Colorado Gold Rush
Every fall Coloradans get to enjoy a different kind of gold rush, the turning of the aspen leaves. Do yourself a favor
if you are anywhere near Colorado, hop into the car and get yourself to where the aspens grow. I can assure you it will not only be worth the trip, but will lift your spirits and tickle your senses.
We found the best route to take for optimum viewing of the aspens was Highway 285 through Conifer, to Buena Vista, then onto Twin Lakes and over Independence Pass to Aspen.
Driving this way the road is shrouded with brilliantly colored aspens. Mountain vistas of slightly snow capped peaks and the ever-changing sky are delightful to the eye.
We left at the last minute on Saturday and managed to get into Aspen just after dark. Had we planned better, it would have been nice to cross Independence Pass in the daylight. Instead I had the shear delight of photographing an old red barn with farm equipment at the day’s last light. It was shear serendipity.
As I readied to hop in the car I glanced to the west just in time to see the brilliantly violet, red sun setting over the golden aspens. A perfect ending to a perfect day.
Our luck stayed with us as we pulling into the charming town of Aspen and found the very last room at the Innsbruck Hotel. It was a new room with hot tub in the front of the hotel and a steam shower in our private bath. After a soak and a steam we were reduced to Gumby that night! Aspen is the place to go for pampering.
The next morning we were up and out to catch first light at the intended destination, Maroon Bells. It was a perfect morning as the sun came up over the peaks of North America’s most photographed mountain. I got a nice photo, but you can tell I was half asleep when I took it. After all the postering for a position with the many photographers on the shoreline, I still managed not to see the group of photographers off to the right in my frame. DUH!
Just the same, one can tell why this is a favorite spot for photographers and nature lovers alike!
If you go, don’t forget to bring $10 per car to enter the park. It’s a small price to pay to preserve this beauty.
Later that morning while it was still early for the rest of the world, we enjoyed a fabulous breakfast at the Main Street Bakery in Aspen. The restaurant offered a wonderful breakfast and we could see why the customers didn’t mind waiting for their turn as we left. Getting up early has it’s benefits.
We left Aspen traveling back over Independence Pass with a quick stop at the ghost town of Independence I will forever marvel at the bravery and fortitude of our ancestors who came here in search of gold. They blazed a path for us to follow, how they did it will always amaze me. The high country of Independence is magnificent and brutal.
Our entire trip took just over 24 hours. Living in Colorado has it’s advantages, in a moments notice we can pack our bags in search of adventure, yet still be home ready to go back to work on Monday.
Life is good!
HBA Parade of Homes 2008
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Each year custom builder’s put forth their best efforts to showcase the latest styles and building trends. What could be better than to experience European Charm blended into new world-Colorado convenience only minutes from downtown?
My daughter who is also a Denver Realtor and I spent a rainy week day afternoon touring the Parade of Homes. We figured the best time to go would be when others might be put off by the weather. Not so! Despite our best planning, the Parade was still very busy. The ticket lady told us 90,000 people will tour these homes. After visiting for myself and totally enjoying this year’s offering, I can see why so many people visit the HBA Parade of Homes!
An abundance of luxury details like stone columns, arches, wine terraces with overhead grape arbors, interior courtyards with firepits, hearth rooms, caterer’s kitchen, au pair suites and flex spaces are showcased. The old world theme was illustrated with natural finishes and luxurious textures.
I loved all the outdoor living space offerings. The Villa di Vita great room’s glass wall opened to the outside covered living space. It makes perfect sense to me to be able to let the outside in, Colorado’s weather and lack of bugs makes this design work! Of course having a stunning view of Red Rocks and the foothills is an added plus!
Il Campanile had multiple outdoor living spaces. One was a sunken courtyard at the basement level. It was cozy and as my daughter mentioned, the wind would not bother you there. Brilliant indeed!
Much of the charm in these lovely homes came from reclaimed products; an old barn in Pennsylvania, wood beams from France, a 150 year-old French Bombay window and lodge pine cabinetry. In accordance with modern building standards the homes are all certified Built Green Colorado.
The setting is very special, located on the westside of Denver in Jefferson County just off E-470 and Alameda. Living here in the shadow of the foothills one will never cease to be thrilled by the beauty and convenience to Downtown Denver and the mountains. The entire neighborhood is going to have the old-world charm. No doubt as the sun sets over the Rocky Mountains the homes will be bathed in the very same golden light of Tuscany.
Sigh. (note to self: don’t forget to buy lotto tickets!) For those who enjoy photos, I’ve created a slide show of our rainy day visit. Photo Tour of Denver HBA Parade of Homes.
Labor Day Weekend is the last weekend before the Parade of Homes closes. Hurry up, before you are too late!
