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Mouse potatoes its time to get high, go fast and use your wrists for something else. After days on end of computering to the point of numbness there is nothing better than to hop in the the car for a day trip to the mountains.
Living at the foot of America’s playground offers many delightful outdoor sports. Some are harder than others but in Colorado there is a sport for everyone.
Today I took my visiting family to Grand Lake, located about 2.5 hours from Denver. This time of year the only way to get there from here is over Berthoud Pass and the Continental Divide (elevation 11,207) thru Winter Park, Fraser and Granby.
Winter playground it is. We took the obligatory photos on top of Berthoud, standing next to The Sign, then it was downhill to Winter Park. Just north of town, we saw 3 dogsleds running in a snow field with a snow covered peak as a backdrop. The site was so beautiful I nearly drove into oncoming traffic (not recommeded). The dogs were off and running before I was able to pull my Canon out, darn another great shot got away!
We continued on to Grand Lake, the Snowmobile Capitol of Colorado. Known for its fabulous 300 mile trail system, Grand Lake is at the western entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Our party of six, geared up on three double snowmobiles. The rules are, licensed drivers only. Children depending on their age can either ride for free or a small additional fee. The cost was less than $275 for us and it included the technical clothing, helmets and boots. After a few minutes of instructions, we were off in a dull roar.
Now I must tell you, not all in our party were experienced riders. Two out of the three drivers had motocross experience, the inexperienced driver was also the only one who did not dump the machine. (that would be me
Trail riding was very friendly, the route was well signed so we had a general idea of where we were most of the time. The side trails were narrow and some were steep, providing additional challenge for those wanting to be wild. For the most part I found the experience to be easy enough for a gentle driver to enjoy without too much fear.
The driver controls the speed on the handle bar by squeezing the accelerator. As soon as it is released the machine slows down. The brake is on the opposite handle bar. Since there is no foot clutch, operating this powerful machine was extremely easy.
One must keep in mind several things. You can get into danger by turning on a slope. Yup, I watched the motocross guy (my little brother) dump the machine by turning too soon. I was schooled on his experience, but even without watching his goof, I doubt that I ever would do that, its against my natural instinct!
The trails get worn into lateral moguls creating a roller coaster effect. This is fun at a medium speed, the machine bounces causing me to feel like I’m on a bucking bronco. My biggest fear was to lose my 13 year old neice off the back end and not know it. She was a trouper and held on tight, we managed to arrive together all the time.
We also discovered not to get into situations that require "reverse." Although the machine was equipted with a reverse gear, we never did figure out how that worked. It was easier for my brawny brothers to physically turn the thing around. Next time we vowed to pay better attention at instruction time!
Our tour took us into Rocky Mountain National Park and up to the timberline. We had a great sunny day with temps in the 30’s, at times it was almost too hot dressed in the rented gear. The views along the way are nothing short of spectacular.
If you are looking for a good time, I would suggest you try snowmobiling. Even as a novice, I can say snowmobiling is a great way to experience Colorado in the wintertime. Using your normal driving skills, some common sense, a few dollars and a day off you will create a memorable experience, one you will be anxious to repeat.
Don’t forget your camera.
Posted by
kristal on
February 12th, 2007
Denver has had more than its share of snow. Even though it’s been fairly warm for a couple weeks now, we still are looking at snow. It just can’t melt fast enough.
Sunday it was so warm. I made the mistake of wearing a fleece, it was just too hot.
I ran around town taking photos all the while wishing I could be on the golf course. This time of year is a great time to hit some balls. Swinging a club helps compensate for the spring that’s just not here yet.
Well, I suppose I could have hit a few balls. Trouble is, I’d never be able to find them again…
Melt, please melt.
Posted by
kristal on
February 11th, 2007
The New York Times had a real estate technology section today (Sunday). I was featured in an article entitled, "Forget Gimmicks: Buyers Want Numbers." The author Rebecca Fairley Raney found my website www.kristalsellsdenver.com when she was researching the article. Impressed with the information and maps provided, she called to talk to me. It was fun discussing my "baby" who turns ten years old this year!
I built the site in 1997 at a time when there weren’t too many real estate websites around. My attitude then as it is now, is to provide the consumer with as much information as possible. I enjoy helping my buyers find the right home in a neighborhood that fits their lifestyle. Providing information is the first step in a successful house hunting expedition.
My philosophy is atypical to traditional sales methods. My business is not "sales" but information. When a transferee needs to know where to start looking for a home, they want help, not hindrance. Coming to a brand new area means learning so much at once. Helping people sift through what is important and not is part of the relocation process.
Providing the right information means the difference between being able to make a decision with confidence or wasting time trying to figure the city out on your own.
Here’s to ten years of helping people make INFORMED decisions.
