Author Archives: Nancy Yackel

Royal Gorge Route – Colorado

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Royal Gorge Route

Rail travel and one of Colorado’s most popular destinations combine for an outstanding adventure. The Royal Gorge Route threads through the famous canyon 1,000 feet below the world’s highest suspension bridge. Twisting along the banks of the Arkansas River, trips aboard this train promise close-up views of the Arkansas River, wildlife and sheer granite walls. Two-hour trips depart from the historic Santa Fe Depot in Cañon City; traveling 12 miles to Parkdale before reversing direction.

A stop on Hanging Bridge highlights each trip; the canyon narrows at this point so much that the rails are suspended over the river. During the season, passengers watch rafters tackle the surging waters of Class V rapids. Views upward include a swath of Colorado sky and the thin ribbon of the Royal Gorge Bridge linking perpendicular canyon walls.

Train_Open - RGR The streamline train consists of restored climate controlled coaches and roofless observation cars. The Sunshine Falls café and bar car satisfies hunger pangs. The Theodore Roosevelt dining car debuted on the route this summer, adding an upgrade option.

During day trips First Class seating at comfortable tables includes a class of complimentary champagne or sparkling cider, chef’s choice of hor’s dourves and a cash bar. A local Cañon City company re-outfitted the Via Rail car in rich wood paneling, sparkling light fixtures and burgundy upholstery.

Train_All Abord For Colorado’s classiest rail trip make reservations on the Saturday night Twilight Dinner Train, offered through Oct.25th. Upon boarding, guests find an appetizer plate and champagne at their table. A chilled salad topped with homemade Bleu cheese dressing and crisp croutons is served soon after departure. Between courses diners step out to an observation car for sunset photos or stars sprinkled across the night sky canvas.

Entrée choices are salmon with herbed wild rice and fresh vegetable or a generous roast prime rib served with baked potato and vegetables. Chocolate cake or cheesecake desserts and coffee conclude the four-course meal from chef Donovan McDonald and cheerful staff.

The Royal Gorge Route continues operations on weekends during the winter and spring months, a boost to off-season tourists and residents.

 

*Article by Nancy Yackel, first published September 2003 in Buzz in the ‘burbs, a suburban Denver monthly lifestyle magazine. Menu details, personnel and dates may have changed, check the Royal Gorge Route website for current details.

Lazy Loggerhead Cafe – Jupiter Florida

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Third Times a Charm

On my third visit to Lazy Loggerhead Cafe I finally discovered why locals and tourists return to this beachside eatery in Jupiter’s Carlin Park. The rather non-descript cafe came highly recommended. My first visit, Sunday breakfast in January, left little impression or inspiration. There was nothing wrong with the food but also nothing memorable. The small space was inundated with those waiting for tables and the noise and clatter overpowered our attempted conversation.

Although the cafe is only a short distance from a popular public beach don’t expect water views. Foliage atop the dunes blocks the view but provides year-round greenery.

My sister Judy and I returned to Lazy Loggerhead for lunch in July. My reuben sandwich was tasty and generous – indeed, I took home enough for two late evening snacks. Again, nothing outstanding in my opinion. Judy ordered the caesar salad plus a Blog - Lazy Loggerhead Grilled Shrimp Salad side order of black beans and rice and loved both choices. The crisp romaine and croutons came topped with shaved parmesan; the beans and rice artfully topped with a lime cream and raspberry coulis, was accompanied by a mango fruit salsa. My fork found its way for samples of both dishes. A chat with our waitress brought the recommendation of the grilled shrimp caesar for a future lunch.

Blog - Lazy Loggerhead Black Bean Soup Yesterday we made our third visit to Lazy Loggerhead. Knowing the size of the portions we decided to split an Island grilled shrimp caesar tossed with the fruit salsa. Judy once again ordered black beans and rice while I opted for the black bean soup. The eight large shrimp (tails removed) proved to be plenty for us to share with almost more salad then the two of us could finish. I can only call the soup divine.

