by Mark Smiley | Jan 9, 2023 | Travel
Multipurpose Bag: The SHYLERO Beach Bag XL is a multipurpose bag suitable for the pool, picnics, vacations, and much more.
By Mark Smiley
Spring break is around the corner and many valley residents consider heading to a tropical destination. Or perhaps, they consider a staycation at places like Great Wolf Lodge or Gaylord Rockies. When they travel with their families, they undoubtedly need a reliable and durable pool bag.
One to consider purchasing for such a trip is the SHYLERO Beach Bag XL. This beach bag is durable and waterproof which is important when trying to keep your items dry at the pool or beach. It features a canvas-like fabric with ripstop construction and can easily hold 22 pounds of items.
Rope Handle: This beach bag features rope handles that makes it easy to carry all of your essentials that can easily fit up to 22 pounds of items.
This bag is large enough with big inner pockets including a zippered pocket and waterproof interior lining – sized at L22″xH15″xW6″. One review online indicated: “I’ve been looking for a bag for at least two years and finally found what I want – colorful, large and well made. We are now able to carry six beach towels, multiple containers of sunscreen and still have room for phones, keys, etc without having to worry about the handles pulling from the bag. The rope style handles are comfortable to carry on our shoulders. Great purchase.”
As mentioned in the online review, this beach bag features rope handles that makes it easy to carry. The bag even features a built-in keyholder and bottle opener making it a true multipurpose bag that is not only suitable for the pool but also a picnic, cruise bag, travel bag, sports bag, vacation bag, overnight bag, gym bag, grocery bag, or even a carry-on luggage handbag for the flight to store your laptop and other essentials.
Another online review states: “This is much better quality than you typically find in discount souvenir stores at the beach! It’s lightweight and big enough to carry everything I need. I love that it also has several zipped pockets inside and outside to securely store items.”
This beach bag retails for $49.99 and can be purchased at www.shylero.com. SHYLERO is backed by 100% warranty that if you are not fully satisfied with your bag, receive your money back.
by Mark Smiley | Dec 16, 2022 | Travel
Christmas Festivities Run Until January 1, 2023
by Mark Smiley
Advice: Lucy’s psychiatry booth is a running gag in the Peanuts comic strip by Charles M. Schulz. In a parody of the lemonade stands which are operated by many young children in the United States, Lucy van Pelt operates a psychiatric booth.
Slide: Guests can take slippery rides down two-story-tall ice slides, and traverse through ice tunnels and arches.
Colorful Displays: Ice carvings range in size from details as tiny as a coin to scenes more than 30 feet tall. The environment is kept frozen by a chilling system that maintains the attraction’s temperature at 9 degrees Fahrenheit. Colored ice is created by a chemist who mixes special food colorings to ensure sculptures maintain their bright colors the entire season.
Ice! is Back: ICE! features more than 10 scenes from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and classic characters including Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts gang.
The Gaylord Rockies Resort’s annual holiday tradition, ICE!, returned November 18, 2022, and runs through January 1, 2023. Using more than two million pounds of ice, the classic holiday story and animated special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” is brought to life by a team of 40 ice artisans who work for approximately six weeks to create the 17,500-square-foot, frozen attraction.
The artisans, using skills passed down from generation to generation, start with more than 6,700 massive ice blocks — created by three different ice manufacturers — and tally more than 12,000-man hours on the project.
ICE! features more than 10 scenes from “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and classic characters including Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts gang. Ice carvings range in size from details as tiny as a coin to scenes more than 30 feet tall. The environment is kept frozen by a chilling system that maintains the attraction’s temperature at 9 degrees Fahrenheit.
“We can’t wait for our guests to experience the magic and wonder of ICE! during this year’s Christmas at Gaylord Rockies celebration,” said Suzy Hart, general manager of Gaylord Rockies Resort, back in November 2022. “ICE! is a one-of-a-kind attraction and we’re excited to welcome this Gaylord Hotels tradition back this year with ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ and all the beloved Peanuts characters in the classic holiday story.”