FYI the eight HBA Builders offering custom homes at Solterra are:
9 One 5 Custom Homes ~ La Belle Maison
Ades Design Builders ~ Casa Vecchio e Nuovo
Brookline Homes ~ Il Campanile
Cline Design Group ~ Bella Vista
Element Custom Builders ~ Sede Felice
Gregg Design Custom Builders ~ La Bella Vita
Wall Custom Homes ~ The Villa di Vita
Waterstone Homes Colorado ~ La Maison des Vues
Tornadoes Touchdown
Last night Larry announced he was going up to the top of the ridge because there was a tornado watch in Douglas County. Of course I wasn’t going to let him have all that fun alone, so I grabbed the camera bag and joined him.
On the way to I-25 he decided it would be a good idea to fill up the gas tank, since it was registering empty. As much as I hated to waste time, we stopped for fuel. Running out of gas while storm chasing or worse being chased by a storm would be a real bummer!
As we pulled into the Conoco in Lone Tree, we saw it.
A long tall skinny funnel cloud was touching the ground just to the SE of us. It was huge. Yes, it was a real tornado!
I fumbled around grasping for my Canon while watching in awe and surprise.
Last time I saw a tornado in Douglas County, I didn’t even know I was watching one. It was a big, black nasty square cloud, not a neat, trim funnel. Today’s tornado was a classic. There was no wondering what it was.
Luckily but at the same time disappointing, the funnel dissipated into thin air. Gone.
I never got time to snap a shot. Darn!
When the gas tank filled up, we took of to Surrey Ridge to hang out and see if we could spot another one. The clouds were swirling and churning, but the real show was over. The temperature had dropped 30 degrees and the elements that create a tornado were gone.
We weren’t the only storm chasers on the road. There were many others out taking in the views. The most interesting and scary were the news helicopters in the air. I would love to have a seat in one of them…what a bird’s eye view.
Maybe in my next life…
Enjoy the storm chaser photos, but keep in mind this really isn’t “normal” for Colorado. We aren’t known as tornado alley!
Visit this link to learn more about Tornado Safety.
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- News Copters were everywhere!
Denver Welcomes the DNC
Downtown Denver is welcoming the delegates, candidates, media and others to the city tonight. Not wanting to miss
out on the scene, we took a drive tonight before the street closures are to begin.
A stranger to the city with no prior knowledge of the event would not remain in the dark for long. The city is bustling with people, and most obvious the police force. They are out patrolling in cars, on foot, on mountain bikes, and motorcycles. Every block is covered, not by one or two officers but groups all decked out with riot gear.
I hope they don’t get to use it.
In the effort to secure the venues, fences are now surrounding
Fences now surround the venues. It’s so sad to have to obscure the beauty. Of course some delightful soul placed a few dozen red and white roses on the fence, turning an eyesore into art of a sort. Now if someone could just paint those big monster dump trucks blocking the entrance the view would be further improved!
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- Welcome To Denver DNC!
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- Democratics in a window display
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- Police on Mountain Bikes
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- Colorado Convention Center
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- Pepsi Center behind chain link fence
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- The Blogger Tent
To our very special visiting guest, I hope you enjoy your stay while having the time of your life. Please look beyond the security mess and know you are probably in the safest place on earth this week.
Rocky Mtn. Balloon Festival
Once again summer is nearing an end and the Rocky Mountain Balloon Festival comes to Chatfield. Beginning Friday,
August 21, 2008 for 3 days this colorful and fun festival will offer live music, a car show and other activities throughout the day. Vendors are present to sell food, refreshments and of course souvenors of the event.
The Event starts early, 6:30 - 8:00 a.m. with a Media Mass Ascension Flight. Saturday at dusk is a wonderful “Lites in the Nite” balloon illumination. By the way the Festival is free, but to enter Chatfield State Park there is a $7 fee, unless of course you have a Colorado State Parks Pass.
Mark you calendar now, I’ll see you in the park!
Donkeyization of Denver
Ever since the DNC announced Denver as the 2008 location for the Democratic National Convention, a Paul Revere-like mantra has been running through my mind.
“The Democrats are coming! The Democrats are coming!”
Oddly enough my good friend Teresa Boardman who sells St. Paul Real Estate has a similar issue. The opposition Republican Party is meeting in her town. Teresa, also known for her wonderful photography posted a photo entitled “The Elephantization of St. Paul” thus providing inspiration for this post.
The past months leading up to date have been filled with a flurry of planning, much like the pre-prepartation for that hallowed mother-in-law’s visit, Denver has been cleaning, planning preparing and fretting. The Democratic National Convention in size is not a large convention, but it’s the reality of having the world’s eye focus on our beautiful mile-high town that has everyone at attention.
I must say, last week I was downtown and it is looking very nice! The flowers are in full bloom, the red, white and blue banners are hanging fresh to welcome visitors. Obviously all the fretting and planning is paying off.
I had to chuckle at the news piece last night, a local beauty salon donated their services to groom the homeless. Obviously someone somewhere feels a need to beautify even our unsolvable unsightly homeless problem even if only for a few days.
