August 2020

Fans of Downton Abbey Will Want to Stay Here Redstone Castle. HeidiTown (16)

If you have ever driven Hwy 133 from Carbondale to McClure Pass, you might have seen it. Just past the coke ovens in Redstone, Colorado, a castle is tucked up against the mountains to the east. I have always wondered about it, and last summer, thanks to a magazine assignment, I stayed there. You see, after a great deal of remodeling, that required time and lots of money, the castle

One Night in Laramie, Wyoming: A Green Chile to Remember

I feel like “one night in Laramie” would be an excellent title to a country music song. If a songwriter writes that song, I want credit for the title. We spent one night in Laramie, Wyoming earlier this month and it was a stellar trip. It started with chasing wildflowers in the Snowy Range. I found them. In fact, I found a lot of them! RELATED: The Snowy Range in

Celebrate Al Fresco in Downtown Laramie, Wyoming

This summer, festivals have been canceled, we aren’t allowed to sit at bars, we need to mask up when in crowded public spaces, and we must try to social distance ourselves from strangers at all times. It’s been uncomfortable and anything but normal. However, if you’d like a little festivity this summer, that’s also safe, head to Laramie, Wyoming. I am always impressed with this college town. It has chill

While Not at the Lake in Grand Lake, Colorado Golf. HeidiTown (3)

Everyone visits Grand Lake for the lake. However, there are other ways to spend time in this charming little mountain town. For instance, you may want to hit some balls around at the Grand Lake Golf Course. I have heard this many, many times: “I didn’t know that you golfed!” Sort of. Can ex-golfers say they golf? If so, I do. Throughout high school, I worked at Avalon Golf Club,

The Snowy Range in Living Color Wildflowers in Wyoming. HeidiTown (16)

My mission this past weekend was to find wildflowers in the Snowy Range. Let’s just say that I succeeded and it was beyond my wildest dreams. And it’s not too late. These flowers didn’t look like they were going away anytime soon, but they will go away, so time is of the essence. Photos taken on a Canon T3i and Samsung 9+. The Snowy Range is just 30 minutes west

Get in a Kayak on the Lake in Grand Lake, Colorado

I spent a two-day weekend in Grand County last month. We camped on the first night. I should write about it. We used to camp all the time. Heck, we were practically professionals but our dog got old and we got a little soft. Funny, I remembered how to camp right away, but I had forgotten how much dirt gets under the fingernails.  On the second night, I went to

Practice Social Distancing at the 100-Year-Old Grand Lake Lodge. HeidiTown (9)

I spent one night at Grand Lake Lodge in July. I have been to Grand Lake many times but this was only my second stay at the lodge. The first stay was for a wedding six years ago. Since that time, Highway West Vacations bought the property and things have changed. The most visible change is that the cabins have been updated. They managed to keep the old-fashioned ambiance while