USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “SOUTHWEST” UTAH

UTAH: THE BEEHIVE STATE

BY CLAY LARROY

When you choose to travel, whether it is for business or pleasure, it is important to plan your trip well before hand. Don't be afraid to cash in your airline miles. Many travelers let their miles accumulate and never bother using them. Reap the rewards of your traveling and spend the miles you've earned! Miles have expiration dates, so be sure to use them before they expire. Often you can use them on items other than travel, so check out your options and get to spending. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

 Utah Travel Guide

Phenomenal national parks, world-class skiing and a thriving brewpub scene that belies the state's dry reputation: welcome to Utah.

The Beehive State's national parks are a whirlwind of wind-carved canyons, chequerboard rock faces, fragile rock arches and vermilion spires. You can climb sculpted sandstone at Capitol Reef or barrel down Class V rapids in Canyonlands' Cataract Canyon. Weave through Fiery Furnace's labyrinthine canyons at Arches or snap sunset at Bryce Canyon as an army of hoodoos goes to sleep. Throw any fear of heights to one side and hike the nerve-racking trail to Angels Landing for outstanding views over Zion National Park.

Not enough for you? How about tracking a stegosaurus (or at least its fossil) at Dinosaur National Monument? Or take a drive along Heritage Highway 89 for a dose of classic Americana. Unleash your inner cowboy and saddle up at a dude ranch for some cattle wrangling. Then test your mountain-biking mettle on the legendary Slickrock Trail in Moab.

Utah's adventures don't stop when the snow falls. You can test the state's claim to have ‘the greatest snow on earth' and launch yourself into vertiginous chutes at a world-renowned line-up of ski resorts in the Wasatch Mountains, or arm yourself with peeps and a shovel and hit the backcountry for untracked powder and rollercoaster tree runs.

Grab a couple of days' urban action in Salt Lake City. The Church of the Latter Day Saints might spring to mind when you think of Utah's capital city, and the Salt Lake Temple does dominate town. But Salt Lake is also home to state-of-the-art museums (check out the super-modern Natural History Museum of Utah or The Leonardo for starters), thriving student and LGBT communities, and packed pubs where you can plot your next escapade.

Things to see and do in Utah

Alpine Loop Scenic Byway

Drive the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway for one of Utah's most popular summer drive destinations.

American West Heritage Center

Tour the American West Heritage Center (www.americanwestcenter.org), at the foot of the Wellsville Mountains, which includes the Man and His Bread Museum and the Ronald V Jensen Living Historical Farm, an authentic Mormon pioneer farm. Daily activities here are performed exactly as they would have been in 1917. The centre is currently a massive 65 hectares (160 acres) and intends to add another 71 hectares (175 acres).

Dinosaur National Monument

Discover the Dinosaur National Monument sprawled across eastern Utah and into Colorado. Pittsburgh palaeontologist Earl Douglass began scouring the area for bones in 1908 and the quarry he excavated lies at the west end of the park.

Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area

The Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area stretches from Ashley National Forest to the south Wyoming desert, and boasts great fishing, boating and hiking.

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Some of the many outdoor activities available here are boating, fishing, swimming, backcountry hiking and 4-wheel drive trips.

Great Salt Lake

The Great Salt Lake is the largest lake west of the Mississippi River, and the second saltiest body of water in the world, after the Dead Sea. It stretches 148km (92 miles) north to south and is about 77km (48 miles) wide.

Jardine Juniper

Visit the 1,500-year-old Jardine Juniper, the oldest juniper in the Rocky Mountains, 19km (12 miles) from Logan in Logan Canyon, and a short hike from Wood Camp Campground.

Little Sahara Recreation Area

See the Little Sahara Recreation Area. It has more than 8,000 hectares (20,000 acres) of free-moving sand dunes.

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

In Utah, there are no bad things in the water there. It's just smooth, really beautiful.

Steve Guttenberg
 

Travel  have fun and create wonderful memories for your family!

USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “SOUTHWEST” COLORADO

COLORADO: THE CENTENNIAL STATE

BY CLAY LARROY

Do you feel like it is time for a short vacation? Once you decide to travel, how good you plan the trip will help you feel comfortable and be comfortable at your destination. Not only will you feel less anxiety before the trip, but you can rest assured that once you arrive where you're going you will have a good understanding of what's going on there.  When you need to plan a vacation contact me!

 DENVER “THE MILE HIGH CITY”

Denver History

Denver was built on the fortunes of gold and the railroads. In the summer of 1858, a small group of prospectors made a significant gold discovery at the base of the Rocky Mountains.