More Than Ice
While ICE! is the signature attraction for Christmas at Gaylord Rockies, there are more festive activities, events, attractions, and decorations throughout the resort.
Mistletoe Village on the convention center wing of the hotel features a Build a Bear Workshop, cookies with Mrs. Claus, a gingerbread house decorating station, and gift shop. The west side of the hotel features decorations and holiday activities including snow tubing, ice bumper boats, Snowball Build & Blast, and ice skating.
Renovations Underway: Upon visiting the Gaylord Rockies Resort, you will notice construction around the property. The sign indicates that exciting new exterior enhancements are coming soon and guests can expect a revamped front drive and Pinyons Patio. A 10-year plan will see more enhancement and expansion projects coming to the Gaylord.
An original Gaylord Hotels production, “Cirque: Spirit of Christmas” features high-flying stunts, acrobatic feats, elaborate staging, and a dramatic musical score. This Cirque-style show, centers on Noel, a child dismayed by the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Throughout the 75-minute show, Noel is visited in dreamlike chapters by trapeze artists, acrobats, aerial silk performers, and others who help rekindle the Christmas spirit.
Exclusive Access For Overnight Guests
This year, Gaylord Rockies is offering perks and special access to overnight resort guests so they can wait in line less and enjoy more. These perks include:
- “Chill Pass” privileges to ICE!, offering front-of-line access and shorter wait times for this year’s signature attraction. “Chill Pass” is free for eligible guests. Attraction tickets are required and sold separately, in advance.
- An invitation to “Extra Cool Hour,” which provides early-entry into ICE! and Mistletoe Village one hour before it opens to day guests. “Extra Cool Hour” is free for eligible guests. Attraction tickets are required and sold separately, in advance.
In addition to more than a dozen special events and activities during Christmas at Gaylord Rockies, guests can enjoy many of the year-round amenities. Arapahoe Springs Water Park is open to overnight guests, with three water slides, indoor and outdoor pools, and a 750-foot-long lazy river.
Gaylord Rockies is near Denver International Airport and is a Marriott property that opened in December 2018. The 486,000 square feet of convention space makes it the largest combined resort and convention center in Colorado. It is the fifth Gaylord property to open with the others located in Washington, D.C., Nashville, Orlando, and Dallas.
The Gaylord Rockies Resort is located at 6700 North Gaylord Rockies Boulevard. Guests are encouraged to book their experiences early, as advance online reservations are required for all ticketed events.
For tickets, more information, or to book an overnight stay, guests may visit: ChristmasatGaylordRockies.com.
by Jessica Hughes | Nov 17, 2022 | Travel
by Jessica Hughes
Local tree cutters assess the perfect Christmas tree.
For many Coloradans, cutting down their own Christmas tree has become a time-honored tradition over the years. It is not only a favorite holiday activity for families to enjoy together, but it’s economical and you can take pride in knowing you’ve played an active role in managing your national forests.
Dating back to the 1930s when the Christmas tree was defined as “a tree displaying a short internode combined with a symmetry of form that is pleasing to the eye,” according to a 1930 Eldorado National Forest report on cutting Christmas trees. Since then, the National Forest Service has played an important role over the years in the business of Christmas trees, including harvesting, selling, and permitting the cutting of trees.
So, how does it work exactly? The U.S. Forest Service allows the cutting of trees in certain districts throughout Colorado with the purchase of a permit. There are several Forest Service cutting areas near and along the Front Range, with each district regulating its permit system a little differently.
Permit holders are responsible for understanding where it is legal to cut a tree and should spend some time reviewing the information and maps provided on the Forests’ webpage. While you can purchase your permit at designated ranger district offices or at some local vendors, the best and easiest is to purchase your permit online at recreation.gov.
The Denver/Front Range Christmas Tree Cutting areas include the Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests, Pike National Forest, and the White River National Forest. Each is broken out down below:
Denver/Front Range Christmas
Tree Cutting area Forest Offices:
Pike and San Isabel
National Forests
South Platte Ranger District
(Buffalo Creek)
303-275-5610
The South Platte Ranger District is closest to Denver. Permits in this district apply to specific cutting areas (Buffalo Creek, Sugar Creek, and Camp Fickes) and specific dates for cutting. Permits are limited and may sell out.