The gentleman at the next table raved about his blackened dolphin caesar while others praised the grilled dolphin sandwich. We noted that this time of year almost all the diners seem to be locals known to the staff. Two businessmen receive praise from their waitress for finishing their 1/2-pound hamburgers. I now know why they return. I’m glad we stuck with the Lazy Loggerhead until we found our piece de resistance. Third time was definitely a charm.

When You Go: Lazy Loggerhead Cafe is located just south of Indiantown Road on A1A in Carlin Park, Jupiter, Florida, 561-747-1134. The cafe is open daily for breakfast and lunch. A take-out window offers a limited menu to enjoy on the beach or at one of the park’s picnic shelters.

Carlin Park offers a range of activities and facilities including 3,000 feet of guarded beach frontage, restrooms, outside showers, free parking, baseball fields, sand court volleyball, tennis courts, exercise course, children’s playground, bocce courts, picnic shelters and group pavilions. Seabreeze amphitheatre in the park hosts musical and theatrical events including the annual summertime Shakespeare by the Sea production.

White Fence Farm – Lakewood, Colorado

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Sunday Chicken Dinner

Growing up what was better than Sunday dinner at Grandma’s? The family gathered around the big oak table, heaping platters of crispy fried chicken, mounds of creamy mashed potatoes, ladles of gravy and plenty of side dishes to fill every tummy.

WFF - Sign We recreated much of that scenario today with Sunday afternoon dinner at White Fence Farm in west of Denver. The experience takes me back a half-century. The “farm house” is much more stately than Grandma’s, the table isn’t oak but the traditional chicken dinner totally satisfied our hunger and cravings.

We avoided a lengthy wait by arriving mid-afternoon, 3:30pm. White Fence Farm only takes reservations for parties of 15 and more. Our party of adults opted for the quieter fireplace room. None of us really needed t o study the menu; we were there for the chicken dinner. Other entree choices range from white fish or shrimp to t-bone steak and beef liver.

WFF - Front Along with our drinks our waitress brought dishes of coleslaw, pickled beet slices, kidney bean salad and cottage cheese – all served family style. Plus, the hard to resist warm corn fritters. She is soon back to see if we want refills on any of the salads. It isn’t long until she arrives with the heaping platter of crisp chicken – four pieces per person, potatoes, gravy and another dish of fritters.

Desserts of pie – lemon meringue or chocolate silk, warm blueberry cobbler, cheesecakes and sundaes tempted but only Bob indulged with a dish of soft serve ice cream.

The White Fence Farm experience isn’t just about the food. There’s live entertainment, refreshments and shopping in the adjoining Americana Barn. While Bob stocked up on a favorite onion salad dressing Michael and Stephanie perused the old-fashioned candy selections including pop rocks, clove gum and button candy.

WFF - Testing the Water

WFF - Treehouse WFF - Tire Swing  

The silo is filled with Christmas ornaments and decorations year-round. Created from an old railroad car, the Country Cottage offers gifts for the home and antiques. Kids, young and old, make acquaintance with kids of the goat variety, sheep and chickens aat the OK Corral. The giant steer and hog were both into afternoon nap mode. We stroll the landscaped grounds admiring the flowers, sculpture and popular pond alive with fish and ducks. Steph and I wish we were under ten and could join in the playground fun. I’d head to Chester’s Roost Treehouse while she’s wanting a twirl on the tire swing.

WFF - Rocking Chair I guess I have to admit I’m of an age where a rocking chair may be more appropriate for Sunday afternoons following chicken dinner.

When You Go: White Fence Farm, 6263 West Jewell Avenue, Lakewood, Colorado, 303-935-5945. White Fence Farm serves dinner Tuesday through Saturday, 4:30 – 8:30 PM and Sunday, 11:30 – 8:00 PM. The farm is closed Mondays and the month of January.

*Colorado Weekend* – July 31-August 2, 2009

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Corn, Covered Wagons and County Fairs

Colorado Gold Panning Championships and Demonstrations – July 31-August 2, Breckenridge.

Buena Vista Gold Rush Day – August 1-2, Buena Vista.

2009 State Games of America – July 30-August 2, Colorado Springs. More than 10,000 athletes compete in over 30 sports.

Conifer Mountain Music Festival – August 1, Conifer.