The mere whisper of the word was enough to attract thousands to the banks of the South Platte River in search of the precious metal. 

While the ‘Pikes Peak or Bust' gold rush was in full force, General William Larimer laid out a city and, in hopes of gaining political favor, named the city after Kansas territorial governor James Denver. 

It became the capital of Colorado in 1867. 

When a gold strike was discovered in nearby Central City, Denver became a near ghost town. It bounced back, however, and began to grow as a trade center. In following years, Denver fought off a Texan Confederate army, experienced a great fire, endured a flash flood and saw an Indian war cut off their food supply lines. 

While these hardships were just that, hard, the citizens were determined for the city to survive. When the Union Pacific Railroad evaded Denver, the citizens raised enough money to build a railroad that would meet the Union Pacific in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The city's display of perseverance was rewarded when the Kansas Pacific Railroad was built crossing the plains to Denver. Not much later, a silver strike made Denver a boomtown once again. 

It was not until 1953, with the construction of the first skyscrapers, that Denver started the transformation from cow town to vibrant modern city.

Did you know?
- Denver's most famous beer, Coors, was originally brewed with Rocky Mountain water - a recipe that exists to this day.
- Titanic survivor, Margaret Molly Brown, made her fortune on Denver's gold rush and became known as 'Unsinkable Molly".
- In 1902, police at Denver Union Station banned kissing on the platforms because it was delaying the trains.

 

Things to do in Denver

Activities

Fly fishing

Go on a fly-fishing trip with Colorado Trout Hunters, one of the best fly-fishing guide services in the region. Participants can choose to fish on a beautiful high mountain lake with ravenous brook trout and rainbow trout, or, for the more advanced, there's technical tail water fisheries scattered along the South Platte River. No matter what time of year it is, there are always opportunities to fish near Denver.

Tel: 303 325 5515.
Website: www.coloradotrouthunters.com

White-water rafting

River Runners Colorado is an experienced company that takes thousands and thousands of adventure lovers down the Arkansas River every year. There are two convenient locations from which you can begin your rafting journey and at least four different rafting experiences to choose from. The Browns Canyon Rafting Trip is the most popular white-water rafting trip in the state.

Tel: 1 800 723 8987.
Website: www.riverrunnersltd.com

Beer brewing

Follow the entire brewing process, from roasting barley to bottling, of one of the most popular beers in Denver, with a tour of the Coors Brewery in Golden. The 90-minute tour includes free beer samples. Denver's best brewpubs – all within walking distance of each other in LoDo – also offer tours and tiny samples of their ales, porters, stouts and lagers. Try Wynkoop Brewing Company, Rock Bottom Brewery or Breckenridge Brewery.

Tel: 303 277 2337.
Website: www.millercoors.com/golden-brewery-tour.aspx

Shopping in Denver

Denver has a plethora of shopping opportunities. There are fine indoor and outdoor malls, as well as many areas to find impressive boutiques and markets. The majority of these shopping areas are in close proximity to downtown Denver.

Key Areas

The beautiful Victorian buildings of Larimer Square house a remarkable collection of shops, restaurants and bars. The Denver Art District on Santa Fe has an eclectic gathering of galleries, shops and restaurants all contained in just a few blocks.

Sports fanatics should head to LoDo where Coors Field is located as well as a number of sports bars and the well-known Wynkoop Brewing Company. LoDo is also a haven for book lovers. Tattered Cover Bookstore, the largest independent bookstore in America, is located at the end of 16th Street Mall. A bit outside of Downtown, Cherry Creek is the best place to shop for clothing and jewelry.

Markets

During the summer months, Denver is rich with farmers' markets which offer everything from locally grown fresh produce to delicious baked goods and prepared meals. There's also entertainment and family-friendly activities that'll keep you occupied all day long. The Cherry Creek Fresh Market, 1st Avenue and University Boulevard, is a favorite among locals and is open Saturdays and Wednesdays.

Shopping Centers

An iconic shopping center in Denver, 16th Street Mall is a 1.6km-long (1 mile) pedestrian promenade lined with pavement cafés. The free bus, MallRide, passes through the promenade daily. The Tabor Center, situated at the north end of the mall, is a three-story glass building providing first-class entertainment. Nearby, Denver Pavilions is an open-air mall with 50 shops and restaurants. The Cherry Creek area, which includes a shopping center and a premier retail neighborhood, is also nearby.

Shopping Times

Shopping hours in Denver vary but stores are generally open 0900/1000-1700/1800, with shopping malls remaining open until 2100 or 2200. Downtown stores may be closed on Sundays but malls are open daily.

