Category Archives: Colorado

Benson Sculpture Garden – Loveland, Colorado

View Benson Sculptrue Garden

Loveland – A Work of Art

To view a 15-picture slide show of a small sampling of over 130 works installed at Benson Sculpture Garden click "View Full Album" above, followed by "Slide Show" on the next screen.

Benson Sculpture Garden, Loveland’s largest sculpture venue, is located at 29th Street and Aspen Drive (east of Taft Avenue) in Loveland, Colorado. Loveland High Plains Art Council sponsors the annual Sculpture in the Park Show and Sale the second weekend of August. This is the largest outdoor juried sculpture show in the United States. Proceeds from the sale go towards purchase artwork for the garden as well as park improvements and landscaping.

Loveland’s Art in Public Places Program is a gift to local citizens and visitors from around the world. Additional sculptures can be found throughout the city – sport complexes, civic buildings, businesses, bridges and parks.

Benson Sculpture Garden – Loveland, Colorado

Colorado Weekend – May 23-25, 2009

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Colorado Events, Festivals and Happenings

Memorial Day Weekend 2009

I’m adding a new feature on Where To Go – Travel USA. Throughout the summer I plan to post a few special events, festivals or happenings around the state of Colorado for the upcoming weekend.

Memorial Day Weekend kicks off with events all around the state – art, sports, outdoor recreation, history and beer gain attention this weekend. Get out and have some fun.

Blues, Brews and BBQ – Beaver Creek, May 23 & 24. Blues concerts, platters of barbecue, culinary demonstrations and Colorado microbrewery beer tasting, noon to 5pm daily.
BolderBOULDER – Boulder, May 25. Thousands race 10k through the streets of Boulder finishing in Folsom Field Stadium, first wave of runners 7am.
Paddlefest 2009 and BV Pro Rodeo – Buena Vista, May 22-24. Whitewater boating season kicks off with educational activities, demonstrations, and pro kayaker competitions, everything from yoga for paddlers to movie premieres.
Territorial Days – Old Colorado City (Colorado Springs), May 23-25. Street festival with 200 craft, commercial and food booths in the first territorial capital of Colorado. 2009 marks the sesquicentennial (150 years) of Old Colorado City.
Grand Olde West Days – Craig, May 23-25. Antique tractor pulls to cowboy disco dance at locations throughout Moffat County.
Taste of Creede – Creede, May 23&24. Arts festival and fine arts auction, which includes Silver Chef cooking competition.
Downtown Denver Arts Festival – Denver, May 22-25. Over 125 of Colorado’s best artists exhibit fine art and fine craft at Denver Pavilions.
Old South Gaylord Memorial Day Weekend Festival – Denver, May 23-25. “World Class Music”, kids area with rides, activities and magic shows, food and craft booths at the 30th annual event, 9am-6pm daily.
Iron Horse Bicycle Classic – Durango, May 23-25. Have bike, will peddle – criteriums, circuit races, road races, tours, BMX races trials dual slaloms, team trail ride, mountain bike races, kids races.
Art Market – Estes Park, May 23-25. Colorado and national artists fill 90 booths in this annual juried showcase, plus food and music.
Clear Creek Railroad and Mining Days – Georgetown, May 23&24. Narrow gauge and model trains, mine tours, burro races, rafting, storytelling and fiddle races.
JUCO – Grand Junction, May 23-30. Baseball galore with regional champions from around the country competing at the Alpine Bank Junior College World Series
Indian Arts and Culture Festival – Mesa Verde Country®, May 22-31. Native American juried art markets, cultural programs, traditional dances, drama, tours and music. Held in multiple sites – Cortez, Dolores, Mancos, Towaoc and Mesa Verde National Park.
Yampa River Festival – Steamboat Springs, May 22-25. River events from raft races, tube and freestyle rodeos to pro races, fun for spectators and participants.
Mountainfilm Festival – Telluride, May 22-25. Dozens of films screened, symposium, gallery walk, ice cream social and more. Food is the 2009 theme.

Colorado

Update II – Perfect Landing Restaurant – Centennial, Colorado

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Awesome Addition

Yes, we did go to the Perfect Landing at Centennial Airport this week after my friend told me they added a prime rib dinner to their $10 Awesome Anniversary Specials. This week we went late after an art show reception; it’s a different feel with the lights of the city instead of the setting sun.

