Historic Castle Hike Near Denver

“Lean on summer’s last breaths, and fall gracefully into winter.” ~Terri Guillemets

Fall is a family fave, and as temperatures cool and colors warm, Colorado is the place to be. With offerings like apple picking, leaf peeping, pumpkin patching, and Oktoberfesting…you really can’t go wrong.

Our 1st Stop: Colorado history, castles + colorful vista views!
~ Mount Falcon Castle Trail Loop ~

We chose to wander this family-friendly trail to a historical site with castle remains from the early 1900s’ Walker Mansion.

Mount Falcon Castle Trail Loop boasts views of Red Rocks Park (above).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Based on a Bavarian castle, the architectural ruins of Mr. John Brisben Walker’s dream are quite spectacular.

There exist several versions of the castle’s tale, but common fact is that the home burnt down, struck by lightening in 1918.

Researching our adventure, we were impressed with the visions and entrepreneurial success of Mr. Walker (Cosmo Magazine, Locomobile Co., Summer White House dreams, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and more!).

The tragic ending to this story gives the tale true historical intrigue.

Forging our own trail, we made some unexpected discoveries…
Geocache find behind the castle remains!!

For more information on the Mount Falcon Castle Trail Loop: AllTrails

And the Geocaching continues.

 

Cornstalkers + Corny Family Photos

It’s a favorite tradition. Pumpkins, scarecrows, hay bales, and cornstalks; we like to do this each year in the fall, and we spend a little time cyberstalking our best attacks of the season. This year, we stopped in at Anderson Farms!

We stand on, in front of, or near a prop that makes us look like we’re having fun in the chilly fall weather. The secret to this…we actually end up having fun!

This year, we didn’t have a chance to combat any zombies or break out of an escape room, but we did turn some frowns upside down and clocked the first, official Anderson Farms Smile-o-Meter smile for 2018!

Often, we stay a while, play hard, and relax in the barn with a steamy bowl of chili. This year, however, we were on the go and tried something a little different. We tailgated! Well, if sushi and Caesar salad counts as tailgating. It was also a good chance to complain about obligatory family bonding…and wearing plaid.

Childhood traumas aside, I think they had a fantastic time. When I suggested this may be Si’s last year visiting Anderson Farms, my sister gestured to a young couple and teased, “You know he’ll be back, just not with you!”

Learn more about past adventures and discover helpful tips for your next fall outing!

Four Feet to a Pig’s Nose at Anderson Farms

Mile High Farms, Fall Traditions

Anderson Farm’s aMAIZEing Fall Festival

Flat Acres Farm & “Corny” Family Traditions

What’s Your #FallFamily Tradition?

Fall Frolics with Gregory

All it took was one, long afternoon in the backcountry, and I knew he was the one.

What’s better than a city escape to a colorful hike at the peak of fall season in Colorado? Testing your NEW backpacking pack and day dreaming of upcoming mountain hut adventures, of course!

WHAT DID WE TRY?
His: Osprey Aether AG 70 Pack
Hers: Osprey Ariel 65 AG Pack

His: Gregory Baltoro 75 Pack
Hers: Gregory Deva 70 Pack

WHAT DID WE BUY?
Gregory

Both the Osprey and Gregory packs were ideal for what we were looking for. The true test: packing a little weight and giving it a trial run. The Gregory packs took the win by a small margin, and one feature we both agreed was a must-have: Gregory’s comfortable hipbelt.

Read more about these other hiking backpack options at REI.com

WHY REI?

• 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed, and they mean it 😉
• Expert advice on-site.
• The 10% member benefits are pretty cool too.

SPECIAL THANKS
ARCTERYX for styln’ sun shade!
Louisville Endurance Race Series for keeping us cool in race tech t-s.

TBT Glenwood Springs Adventure

Adventure photo remake coming soon!

Delightfully traumatizing ride down the Alpine slide.

In early spring 2011, I introduced the kids to a historic Colorado destination located in the Roaring Fork Valley near the Colorado River and Roaring Fork River: the city of Glenwood Springs. At that time, the kids were four and eight, which I assumed would make our adventure a lot less thrilling…I was wrong.