The only tension it seems comes from the obligatory protest groups who seem to follow limelight where ever they can steal it. They and the local police are bound to tangle sooner or later. I wonder what the purpose other than to make trouble for trouble’s sake? It seems to me the effort would be better spent on making a difference in a positive way, think gandi or Mandela. Just saying…
Transportation issues are of concern to the locals, many who will need to get to work each day as normal. Mayor Hickenlooper has committed to making the trip much the same as normal, but that remains to be seen! Lucky for us there will be 1000 FREE bicycles available to those who are slick enough to sign up quick. Humana and Bikes Belong are bringing the bikes to Denver and then on to the Twiin Cities the following weeks.
I’ve toured cities all over the world via bike. As far as I’m concerned seeing a city from the seat of a bicycle offers more interesting reward than any other sort of transportation. Besides getting you there quicker you work up a worthy appetite! Considering all the food carts on the street and restaurants stocked with the finest food available, a hearty appetite is a good thing!
DNC Convention Activities
Aside from the normal Colorado sight seeing activities always available to visitors, many other special activities have been planned. A traveling exhibition that promises an interesting and educational time for young and old is the nonpartisan American Presidential Experience . Visitors will be able to view a replica of Air Force One, look through the window of the Presidential Limousine or sit at the desk in the Oval Office.
The Green Frontier Fest begins the day prior to the Democratic convention, at Sculpture Park on the west side of the Denver Performing Arts Complex, Speer side. There will be a farmers’ market, displays on renewable technologies and ways to protect the environment at home.
There will be several Green Tours highlighting renewable energy during the convention.
DNC Mementos
There will be no shortage of souvenirs to stuff into the suitcase home. My favorite so far is the Dems Do Denver collection of goodies presented by Denver artists. Be sure to take a peek at the darling Donkeys in typical Denver activities. They are all so cute, it’s hard to pick just one favorite! They can be ordered online or purchased in person at the Tattered Cover in Lodo or on Colfax.
The last time Denver hosted the Democratic National Convention was in 1908, 100 years ago. At that time the highlight of the convention was when loads of snow was hauled in from the mountains for the delegates to enjoy a snowball fight.
Somehow I think that was just another way to let off steam, perhaps we should outfit the delegates and the demonstrators with a few tons of Colorado’s finest powder and let them have at each other…
May the best donkey win!
Colorado Living
Between work, traveling for work and my recent foot surgery, I’ve been very lax in posting to the blog. Just so everyone knows, I’m still alive and kickin!
Last Sunday we took a drive to the mountains where I got some great mountain flower shots. To find this scene, take I-70 to the top of Vail Pass. Exit and follow the road over Shrine Pass. You will be delighted by the many changing mountain scenes. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Here’s one…
Living in Colorado has it’s rewards. 
Things to do
Tomorrow is Friday, it’s actually Thursday, but since the real Friday is the 4th of July we get to make Thursday our Friday for the week. Ha ha! Holiday weekends are always better when the week-end means a 3 days off. What are you going to do with your 3 days off?
The choices in Denver metro are many. Fourth of July Fireworks will be dotting the city from the mountains to the plains.
My all-time favorite is the Cherry Creek Arts Festival. If you’ve never been this one is a must. As far as Art Festivals go, the 3-day Cherry Creek Arts Festival is the Grand-Daddy of them all and it is free!
Friday night is “First Friday” so if fireworks aren’t enough for you, take a stroll down Santa Fe in Denver. You will be amazed at the diversity and talent found in this emerging art district.
Do you crave some outdoor action? Head for the hills…fish, hike, ATV, climb, picnic, cycle, fly, photograph or just relax and contemplate your navel. Whatever makes you happy you will find it somewhere in Colorado this weekend.
So who needs to leave home?
Real Estate Undressed
Thank you Larry from Real Estate Undressed! It is always nice to be recognized and this week one of my photos was honored!
This tenacious tree was found along the Mt. Evans highway, the highest paved road in North America. It is a spectacular drive and only a few minutes from downtown Denver. Just go west on I-70 to Idaho Springs, turn at the second exit and follow the signs to Mt. Evans. Its up. Very up!
Why not make a day of it, pack a lunch and stop along the way to enjoy the view. At the top of the mountain it is very common to see Big Horn Sheep, Rocky Mountain Goats, Marmots, Ptarmigan and a variety of other birds. Of course the view of the Colorado mountain range is worth the trip alone!
If you have time, stop at the Echo Lake Lodge and watch the Humming Birds through the window and munch on some tasty homemade pie. Yum!
Living in Colorado has it’s benefits…why not enjoy them soon…
P.S. If you look hard you will find this tree! 
Taste of Lone Tree
Mark you calendars now! This weekend is the first annual Lone Tree Art and Food Festival. Starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday & Sunday, continuing to 5 p.m. each day, visitors will have the opportunity to munch on samples from 30 of Lone Tree’s restaurants.
The event will be held in the parking lot of TREO on Quebec. Artists from Parker, Castle Rock and Lone Tree will be presenting their artwork.
This fun event is sponsored by the Lone Tree Chamber of Commerce and the Parker Artists Guild. Hope to see you there! (I’ll be the one behind the Canon)
This site brought to you by Kristal Kraft, a licensed Colorado Real Estate Broker
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