by Mark Smiley | May 22, 2023 | Travel
Camping season is here and many valley residents have already booked their reservations or will do so soon. There are obvious items you need for this sojourn and the below are no exception.
Coolers
Rugged Road: The Rugged Road 65 is the lightest premium cooler and has the capacity and ice retention that most consumers look for.
The coolers you take on a camping trip are not a small detail. You want something that will retain ice, keep your items cold, and be easily transportable. Many premium coolers today do not have wheels and they are heavy to carry.
Two coolers to consider for your next camping trip are the ROVR ROLLR 80 and the Rugged Road 65. The ROVR has wheels and the Rugged Road is the lightest premium cooler on the market.
ROVR is a company based in Longmont, Colorado, and they have a line of coolers in every size. The ROVR ROLLR 80 weighs 52 pounds empty so it is on the heavier side but the ease of wheeling this to your destination makes up for this. This cooler is ideal for camping trips as it has an official certification from the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee for app
ROVR: The ROVR ROLLR 80 is a massive cooler that can haul dry goods such as chairs and umbrellas and also keep your items cold for days.
roved usage in areas shared with grizzlies.
It has an 80-quart capacity and holds up to 120 cans and 20 pounds of ice. It comes with a removable deepfreeze dry bin with two compartments that keeps items cold yet dry. And the nine-inch all-terrain tires make it easy to wheel across a soccer field, in sand, or to your campsite. The motogrip handle makes it comfortable to wheel with one or two people without bumping into the back of your feet.
This cooler is a one stop shop as it has functional accessories that allow for easier transport of items. The bin that velcros to the lid of the cooler pops up to tow items like chairs, blankets, and tents to your destination. It also converts into extra padding if you want to use the cooler as a chair.
The Rugged Road 65 is another cooler to consider as it is the lightest on the market, coming in at 13 pounds empty. It is almost 10 pounds lighter than the competition. And ice retention, which many people point to as a benchmark for a premium cooler, is outstanding. In our test, ice remained in the cooler for four days after use.
Accessories such as a snack pack and divider are included and there are four colors to choose from. Perhaps one of the coolest features and applicable for a camping or fishing trip, is that this cooler floats on water. It also has a detachable and reversible lid.
It holds 65 12-ounce cans and the size you see on the outside, is the size on the inside.
The ROVR ROLLR 80 retails for $549.99 and includes a five-year warranty and more information can be found on www.rovrproducts.com. The Rugged Road 65 fetches $349.99 with a lifetime warranty and can be found by visiting www.ruggedroadoutdoors.com.
Jacket
Coalatree: The Baseline Midlayer is a zippered lightweight jacket that is perfect for those cool nights of camping.
It may be chilly in the evenings on that camping trip so consider bringing the portable Baseline Midlayer made by Coalatree. Coalatree is based in Salt Lake City, and was founded in 2010. Their designs have eco-minded gear and apparel for athletes and photographers, to your average city folks, and weekend warriors.
The Baseline Midlayer is a zippered lightweight jacket that packs into one of its own pockets, keeping it in a tight, tidy package for when you’re not wearing it. It would also work well in a backpack. A technical midlayer is made with honeycomb fabric that doesn’t leave any microplastics behind in the wash. Spent coffee grounds are mixed and melted down with recycled plastic bottles to create the fibers.
Also, the fabric guarantees that the piece is anti-microbial and odor resistant. This jacket also has double reinforced stitching for enhanced durability. It retails for $99. To learn more, visit www.coalatree.com/products/baseline-layer.
Speaker: The XSound Mega is a Bluetooth speaker to consider for just about any activity. One of the nicest features is the fact that it is waterproof. It also delivers quality sound.
Portable Bluetooth Speaker
A speaker is a nice addition to any camping trip and the XSound Mega Bluetooth Speaker does not disappoint. It is a powerful, portable Bluetooth speaker that offers three listening modes: Music, XBass, and Audiobooks. This speaker offers enough horsepower to play at a backyard party or that camping trip you have planned. It features 30 watts of power and a frequency range of 60Hz to 20kHz.
