Author Archives: Nancy Yackel

Visit New Mexico – #2

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Santa Fe Favorite – Inn at Vanessie

Formerly Water Street Inn

Sunset glow on the Inn at Vanessie

 

With dozens of trips to Santa fe, staying in a large variety of lodgings from chain motels to luxury hotel and private casita, without question I have a favorite. Under the new ownership the former Water Street Inn is now the Inn at Vanessie. Within easy walking distance of the Plaza, the 11 room bed and breakfast inn offers guests a calm respite from traffic, crowds, shopping and museums.

 

Each room has its own personality, features and decor. After staying in more than have of the rooms my first choice is always #4, a spacious first floor room with four-poster bed, kiva fireplace, sleeping blanco, chaise lounge and leather chairs – lots of places to curl up with  a good book and/or a glass of wine. Creature comforts are always attended to with thoughtful service and amenities.

 

Next door is Vanessie of Santa Fe a long-time outstanding piano bar and dining room. I try to time my stays to hear Doug Montgomery, Santa Fe’s legendary piano man. A great reason to plan a New Mexico visit.

New Mexico Celebrates 100

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New Mexico

100th Birthday in the Land of Enchantment

San Francisco de Asis Church in Ranchos de Taos

 

Construction of the most photographed church in New Mexico started 140 years before statehood was approved in 1912. The natural beauty, flavorful cuisine, rich cultural and artistic history magnetically draw visitors to the Land of Enchantment. After dozens of trips to all corners of the state we still find new adventures and rewarding experiences with each visit. Why not join in the celebration with your own New Mexico discoveries?

 

Check back often to see an ongoing series of reasons to visit and enjoy the enchantment.

Visit Arizona – #2

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Sonora Desert in Bloom

Spring brings new color and beauty to the Sonora Desert across Southern Arizona.

 

Special places to experience the desert in bloom:

 

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum – Tuscon

                        

Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park – Superior

                        

Desert Botanical Gardens – Phoenix

 

                        

Saguaro National Park – Tucson

    East – Rincon Mountain District

    West – Tucson Mountain District

                        

Tohono Chul Park – Tucson

                       

Tucson Botanical Gardens – Tucson

                        

University of AZ Campus Arboretum – Tucson

Centennial Arizona

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Arizona

100 Years – 100 Reasons to Visit

Arizona celebrates 100 years of statehood in 2012. From the Grand Canyon to the Sonoran Desert, metropolitan Phoenix to the ghost  town of  Fairbanks the variety of scenery, activities and cultures offers hundreds of reasons to visit for everyone from extreme athlete to retirees.

 

 

Known as the Grand Canyon State, is there any better place to begin a tour of Arizona than Grand Canyon National Park? Whether you raft down the Colorado River, hike the South Kaibab Trail, peak over the rim at Grand Canyon Village or fly above it all with Grand Canyon Airlines the awe factor impresses.

 

In the days and weeks to come look for more reasons to visit Arizona during their centennial year.

Colorado Weekend–August 5–7, 2011

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Corn, Covered Wagons and County Fairs

CB Art Festival Street Scene -

38th Annual Vettes on the Rockies – August 4-7, Breckenridege. Corvette lovers gather for four days of events including autocross, self-guided mountain tours, and pit crew challenge ending with a Sunday Show-N-Shine of 350 Corvettes on Frisco’s Main Street.

Douglas County Fair & Rodeo – August 4-7, Castle Rock. All one expects from a county fair with 4H, FFA and culinary competitions, carnival, live bands, livestock sale plus PRCA rodeos and bull riding.

Teller County Fair – August 3-7. Cripple Creek. Livestock and 4-H judging, rough stock rodeo, equipment rodeo, ATV barrel racing, demolition derby and Sunday cowboy church.

Last Steep and Art Festival - B39th Annual Crested Butte Art Festival – August 6&7, Crested Butte. Elk avenue turns into an art gallery with 175 visual artists’ booths. Artist and chef demonstrations, live entertainment, children’s activities and and an art auction fill the weekend.

Covered Wagon Days – August 4-7, Del Norte. Talent show, pancake breakfast, parade, kids games, live music, beer garden, mud volley ball, horseshoe tournament, airport fly-in and mud runs.

5th Annual Colorado Rocky Mountain Bicycle Tour – August 7-13, Grand Junction. Cyclers set off Sunday morning for a weeklong, 493 mile ride through the Colorado Rockies. Event ends August 13th back in Grand Junction.

High Plains Chautauqua – August 2-6, Greeley. An unique blend of theatre, history and humanities at a living history festival under a big tent in the tradition of early 20th-century Chautauquas. FREE.

