during construction and are offered daily each weekday but must be scheduled in advance. See The Market Foundation for more information on tours that will illustrate The Market in a way many visitors never get to see.  

To get the full experience of The Market, we recommend a multi-day visit. While touring Seattle, stay only minutes from all the shopping and entertainment at Hotel Five, one of the premier hotels in Seattle. With plush mattresses and linens, a breakfast and lunch café, business traveler amenities, and a well-equipped fitness center, Hotel Five is centrally located to be your home away from home while visiting the historic Pike Place Market and the vibrant city of Seattle, Washington.

Pike Place Market photo made possible by Creative Commons.

Protecting the majesty that is Hawaii and its surrounding islands is no easy feat. Regardless, local residents and government bodies have made it their calling to safeguard the lush vegetation and unique ocean animals of Hawaii by helping to maintain Hawaii State Marine Life Conservation Districts like Honolua Bay and Mokule’ia Bay.

Currently, there are eleven Marine Life Conservation Districts established around the islands that preserve the glorious natural beauty that Hawaii has to offer. The conservation districts are essential for local residents and have also become preferred spots for diving, snorkeling and other underwater activities. Get to know a little about the Honolua-Mokule’ia Bay District here:

• Both bays are located near Kapalua Resort in Maui, Hawaii. Kapalua Resort is proud to persevere in its mission to maintain the 22,000 acres it rests on and keep it established as not only luxury lodging, but as a safe place for the flora and fauna and fishes of the area.

• Mokule’ia Bay is known to the locals simply as “slaughterhouse”. Years ago a slaughterhouse and tanning (animal hide tanning that is) shop was located directly on the edge of the cliffs that overlook the beach. The slaughterhouse closed more than fifty years ago.

• Both Honolua and Mokule’ia Bays were established in 1978 and are comprised of 45 acres.

• Honolua means “Two Bays”

• There are over 400 species of fishes in the coastal waters of Hawaii including those found in Honolua and Mokule’ia Bays.

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!