Top Of The World: Trail Ridge Road

Alluvial Falls In Rocky Mountain National Park

    As a long time resident of Colorado, I have seen some truly remarkable sites, but for me, nothing can rival the sheer majesty of Trail Ridge Road.  It takes you from the lush forests and peaceful meadows to roughed peaks and formidable tundra.  Here you can truly see the Rocky Mountains at there best.

     Trail Ridge Road begins in the touristy, but fun town of Estes Park.  This is a great place to stock up on supplies, to shop at one of the many souvenir shops along the main drag, or you can enjoy a succulent elk burger in one of the cute little restaurants that permeate this well visited town.  Once you get your tourist bug worked through, then head into Rocky Mountain National Park.  This massive park (415 square miles) is home to over 72 named peaks 12,000 ft. above sea level, including the legendary Longs Peak (14,259 ft.).  As you wander through this majestic park you will quickly realize that over one third of it is above 11,400 ft. in elevation.  So be prepared for cold climates, high altitudes and unpredictable weather.  In fact, the last time I traveled to the top of this amazing trail, was in June and it snowed on me.  So always be aware of the constant changing climate.

     As you begin your ascent to the top of the pass you will stumble across spectacular waterfalls and pristine lakes.  This is a wonderful opportunity to spot white tailed deer, big horn sheep and the ever impressive North American elk.  In fact, if you come here in September and October you can hear the male elk's bugling to attract female.  It is truly a sight or more appropriately, a sound to behold.  Besides these massive land mammals, Rocky Mountain National Park has a large population of black bears, mountain lions, wolves, foxes, coyotes, eagles, hawks, and so much more.  In the last couple of decades, The Department of Wildlife has began to introduce lynx, wolverines and moose back into this incredible woodland.  So after you have spotted several of these amazing wild creatures, head higher up.

 

     As you increase in elevation, you will notice that the trees begin to get more and more sparse as the views become even more spectacular.  In the sub alpine area of the park, the drop offs are vast and you can view the valley below.  These picturesque views points can provide you with some real perspective on how high you are up and how far you have traveled.  As you proceed up the road, you will emerge in the alpine tundra.  This is a land that is covered in small plants and brightly colored flowers as well as cool breezes and patches of snow that last the year round.  Here you can see adorable yellow-bellied marmots scrounging for food and see massive glaciers slowly eroding the mountains before your very eyes.  For those who do not know, this is the highest paved road in North America and once you finally reach the summit, 12,183 feet above sea level, you will feel like you have reached the absolute top of the world!

     Once you have taken that last picture at the summit, begin your decent to the bottom.  As you head west, you will drop dramatically in elevation.  Within a five mile stretch you will literally decrease your elevation by 2,000 feet.  Besides the intense drop of in elevation, it will also place you on the other side of The Continental Divide.  This means that every drip of water that you will now encounter is heading to The Pacific Ocean, instead of east towards the Mississippi River.  You will now find yourself back in a thick woodland.  This is the place to look for moose.  These incredible animals were once hunted to extinction in Colorado, but due to The Department of Wildlife, they have made a remarkable comeback.  Nowadays, there are several hundred moose found in these thick woods.  So as you continue your journey down this legendary road, keep a lookout for these massive and majestic animals. 

     Finally, you will arrive in the cute resort town of Grand Lake.  This is a wonderful place to grab a bite to eat, and reminisce over the sites and experiences that you just have witnessed.  Most visitors to Trail Ridge Road will tell you that this is more than just a scenic ride into the mountains, but is a chance to see some amazing things and provide you with the opportunity to experience what the Colorado Rockies are all about.

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The T.S.A. Actually Has A Brain!

     I want to personally thank The T.S.A. (Transportation Security Administration) for coming to their senses.  As my devoted fans may recall, a few months ago I went on a rant about how insane The T.S.A. was for allowing knifes of six inches or less on board commuter flights.  My concern was for the safety of passengers around the world.  I was worried, because these blades that they were going to allow on commercial airlines, were longer than the ones that were used in the 911 tragedy, and who would ever want a repeat of this horrific event.  I am a realist, and know that terrorists will do whatever is necessary to accomplish their devious goals, but why give these individuals any unnecessary ways to cause chaos and destruction to innocent bystanders.  I know that this is a small matter in the fight against terrorism, but I am so relieved to know that The T.S.A has finally come to their senses, and has decided to keep the status quo on their original policy. Thus, there will not be any knifes of any type or size allowed on commercial planes.  This is just another way to keep the bad guys from doing horrible things to unsuspecting travelers.  So again, I would like to commend The T.S.A. on this great decision and the work they preform on a day to day basis. 