Adams County Fair – August 3-7, Henderson. In addition to the typical county fair activities there’s a BMX stunt team, demo derby, fireworks, petting zoo and appearances by the Weinermobile and the Denver Bronco cheerleaders celebrating 107 years of Adams County.

15th Annual Bluegrass & Beer Festival – August 6&7, Keystone. Three stages of mountain bluegrass accompanied by over 40 frothy brews and down-home cooking.

Leadville Boom Days & International Pack Burro Race – August 5-7, Leadville. Celebrate Leadville’s heritage with mining competitions, craft fair, live entertainment and a 21-mile pack burro race.

Olathe Sweet Corn Festival – August 5&6, Olathe. Thousands celebrate the hometown crop of sweet corn at the popular family festival.

3rd Annual West Elk Wine Trail – August 5-7, Paonia. Nine wineries in the West Elk Viticultural Area open their doors for wine tasting and food parings feature ingredients grown in Western Colorado. Tour vineyards, wineries, orchards and gardens located along the North Fork of the Gunnison River near Paonia and Hotchkiss.

Steamboat Wine Festival – August 5-7, Steamboat Springs.Wine takes the spotlight in classrooms and restaurants, on the mountain and around town with a multitude of ticketed events.

Steamboat Mountain - B

35th Annual Telluride Jazz Weekend – August 5-7, Telluride. World class jazz comes to Telluride featuring classic, mainstream, blues, Brazilian, African and Latin genres. Daytime session on outdoor stages with night time performances in historic concert halls and intimate clubs.

26 Annual Mountain Arts Festival – August 6&7, Woodland Park. More than 75 vendors stage an outdoor fine art fail at the Ute Pass Cultural Center.

Art at CBAF

Colorado Weekend–July 29–31, 2011

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Weekend To Do  

Store Fronts Breckenridge - B

Breckenridge Main Street Art Festival – July 29 – 31, Breckenridge.

Collegiate Peaks Music Festival – July 28 – 30, Buena Vista.

40th Annual Carbondale Mountain Fair – July 29 –31, Carbondale.

Rocky Mountain State Games – July 29 – 31, Colorado Springs. More than 10,000 athletes compete in over 34 sports.

Crowley County Days – July 30 & 31, Ordway.

Colorado Dragon Boat Festival – July 30 & 31, Denver.

Denver County Fair – July 28 – 31, Denver. First ever, held at National Western Complex.

76th Annual Durango Fiesta Days –July 27 – 31, Durango.

Evergreen Jazz Festival – July 29 – 31, Evergreen..

Dinosaur Days – July 29 & 30, Fruita.

Golden Arch

Buffalo Bill Days – July 28 – 31, Golden.

Arts Picnic – July 30 & 31, Greeley.

Weld County Fair – July 27 – August 1, Greeley.

San Ignacio Fiesta – July 30 & 31, Ignacio.

Colorado Renaissance Festival – July 30 & 31, Larkspur. Last weekend for the 2011 festival.

National Little Britches Final Rodeo – July 25 –30, Pueblo.

Vail International Dance Festival – July 31 – August 13, Vail.

Crankwork Colorado – July 28 – 31, Winter Park.

Wray Daze – July 28 – 31, Wray.

Mountain Range and Fence - B

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Colorado Weekend–July 29–31, 2011

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Weekend To Do

Store Fronts Breckenridge - B

Breckenridge Main Street Art Festival – July 29 – 31, Breckenridge.

Collegiate Peaks Music Festival – July 28 – 30, Buena Vista.

40th Annual Carbondale Mountain Fair – July 29 –31, Carbondale.

Rocky Mountain State Games – July 29 – 31, Colorado Springs. More than 10,000 athletes compete in over 34 sports.

Crowley County Days – July 30 & 31, Ordway.

Colorado Dragon Boat Festival – July 30 & 31, Denver.

Denver County Fair – July 28 – 31, Denver. First ever, held at National Western Complex.

76th Annual Durango Fiesta Days –July 27 – 31, Durango.

Evergreen Jazz Festival – July 29 – 31, Evergreen..

Dinosaur Days – July 29 & 30, Fruita.

Golden Arch

Buffalo Bill Days – July 28 – 31, Golden.

Arts Picnic – July 30 & 31, Greeley.

Weld County Fair – July 27 – August 1, Greeley.

San Ignacio Fiesta – July 30 & 31, Ignacio.

Colorado Renaissance Festival – July 30 & 31, Larkspur. Last weekend for the 2011 festival.

National Little Britches Final Rodeo – July 25 –30, Pueblo.

Vail International Dance Festival – July 31 – August 13, Vail.

Crankworx Colorado – July 28 – 31, Winter Park.

