Christmas Time In The Rockies

     Here in the Colorado Rockies, many of our beloved communities really go all out to make this season truly feel special.  One great example of this exuberance out pour of Christmas joy is the Victorian mountain town of Georgetown and it's legendary Christmas Market.  This adorable little mountain town is located about an hours drive west of Denver and in general is a wonderful getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life.  During their annual Christmas Market, the place is decorated from head to toe in festive decor. The place is a menagerie of holly and bows, that would make The Griswold's proud.  As you walk along the snow packed streets, carolers will pass-bye singing gleeful songs of this cherished season.  While bundled up men and women meander from stall to stall looking at the plethora of handicrafts on display.  They are all in search for that truly one of a kind gift, be it hand made mittens to ornaments made out of walnut shells to Native American pottery.  This extremely busy market seems to have something for everyone.  Oh, and did I mention the food?  They have a variety of dishes, from turkey legs to green chili to funnel cakes and they even have the iconic treat of chestnuts roasting on an open fire.  If you have a sweet tooth, then stop on by The Georgetown Valley Candy Company for some of the best homemade confections around.  From there twenty different types of fudges to the best tasting chocolate flavored turtles anywhere.  For a more mature pallet, try wassail.  It is an alcoholic version of malt cider and will quickly warm up those bones from the chilly mountain air.  In fact, the town boasts a wassail crawl, which involves stops throughout this lovely hamlet to giving you the chance to try a variety of receipts of this golden delight.  Then there is the more family oriented activities like hay rides.  For a couple of dollars, you and your little ones can get on a horse drawn wagon and take a fun filled ride through this enchanting little town.  Now Christmas would not be complete without man of the hour, Father Christmas.  He strolls throughout town spreading joy to all of the little boys and girls that he meets.
     This may all seem like a tourist trap, designed to bring in revenue to a sleepy little mountain community, but to me it has always epitomized the best part of Christmas in the Colorado Rockies.


Check out this great video on Georgetown's Christmas Market:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAv_3DNTb8Y


For a great receipt for wassail, try this:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/sandra-lee/wassail-recipe/index.html

If you would like to try some of those incredible treats from The Georgetown Valley Candy Company:

http://www.shopgvcc.com/