All we are is just another tap on the wall

Everyone knows The Bull and Finch Pub in Boston (known as ‘Cheers’ on T.V.) as the place ‘Where everybody knows your name’. To me, that is an essential ingredient in any  place you frequent, visit once, or always hope to get to. For years living in San Antonio there was a drought for a place where you could get more than the average beer served at the ‘insert your name here’ bar on the corner. Sure, one or two places pop up here and there, but they do not have the overall atmosphere and selection that many craft beer bars on the west coast, east coast and Colorado have. Namely, an incredible selection of what many refer to as craft beer bars. Places that serve beer for those with a more refined taste of our favorite malted beverage. Read More »

Benson Park Sculpture Garden

Most families only visit Loveland, Colorado, because the town is the last stop on Highway 34 before you reach the gorgeous Rocky Mountain National Park, just 30 miles away.

Benson Park Sculpture Garden

But if you’re heading into the National Park, or simply driving through Colorado on Interstate 25, Loveland makes for an interesting stop along the way.

If for no other reason than to see the statues.

Loveland has nearly 300 pieces of public art, mostly sculptures, spread all over, in front of city buildings, dentist’s offices, schools, and private homes.  You can drive around town, playing a game of spot the statues, but I don’t recommend it if you want to keep your insurance premiums down.  Instead, go directly to where the bulk of the artwork is on permanent display, at the Benson Park Sculpture Garden.  And it doesn’t cost a thing to enjoy.

The park is a dazzling site, with over 130 sculptures of all shapes and sizes placed around three large ponds.  When I first took my kids there, their response was the usual, “Oh no, do we have to walk?”  But once they meandered down the trail and spied their first statue, a boy playing marbles with a dinosaur, they were immediately hooked.  Aching feet were completely forgotten as they discovered new surprises around ever corner.

Benson Park is in a quiet, residential area, so it feels peaceful and uncrowded.  On the cold spring day we were there, it was certainly free of people.  The morning snowfall added to the magical air of the place as we took our time walking the trails.

This is the kind of place you’ll want to have your camera ready for memorable poses of your kids with the various sculptures.  They’ll plead with you to take a picture of them with every strange and whimsical creature they see.

There are picnic tables, benches, and bathrooms, so don’t worry about how much time you spend.  We were surprised to find two hours gone by without even noticing.

Granted, we were not in any kind of hurry.  Loveland was an overnight stop for us on our way through the state.  I highly recommend the new Holiday Inn Express just off I-25, which features the usual indoor pool but with a kid-pleasing giant red water slide.

Colorado is an amazing state, with majestic mountains and stunning scenic vistas.  It’s easy to overlook the little things.  But, next time you’re traveling through the area, you’ll find it well worth your time to add Benson Park Sculpture Garden to your list of places to see.

Benson Park Sculpture Garden

Benson Park Sculpture Garden

Benson Park Sculpture Garden

All photos by Phil Corless

Glenwood Hot Springs Pool

Glenwood Springs, Colorado, is home to the world’s largest natural hot springs pool.  Perfect for those cold winter days.  Or, in our case, a blizzard-like spring day.  As the snow fell that afternoon, there was no better place for my wife and kids to be than in the balmy 98-degree water of the Glenwood Hot Springs.

A Wordless Wednesday contribution.

Photo by Phil Corless

A bridge in the Grottos Day Use area in Independence Pass, CO.

Independence Pass connects Aspen and Leadville, Colorado via State Highway 82. It is the second-highest paved highway in Colorado, reaching 12,095 feet at its highest. With a 6.5% grade and narrow switchbacks all along the road, traversing Independence Pass is an adventure in the summertime, and prohibited completely in the winter (the road is closed altogether).

The ghost town in Independence Pass, CO.

In the late 1800’s, Independence Pass was the main route into and out of the Roaring Fork Valley during its heyday as a location for silver mining. The town of Independence was established in 1879, and by 1880 was inhabited by 1,000 people. Once the silver ore was completely mined, the population dwindled until the last person moved out in 1912. The ghost town is currently an historic landmark and active archaeological site.

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Who can argue that autumn is one of the most colorful times of year?

That was a rhetorical question.

Fall is pretty, mostly because of the glorious displays put on by the fall leaves changing color.  This phenomenon occurs all over the United States, but some spots offer better views than others.  Grab your camera and a road atlas and take a day trip to one of the 11 best fall foliage sites in America.

