Tag Archives: Denver Area

Update – Sunnyside Cafe – Highlands Ranch, Colorado

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Closed

The Sunnyside Cafe in Highlands Ranch, Colorado bit the dust a few weeks ago while I was out of town. I will miss the whole-wheat cranberry almond pancakes, my favorite breakfast item on their menu. I believe the closure demonstrates how a restaurateur must successfully focus on many facets of their business – menu, food quality, preparation, location, ambiance, and SERVICE.

sunnyside-cafe1On my several visits to Sunnyside I never received quality service; even when they weren’t busy there was an element of inattention. On our last visit in September I influenced a party of eight to meet at Sunnyside. Before the morning was over I wanted to crawl under the table and could only apologize to family and friends for putting them through such an experience. The service was absolutely abominable. We just kept hearing, “We’re busy.” Isn’t that what a successful cafe wants to be? Apparently not!

Alfred Packer Grave – Littleton, Colorado

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Alfred Packer’s Claim to Fame

Alfred Packer Grave

 Alfred Packer gained fame or infamy as the only man in United States history convicted of the crime of cannibalism. Legend holds that the crime occurred in 1874 near Lake City in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains when his party of prospectors became lost during a snowstorm. Packer is buried in the Littleton Cemetery off South Prince Street in Littleton, Colorado.

Students at the University of Colorado in Boulder “honor” the alleged cannibal with the Alfred Packer Grill in the University Memorial Center. Their slogan – “Have a friend for lunch!”

Colorado Fall Color – Denver Day Trips

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Take to the Hills for Fall Color

Yellow Aspen Twig Fall arrives early in the Colorado Rockies. Beginning in late August aspen begin their shimmering transformation to golden yellow. Many forecasters predict an early and short color season for 2009. Even residents who rarely travel beyond the Denver metropolitan area plan a fall foliage day trip or Sunday afternoon drive. Consider these routes as you grab the camera and take to the hills.

  • Peak to Peak Aspens Peak to Peak Highway from Blackhawk to Estes Park – This National Scenic Byway nearly parallels the Continental Divide for 55 miles between Blackhawk and Estes Park. Although it’s a continuous route various segments hold different Colorado State Highway designations 119, 72 and 7 as it travels northward through Rollinsville, Nederland, Ward and Allenspark. Some years the segment between Nederland and Ward offers especially stunning aspen color.
  • Old Fall River Road in Rocky Mountain National Park – A rewarding road less traveled in the park, the one-way (westbound)Old Fall River Road dirt road climbs from Horseshoe Park, west of the RMNP Fall River Entrance Station, to Fall River Pass, 11,796-feet above sea level. Along the ascent the terrain changes from mountain meadow to montane and subalpine forests before reaching the wind-swept alpine world above timberline. Nine of the 11 miles are car passable (except extremely low clearance vehicles) dirt surface – posted speed limit, 15mph. Tight switchback turns make the route  Elk - Head Shot unsuitable for RVs or trailers. In addition to changing aspen you’re almost guaranteed to see grazing elk along the way. A $1 Old Fall River Road guidebook is available at park visitor centers. The road terminates when it intersects with Trail Ridge Road near the Alpine Visitor Center. Turn right to descend the west side of the park to Grand Lake or turn left to follow Trail Ridge Road back to Estes Park.
  • I-70 from Empire to the Eisenhower/Johnson Tunnels – Large groves of aspen paint the mountain slopes along this Interstate corridor. Watch for bighorn sheep on the rocky slopes above Georgetown Lake and Silver Plume. Fill the day with exploring the shops and historic sites in GeorgetGeorgetown - Reflectedown or  Silver Plume, take a hike up Herman’s Gulch or ride the narrow gauge Georgetown Loop Railroad. Sample wines at Canyon Wind Cellars or lunch and tea in the Silver Plume Tea Room. Make it an overnight with reservations for dinner and lodging at the Peck House in Empire – the oldest hotel extant in the state. Caution: Eastbound I-70 frequently becomes stop-and-go, bumper-to-bumper on Sunday afternoons during color season. Plan your trip accordingly, consider stopping at a local restaurant for dinner or you may have lots of time to view the same grove of aspen.
Road Closing: The Guanella Pass Road, a frequent destination for leave peepers, between Georgetown and US285 closed August 21, 2009. Heavy summer rains created unsafe conditions due to rock instability. For current information, call 303-569-3251, press “2” for Guanella Pass.
  • Squaw Pass – Bergen Park to Idaho Springs – I don’t find a lot written about Squaw Pass but I think it’s a great Sunday afternoon drive, especially in the fall or on a clear winter day. From the Evergreen Parkway, CO74, head west on Squaw Pass Road, CO103. The road is paved albeit with a few rough and narrow spots along the 18-mile route to Echo Lake. The Squaw Pass Summit at 9,807’  is about half-way to the popular lakEcho Lakee.  A left turn in summer takes gasping visitors to the top of 14,264’ Mount Evans – the country’s highest paved road. CDOT closed the top four miles of the Mt. Evans Highway for the season on September 3, the lower portion remains open as of this posting. Check their website for updates. CO103 continues approximately eight miles down the Chicago Creek Road to Idaho Springs and I-70. Pick a sunny day to fully enjoy the sweeping views of mountain ranges and quaking aspen.