 

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

Growing up in Denver, I'm sure it started with loving the Colorado mountains.

Gale Norton
 

Travel to experience life and create spectacular memories!

USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “SOUTHWEST” COLORADO

COLORADO: THE CENTENNIAL STATE

BY CLAY LARROY

Leisure travel is a wonderful experience that everyone should have in their lifetime. Even business travel can be made enjoyable. There are some aspects of travel that can detract from your enjoyment.  When planning to fly for a trip, don't forget any frequent flier miles you might have racked up. It does you no good to hang onto those once you've already gone on your big vacation. Even if you don't have enough miles to cover the whole trip, many airlines will allow you to discount your rate using your miles. When you want to plan a vacation contact me!

 

DENVER “THE MILE HIGH CITY”

About Denver

Work is a side note in Denver, where locals live for its happening arts scene, its proximity to a tremendous natural playground and some 300 glorious days of sunshine a year.

Cosmopolitan cool meets a pioneering Wild West spirit in this laid-back Colorado city. Denver lies on the western fringe of the Great Plains, the colossal Rocky Mountains continually catching your eye beyond. It conveniently sits at exactly 5,280ft (1,609m) above sea level, hence its nickname, ‘Mile High City'.

Denver's arts culture is booming. The Denver Art Museum's 70,000 artworks fill two massive buildings, including a spiky Daniel Libeskind number. On the first Friday of every month, art lovers sign up to First Friday Art Walks, in-depth explorations of arty neighborhoods including the Art District of Santa Fe, home to scores of indie galleries and art studios. Second Saturdays at RiNo (River North Art District) draw hordes to open studios, art sales and food trucks.

Creative Denverites also hang out in LoDo (Lower Downtown), a revitalized pocket of Victorian and turn-of-the-century buildings crammed with coffee shops, brewpubs and cool eateries. Running through it is the 16th Street pedestrian mall, whose red-and-grey-patterned promenade depicts the skin of a diamondback rattlesnake.

Sport is an addiction for Denverites, and the city is home to seven pro teams. Grab a beer and phenomenal views from The Rooftop, a swanky deck overlooking legendary baseball diamond Coors Field. Or join 76,000 roaring fans and cheer on NFL side the Denver Broncos.

Snatch a little action of your own on two beautiful stretches of paved bike paths along Cherry Creek and the South Platte River. It's hard to resist the lure of the Rockies too, with countless opportunities for hiking, climbing and skiing.

Denver is also home to some of the USA's finest microbreweries, and hosts the annual Great American Beer Festival, where visitors get merrily drunk on over 3,000 varieties of beer. Colorado is one of a clutch of US states where you can legally buy marijuana too, so if you're feeling dizzy - it may not be the altitude.

 

Tourist Information Centers

VISIT DENVER, Visitor Information Center

·        Address:

1600 California Street, Unit 6
Denver
United States

·        Telephone:  1 800 233 6837.

·        Website:  http://www.denver.org

Excursions

Estes Park

·        Surrounded by the Rocky Mountain National Park and Roosevelt National Forest, the village of Estes Park has spectacular mountain scenery at every turn. Fishing, biking, horseback riding, river rafting, hunting, hiking and skiing are all possibilities in Estes Park, which is 103km (64 miles) northwest of Denver. Wildlife tours in the surrounding Rocky Mountain National Park offer the chance to see elk, moose, marmots, pikas, coyotes and big horn sheep.

Estes Park Visitors Center
500 Big Thompson Avenue, Estes Park

·        Telephone:  970 577 9900.

·        Website:  http://www.estes-park.com

Grand Lake

·        This historic mountain town is nestled below the Rocky Mountain peaks and based around Colorado's largest natural lake, Grand Lake. Get a sense of the town's Western charm by walking along the boardwalk that boasts more than 60 bars, galleries, restaurants and shops. If you want to get your feet wet, head to the beach where you can swim, fish or boat. If it's boating you're particularly interested in, visit the Grand Lake Yacht Club, one of the highest yacht anchorages in the world. During the winter months, Grand Lake is known for it snowmobiling terrain. It has been ranked as one of the top 10 snowmobiling destinations in the USA with 483km (300 miles) of trails.

·        Telephone:  970 627 3402.

Golden

·        Colorado's origins in mining and the Wild West are clearly evident in the city of Golden, 24km (15 miles) west of Denver. The handsome Victorian buildings in the historic business district are beautifully restored, and colourful shops, art galleries, bars and restaurants are set beneath the wooden arcades. Heritage Square, 18301 West Colfax Avenue, is mainly of interest to children with amusement park rides and a music hall. The winding, scenic Lariat Trail from US Highway 6 leads up Lookout Mountain to Buffalo Bill's Museum and Grave, which has original posters from his Wild West shows and exhibits illustrating life on the frontier in the days of the famous Pony Express.