The speaker is waterproof which is nice if you want to use it by the pool or if you get caught in the rain. XSound Mega features 5.0 Bluetooth connectivity and broadcast pairing so you can connect multiple speakers at once for party pairing. It’s waterproof, so it can be submerged in just over three feet of water for up to 30 minutes. The waterproof rating is IPX7 so you have no issue with using this speaker at the beach, lake, or pool; it’s also 100% splash-proof.
Rubber feet on the bottom panel keep the speaker firmly in place on flat surfaces. Another cool feature is the multicolor lights that synchronize with the music playing. The Tribit XSound Mega offers extra-long battery life of up to 20 hours depending on light modes and volume. We found this speaker easily lasted for days without charging and is also quick to charge fully when needed.
In addition to the USB-C charging point, the back includes a standard USB connector that lets you charge other devices. The Tribit also has a 3.5mm aux input. This port used to be a standard feature, but many recent portable speakers leave it out.
At time of press, this speaker has a price tag of $79.99 and can be purchased on www.tribit.com.
by Jessica Hughes | Apr 21, 2023 | Travel
by Jessica Hughes
We’re not throwing shade your way, but it is that time of year when Coloradans love their patio time, taking in the sunsets, and cool summer evenings. But we all know that the sun is intense at our elevation. That’s where a good set of shades, not just for your eyes, but for your home as well, is a good investment.
Family owned and operated for several generations, Cherry Creek Shade & Drapery (CCSD) opened in 1968 by Kelcy Kershner’s grandmother. Then bought by her parents, the company has continued to operate as one of the top window treatment professionals along Colorado’s Front Range ever since. Kershner, an interior design consultant for the company, has been running the business with her dad, Doug Kershner, and her sister, Ashley Kershner, and loves the level of service their company is able to provide its clients.
Aside from their well-run family business, CCSD prides themselves on catering to their client’s personal style and needs. As opposed to big box stores where you might not get the personal attention you require, they provide an additional level of service and consideration. “We visit your home and work to cater to your personal style,” says Kelcy. “We offer suggestions and guide our clients through the process — treating it almost like an artform.”
Design, install, and repair. CCSD does it all. Their free in-home consultations are the ideal way to start your journey in picking out your interior or exterior window treat
ments with a m
aster installer alongside of you during the entire process. “Working with a personal designer that can offer recommendations and professional input, is helpful when it comes to making those hard decisions,” says Kelcy. “Not having to do all this on your own is an important component to this investment.”
Their in-house installers are professionally trained and come with years of experience. In fact, Ashley Kershner was named the first female master installer in the state of Colorado in 2012. “Our designers work to hand select almost everything for you including draperies, soft goods, custom pillows, exterior roller shades, and any kind of window covering, etc.,” says Kelcy. “We match our recommendations to your personal style and preferences.”
Plus, CCSD has spent years creating the largest inventory of products from some of the top name brands for window treatment and fabric manufacturers in the industry. Clients can shop their large showroom of products and fabrics, with over 100,000 fabrics to choose from, making it easier for your home to fit your personal style and taste. And with their variety of products to select from, it makes sticking to budget an achievable goal. And for the eco-conscious, a lot of their products focus on energy efficiencies such as using skylight coverings, cellular shades, thermal lining to draperies, and more.
So, stay cool this summer with custom window treatments that reflect your style and budget with Cherry Creek Shade & Drapery. Cherry Creek Shade & Drapery is located at 2438 E Sixth Ave in Denver. Visit www.cherrycreekshadesanddraperys.com for more information.
by Mark Smiley | Mar 21, 2023 | Travel
by Michael Wheaton
Bullets Then Brews: Bullets then Brews co-host Ian Jouett, left, poses with Hilary Walsh.
Outdoor Practice: Hilary Walsh shoots at an outdoor gun range using a suppressor.
Selected as Luxury Agent of the Year by Homeowner Magazine, Hilary Walsh is making headlines in her brief three and a half years as a broker associate. The former cosmetologist has always had a lifelong passion for real estate and had been flipping houses that she lived in for the past 20 years. In 2019, she decided to give up her career in luxury hospitality, obtain a real estate license, and use her passion for helping others in a rewarding new career.