Wray Daze – July 28 – 31, Wray.

Mountain Range and Fence - B

 

Colorado Weekend–July 22–24, 2011

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Fourteen For Fun

This summer Colorado weekend brings county fairs, wine, tea, cherry pies and music –Americana, Celtic, jazz. Wherever in the state you are join the fun.

Eric's Field of Columbines - B

**Aspen Arts Festival – July 23&24, Aspen

**Arapahoe County Fair – July 20-24, Aurora.

**Rocky Mountain Tea Festival – July 23&24, Boulder.

**El Paso County Fair – July 23-30, Calhan

**Celtic Weekend – July 23&24, Canon City.

**Castle Rock Wine Fest – July 23, Castle Rock

**Wine and Food Festival – July 21-24, Crested Butte.

**Fiesta Days – July 23-31, Durango.

**Eagle County Fair & Rodeo – July 23-30, Eagle.

**Mesa County Fair – July 19-23, Grand Junction.

**Cherry Pie Festival – July 23, Loveland.

**Americana Music Weekend – July 20-23, Telluride.

**Alpine Artaffair – July 23&24, Winter Park.

**Winter Park Jazz  – July 23&24, Winter Park.

Eric's Kids on Log - B

Photos courtesy of Eric Yackel.

*Travel Log* – Taos, New Mexico – July 15, 2011

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Fantastic Friday

Blue Chairs on Couse Porch - B

A century-old world of creativity and inspiration opened as we stepped into the domain of famed Taos artist E.I. Couse (1866-1936). By pre-arrangement, we met Couse’s granddaughter Virginia in the garden of his home and studio. For nearly two hours we were captivateCouse Palette - Bd by the stories she shared of her grandfather, one of the founding members of the Taos Art Society as we walked through rooms filled with family furnishings, collections, sketches, prints and original paintings. We left inspired not only by Couse’s art but the family’s commitment to preserve his legacy through The Couse Foundation.

Tours must be arranged in advanced. No fee is charged but donations to the foundation are gratefully accepted. When you go be generous for this is worthy of support.

Bavarian Exterior - BFor the afternoon we headed to the Taos Ski Valley and lunch at the Bavarian Lodge and Restaurant. The 19-mile drive from Taos ascends through the Carson National Forest into the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The restaurant sits at over 10,000” altitude, transporting guests to an alp-like ambiance. After a filling German lunch we stroll the Village of Taos Ski Valley, considerably quieter than a wintertime visit.

Returning to Taos we stop in the quirky village of Arroyo Seco. It’s impossible for me to pass through Seco twice without a stop at Taos Cow Bob with Ice Cream - BIce Cream. I consider the day a total success when one of today’s choices is Pinion Caramel, my absolute favorite. Across the street we “need” to do some jewelry shopping at Claire Works. Bob is now supplied with gifts for my birthday and Christmas.

In light of spaetzle and ice cream we make a workout visit to the Taos Spa. The facility accommodates regional visitors with reasonable priced day passes or multi-visit punch cards.

We peacefully conclude the day back at the casita with music, wine and books – a fantastic Friday.

 

“Travel Log”–Taos, New Mexico–July 14, 2011

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Tantalizing Taste and Tranquility in Taos

Orlando's Birdhouse - BWe’ve arrived for our long anticipated yearly sojourn in Taos, New Mexico. Next week Bob attends a watercolor workshop given by Taos resident artist/potter Stephen Kilborn. Driving from Colorado our traditional first stop is lunch at Orlando’s, a personal favorite consistently serving excellent New Mexican fare.

Today we savored every tantalizing taste – Bob a shredded beef chimichanga, Nancy a combination platter of cheese and onion enchilada in a blue corn tortilla, chile relleno and a shredded beef taco in soft shell blue corn tortillas, accompanied by posole and beans. Yum! Although many Orlando’s menu items are ones similar to those found on Tex-Mex menus there’s a world of difference in the rich New Mexican flavors.

Orlando's Diners - BFilled to the gills, we declined one of the homemade dessert treats. During our Taos visit I’m planning on several more visits to enjoy the shredded beef burrito, the fish tacos and grilled shrimp burrito plus dessert at least once. The flan is always exceptional and the frozen avocado pie uniquely refreshing.

Birdhouses at Casa - BFor the third year we’re delighted to settle into Casa de Las Abuelas, an adobe guest house. I’ll share more about this exceptional property in a separate posting. The convenient yet secluded location provides much needed tranquility after a day of travel, museum and gallery visits, or outdoor activity. After threatening afternoon skies we peacefully watched evening descend as mere whiffs of clouds inched across the sky. A perfect beginning to a Taos vacation.

Nancy on Patio - B