11 Places To See Fall Leaves

Fall Leaves on Carriage Road at Acadia National Park

1.  Acadia National Park – Maine

Of course anywhere in the North East is going to boast spectacular fall foliage.  The Acadia National Park offers gorgeous views and extensive Ranger-led educational programs so that you can learn more about what you’re staring at.  Make sure to head to Bar Harbor Maine before the end of October to take full advantage of the sights and services available.

Fall Leaves at Oak Mountain State Park

2.  Oak Mountain State Park – Alabama

Oak Mountain State Park is Alabama’s largest state park.  This nearly 10,000 acre forest is featured on several sight seeing lists.  Admission is only $3 for adults on weekends and holidays.  You can visit the park for fall foliage viewing from 7am to sundown.

Fall Foliage in New Hampshire

3.  Mt. Washington – New Hampshire

While it’s typical to see fall foliage while you’re driving, the Mount offers guided cruises on the M/S Mount Washington.  Starting Sunday, September 27, the Mount will offer Fall Foliage Dinner Cruises from 4:30 to 7 p.m. each Sunday through mid-October. The cruise departs from Weirs Beach, boarding at 4 p.m. Cost for adults is$43. Visit Cruise Mount Washington for more information.

Fall Color in Colorado

4.  Aspen – Colorado

It’s no surprise that Aspen, Colorado is the perfect place to watch the Aspen trees change colors with the seasons.  San Isabel National Forest offers extensive trails for viewing of some of the most fabulous aspen trees in Colorado.

New York Fall Foliage

5.  The Catskills – New York

The Catskills and Hudson Valley region is about a two hour drive from New York City.  One of the unique features of this area is that the color changing season lasts about six weeks, with colors rivaling those of its North Eastern neighbors, Vermont and Massachusetts.

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A shot of our truck from the side of the road in Grand Teton National Park.

ONE:  Hotel patrons who arrive, unwashed and disheveled and barefoot and sometimes even in their PAJAMAS (grown-ups AND children), to partake of the hotel’s breakfast.  You’re not at home.  Groom yourself, or at least put some clothes on.

TWO: Long stretches of highway that contain nary a rest stop.  We don’t want to have to pull of at some random exit, guess at which direction to turn, and drive for an unknown distance, in order to find a restaurant or gas station or handy gully in which to do the necessary.

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We decided to extend our trip to Colorado by a day; having spent our time in a lovely condo, we wanted to up the comfort factor and really go all-out. I called the Ritz-Carlton in Beaver Creek, and arranged for a night’s stay (full disclosure: I told ‘em I was a travel writer and somewhat well-known dadblogger, and they gave us a killer deal. On a one-bedroom suite, no less.)

As a destination spot, the town of Beaver Creek was somewhat unremarkable. Like Vail, it had a prefabricated air to it, like a ski town designed by Disney engineers. But the resort! Apart from describing Peter Jackson movies based on Tolkien novels, I don’t use the word “stunning” very often, but the Ritz-Carlton – formally known as The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch - is just that.

The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch (photo courtesy of Ritz-Carlton)

I know what you’re thinking: swank. Expensive. Jack Nicholson chasing you through a hedge maze with an axe. Right on the first two, and there’s no maze (nor are there any topiary animals, for you literary types out there). Yes, the place is an AAA Five-Diamond rated resort, with the only Vail Valley spa location that boasts the “coveted Mobil Four-Stars” (per the resort’s press kit). It ain’t cheap. And you know what? That’s not a bad thing. And you know what else? If you have kids, you will absolutely get your money’s worth. Read More »

Denver is among the twenty-five most populous cities in the United States, and one of the fastest-growing cities in the past twenty years. The city boasts the country’s largest city park system, the fourth largest nature and science museum in the nation, the fourth most popular (according to the Official Visitors Guide) zoo, and the second largest arts center in the country.

The Colorado State Capitol building is surrounded by parks.

All that is nice. No offense to Denver, but after you’ve lived in New York, Denver (and almost any other city for that matter) seems like an unimpressive few blocks long. Sure it’s the Mile High City, but after the Big Apple, it’s just a cute little town. The plus side to this, on the other hand, is that it’s possible to see much of the city in just a few days-and even to walk to many of the city’s major attractions. Read More »