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
Colorado is a dog-friendly state. I am always reminded of that when I go out-of-state and the breweries aren’t full of dogs. This is part of why I love living in Colorado: Fritzi can go almost anywhere with me. Fritzi the German Shepherd can definitely go to Vail because it is a super dog-friendly town. At the Vail Farmers Market, held every summer Sunday, I once counted ten golden retrievers
There’s a lot to love about Grand County, especially Snow Mountain Ranch. We’ve become well-acquainted with this YMCA property over the years. We’ve stayed in nearly every accommodation, including the lodge. On our June trip, we stayed in a cabin named Wildrose that overlooked a green meadow. Several times a day, a line of horses from the Snow Mountain Ranch Stables would plod by, happy visitors on their backs. Our
When we go to Vail we eat. Oh, and we drink. Seriously, this is a wonderful town for food and the best time to experience the scene is during Taste of Vail. However, Vail is located in a truly dazzling part of Colorado. In fact, one of my favorite food photos I snapped is a plate of lamb in Vail Village taken with the Gore Range soaring in the background.
We’ve been to Snow Mountain Ranch a handful of times and during various seasons. We’ve eaten in the cafeteria and done quite a few of the activities offered. This time, we decided to use our cabin as a place to stay while we explored Grand County. Grand County is downright beautiful. It is home to what I like to think of as “old Colorado.” Time is a bit slower and
We visited Vail last weekend and I plan to write about what we did there, but first and foremost you should 1) know that it is open and 2) know that restaurants are open. Let’s face it, I go to Vail to eat all the things. Seriously. We stayed in a one-bedroom, pet-friendly, condo at Antlers at Vail. Fritzi got to go, making this her second trip to Vail and
This YMCA property, Snow Mountain Ranch, holds a special place in our hearts. Not only is it truly beautiful, our dog Xena was there twice. She loved staying at Yurt Village and the cabin life suited her well. In fact, she was the quintessential Colorado mountain dog that spent her earlier years camping and hiking, so this place was luxurious. We lost her two years ago and this time around,
Make your Southwest Colorado vacation one to remember by taking a trail ride in one of the most spectacular spots in the world. Not only will you be riding in the same area as John Wayne, but also in the long shadows of all those who have come before us, many seeking fortune and fame in these rugged mountains. By the way, if you love John Wayne, eat a meal
Breweries are part of the fabric of Colorado. They have played a big part here for many years. However, I have been heading to breweries since my college days in the late 1990s. I spent a lot of Fridays at Boundry Bay Brewery in Bellingham (don’t tell my mom). For more than 20 years, breweries have had a major role in my life and when I became the Mayor of
When I first heard about the pop-up movie theater in Loveland, I was skeptical. It seemed like it was only for families and I am not a mommy blogger. I don’t even have children (well, not the human variety). However, when I saw the movie lineup for the first weekend, I thought this might not be too bad. I was still wrong—it was great! Loveland is 45 minutes north of