Permits: $20 per tree
Cutting dates: Nov. 25 – Dec. 11
Tree cutters line up with their cars to haul off their hand-picked Christmas trees.
South Park Ranger District
Fairplay, CO 80440
719-836-2031
The South Park Ranger District is closest to the towns of Fairplay, Jefferson, Como, and Lake George along Hwy. 285. This area is another great option for Front Rangers and those living in the Denver metro area. Most of the district is open for cutting. Unlike the South Platte District, there is no tree quota, so permits will not sell out.
Permits: $20 per tree
Cutting dates: Oct. 13 – Dec. 31
Pikes Peak Ranger District
Colorado Springs, CO
719-636-1602
The Pikes Peak Ranger District is closest to Colorado Springs with specific cutting areas near Woodland Park. There is not a limit on permits, so no need to worry about selling out.
Permits: $20 per tree
Cutting dates: Nov. 25 – Dec. 18
Leadville Ranger District
Leadville, CO 80461
719-486-0749
The Leadville Ranger District is closest to the town of Leadville with most of the area open for cutting. Again, there is no quota, so permits won’t sell out.
Permits: $10 per tree
Cutting dates: Nov. 10 – Dec. 31
San Carlos Ranger District
Canon City, CO 81212
719-269-8500
The closest towns the San Carlos Ranger District serves are Canon City, Westcliffe, and La Veta. Most of the area is open for cutting and permits will not sell out.
Permits: $10 per tree
Cutting dates: Nov. 10 – Dec. 31
Salida Ranger District
Salida, CO 81201
719-539-3591
The Salida Ranger District serves the nearby towns of Salida and Buena Vista. Most of the district is open for cutting. There is not a quota, so permits will not sell out.
Permits: $10 per tree
Cutting dates: Nov. 10 – Dec. 31
Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests
Permits to cut your own Christmas tree on the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests are on sale now on recreation.gov and remain available through January 7. Permits must be purchased in advance and cost $20 each.
Sulphur Ranger District
Granby, CO 80446
970-887-4100
For other Christmas tree cutting area forest offices throughout the state visit fs .usda.gov.
The Forest Service recommends downloading forest service maps onto your phone through Avenza before heading out. This app works even when there isn’t cell service and will help you make sure you don’t cut trees on private property or prohibited areas. Most roads will be closed to motor vehicles after Nov. 15, but snowmobiles or skis may be used to access some areas. Make sure the Forest Service Road you plan to drive is open using our Road Status Tables.
For more tips on what to bring, how to plan your trip, and helpful cutting tips be sure to visit recreation.gov/tree-permits.
Photos taken by Cora Marrama. All images were provided by the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest
by Mark Smiley | Oct 21, 2022 | Travel
by Mark Smiley and Jeff Stiglic
Chocolate Pairing: Lady Justice Brewing on East Colfax in Aurora hosted a chocolate and beer tasting on Thursday, October 6, 2022, at their taphouse.
Pints For Prostates: The 13th Rare Beer Tasting was held on October 7, 2022. Amazing and rare beers were spread out over three floors of the McNichols Civic Center Building. The event helped raise awareness for prostate cancer.
Away from the Colorado Convention Center, there were some notable events during the week, including a chocolate and beer pairing at Lady Justice Brewing in Aurora, a Sam Adams and Dogfish Head brunch, and the 13th Pints for Prostates Rare Beer Tasting.
First, David Nilsen, freelance beer journalist and Advanced Cicerone, led a chocolate and beer tasting at Lady Justice Brewing on East Colfax in Aurora on Thursday, October 6, 2022. Guests were treated to high end chocolates paired with specialty beers on tap at Lady Justice.
The Lady Justice Brewing Company was founded by Betsy Lay, Kate Power, and Jen Cuesta during their 2010 service in AmeriCorps‚ asking the question “why can’t we brew beer and give back to our community?” What began as a small operation on a custom-built homebrew system in a tiny storage space has grown into a flourishing taproom and movement.