Check Back Soon for Additional Suggestions

  • Kenosha Pass
  • Gold Belt Tour – Florissant to Cripple Creek

Georgetown Loop Railroad – Colorado

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Georgetown Loop Railroad

Train_Over View_Geo.Town The most convenient scenic railroad for Denver area residents also stands as one of the state’s great engineering feats. The historic narrow gauge Georgetown Loop recreates the dramatic climb from Georgetown to Silver Plume, both established as important silver mining regions in the 1860s.

Success of the mines depended on reliable rail lines between Denver and the mining camps. By 1877, a route was completed through Golden and Idaho Springs to Georgetown. There, engineers and construction crews faced a daunting challenge. Silver Plume, just two miles away, was 600-feet higher in elevation – up a narrow, steep canyon. The resulting six-percent grade would prove too great for most locomotives.

The solution included more than four miles of track and multiple bridges including the Devil’s Gate High Bridge rising 95-feet above Clear Creek. The first passenger train arrived in Silver Plume in April 1884, beginning a boom in tourism for one-day excursions from Denver. Abandoned by the late 1930s, the track and bridges were dismantled.

Train_George Town3.pgThe Colorado Historical Society, assisted by a major grant from the Boettcher Foundation, spent more than ten years reconstructing the roadbed, laying track and rebuilding the Devil’s Gate High Bridge. Dedication of the new facilities occurred 100 years after the original completion.

Today an oil-powered steam locomotive exhales deep, throaty chugs as it pulls passenger cars up the scenic canyon. Soon the rhythm recalls the children’s book words, “I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.” Trainman, Ron Ruhoff, willingly answers questions and interprets whistle signals; three toots for going backwards, a long and a short when approaching a trestle.

During the summer months, until Labor Day, a tour of the Lebanon Silver Mine offers an added attraction. Accessible only by train, the guided underground excursion conveys tales of hard rock miners’ difficult lives.

*Article by Nancy Yackel, first published in Buzz in the ‘burbs, a suburban Denver monthly lifestyle magazine.

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.

 

*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.

*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

*Colorado Weekend* – June 19-21, 2009

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Bikes, Boats, Cars and More Cars

Father’s Day weekend seems filled with modes of transport. Cars reign supreme in Grand Junction, Holyoke, Steamboat Springs and Walsenburg. Pedal in Breckenridge, Colorado Springs and Salida. Competitions focus on outhouse races in Breckenridge and tractor pulls in Simla.Pack Mule Sculpture in Breckenridge