My original article about knives on a plane:

http://thriftyadventure.blogspot.com/2013/03/knives-on-plane.html

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Aspen: It's Not Just A Playground For The Rich And Famous

  When people think of Aspen, they typically envision "the good life".  You know, wealthy heiresses cruising around in luxurious European sports cars and beautiful people sipping on glasses of chilled Dom Perignon in lavish ski chalets. And you would not be too far off the mark on that. Aspen is home to some of the most wealthy and influential individuals on Earth, but it also has a more casual side. This week we will be highlighting activities that just about anyone can afford. This way even a person on a budget can enjoy this delightful piece of Rocky Mountain paradise.

     So for a person on a budget, what does Aspen have to offer?  Well, you might be surprised, because there is a plethora of inexpensive and even free activities that the whole family will really enjoy.  If you are into the whole shopping experience, then Aspen is the place for you.  From Coach to Rolex to Versace, they have every high end store imaginable, and of course it costs nothing to do a little bit of window shopping.  If you do not have a trust fund to blow on the newest handbag, then checkout The Aspen Saturday Market.  This fun, open aired market, features locally grown fruits and vegetables as well as specialty foods, adorable handicrafts, and live music.  Speaking of live music, Aspen is home to The JAS Festival (Jazz, Aspen, Snowmass).  Here you can see some of the biggest names in music perform live.  If you are in town during the summer months and are up for some free music in an idyllic location, then take the gondola to the top of Aspen Mountain.  Every Saturday and Sunday they have free concerts, at it's summit.  What could be better than listening to some good music, while taking in some breath taking views of the valley below?  If you are interested in developing your inner core, then partake in the free yoga classes held daily at the sun deck.  For those art lovers out there, swing by The Aspen Art Museum to see the latest works on exhibition.  Here you can view some cutting edge work from around the globe, and not have to spend a dime to see it,  If you are a history buff, then take the Aspen Walking Tour.  It can give you a unique perspective on how this little mining town has been transformed into a magnet for the worlds elite.  If you are in search of some serenity, then head down to The John Denver Sanctuary at The Rio Grande Park.  This is without a doubt, the most tranquil place in this vibrant town.  For those of you who do not know who John Denver is, he was a legendary musician and a long time resident of Aspen.  He was heavily inspired by the majestic mountains that surround this great town, and you can see them for yourself as you head just outside of town on Highway 82 thru Independence Pass.  This stretch asphalt does an excellent job showcasing what Colorado is known for, spectacular rock formations and a sea of Aspen trees as far as the eye can see.

     If you are in need of refueling, then you are in luck, because Aspen is a foodie Mecca.  There are over 100 restaurants within Aspen's city limits, and they have something for every type of pallet and pocket book imaginable.  These dens of culinary delights can range from an elegant Michelin rated dining experience to an amazing little hole in the wall that would make Guy Fieri proud.  In fact, the best sandwich I have ever had the pleasure of consuming was at Johnny McGuire's Deli.  This quirky little dive, is immensely popular with the locals and with incredible flavor and reasonable prices, how can you blame them?

The Free Iron Willy At Johnny McGuire's Deli

 

     So for anyone who says that Aspen is only a playground for the extremely wealthy, I would adamantly disagree with them and suggest that they take a closer look.  Aspen has something for everyone and any budget.

For Johnny McGuire's official site:

www.johnnymcguires.com/aspen/

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thriftyadventure1@gmail.com

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Mona, Your Smile Has Never Shined So Bright

   Have you ever stood in awe of The Mona Lisa. You know, that perplexing and enigmatic smile that has captivated art lovers for generations. If you have, then you might be interested to know that this Renaissance lady has undergone a major makeover. Last week, The Musee du Louvre has announced that they have installed a series of 32 LED lights to accent this legendary painting. This specially crafted lighting system by Toshiba, is designed to reveal the original hues and to highlight it's natural colors, the way that Leonardo da Vinci had initially intended. Besides returning Mona, her bright and vivid colors, Toshiba's lighting system can adjust to the surrounding environment. So this 400 year old masterpiece will look spectacular day and night. Oh, and if you are afraid that this lighting system will distort, deteriorate, or damage this iconic work of art, then put your mind at ease. That's because Toshiba's cutting edge technology filters out all of those harmful ultraviolet and infrared light, and thus will safeguard this impeccable artistic treasure from any damage. So rest assured that the next time you visit the lady with the unique smile, she will not only be around, but will look absolutely amazing.