Crested Butte Art Festival – August 1-2, Crested Butte.

Covered Wagon Days – August 1-2, Del Norte

Art in the Park – July 31-August 2, Durango.

Conference for Fiber Artists – July 30-August 2, Durango.

Bluegrass & Beer Festival – August 1-2, Keystone. Great music and 25 Colorado microbreweries.

Colorado Renaissance Festival – August 1-2, Larkspur. Last weekend for the 2009 festival.

Olathe Sweet Corn Festival – August 1, Olathe.

National Little Britches Rodeo Finals – July 27-August 1, Pueblo.

Steamboat Wine Festival – July 30-August 2, Steamboat Springs.

Telluride Cajun Festival – July 31, Telluride.

Vail International Dance Festival – July 27-August 11, Vail.

Crankworx Colorado – July 30-August 2, Winter Park.

Mountain Arts Festival – August 1-2, Woodland Park.

The great American tradition of county fairs is in full swing this weekend in Colorado. Join local festivities at one of the numerous fairs, many including rodeos, throughout the state.

Archuleta County Fair – July 30-August 2, Pagosa Springs.

Baca County Fair & Rodeo – July 27-August 1, Springfield.

Bent County Fair & Rodeo – July 25-August 1, Las Animas.

Boulder County Fair, Livestock Show & Rodeo – July 31-August 8, Longmont. The oldest county fair in Colorado, since 1869.

Chaffee County Fair – July 25-August 2, Salida.

Cheyenne County Fair & Rodeo – July 28-August 2, Cheyenne Wells.

Douglas County Fair & Rodeo – August 1-9, Castle Rock.

Eastern Colorado Roundup – July 29-August 2, Akron.

Elbert County Fair – July 25-August 2, Kiowa.

Fremont County Fair – July 25-August 2, Canon City.

Larimer County Fair – July 31-August 4, Loveland.

Logan County Fair & Rodeo – July 30-August 9, Sterling.

Montezuma County Fair – July 28-August 1, Cortez.

Morgan County Junior Fair – July 31-August 6, Brush.

Sedgwick County Fair – July 29-August 2, Julesburg.

Teller County Fair – July 28-August 2, Cripple Creek.

 

*Travel Log* – July 26, 2009 – Taos, New Mexico

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Nearly Perfect

Orlando's Front Door The drive from Denver to Taos couldn’t have been easier; or, legally faster. Just 4-1/2 hours after pulling out of the driveway we were pulling into Orlando’s parking lot for lunch in Taos. This is a personal favorite for great Northern New Mexico cuisine. Watch for an Orlando’s blog tomorrow.

We rented an adobe casita, Casa de Las Abuelas, for the week sight unseen. No disappointments here, I already know I won’t want to leave at the end of the week. A detailed blog will follow soon.

Casita Patio

After an orientation for the Stephen Kilborn painting workshop Bob’s attending  this week we joined friends Dolores and Orrel for dinner at Doc Martins in the Taos Inn.

The day’s been a nearly perfect start to a much anticipated week. After a rather difficult summer I’m not even going to feel guilty as I unwind, rest, dine and seek the perfect margarita.

*Colorado Weekend* – July 24-26, 2009

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Arapahoe County Fair – July 22-26, Aurora.

Collegiate Peaks Music Festival 2009 – July 24-26, Buena Vista.

Carbondale Mountain Fair – July 24-26 , Carbondale.

Old Town Showdown – July 25-26, Colorado Springs.

Crested Butte Land Trust Wine and Food Festival – July 23-26, Crested Butte.

Colorado Dragon Boat Festival – July 25-26, Denver.

Fiesta Days – July 23-26, Durango.

Eagle Championship Ranch Rodeo – July 24-26, Eagle.

Empire’s 2nd Annual Art Walk – July 25, Empire.

Evergreen Jazz Festival – July 24-26, Evergreen.

Breckenridge Adventure Xstream Adventure Race –  July 25, Frisco.

‘Vettes on the Rockies – July 26, Frisco.

Golden Buffalo Bill Days – July 24-26, Golden.