We both indulged with the prime rib, Bob ordered an end cut and even after 8pm they were able to fulfill that request. Plus, they were cooked exactly as ordered and served with au jus and a creamy horseradish sauce. The luscious creamy mashed potatoes and a mixture of fresh green and wax beans accompanied the meat.

We started with a grilled Caesar salad and right out of the oven crusty bread. To no one’s surprise we ended with a slice of key lime pie. Good, but not quite as tart this week. I like the tartness; that’s what makes it key lime in my mind. Perfect Landing – Filet Special Salad and pie an additional $5/each.

On the piano, Boogie Bob’s selections are a bit mellower at 8pm than at 5:30pm.

When You Go: Check out an earlier blog for details on the $10 Awesome Anniversary Special running through May.

Visitors Center – Loveland, Colorado

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Western Information and Hospitality

As a frequent user of visitor centers I believe I have some sensitivity to what makes one worth the stop. The Loveland, Colorado Visitors Center gets my A+ rating because:

Restrooms are clean and well maintained
Information is well organized and easy to browse
Good variety of information not just on Loveland but throughout the state and Wyoming
A well chosen selection of Colorado travel, nature and history books for sale.
Free coffee or cup of Celestial Seasonings tea
Unique Loveland and Colorado souvenirs for sale
Computer allows email and Internet access
Local art
Helpful volunteers – friendly and willing to answer questions or help you find what you need.
Need to stretch your legs? There’s a nice walk around a pond with several sculptures along the way.
Convenient to I-25 and US34

When we stopped this week volunteers searched the back room until they found two pieces of literature that gave me the information I requested. Their effort was over and above the call of duty. Several restaurants were recommended that we’ll need to return to Loveland and try. The volunteers have a great deal of pride in their community but give honest, insightful information. We leave well supplied with current travel publications (at least five pounds), a desire to make new discoveries in the area and warm feelings of welcome. What more can we ask of a visitors center?

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Visitors Center – Loveland Colorado

Castlewood Canyon State Park – Franktown, Colorado

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Castlewood Canyon State Park

Castlewood Canyon State Park, once rural and fairly remote, today is nearly embraced by suburbia. As residential development creeps ever closer we gain even more appreciation for natural areas set aside and protected for public enjoyment.

Cherry Creek flows through Castlewood Canyon. In the late 1800s a 600-foot-long dam was complete to store water vital to ranchers and farmers. Almost from the beginning the dam leaked causing concern downstream in Denver. Engineers debated safety issues until the the early morning hours of August 3, 1933 when the dam gave way releasing 1.7 billion gallons of water. The raging torrent scoured canyon walls as it surged towards Denver. A slide show in the visitor center relates the story of Castlewood Dam and the second worse flood in Denver history.

Castlewood Canyon stands in a transition zone between mountain and plain. Ecologically unique on the rim of the Black Forest plateau, four ecosystems – grasslands, montane shrublands, montane forest and riparian – exists within walking distance of one another. A wide variety of foliage, flowers, birds and wildlife can be found within the park. On our springtime visit we observed mountain bluebirds and photographed pasqueflowers emerging from winter groundcover.

Hiking trails offer access to the dam ruins and Lucas homestead historic sites, the falls area, inner canyon, and rim rock. Several trails interconnect creating loops of two, four or six mile hikes. The paved Canyon View Nature Trail is handicap accessible with excellent canyon viewpoints. To the west the mountain panorama stretches from south of Pikes Peak to Rocky Mountain National Park.

The state park is a day-use park open 8am to sunset. There are two entrances to Castlewood Canyon State Park. The main (east) entrance is off CO83, five miles south of Franktown. Facilities include the visitor center, flush restrooms, picnic areas with grills, group picnic area, amphitheater and paved roads and parking.

The west entrance is accessed off CO86 via Castlewood Canyon Road. This portion of the park is less-developed with gravel road and parking lots, a few picnic tables and pit toilets. Parking at the dam ruins is prohibited, you must hike in (.35-mile trail) from the designated parking area. Rock climbers find challenges in the western section of the park. Biking and horseback riding are limited to the Cherry Creek Regional Trail.

When You Go: Visitors are required to display a current Colorado State Parks Pass, available at the visitor center and self-service dispensers. A daily pass is valid from the day of purchase until noon the following day. Click here for information on an annual pass. Numerous naturalist guided activities,including Canyon Kiddies for ages 2-5, are available each month, call the park at 303-688-5242 for current schedule and registration.

