2022

Not a Year in Review. Baby goat at AJ Farms in Belle Fourche, South Dakota. HeidiTown 3

I have not written a “year in review” post, and I’m not going to do it. Now that isn’t to say that there weren’t highlights. Most were animal-related. For instance, meeting kittens and puppies at Animal Aid of Colorado on assignment for Berthoud Weekly Surveyor. Meeting this cat in Chadron, Nebraska, outside the Bean Broker Coffee House and Pub. Meeting all the animals on the farm at AJ Farms 605

Downtown Loveland: Where to Art, Eat & Drink

When we grew tired of city life in Denver, we bought the 1998 book, “100 Best Small Art Towns in America” by John Villani. Ryan went to art school and I am a writer. We wanted a town that was inspiring and creative. We decided to visit the Colorado art towns listed in the book. Loveland is number 8. Better yet, this city, and its longtime, vibrant, sculpture scene, inspired

Light up the Holidays Green Chile & Hockey in Loveland, Colorado. HeidiTown (header)

Most longtime citizens of HeidiTown know that I live in Loveland, Colorado. We moved here in 2003 from Denver, and have seen the area undergo a lot of changes. One of the best things that has happened to this region’s holiday season is Loveland Wonder Winterlights. This extravaganza makes this city one of the finest when it comes to holiday happenings, and worth a visit to Loveland. Located at Chapungu

Wyoming Wind, Whiskey & a Birthday to Remember in Saratoga. Featured Photo

When I was growing up, in the Pacific Northwest, Wyoming meant Yellowstone. We spent several summers at this iconic National Park with its geysers and buffalo. However, as an adult, I realized that there was much more to the Cowboy State than just Old Faithful. Years ago, long before the creation of HeidiTown, we visited Saratoga Hot Springs Resort in Saratoga, Wyoming. I’m not sure how it came to our

The Best Block in Colorado, Maybe the World. HeidiTown (8)

There is a block in Pueblo, Colorado, where I could live in the broom closet and be perfectly happy. I am talking about the block on North Main Street between West 3rd Street and the alley to the south.  Here, there are three shops under one roof that satisfy all my needs — coffee, a bar, music and books. All my needs are met in one block. We visited here

15 Years of HeidiTown (1)

Life before 2020 is still a little blurry, but thanks to Linkedin anniversary reminders, I know that HeidiTown turned 15 this month. A lot has changed in 15 years. The face of travel and the festival industry has transformed significantly, especially over the last couple of years. I’ve witnessed a lot, and while Colorado has been on a continual upswing when it comes to festivals and travel, a World Wide

Featured Photo Colorado Uncorked preview on HeidiTown.com

Want to taste the best of the best Colorado wine? Get tickets to Colorado Uncorked at History Colorado on November 4, 2022. I got a sneak peek (or should I write, “sneak taste”) of the Colorado wines that were chosen to be in this collection of 12 wines. An esteemed 19-person panel made up of sommeliers, chefs, writers and wine experts from across the country picked these wines from 270

Why Pueblo, Colorado Beer & Steak. HeidiTown (6)

Here’s the truth. When we tell people we’re going to Pueblo, there is often a short look of confusion followed by the word why. That’s changing, especially among my friends who’ve been listening to me champion Pueblo for the past several years. Pueblo isn’t fancy and doesn’t end up on “best of” lists in trendy travel magazines. However, it is a town full of gems and, to use a cliche,

Downtown Beer Week, HeidiTown (101)

NOTE: This post will continually be updated as more Downtown Beer Week information is revealed. Keep checking in! Beer isn’t just a drink—it means a lot more to many of us—playing a big part in the story of our lives. For instance, during my college days, in the late 1990s, a lot of hours were spent with friends at Boundary Bay Brewing in Bellingham, Washington. As brewery lovers, Ryan and

Featured Festival Barbarian Feast 2022, There Will be Meat, HeidiTown.com, Photo by Jonathan Castner (4)

October 10, 2022: Tickets for the feast are officially SOLD OUT. It is time—time to eat with your hands and a knife, dress in furs and embrace your inner barbarian. Since 2017, the Barbarian Feast, a beer dinner like no other, is a hot ticket, selling out each year. I am married to the man (Ryan Schlaefer) who thought up the Barbarian Feast. It had been in his mind for