Glenwood Springs Vacation, 2011

Our stop at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, 7,100 feet above the town, included a chilling, snow flurried zip down the Alpine coster; our first 4-D movie (I wasn’t expecting all that); a “cave dark” experience in the caverns; and a recovery soak in the natural hot springs pool.

So, when I asked Noelle what she wanted to do for her upcoming 10th birthday, I should have known Glenwood Caverns was at the top of the list. This time, she wanted to do something that she has been waiting “FOREVER” [said in a most dramatic tone, of course] to do… Glenwood Cavern’s Wild Cave Tour! A two-hour extreme caving tour *with a minimum age limit of 10 years.

On the books for this weekend. I’m forecasting epic.

#GlenwoodCaverns #GlenwoodSprings

Rainbow Fish Photo Op!

Photo with a Rainbow Fish? Now this is Easter.

Easter Breakfast with the Rainbow Fish Character
Copper Mountain, Upper Conference Center – Kokopelli’s Trail
8:00am-10:00am
Family Breakfast
$25 Adults $21 Kids (ages 4-9)

Summit Sunrise Breakfast Buffet: fresh melons, pineapple, and seasonal berries. Assortment of fruit, yogurts, farm fresh scrambled eggs, Applewood smoked bacon & country style sausage links. Skillet style breakfast potatoes, waffle station, fruit preserves, and more!

Photo opp with Rainbow Fish (don’t forget your cameras), coloring station and souvenir gift for each child.

Great way to start your day before hopping along to the World’s Largest Easter Egg Hunt with 65,000 eggs in Center Village. (FREE)

 

A limited number of tickets are available. Early ticket purchase is suggested.

Hoofing It at the Horsetooth Half

Racetime Rundown:

• Date: April 23, 2017
• Time: 8:30am
• Start: Hughes Stadium, Fort Collins, CO
• Views: Pure Colorado
• Course: Challenging. Rewarding. Net Downhill
• After Party: New Belgium Brewing
• Prize Purse: $4,000

This year will be the 44th anniversary of the Horsetooth Half Marathon. This scenic 13.1 mile trek is not only one of the most beautiful, it’s also the oldest in the state of Colorado!

Top 10 Reasons to Run the Horsetooth Half 2017

10. 44th Anniversaries don’t happen every day.
9. Your New Years Resolution needs this.
8. The 500′ Monster Mountain is in the first 2 miles.
7. It’s all downhill from there.
6. #7 is not literal, but you’ve totally got this.
5. Music…on course, of course!
4. Voted Best Half in the Rocky Mtn. Region by Competitor, 2016.
3. $4K Cash Purse
2. BEER by New Belgium, for when you don’t win the $4,000.
1. You can join me :: AND my little brother – a horse of another, coming soon.

Now that I’ve convinced you, you’re going to want to start training – it helps.
Don’t worry, GnarRunners have thought of everything: Full Training Plan

 

Wondering what’s up with the horse theme this season? Me too.

photo: GnarRunners
#HorsetoothHalf #GnarRunners

Mile High Farms, Fall Traditions

Our recent visit to Anderson Farms’ pumpkin patch. This weekend: Mile High Farms’ corn maze!

Mile High Farms is deemed “A Place Only Kids Can Imagine”, so it it bad that I’m swept away at the festive fall charm?

A few popular attractions at Mile High Farms:
Whimsical dressings at the INSPIRE stage are the perfect prop for playful performances and a world of imagination, a playground of repurposed farm equipment, petting zoo, AND getting lost in the corn pit (but I generally leave this to the kids…when people are watching, ha).

NEW this year:
Horse drawn wagon rides in addition to the traditional antique tractor rides through the pumpkin patch! A “Play Your Heart Out” theme, which I will certainly take very seriously. A second corn pit, hula-hoop station, additional stage performances, a second mini straw bail maze, and of course, the main maze – inspired and designed after the Mile High Farms’ tire swings (my stop this weekend!).