Golden is easily accessed from the Denver area via several major roadways, including I-70, C-470, US Highway 6 and State Highway 58, or by RTD buses 16, 17 and 44L.

Golden Visitors Center
1010 Washington Avenue, Golden

·        Telephone:  303 279 3113.

·        Website:  http://www.goldenvisitorscenter.net

Georgetown

·        Lying in a spectacular mountain valley, 72km (45 miles) west of Denver, Georgetown is a historic mining town maintained and restored in turn-of-the-century style. The town's highlight in summer is the steam-powered Georgetown Loop Railroad, which gives you an exceptional opportunity to see the Clear Creek Valley area. The train curves down a mountain ledge covering 183m (600ft). In its course, the train crosses over three bridges, including the 30m (100ft) Devil's Gate Bridge. There's also the option to take a walking tour of the Lebanon Silver Mine, which is the railway's halfway point. 

From Georgetown, the famous Rocky Mountain National Park is a short drive away on the I-40.

Georgetown Visitors Center
1491 Argentine Street, Georgetown

·        Telephone:  303 569 2405.

·        Website:  http://www.georgetowncolorado.com

Tours

Segway tours

·        Gain the benefits of a walking tour while covering the same amount of ground as a bus tour with a Segway tour. Colorado Adventure-Segway Tours take participants around all of Denver's historical sites in two hours. Tours run Monday to Saturday at 0900, 1400 and 1700.

·        Telephone:  866 642 4919.

·        Website:  http://www.coloradoadventuresegwaytours.com

Walking tours

·        Click! Photo Tours offer three photography-based walking tours of Denver: Denver Landmarks, Denver at Night, and Best of Denver. LoDo District Inc gives walking tours of Lower Downtown every Saturday at 1000, from late May through October. Tours take two hours, meeting at the front of Union Station, on the corner of 17th Street and Wynkoop Street.

·        Telephone:  1 800 650/TOUR ; 303 628 5428.

·        Website:  http://www.lodo.org/walking-tours

Bus tours

·        Gray Line Denver offers a Denver City Tour, which runs daily all year at 0830 and 1330, and lasts three hours. There is also a nine-hour Mountain Parks Tour & City Tour, which takes in the best city sites, the foothills, Red Rocks, Golden and Lookout Mountain. Tours run year-round at 0830 from Cherry Creek Shopping Centre. 

Banjo Billy's Bus Tours also offer bus tours, but from an old school bus that has been transformed to look like a travelling hillbilly shack. Tours are offered in Denver and Boulder, and a tour's specifics are determined by the passengers and last 90 minutes. Tour schedules vary by season.

·        Telephone:  303 394 6920 ; 720 938 8885.

·        Website:  http://www.grayline.com/Denver

 

REFERENCE SITES:

http://www.travelresearchonline.com/

Denver is a city that will be far more defined by its future than its past.

 John Hickenlooper
     

Live Well, Laugh Often and Travel Much!

USA TRAVEL GUIDE, “SOUTHWEST” COLORADO

COLORADO: THE CENTENNIAL STATE

BY CLAY LARROY

There is nothing more exciting than traveling. Whether you are going for a road trip to see something new in your own state, or heading off to somewhere for the very first time to visit a city you have always dreamed of, there are some travel basics that you should know. Travel in the off seasons from November to April, to avoid crowds, save money and enjoy temperate weather. In those months, many families with children cannot travel due to school commitments, making many tourist attractions much less crowded. This may also result in lower costs for airfare and hotels.  When you are ready to plan a vacation contact me!