Driven by the success she creates for her clients, Walsh is highly competitive and creative in her strategies, driven by the ultimate goal of creating lifelong experiences for families to enjoy the home and lifestyle of their dreams. “Put people first, and the business will follow,” she says.
Walsh’s mission of putting people first has been the catalyst for her success. In her brief career as a real estate agent. She has received numerous honors, including:
- Being named the Fastest Growing Agent Award 2021 by Homesnap,
- Featured on the cover of Real Producers Magazine in May 2022, and
- Was recently highlighted on the cover of Denver Homeowner Magazine for her 2022 Luxury Agent of the Year Award.
In Walsh’s opinion, real estate is one of the hardest industries in which to build a thriving and successful career. Although real estate is sometimes viewed as a glamourized industry to make “easy money” without actually having to work much, Walsh knows that in reality agents generally work seven days per week, are on-call at all hours of the day, and can’t be afraid to get their hands dirty. However, she also knows that if you are self-motivated, real estate can allow an amazing freedom in how one wants to shape one’s career.
Accolades aside, Hilary’s passion for people expands well beyond her career. The 44-year-old mother of two is also actively involved in her community. She supports L&D Gives, a local non-profit that assists the homeless community, co-hosts the annual Ferrari of Denver Christmas Toy Drive to benefit the Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, is involved with various programs for first responders, and she recently started “Bullets then Brews” events to help instruct women and others how to use firearms safely to protect themselves and their families. Her motivation to develop firearm skills and safety events arose from a plethora of concerns expressed by her clients regarding a spike in crime during the pandemic.
“During the pandemic, I had countless people reach out to me (especially women) who didn’t feel safe,” said Hilary Walsh. “They were waking up to news of gunshots and break-ins in their formerly peaceful neighborhoods. They wanted to be able to protect themselves and their families. I now work with a great number of people in law enforcement, including Darren Weekly, the new Douglas County Sheriff.”
Growing up in Northern Michigan, Walsh was accustomed to shooting firearms, albeit mostly for sport. However, she understood that for many, shooting firearms, especially for protection, was somewhat new to her clients and friends. She wanted to find a fun and exciting way to teach others how to use firearms safely while also having fun. That is when she developed the id
Target Practice: Hilary Walsh tries out multiple rifles during indoor target practice.
ea of “Bullets then Brews,” a quasi networking event which brings together people who want to acquire shooting skills while being able to meet like-minded people for libations after shooting at the gun range. Her primary goal was to make sure it was done in a safe manner, as pairing booze and guns is dangerous. That is when she stumbled upon The Gallery Sportsman’s Club and Range (The Gallery) — a 20,000-square-foot shooting facility near the Colorado Mills Mall in Lakewood, Colorado.
Opened in April 2022, The Gallery boasts two fully immersive shooting bays with seven 25-yard-long gun-ready lanes and eight 20-yard entirely tactical lanes, along with a restaurant and lounge. The restaurant, aptly named the Barrel Room, offers typical bar-food fare like nachos, flatbread, and burgers, along with a full bar. But before entering the Barrel Room, patrons are required to secure any firearm in their car or in the facility’s complimentary valet lockers. A
Ready And Aim: Hilary Walsh takes aim at an indoor gun range.
government-issued ID also must be presented. Each ID is scanned and sent to the range, ensuring that no one can shoot after sipping. In fact, after checking in at the Barrel Room, customers cannot use the range for the remainder of the day.
In addition to the restaurant and lounge, The Gallery has the Trigger Press coffee shop, and also a retail store the sells firearms, ammunition, as well as outdoor supplies like coolers, camping gear, and hunting and fishing licenses.
“We’re trying to build a place that is welcoming and friendly for families,” said Megan Hymanson, The Gallery co-founder and operations director. Hymanson, along with her husband Mark, a Marine Corps veteran, are the primary owners of The Gallery, making it a woman and veteran-owned business.
“The fact that this is a women-owned business makes it even more fitting,” said Walsh. “Given the amenities, The Gallery is certainly the ideal place to host the Bullets then Brews events.” It offers the use of a selection of 80 firearms to choose from for rental, or you may bring your own firearm. Staff is available for assistance.
Appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages are provided during shooting time, with drinks and dinner available afterward in The Gallery’s on-site restaurant.