$3 OFF ADMISSION! Valid Saturdays and Sundays ONLY through the month of October. Print out this coupon and redeem discount at our ticket booth. Limit 6 tickets per transaction. Not valid with any other offer.
http://www.usfamilyguide.com/nationaladmin/clientcoupons.php?bid=10946

A Candy Cabin Adventure at Beaver Creek

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Sweet Memories

A Candy Cabin destination atop a soaring, snow-covered peak; the voyage of a tiny, first-time snowboarder off to conquer a swift-moving quad chair lift; reminiscing notable firsts and unfortunate falls as our boots dangled with the tops of trees; the gratification and reward of a true-to-life ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ pillage; and the winding trek back down the mountain. It was a bittersweet farewell to another season, melting slowly into the commencement of beloved springtime adventures.

The Tale of the Candy Cabin

As the story went… there once was a cabin, brimming with confections. There were barrels of taffy, jars of gummies, tubes of chocolates, and shelves of delicious treats. However, this particular cabin was precariously placed far from reach. It required a Candy Cabin adventure to an elevation most children wouldn’t dare (without a responsible adult, a ski lesson or two, and proper winter gear that is).

The tale was alluring, and the venture intriguing. I was mostly sure that if I didn’t pack our bags right away, I might wake to find my little Hansel and Gretel trailing breadcrumbs through the forest.

“Beaver Creek is our favorite family staycation!” It’s the pitch I was given. Luckily for my adorable little negotiators, they were right – we all love Beaver Creek – and, a visit from the Auntie was in the works. Beaver Creek would be the perfect destination for our last hurrah of the season.

The Candy Cabin was everything they had dreamed, and the joy of braving the terrain to arrive safely at our destination was all part of the enchantment. The twinkle in their eyes and the giddy giggles as they hugged barrels of sweets told the stories of their hearts. I knew this was a day they wouldn’t soon forget!

The sugar rush contributed to a delirium of bravery as we sped our way safely back to the bottom of the mountain to have a relaxing patio lunch and après ski Colorado brew – the perfect toast to another amazing escape at Beaver Creek.

Beaver Creek Candy Cabin

• Top of Strawberry Park, Avon, Colorado 81620
• Operational Hours: Mon-Sun 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
• Price Range $
• Phone (970) 754-5539

Sticky Tech Trends for 2013

Longtime followers know I’m an avid fan of name stickers…much to my children’s growing dismay. Who knew there would come a day when my little sweethearts might feel they were “too old” for such obsessive labeling? So, when I recently received a full-on eye roll at the mention of a name sticker, I realized we might be growing out of those cute little camp labels and into something far better…um, yeah, I have a plan B!

Introducing: keycals!

The latest and greatest in tech trendy and the perfect balance between “too old for name labels” and “mom has issues with adhesive decor.” This product comes in a variety of styles and colors…AND was recently featured on the Today Show!

A great way to spruce up and personalize an otherwise ordinary keyboard!

Now, I”d like to say I’m going to ease up on the adhesion of names to clothing, water bottles, bikes, toys, camping chairs (yes, I said camping chairs – it’s a problem)…but, with all the adorable options this company has to offer, I’d say that is highly unlikely. Besides, my six-year-old has yet to protest…

I’m thinking pink mustaches.

Check out these and other creative products at Kidecals.com. Looking for a unique gift idea? They have that! One on my list: chalkboard stickers for the kitchen! (and you thought camping chairs were bad). The ideas are endless, and you may never lose another item again. (or when you do, you will kindly point out to your neighbor that they are in fact sitting in *your* camping chair…as per the name sticker on the bottom. lol!) #labelitdon’tloseit

Christmas Traditions Aboard the Santa Express

A train ride to the North Pole.

Christmas stories read by Elves.

A visit from Santa Claus…and a small, silver bell.
A simple reminder that:

The Magic of Christmas Lies in Your Heart.

Santa Express Train
Canon City, CO

Special thanks to the Royal Gorge Route Railroad for inviting us out!
We had a wonderful time, always!!!