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Castlewood Canyon State Park

Deal – Sheraton Steamboat Resort – Steamboat Springs, Colorado

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Jump on this Deal

Sheraton Steamboat Resort

Get a jump start on summer plans with this stimulus deal at the Sheraton Steamboat Resort in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. “Room Rates Equal to Your Birth Year” celebrates the year you were born with a special offer on your second and third night stays. First night rates from $109, second and third nights equal to your birth year; for example if you were born in 1950 you’ll receive the second and third nights of your stay for $50. Invite mom or grandma – the older the better!

Details:

Valid for stays between June 4 – December 31, 2009.
Rates for second and third night stays will be confirmed at check-in upon presentation of valid ID.
Maximum three consecutive nights on this promotion, best available rate prevails thereafter.
When booking, use promo code NBR.

Additional summer packages offered by the Sheraton Steamboat Resort include:

Golf ‘Til You Drop
Reserve & Relax – and save up to 20%
Better Tomorrows: Stay one Night and the Next is 50% off
Weekend Getaway Package
Romance Package
Family Package – Kids Eat Free

Need more space? Check into the newly renovated luxury villas with full kitchen, separate dining area, private balconies and two or three bedrooms.

I love Steamboat Springs in summer. Countless outdoor activities keep visitors as busy as they choose – biking, golf, hiking, kayaking, fishing, horseback riding, tube through town on the Yampa River. Want to just relax? Soak in one of the hot springs, browse the shelves of Off the Beaten Path Bookstore, wander pathways in the Yampa River Botanical Park, attend a Strings Music Festival concert or schedule a spa treatment. Combined with great dining options, special events, festivals, fresh air and sunshine you’ll be delighted you jumped on one of the Sheraton Steamboat Resort’s affordable summer packages.

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Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Update Perfect Landing Restaurant – Centennial, Colorado

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Awesome Anniversary Special Continues

The Perfect Landing Restaurant at Centennial Airport continues their anniversary special through the month of May. Available Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, the special menu includes:

Center cut filet dinner
Teriyaki glazed salmon filet dinner
Alaskan king crab legs (1/2 pound)
Maine lobster tail
Shrimp scampi
Bottle of cabernet or chardonnay

Each for only $10

The filet is served with mashed potatoes and green vegetable, the salmon with rice and veggie. The crab legs, lobster and shrimp are a la carte items. Order the filet dinner, add a lobster tail – quality surf and turf for $20.

On our last visit we ordered a bottle of wine and were delighted with the Salmon Creek cabernet. We usually share a salad ($5), either the Perfect Salad of spring greens, craisins, pecans and bleu cheese crumbles with an orange balsamic vinaigrette, or a traditional Caesar. On our next visit we’ll order the Grilled Caesar. The basket of crusty in-house baked bread always empties at our table.

We’re declining desserts these days but the Perfect Landing key lime pie can’t be missed. I’ve heard good reports on the chocolate soufflé cake but we’re sticking with the key lime pie.

As diners have heard about the anniversary special the restaurant has been very busy; by 6pm every table is filled, with people waiting. The wait staff have been up to the task with cheerful efficient service. I wouldn’t go without a reservation. Last week we went at 5pm and had the rest of the evening for an activity.

In addition to excellent food and service we enjoy the music of Boogie Bob at the piano and panoramic views of the Rockies as the sun settles behind the Continental Divide.

When You Go: The Perfect Landing opens for breakfast and lunch seven days a week, open for dinner Tuesdays through Saturdays. Phone 303-649-4478 for reservations.

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Perfect Landing Restaurant at Centennical Airport

Celebrating 150 Years – Colorado’s Gold Rush

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Celebrate Colorado’s 1859 Gold Rush

Communities throughout Colorado plan festivities and special events to celebrate the sesquicentennial of the Colorado gold rush. With the slogan, “Pikes Peak or Bust!” thousands of prospectors headed to the hills of the Kansas Territory to strike it rich. Central City had a population of 60,000 by 1860. Golden, Denver and Boulder were fast becoming major supply and transportation points.

The rapid growth led to the creation of the Colorado Territory in 1861 and statehood in 1876.