Bullets and Brews is sponsored by Hilary Walsh of @milehimodern; Ian Jouett of @ kingofthemortgagejungle; George Rock of @rockthebankofdenver; and Josh Miller and Brian Renkema of Elk Point Construction.
by Mark Smiley | Feb 22, 2023 | Travel
by Mark Smiley
The Earl: Tecovas boots go through a 200-step man-made process. The Earl has a lower heel and a shorter shaft than the traditional cowboy boot. It is made for comfortable wear all day long.
There are two staple items that every Coloradan needs in their closet, a good pair of boots and a comfortable hoodie. From fashion to function, cowboy boots are an essential statement piece to anybody’s wardrobe. And there isn’t anything quite like having a hoodie to keep you warm on a cold Colorado winter night.
One boot to consider purchasing is The Earl, a roper boot made by Tecovas, a company founded in 2015. A roper boot is a streamlined modern version of the cowboy boot with a lower heel and shorter shaft. The Earl features a heel shorter than that of a traditional cowboy boot. The vamp is left unadorned in order to showcase the ultra-soft, hand-burnished calfskin, bovine, or goat leather.
The Earl stands on a stacked leather heel with a rubber end cap. It’s available in a classic, ultra-soft calfskin, bovine, or goat leather. Goat is rich with natural oils, so the boots will quickly earn an aged look.
It takes over 200 steps to make a single Tecovas boot, and each one is crafted by hand in León, Mexico. León has a reputation for manufacturing excellent leather goods and Tecovas boots are known for their exotic leathers — from python to crocodile — as well as for their intricate stitch designs.
This boot is easy to slide on and comfortable to wear all day long. A boot remover tool makes it easier to remove the boot. These boots are stylish with jeans and also look good with slacks.
“Having bought a number of Tecovas boots/access
The Evolution Hoodie: Each hoodie contains three cups of recycled coffee grounds and 10 recycled plastic bottles.
ories, and given them as gifts, I can say that those who received them are extremely happy with the styling and quality of your products,” said Craig A. “And my dealings with customer service have always been a pleasure in their timely actions. You can rest assured that there will be future purchases.”
Tecovas operates on a direct-to-consumer model with all of their products, including boots for women, and wallets, available on their website. This allows them to keep the cost at a reasonable price point. The Earl retails for $265 and is available online or in store.
They also have a brick-and-mortar store located in Cherry Creek North. Tecovas is located at 3030 E. Second Avenue. They welcome you in store with a boot fitting, a boot shine, or whatever else you may be looking for. Even walking in on a busy Saturday, they will make you feel like you are the only one in the store.
Another company’s product to consider for comfort and style is Coalatree, based in Salt Lake City and founded in 2010. Their designs have eco-minded gear and apparel for athletes and photographers, to your average city folks, and weekend warriors.
The Evolution Hoodie has over 20 features for everyday wear and travel. The zippered kangaroo pocket keeps your ite
ms safe and secure. It also folds into a pillow making it easy to pack for travel.
This hoodie is made from spent coffee grounds that are mixed and melted down with recycled plastic bottles to create the fibers for this hoodie. The result is a hoodie packed with features and finished with a water-repellent coating. It also resists odors since coffee naturally absorbs and neutralizes odors. It is very soft and comfortable to wear all day and retails for $109.
“This product is very good,” said Kristin Covalt. “Hoodie maintains size after first wash. Roo pouch in the front is a carry case for the Hoodie or a pillow in a pinch. Fabric is very comfortable, similar to getting a hug. If you are thinking of getting something to spend those crisp mornings in, or just relaxing around on a fall day, this is absolutely a hoodie worth getting. I am sure for the winter months it will absolutely hold its own.”
For more information, visit www.coalatree.com. You can find Coalatree on all social media platforms @Coalatree.
by Mark Smiley | Feb 10, 2023 | Travel
Thanatoid rested on Laws Whiskey Four Grain Barrels for 14 months and then was aged on a pound per barrel of Madagascar vanilla beans.
Our Mutual Friend Brewing (OMF) kicked off 2023 with the launch of a new rotating IPA series and the return of Thanatoid, the brewery’s Bourbon Barrel-Aged Stout that last made its appearance at OMF in 2020.