Mesa County Fair – July 21-26, Grand Junction.

Greeley Arts Picnic – July 25-26, Greeley.

Keystone Mountain Art Gathering – July 23-26, Keystone.

Bent County Fair & Rodeo – July 25-Aug. 1, Las Animas.

Crowley County Days – July 25, Ordway.

Telluride Americana Music Weekend – July 23-25, Telluride.

Alpine Artaffair – July 25-26, Winter Park.

Winter Park Jazz – July 25-26, Winter Park.

3rd Annual Protecting the American Dream Bike Rally – July 24-26, Woodland Park.

*Colorado Weekend* – July 17-19, 2009

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Fee-Free Weekend –  National park entrance fees will be waived at eight Colorado parks and monuments.

Aspen Arts Festival – July 18-19, Aspen. Free event with 170 exhibitors offering jewelry, pottery, sculpture, glass, ceramics, paintings, prints in Wagner Park.

Kidspree – July 18-19, Aurora.

Downtown Boulder’s Artfair – July 18-19, Boulder

Breckenridge Beer Festival – July 18, Breckenridge.

Cheyenne Wells Tumbleweed Festival – July 18-19, Cheyenne Wells.

Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb – July 19, Colorado Springs.

Orthodox Food Festival and Old Globeville Days – July 18-19, Denver. Sample foods from Russia, Romania, Serbia, Ukraine, Eritrea, Greece and Mexico at the 6th annual festival in Argo Park. Includes music, dance, arts, tours of
historical landmark Orthodox church.

Copper-Penny Horse Show – July 17-19, Estes Park.

2009 USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships – July 16-19, Granby. Thousands of amateur and professional mountain bikers compete on the terrain of SolVista Bike Park, SolVista Basin at Granby Ranch.

Cattlemen Days – Through July 19, Gunnison. Ten days of events wrap-up with a parade, rodeo, cowboy church and draft house pull.

Pagosa Springs Renaissance and Pirate Festival – July 18-19, Pagosa Springs.

Logger Days Festival – July 17-19, South Fork.

High Country Kitchen and Garden Tour – July 18, Steamboat Springs. Event benefits the Strings Music Festival, tour 6 kitchens and 7 high altitude gardens, 10am-4pm.

Fat Tire Classic – July 18-19, Winter Park. Family-friendly pledge event benefiting the National Sports Center for the Disabled and the Mile High Chapter of the American Red Cross.

*Travel Log* – Ft. Lauderdale, Florida – July 14, 2009

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Bird 1 – Denver Bound Passengers 0

The bags got packed, the condo cleaned, the rental car returned without mishap, flight check-in completed, security cleared, lunch enjoyed, time for boarding – no action. We begin to wonder and get antsy. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is an update on Frontier flight #387 to Denver. On the inbound flight the plane had a bird strike in the #2 engine.” A half hour later we note the flight crew deplaning. Not a reassuring sign we’ll be going anywhere.

We soon learn the flight has been cancelled for today and will be rescheduled for tomorrow morning. The lack of an organized plan and leadership is soon evident. Fortunately this isn’t a big deal for us, we don’t HAVE to be home today no matter how much we were looking forward to our own beds.

It takes a couple of hours for the airline to deal with those who feel they absolutely must get to Denver NOW. Those of us from out of state will be put up in a hotel. After much confusion about hotel shuttles and assignments we arrive at a Holiday Inn Express. They have a bit of confusion with check-in procedure but finally we have a room. Phone calls home, a walk to the local grocery and liquor store, and a delivered pizza and Greek salad ease the disappointment