Next, Sam Adams and Dogfish Head once again collaborated for a brunch held at Rhein Haus Denver on Market Street in Denver. Founders of each brewery, Jim Koch (Sam Adams), and Sam Calagione (Dogfish Head), addressed the crowd and talked about their collaboration and shared beers including the latest release of Utopias and Gold Medal winner in the non-alcohol beer category, Just The Haze.
Last, the 13th Rare Beer Tasting was held on October 7 at the McNichols Civic Center Building. This event was organized by Pints for Prostates, a grassroots campaign designed to raise awareness among men about prostate cancer and the importance of early detection in fighting the disease. The group was founded in 2008 after beer journalist Rick Lyke was diagnosed at 47-years-old and successfully treated for prostate cancer.
Pints for Prostates works to engage men in a conversation about their health in a relaxed and non-threatening way. By having some fun with a topic they would rather avoid, they are able to reach a population of men who might otherwise ignore traditional health messages.
Brunch: Sam Adams and Dogfish Head held a brunch at Rhein Haus Denver on October 8, 2022, and featured some of their most popular beers.
On an annual basis Pints for Prostates appears at nearly 100 events across the United States. These include beer festivals and gatherings at bars and breweries.
Since its inception in 2009, the Denver Rare Beer Tasting has attracted some of America’s most respected craft breweries who generously serve their most exotic beers. A total of 201 breweries from 43 states have poured at the event during the first 12 years. Only seven breweries have participated in all 12 Denver Rare Beer Tastings and another 35 breweries have poured at least five times, while 80 have made a single appearance at the event.
For more information about Pints for Prostates, visit www.pintsforprostates.org. For more information on Lady Justice visit www.ladyjusticebrewing.com. They are located at 9735 E. Colfax Avenue.
by Jessica Hughes | Sep 28, 2022 | Travel
by Jessica Hughes
Up close, tarantulas seem larger than life reaching up to two inches in length.
This autumn, while many will head out west to see the state’s fall foliage, take the time to travel east for a change of scenery to see the Tarantula Trek. Beginning in September and through the month of October, many tarantulas scurry across the southeast portion of Colorado’s Eastern Plains near La Junta.
While there are numerous species of tarantulas, the Oklahoma Brown Tarantula is the one you are most likely to spot. This dark brown to black species is common here because its females prefer to make their burrows in the plentiful quiet prairies on the Comanche National Grasslands of Southeast Colorado.
While this phenomenon has always been called a migration, it is actually an annual mating ritual performed by male tarantulas. “We have traditionally called it a migration,” says Pamela Denahy, the director of tourism for the city of La Junta. “We are currently in the process of re-branding to call it the Tarantula Trek.”
The Comanche National Grassland creates the perfect habitat for mating tarantulas. Visit La Junta photos
The process for seeking out a mate begins when male tarantulas reach maturity at the age of eight to 10 years old. Prior to this, the males have not left the grasslands at all, until they reach mating age. During mating season, you are likely to spot one at a time, but you may be lucky enough to see a group of these males using their sense of touch and vibration to locate the females.
The tarantula can grow up to two inches in length with a leg span of up to five inches.
They can travel as far as 20 miles and oftentimes are in groups searching for a mature female. Males who have reached sexual maturity will travel up to a mile to find a mate, and once he finds one, he’ll perform a courtship dance. Certain body language cues and rituals are used for mating. One of these is “drumming” or “tapping,” which a tarantula may use to indicate interest in a potential partner.
A male tarantula treks through Vogel Canyon near La Junta.
Using the 443,000-plus acres of the Comanche National Grassland, the male tarantulas roam far and wide looking for their mates. But there are certain areas accessible to visitors for easy viewing. Popular places include Vogel Canyon (15 miles from La Junta), Sierra Vista & Timpas Picnic Area (about 20 miles from La Junta along Hwy. 350), and Delhi (36 miles from La Junta on Hwy. 350).