Posted by
kristal on
February 9th, 2007
January 2007
Metro Denver Prices:
Metro Denver Prices:
Single Family Average Price: (Detached Dwelling) |
  |
Jan 2007 |
$297,368 |
  |
  |
Dec 2006 |
$321,524 |
  |
  |
Jan 2006 |
$306,982 |
Condo Average Price: (Attached Dwelling) |
  |
Jan 2007 |
$170,440 |
  |
  |
Dec 2006 |
$180,084 |
  |
  |
Jan 2006 |
$192,271 |
Combined Average Price: |
  |
Jan 2007 |
$266,066 |
  |
  |
Dec 2006 |
$291,495 |
  |
  |
Jan 2006 |
$280,554 |
Percent of Sales Price Change:
from January 2006 to Janaury 2007 |
  |
Single Family: |
-3.13% |
  |
  |
Condo: |
-11.35% |
  |
  |
Combined |
-5.16% |
Total Combined Number of Homes for Sale: |
  |
Jan 2007 |
24,350 |
  |
  |
Dec 2006 |
24,534 |
  |
  |
Jan 2006 |
24,387 |
Percent of Change in Available Inventory: (Jan 2006 vs. Jan 2007) |
  |
  |
-0.15% |
Number of Combined Homes Sold this month |
  |
Jan 2007 |
3,540 |
vs. previous month |
  |
Dec 2006 |
3,104 |
vs. same month last year |
  |
Jan 2006 |
2,843 |
Average days on Market: (Combined Sales) |
| Jan 2007 |
120.45 |
  |
  |
Dec 2006 |
113.34 |
  |
  |
Jan 2006 |
109.14 |
Absorption Rate: (number of weeks necessary to sell current combined inventory at current rate of sales)
|
  |
Jan 2007 |
29.81 weeks |
  |
  |
Dec 2006 |
34.25 weeks |
  |
  |
Jan 2006 |
37.17 weeks |
Median Sold Price:Single Family |
|
Jan 2007 |
$236,000 |
  |
  |
Dec 2006 |
$247,500 |
  |
  |
Jan 2006 |
$245,000 |
Condo |
  |
Jan 2007 |
$154,900 |
  |
  |
Dec 2006 |
$150,000 |
  |
  |
Jan 2006 |
$155,000 |
Posted by
kristal on
February 5th, 2007
After 43 days of snow on the ground (or whatever the count is now) I’ve contracted a serious case of spring fever. My fever hit me while catching up on my reading of the Sunday Denver Post.
You see yesterday was the announcement of the Ride the Rockies Tour. This fun bicycle tour is something to look forward too every year. For some reason, this year’s tour is more appealing to me. Going from Frisco to Frisco over 422 miles in the course of a week, the tour will climb only 4 peaks. One of them is Independence pass at an altitude of 12,095 feet. Out of the 4 passes, its the only one I’ve never climbed…on a a bike that is.
Did I mention the tour is run on a "lottery" basis? Yes, due to its extreme popularity and limited space, the Post takes deposits for the tour and the winners will be notified of their success by email on March 16, 2007.
Yes, spring fever is with me. The Tour is tempting me, but the roads aren’t ready to ride on. We’ll be lucky if we can ride on them by March. Bikes & ice aren’t nice.
It’s downstairs to the stationary bike for me. Hoohumm…boring!
<The Ride the Rockies Tour is open to anyone…even those who are so lucky as to live in Colorado. Enjoy the photo gallery and if you decide to move here…call me! I sell Denver!>
Posted by
kristal on
February 5th, 2007
North of Stapleton, at the site of what was once the runways for Denver’s Denver Airport is a new shopping district called Northfield. Developed like all the new "malls" this outdoor shopping area is really a mall turned inside out. The stores line the boulevard with sidewalks, trees and lovely landscaping, just like an old town square. At Northfield you will find all the upscale stores and restaurants needed to fill an hour or two or all day.
Tonight we decided to try the Islamorada Restaurant located next to the incredible Bass Pro Store. Oh my, what a place this is! The restaurant is known for its seafood. The impressive 13,000 gallon fish tank will entertain everyone from tots to Gramps. The fish are mesmerizing and wonderful to watch. The food, well let’s just say it was excellent. Vali & I shared the Wasabi Tuna Steak, encrusted in seasame seeds and cooked to perfection. Hubby’s Seafood Pasta was full of shrimp and oh so yummy. We all loved the fresh baked bread for starters and since we shared our dinner, we were entitled to share desert too! A sizzling hot fresh from the oven chocolate cookie with ice cream and a Key Lime Pie in its own cup. All were so good in fact I forget to take a photo until…well desert arrived! Sorry, next time I promise not to forget!
If you plan to make the trip, take time to visit the Bass Pro Store. I don’t care if you never set a foot outside in the great outdoors, you will enjoy this store. They have even bigger live fish, and a whole parade of animals offering photographic opportunities for everyone.
Enjoy!
Posted by
kristal on
February 1st, 2007
Colorado regained its place as one of the top 10 fastest-growing states this year, thanks to an influx of residents from other states. A U.S. Census Bureau report shows that Colorado’s population rose 1.9 percent to 4,753,377 people between July 2005 and July 2006. That was the eight-highest growth rate in the United States. Last year, the state was 11th. Since the 2000 census, Colorado has grown by 10.5 percent, ranking eighth national ally. At that pace, it should reach 5 million people by 2010, according to projections by the state demographer’s office.
Relocation to Denver, Colorado