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.
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