  • Gold Strike Festival – Arvada, June 20-21. The 8th annual celebration of Lewis Ralston’s 1850 discovery of gold in Ralston Creek with kid and pet parades, activities and live music.
  • Kingdom Days – Breckenridge, June 20-21. Gather a team, build an outhouse, then push or pull it to the finish line in Breckenridge this weekend. Part of the 1859 gold boom the Kingdom of Breckenridge parties with gold panning, historic sites and mine tours, Wild West gun fights on Main Street and activities for all ages.
  • Starlight Spectacular! – Colorado Springs, June 20, 11:5Garden of the Gods Formations9 pm. Bike the night away on this non-competitive ride that begins and finishes at the Garden of the Gods Visitor and  Nature Center. Routes for all ages and abilities range from 14-25 miles through downtown Colorado Springs, Old Colorado City and Garden of the Gods. Proceeds benefit the Trails and Open Space Coalition.
  • Denver Juneteenth Celebration – Denver, June 20. Denver’s Five Points Neighborhood commemorate the day that Texas slaves learned they were free with a 9am parade and festival from 10am-6pm.
  • Greek Festival – Denver, June 19-21. One of Denver’s largest and longest running  ethnic festivals features traditional Greek music, folk dancing and tons of good food. Events include a Greek boutique and tours of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Don’t miss the homemade desserts including baklava.
  • Highlands Street Fair – Denver, June 20. The Highlands neighborhood in Northwest Denver parties at the 27th annual free street fair from 10am to dusk. Enjoy three stages of live music, classic car show, kids fun zone, 150 vendor booths plus food and drink.
  • Day Out with Thomas – Durango, June 19-21. Take a ride on a full-sized Thomas the Tank Engine on the Durango and Silverton rails. Every young railroader’s favorite engine is the star this weekend. Meet Mr. Topham Hatt, listen to music and storytellers.
  • Teddy Bear Picnic – Estes Park, June 20. Teddy bears and their human companions will gather Saturday for the 25th annual Teddy Bear Picnic at Estes Ark.
  • Colorado BBQ Challenge – Frisco, June 19-20. Sixty teams compete in th2 16th annual event sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society. Cooking demonstrations by grillmaster Troy Black and Southern Living magazine.
  • Fort Collins Irish Festival – Fort Collins, June 20-21. Enjoy the luck of the Irish in Fort Collins this weekend with Irish culture, history, dance, music, music, music and plenty of Guinness.
  • Motorcycle at Gateway Western Colorado Vintage Motorcycle Club Rally – Gateway, June 20. First annual (?) at the stunning Gateway Canyon Resort and Auto Museum.
  • Strawberry Days – Glenwood Springs, June 19-21. Colorado’s oldest community festival, 112-years-old, includes carnival, entertainment, parade, pie eating contest and ice cream social.
  • Car Show – Auto Fest 2009 – Grand Junction, June 20-21. 34th annual exhibit of foreign, domestic, antique, classic, custom, rod, motorcycles, tractors and trucks in Lincoln Park. Friday evening Cruise Night.
  • Dandelion Daze – Holyoke, June 19-20. Auto show, Grease Lightning parade, rockin’ the oldies, antique auction and NASCAR simulator Friday night and Saturday.
  • Gold Rush Music Festival – Idaho Springs, June 20-21. Three bands play each day, each a different style – jazz, rock, big band, swing, country, oldies – all part of the year long 150th anniversary celebration.
  • New Belgium FIBArk – Salida, June 18-21. America’s oldest and boldest whitewater festival in its 61st year with events from international competitors to pancake breakfast, carnival to mountain bike races.
  • Simla Days – Simla, June 19-21. From Friday night dinner to Sunday services in the park this is a busy weekend in Simla. Saturday starts with pancake breakfast and ends with Dance @ Dusk.
  • Rocky Mountain Mustang Roundup – Steamboat Springs, June 18-21. 21st annual roundup of Mustangs – the automobile variety. Friday autocross and Saturday Show n’ Shine with 450 Mustangs lining Lincoln Avenue.
  • Telluride from Gondola Telluride Bluegrass Festival – Telluride, June 18-21. Hugh festival weekend in Telluride’s summer of festivals. Ten thousand fill venues all over the mountain valley.
  • The Black Diamond Jubilee – Walsenburg, June 19-21. Recall when coal was king in this southern Colorado region. Events include classic car show, baseball tournament, vendor booths and Sunday pancake breakfast.

Bob at Palouse Falls State Park

Happy Father’s Day to fathers everywhere, especially to Bob – hubby and father of our three sons.

Happy Birthday – Golden, Colorado

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Celebrate!

Golden, Colorado – 150 Years Young

Golden Welcome Arch

Put on your party hats and head to downtown Golden Friday evening, June 12 to celebrate the city’s vitality and vision at the ripe old age of 150. After gold was discovery in the mountains west of the city and along the banks of Clear Creek, Golden quickly became an important supply post and was capitol of the Colorado Territory from 1861-1867. Today Golden maintains strong ties to its past and unique character.

Mining Sculpture in GoldenJune 12th festivities start at 5pm in Lions Park with fun for the entire family – games, history organized by the Golden Cultural Alliance plus food and merchandise booths. At 6:30 marching bands, floats and horseback riders parade down Washington Avenue. Participating businesses and organizations that make up the Golden community include the Buffalo Bill Museum, MillerCoors, Colorado Railroad Museum, American Mountaineering Center and dozens of others.

Buffalo Bill and FriendsAfter the parade (7:15) head back to Lions Park for a concert by the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra and the Golden Concert Chorale. Then it’s time to for free birthday cake and ice cream.

The evening entertainment ends at dusk (9:15) with a laser light show and multimedia presentation of Golden’s history.

Golden proudly announces:

Colorado Territorial Capitol - Golden

“Whereas Golden was robbed of our rightful status as the Capitol of Colorado in 1867
…by Denver

…and we’ve never gotten over it

Therefore the Governor of the State of Colorado has declared that Golden will be the Capitol again for one day, June 12th, 2009.”

 

Golden, Cololrado
Golden, Cololrado