A short drive from La Junta, Vogel Canyon is the most popular destination for viewing the tarantulas because of its accessibility. Plus, it has something for everyone — with four hiking trails that take you to the mesa top or canyon floor, plus quiet picnic areas, making this an ideal day trip for visitors.
Denahy says a great driving route to consider is La Junta to Timpas (on Hwy. 350), east on County Road N, south on County Road 25, east on Forest Service Road 2200, north on Hwy. 109 back to La Junta.
The best time for viewing is an hour before dusk during mid-September thru October and even into early November — depending on the weather. September is peak season, starting mid-month. They don’t really like it too hot, and they don’t like to be out after the first freeze.
But the common question everyone asks Denahy says is “is it safe?” “Yes, it is safe to view them. Tarantulas are much more terrified of you than you are of them. Despite common misconceptions, they are not aggressive. In fact, they are more likely to flee from a larger-than-life human being,” assures Denahy.
Join the city of La Junta for the Tarantula Festival, October 7 & 8, 2022, with fun activities and educational facets for the entire family to enjoy.
Contact the Comanche National Grassland Resource Office for additional ideal viewing locations in and around La Junta at 719-384-2181 or info@visitlajunta.net for additional information.
by Mark Smiley | Jul 27, 2022 | Travel
Lady Bug: The Ladybug is big and strong (but doesn’t realize it) and full of life. Unlike all the other insects in the community she is not part of a family. She’s all alone and lonely, and she’s secretly waiting for something wonderful to happen in her life—something like love. When The Foreigner arrives carrying a strange egg she’s excited by the possibility that her life – and everyone else’s – could be about to change.
Triumphant Return: Cirque du Soleil returns to Denver for the first time in three years. Cirque Ovo will be at the ball Arena from September 8-11.
Ovo Show at Ball Arena Will Be First in Front of Denver Audiences Since Corteo in August 2019
By Mark Smiley
Cirque du Soleil returns to Colorado with its high-energy and high-acrobatic production OVO. Ovo is an exciting Cirque du Soleil experience, that features an intrusion into a new day in the life of insects; a non-stop show of energy and movement. Cirque du Solei shows are famous for their acrobatics and this show is no exception, highlighting the unique personalities and abilities of selected insect species. OVO explores the beauty of biodiversity in all its contrasts and vibrancy. From mighty crickets bouncing off trampolines to a hypnotic spider contorting inside her web, OVO exudes extraordinary showmanship.
“We’re very excited to be coming back especially after the last couple of years that we all had to experience around the world,” said Janie Mallet, Cirque OVO Publicist. “This show has a high acrobatic level and lots of variety. It really is a nice story about friendship, curiosity, exclusivity and love.”
Ovo has been out since 2009. It was first created for the big top and then in 2016, transformed for the arena shows. After what Cirque calls “Intermission” during the COVID-19 pandemic, the team of 100 artists, musicians, and backstage personnel which comprises 25 different nationalities, worked on the show for 3 months before hitting the road again. The artists especially had to find creative ways to stay in top physical shape during the pandemic and the three months of preparation allowed for them to get in that top form. Since its opening in Montreal in 2009, OVO has performed in fr
High Wire Act: Through show-stopping acrobatics highlighting the unique personalities and abilities of selected insect species, OVO explores the beauty of biodiversity in all its contrasts and vibrancy.
ont of more than 7 million people in 155 cities in 26 different countries.
Cirque began performing in front of live audiences in June 2021 in Las Vegas. The shows under the big top re-launched last Fall and how the arena shows are back. “People have been craving live entertainment,” said Mallet. “They’re so supportive and so vocal and so present with us. It’s been amazing coming back and performing live.”
OVO will perform in Colorado at: Budweiser Events Center in Loveland from August 26 to 28, 2022, Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs from September 1 to 4, 2022 and the Ball Arena in Denver from September 8 to 11, 2022. Visit cirquedusoleil.com/ovo for more information and to purchase tickets. Follow #OVOCirque and #cirquedusoleil on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
Photo Credit : Pat Beaudry, Max Bocanegra, Randy Cremean & Vlad Lorenzo