“Thanatoid is special to us because at the heart of it the beer is a simple but decadent whiskey barrel-aged stout, but with each release we try to improve on it,” says OMF Co-Owner and Head Brewer Jan Chodkowski. “This release is by far our best!”
Thanatoid rested on Laws Whiskey Four Grain Barrels for 14 months and then was aged on a pound per barrel of Madagascar vanilla beans. The result is a slow sipper, with notes of vanilla, marshmallow, nugget, toffee, dark chocolate and whiskey-soaked oak, and clocks in at 15.3% ABV.
Well-balanced and approachable, Spillover IPA, is a beer that one can enjoy throughout the day. At 5.1% ABV, this easy drinking IPA is hoppy and flavorful. Hopped with Citra, Mosaic and Strata, Spillover IPA has flavors and aromas of citrus, berries and tropical sweet fruit.
Slow Tale, a collaboration with Trophy Brewing out of Raleigh, NC, is a Barrel-Fermented Saison brewed with Colorado malt and hops. The name and liquid is a nod to the older beer style and slower fermentation process. Barrel and bottle conditioned, Slow Tale has flavors of mango, passion fruit, peach, leather and light oak.
“We’re excited to kick off Wave Motion, a new rotating IPA series where we will explore and experiment with new hops, new hopping methods, and new brewing techniques,” says Chodkowski. “This is an opportunity for us to explore IPA in a broader way!”
Wave Motion: Terre Verte is the first iteration coming out of the experimental IPA lineup. This Juicy and Hazy IPA is hopped with El Dorado and Citra hops, as well as NZ-214 hops which provide aromas and flavors of apricot, papaya, and stone fruits.
Established in 2012, Our Mutual Friend is a relaxed brewery and taproom in Denver, CO whose goal is to create world-class beer using local ingredients whenever possible and serve as a gathering place for the Five Points neighborhood. This small brewery has earned acclaim and numerous awards with eight GABF medals, including a gold medal for Saison Trystero and silver medal for Biere Ovale in 2022, and a 2018 gold medal for Saison Trystero at World Beer Cup. Learn more about OMF at OMFbeer.com.
by Mark Smiley | Jan 19, 2023 | Travel
by Mark Smiley
Now that the holiday season is in the rear-view mirror, many valley residents with families are now focused on traveling for weekend ski getaways and spring break. Those trips undoubtedly require luggage and many people have been using the same pieces for years without realizing that they are in need of an upgrade. We reviewed the Carry-on Pro from Carl Friedrik in a past edition. With so many roller luggage options on the market, it can be hard to know where to even start. The following pieces are ones to consider rounding out whatever trip you have planned next.
Victorinox Spectra 3.0 Expandable Large Case
Spectra 3.0: The Victorinox Spectra 3.0 Expandable Large Case is a rugged and handsome piece of luggage that can fit the entire family’s clothing and toiletries for a trip. It features innovative materials and thoughtful design that is built to last.
Victorinox is a knife manufacturer and watchmaker best known for its Swiss Army knives. They also have a line of travel gear and the Spectra 3.0 Expandable Large Case is one to consider adding to your lineup of luggage. The Spectra 3.0 features innovative materials, expandable compartments, and clever engineering. This collection is made with SORPLAS, a high-performance recycled polycarbonate designed to withstand the rigors of travel. SORPLAS is made from used water bottles and waste optical discs collected from factories, and has a proprietary flame retardant quality.
This suitcase was put to the test over the holidays and it did not disappoint. It proved to be durable, smooth gliding, and easy to maneuver with its 4-wheel dual caster wheels. It allowed for maximum packing with 103 liters of space that also expands to 40% more of its capacity. It was large enough to pack Christmas gifts and clothes, yet never felt too large to wheel through the airport and check in. This piece weighs 15 pounds and measures 12.6 x 20.1 x 29.5 inches. In addition, it was easy to spot at baggage claim.
While the wheels are smooth, so are the YKK racquet coil zippers that are strong yet smooth and feature a water-resistant coating for improved weather resilience. Also, this suitcase can be locked using TSA approved locks with three digits providing peace of mind and secure storage for belongings. The process of setting the combination and locking the zipper pulls into place was effortless.