Boulder, Colorado "The city nestled between the mountains and reality”    Cresting over the hill on highway 36 into Boulder, it's easy to see why  this intriguing town has been dubbed "the city nestled between the mountains and reality." At 5,430 feet above sea level, acres of vast open space roll into Boulder's quaint cityscape tucked into the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.  Boulder offers a variety of accommodations for your next visit, check out our  outstanding selection of hotels. Boulder has been named one of the Foodiest  Town's in America, so you don't want to miss our selection of restaurants. Since winter is just around the corner, check out Eldora Mountain Resort's   special offer, Boulder Ski Escape.  Boulder Falls Boulder Canyon Drive Boulder, CO 80302 Phone: (303) 441-3440 Visit Website Fed by mountain snow melt from North Boulder Creek this 70 foot drop  into Middle Boulder Creek is a true spectacle. Just minutes west of Boulder,  the shaded canyon provides a nice haven from the heat.
Boulder Farmers' Market 13th Street next to Central Park Boulder, CO 80308 Phone: (303) 910-2236 Visit Website Offering fresh fruit, flowers, veggies and delicious edibles, the Farmers'  Market provides a placefor locals to sell their products in a friendly, fun  environment.
Boulder History Museum 1206 Euclid Ave Boulder, CO 80302 Phone: (303) 449-3464 Visit Website Hours: Tues-Friday: 10-5 Sat/Sun: 12-4 Admission: Adults: $6 Seniors:  $4 Children/Students: $3 Children under 5: Free The Museum exhibits  artifacts from our collection of over 35,000 objects.

Gateway Park Fun Center

• 4800 N 28th Street
• Boulder, CO 80301
• Phone: (303) 442-4386
• Visit Website

Gateway Park is Boulder’s only complete indoor/outdoor family fun 

center. Located on 15 panoramic acres at the foothills of the Rocky 

Mountains, Gateway Park Fun Center offers fun for the entire family.

Mapleton Historic District Mapleton Hill Boulder, CO 80302 Phone: (303) 444-5192 Visit Website View the exterior of homes dating back to the late 1800’s located near the  Downtown area. Take a self-guided walking tour for free, or inquire about  a guided tour with “Historic Boulder.”

National Center for Atmospheric Research 1850 Table Mesa Dr Boulder, CO 80307 Phone: (303) 497-1174 Visit Website Free tours offered year round at the National Center for Atmospheric Research Visitor Center.  Enjoy an informative view of weather, climate, and the broad spectrum of atmospheric research.

Acquired Tastes Rafting 2053 Yarmouth Ave. Boulder, CO 80301 Phone: (303) 443-4120 Visit Website Acquired Tastes has provided safe, fun, exciting whitewater adventures on the Arkansas River  under the same ownership since 1986. All of our boats are state-of-the-art self-bailing rafts with foot.

Adventure Balloon Sports 4560 Martin Dr. Boulder, CO 80305 Phone: (303) 530-0747 Visit Website Come experience the magic of flight and enjoy spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains.  The unique perspective achieved only from the gondola of a hot air balloon allows us to truly  take in the view.

Colorado River Outfitters Association PO Box 1662 Buena Vista, CO 81211 Phone: (303) 280-2554 Visit Website Offers a directory of over 50-plus licensed Colorado river outfitters and 13 world-class river systems. In addition, many outfitters offer a combination of travel packages which include many outdoor.

Colorado Segway Tours 1931 Mapleton Ave Boulder, CO 80304 Phone: (303) 449-6754 Visit Website The Segway® is more than a product; it’s an experience unlike anything you’ve tried before.  Riders become gliding pedestrians and going from place to place is truly invigorating. Believe it or not.

Eldorado Canyon State Park

• Eldorado Springs
• Boulder, CO 80025
• Phone: (303) 494-3943
• Visit Website

Eldorado Canyon is a hidden treasure right in Boulder"s backyard! Whether it's hiking amidst the towering sandstone cliffs,  picnicking along scenic South Boulder Creek and climbing Eldo's sheer.

Boulder Fish Observatory Behind the Millennium Harvest House 1345 28th Street Boulder, CO 80302 Underwater Fish Observatory is a good diversion to check out if you have the kids with you. They can feed the fish and, if they are lucky, see carp, rainbow trout, and maybe even a cutthroat trout.

Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art 1750 13th Street Boulder, CO 80302 Phone: (303) 443-2122 Visit Website The Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art was founded in 1972 and is located in a historically  land-marked, warehouse building in the heart of downtown Boulder.

Boulder Outdoor Cinema 1750 13th Street Boulder, CO 80302 Phone: (855) BOC-YEAH Visit Website Enjoy an evening under the stars! The Boulder Outdoor Cinema is open July through August. Located directly behind the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, the cinema features pre-movies and live.

Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra Dairy Center for the Arts 2590 Walnut St. Boulder, CO 80302 Phone: (303) 449-1343 Visit Website Under the vision and leadership of Music Director Michael Butterman, theBoulder Philharmonic Orchestra is celebrating its 53rd year of reflecting all that makes Boulder special--its creativity.

Reference Site

http://www.bouldercoloradousa.com/

Colorado has always been a good place to find what you're made of.

 John Hickenlooper

 

Live, Love and Travel to create memories that will last a lifetime!