*Colorado Weekend* – July 10-12, 2009

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  • Aspen Antiques & Fine Arts Fair – Aspen, July 9-12. Forty exhibitors from around the world showcase fine antiques, paintings, jewelry and objets d’art at Aspen Ice Garden.
  • Blue Columbine
  • Crested Butte Wild Flower Festival – Crested Butte, July 6-12. Enjoy a rich variety of wildflowers and butterflies while hiking, birding, biking or 4×4 touring. Classes include art, all levels of photograph, medicinal with botanical ingredients, cooking with wild flowers and yoga.
  • Four Corners Gem & Mineral Show – Durango, July 10-12. Three  days of lapidary demonstrations, jewelry, jewelry making equipment, gold panning, gems, minerals, fossils and beads.
  • Estes Park Rooftop Rodeo – Estes Park, July 7-12. 83rd annual PRCA rodeo includes saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, bare-back and bull riding and barrel racing. Plus a Western parade or Behind the Chutes Tours.
  • Fort Collins Jazz Experience – Fort Collins, July 9-11. Downtown Sessions Free Festival Day – July 11th with 14 live jazz groups. Al Jarreau and Ramsey Lewis Trio – ticketed events at Lincoln Center.
  • Colorado Railroad Museum – Golden, July 11-12 . 50th anniversary celebration at the museum dedicated to Colorado railroading heritage, includes an unusual train parade.
  • Wooden Boat Show – Grand Lake, July 11. Enjoy the craftsmanship of historical boat building and see the classics.
  • Cattlemen’s Days – Gunnison, June 10-19.  Colorado’s oldest and longest running rodeo and horseshows. More than a week of dances, horse racing, parade, carnival and BBQ in addition to rodeos and livestock shows.
  • Uncorked Mountain Wine Festival – Keystone, July 11-12. Wine tastings, seminars, pairing dinners plus jazz music.
  • Colorado Irish Festival – Littleton, July 10-12. All things Irish at Clement Park – food, music, merchandise, dance, culture village and Gaelic sports.
  • Boil ‘n Boogie – Mead, July 11. Eighth annual Cajun crawfish boil, six-hour concert, children’s games, and crafts.
  • San Luis Valley Folk Arts and Fiber Festival – Monte Vista, July 10-12. Demonstrations, vendors, workshops and contest in celebration of handmade and traditional arts.
  • Colorado Brewer’s Rendezvous – Salida, July 11. Specialty Colorado craft brewers at the 13th annual event in downtown Salida’s Riverside Park.
  • Snowmass SkateMass – Snowmass village, July 11. Skateboard event  and competition at the new Snowmass village Skate Park.
  • Steamboat Balloons Hot Air Balloon Rodeo and Art in the Park  – Steamboat Springs, July 11-12. Over 40 balloons launch each morning during the 29th annual balloon rodeo at Bald Eagle Lake. The 35th annual summer art show in Lincoln Park is Steamboats largest art and craft festival.
  • Telluride Yoga Festival – Telluride, July 10-12. Friday sunset Kirtan, workshops, meditations and yoga dance presentation.
  • Insectival! – Westminister, July 11-12. The Butterfly Pavillion explores wonders and mysteries of the insect world.
  • Winter Park Music Festival – Winter Park, July 11. National, regional and local live music in Hideaway Park. Free, but ticket required.

 

On Going Colorado Summer Events

*Travel Log* – Palm Beach County, Florida – July 6, 2009

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Eating for Comfort and Friendship

The day started with breakfast  at John G’s on the Beach – my sister’s favorite breakfast place in the world. Polish omelet for her, stuffed croissant of me. We fill to go boxes with half of everything, except the fruit cup, before we start eating. Monday morning in July is a great time for John G’s without having to wait in their famed lines.

Sailfish Marina Sailfish Marina on Singer Island was our dinner destination with friend Janet. It took us forever to make our menu selections because we have so many favorites. Judy and I start with salads. She selects appetizer portion of Caribbean jerk seared scallops, I choose coconut shrimp. We order the penne gorgonzola for the table to share. Janet decides on the beer battered fish and chips with sweet potato fires and sautéed fresh veggies.

Our server was astute in bringing extra plates, spoons, napkins, new glasses of ice tea, boxing and identifying our four boxes of leftovers. We all shared a slice of mango pie for dessert. Mango Dessert - Sailfish Marina

No trip to Sailfish is complete without a walk through the shop. The 50% off Fourth of July sale offered additional temptation. The setting and landscaping at Sailfish always attracts – one of our favorite Palm Beach County locations.

White flower at Sailfish 

Janet's Lillies