One of the 2009 kick-off events was held in Denver Saturday, May 2 at the Governor’s Residence as part of the First Saturday: Free Family Day series. Gilpin County, Blackhawk, Central City, Golden, Idaho Springs, the Molly Brown House Museum and the Clear Creek County Metal Mining Association entertained and shared plans for continuing celebrations.

Clear Creek Railroading & Mining Days is scheduled for May 23-24 in Georgetown.
Golden plans a huge party June 12 beginning at 6:30pm including a parade, music and laser light show.
Summertime events in Gilpin County range from Mountain Man and Mining Weekends to High Tea and a Cemetery Crawl.
The 4th of July will see Boulder celebrating at numerous venues.
What better place to gain a perspective than the National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum in Leadville?
“All That Gold Can Buy” Denver’s Mineral Millionaires exhibit at the Molly Brown House Museum – May 19 – October 4.
Breckenridge has designated August 8-9 as the Breck150 Grand Celebration. Beginning the day will be the extraction and opening of the time capsule placed in the cornerstone of the Summit County Courthouse on July 31, 1909. Music, kid’s events, interactive activities fill the day until the grand finale fireworks display.
Visitors to businesses in Idaho Springs have an opportunity to win real gold in the months of June and October.

Choose an event or follow The Colorado Gold Trail to join in the Gold Rush celebrations.

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Colorado

Book Tour – Debbie Macomber

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Summer on Blossom Street

Author Debbie Macomber drew a large crowd to the Highlands Ranch Tattered Cover bookstore Thursday evening. As we waited in line for the engaging Macomber to sign copies of her newest release, Summer on Blossom Street, strangers compared notes on which of her over 100 books they’ve read, which was the first or how they discovered her books. Many had attended previous signings or receive Macomber’s e-mail newsletter. I was amazed at the diversity of the audience from young mothers pushing strollers to barely mobile elder – and, it wasn’t a woman only crowd.

debbie-signing My daughter-in-law, Tammy, introduced me to Macomber’s writing four years ago. When we arrived for a visit Tam had The Shop on Blossom Street on the nightstand. This was the first of Macomber’s Blossom Street series, based around a knitting shop, A Good Yarn, in Seattle.

Since then, I’ve visited with Macomber’s characters in Texas, the Dakotas and Washington state settings. These are people I would like to have as neighbors or friends. When I need a reprieve from the busy, stressful world I know the perfect escape – snuggle into a corner of the couch with a cup of tea, a handmade quilt and a Macomber book.

Personable and funny, Macomber shares personal antedotes with her audience – from her first library book (the librarian was Beverly Clearey – later to become a best selling children’s author) to writing her first book on a rented typewriter while bouncing a three-year-old on her hip. When attendees wanted pictures she good naturely posed and gave us this tip, “If you swallow it gets rid of one chin.” After meeting her I’ll always think of her simply as Debbie.

summer-on-blossom-street-book-cover An avid knitter herself, in addition to Summer on Blossom Street she’s also released a Knit Along with Debbie Macomber Summer on Blossom Street book of knitting patterns.

The Tattered Cover was the second stop on a 17-city book tour in the next six weeks. In addition to Summer on Blossom Street I’m sure audiences across the country will enjoy getting to know Debbie as much as they enjoy her characters and storylines. Check her website for the tour schedule, a complete list of her books and purchasing information.

Park Hill Art Show & Sale – Denver, Colorado

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Park Hill Art Show & Sale

View more than 200 framed and 1,000 matted/unframed works of visual art this weekend at the Park Hill Spring Show & Sale. All works are originals by local members of the Park Hill Art Club. The show opens Friday, May 1, at 4:30-9pm with a reception at the Park Hill United Methodist Church, 5209 Montview Blvd., Denver. The show continues Saturday, May 2, 10am-6pm and Sunday, May 3, 9:30am-4pm. More than 100 artists participate with a variety of styles and media – oil, watercolor, pastel, acrylic, ink resist, multi-media, photography and collage. All works are for sale with prices ranging from under $20 to over $1,000.

las-trampas-church-by-robert-yackel1

A loyal following attends on Friday for the best selection from their favorite artists at this popular semi-annual event. Need to add a new look to your home or office? You may find just the right piece at the Park Hill Art Show.

las-trampas-village-by-robert-yackel1 peppers-peppers-peppers-by-robert-yackel1

All paintings shown here are by Bob Yackel.

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Park Hill United Methodist Church