If you are in the market for an attractive, durable, and easy to handle suitcase with plenty of space to pack for the entire family, consider the Victorinox Spectra 3.0 Expandable Large Case.
For more information or to see what other options Victorinox has to offer, visit www.victorinox.com. This piece retails for $700.
Nomatic Check-In
The Nomatic Check-In: This suitcase is made of ultra-durable polycarbonate material and effortlessly glides through the airport without any problem.
Another large suitcase that was also put to the test over the holiday season is the Check-In suitcase from Nomatic. Relatively new to the travel game, and founded in the summer of 2014 by cousins Jacob Durham and Jon Richards, Nomatic prides itself on creating minimalist products like travel bags, backpacks, watches, notebooks, and wallets.
The Nomatic Check-In proved to be durable and the wheels glided through the airports thanks to silent Hinomoto wheels. These wheels are smooth, whisper quiet, and almost run on their own.
All Nomatic suitcases are built from an ultra-durable polycarbonate material intended to survive impacts with sledgehammers and even cars. The usual impacts during airline baggage handling are no problem for this piece.
Another nice feature of this suitcase is that it offers a number of individual zippered compartments inside. These zippered compartments are not intended to store bulky items or much clothing but are great for containing things like chargers, small electronics, toiletries, books, socks, and the like.
Magnetic Compression Straps: The Nomatic Check-In features 78 liters of space and magnetic compression straps. These straps allow you to ratchet down your neatly folded clothes in order to maximize your space.
It also has magnetic compression straps which allow you to ratchet down your clothes to maximize the space, also giving the benefit of keeping your neatly folded clothes in place during transit. The Check-In also comes with a folding compression panel, which compresses what you want and in which area of the suitcase you want it.
Similar to the Victorinox Spectra 3.0, the Nomatic has the TSA approved locking YKK zippers. No additional lock needs to be purchased to lock the zippers as the combination lock built into the top of the case will handle that for you.
The Nomatic Check-In weighs in at 12.32 pounds and has a capacity of 78 liters and 90 liters when expanded. The size is 29” H x 18.5” W x 9” D. It features low profile handles for ease when gliding through the airport.
More information about this piece of luggage can be found at www.nomatic.com. The Check-In retails for $600.
Filson Original Briefcase
Filson Original Briefcase: Made of rugged twill, a water repellent, industrial fabric, this briefcase can be your everyday staple no matter your career.
Construction Details: The Filson Original Briefcase features Tin Cloth binding on the interior seams that prevents fraying and wear. Two interior dividers keep contents organized and are sized to accommodate tablets and smaller laptops.
To round out your trip, consider the Filson Original Briefcase as a piece of carry on. This briefcase can be used as your new day-to-day briefcase between home and the office.
Filson has designed, manufactured, and distributed men’s and women’s outdoor clothing, accessories, and luggage since 1897.
The original briefcase is made of rugged twill, a water repellent, industrial fabric. Filson Rugged Twill is a very dense, 100% cotton fabric made from 2-ply and 3-ply yarns woven in a 2×2 twill pattern. This material is abrasion resistant and comes from Britain’s oldest, most-storied mills, and is lightly waxed to keep valuables dry and protected from the weather.
The individual compartments inside are suitable to separate your laptop from your tablet and your documents from your other items. Exterior stow pockets keep quick-access necessities close at hand, and the adjustable shoulder strap is detachable for convenient hand carry.
There are two strips of heavy-duty leather for the two very solid brass zippers that close from either side of the top of the bag. Covering that is an extra rugged twill flap that buttons closed over the zipper. The shoulder straps and handles are made of bridle leather and are durable enough for horse tack. The rustproof heavy-gauge zipper is built from solid brass and is reinforced with more saddle-grade leather.
This briefcase, like the aforementioned suitcases, is durable. It adds an element of class to your workday and in-person meetings. It is a unique combination of style and durability which most will find suitable for their job or travel. It won’t be one you replace anytime soon, if at all.
For more information on this briefcase or any other products Filson offers, visit www.filson.com. The original briefcase retails for $450.