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Glenwood Hot Springs: A Relaxing Way To Spend The Day!

  There is nothing quite like a relaxing soak in some steaming hot water.  It just has a way of soothing the muscles and making those day to day troubles just disappear.  Toss in some brisk mountain air and some spectacular views of the surrounding canyon and you simply have "Heaven on Earth" or as the locals call it,    Glenwood Hot Springs. For over 125 years, these incredible natural springs have been attracting visitors from around the globe. Is it the fact that Glenwood has the world's largest hot springs pool or is it the 15 different naturally occurring minerals in the water, and their remarkable curative properties. Either way, these pools are always full of fun loving visitors, taking in these warm relaxing waters. That is when they are not enjoying the other amenities that Glenwood Hot Springs has to offer. Be it a tension reliving holistic message, or a facial treatment to make you look years younger, Glenwood's critically acclaimed spa has plenty of ways to refresh the body. For those weary travelers who are interested in spending the night, then you can stay in The Glenwood Lodge. They have 107 modern and comfortable rooms and offer you free use of the hot springs as well as their other amenities.  If you are looking for a good workout or a way to burn off that free continental breakfast, then checkout Glenwood's athletic club, where you can break a sweat on their state of the art workout equipment or go head to head on one of their immaculate racket ball courts. They even have morning pilates and yoga classes for those who need to refine their inner cores. Now, if you are looking for activities for the whole family, then checkout their mini golf course or take a plunge down one of their death defying water slides. Either way, the whole family is going to have a great time at The Glenwood Hot Springs!

For Glenwood Hot Springs' official website: www.hotspringspool.com/swim

For any questions, comments, or suggestions, then contact us at thriftyadventure1@gmail.com

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Disneyland, The Priciest Place On Earth!

    If you are planning on screaming your lungs out on Magic Mountain or taking a relaxing boat ride, while singing along to "It's a small world after all", then be prepared to spend more than usual.  This year Disney has decided to increase it's costs for general admission to all of their theme parks.  The next time you are on "The Left Coast", you will find that Disneyland will now cost you $92 a day for an adult ticket, and for those little "Mouseketeers", children from three to nine years of age, you will have to shell out $86 per ticket. This constitutes a five dollar per ticket increase from the previous year. Oh, and those East Coast fans are not exempt either to these price increases. Disney World will now cost you $95 and $89 respectively. So why the six percent increase? Is it because of inflation, you know Jack Sparrow's bullets and Cinderella's beauty aids are not getting any cheaper, or is it the fact that Universal Studios just bumped up their rates in time for Summer Break (they now charge $92 for an adult and $86 for child).   Regardless of which, the kid inside of us all will have to fork over more to get to see "the happiest place of Earth".

For more on Disneyland and their attractions, than checkout their website at disneyland.disney.go.com

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Hammonds Candy

Hanging Out At Hammonds Candy Factory, In Denver Colorado

     I don't know about you, but I have a sweet tooth.  Who am I kidding, every ounce of my being craves sweets.  I have even caught myself at night, dreaming of them.  This obsession covers the gambit, from the rich chocolate of a candy bar to the creamy whip topping on my cafe mocha frappuccino, I simply love sweets.  So imagine my delight as I entered the doors of Hammonds Candy Factory.  I was quite literally "like a kid in a candy store" or in my situation, like a travel writer in a candy factory!

     Hammonds has been around for a very long time. In fact, they have been crafting delectable treats since 1920 and have slowly become an institution here in The Mile High City.  Hammonds Candies produces everything a sweet addict could ever want, from incredibly delicious chocolate bars to monstrous lollipops the size of a small child's head.  They make it all, and they do it with style.  First of all, they only have one factory.  So, each piece of sugary goodness all originates from their modest factory here in North Denver.  Besides being a family owned and operated facility for over 93 years, another great selling point to this place is that all of Hammonds delicious treats are still handmade.  They have stuck to these traditional methods, in order to retain the highest of quality of product possible.

    On the day that I visited, they were in full swing, creating their beloved candy canes. I know that Christmas is over half a year away, but these Divine Yuletide treats are in such high demand, that they have to start early in order to have enough of these seasonal staples for all their devoted fans. To accomplish this, Hammonds produces over one million candy canes a year!  So why all of the hype over a candy cane.  Well, these are by far the best tasting candy canes on the planet.  They are thick, with a depth of flavor that is unrivaled.  Oh, and did I forget to mention that they come in over 30 flavors.  They have a flavor for everyone from cherry to mint to apple pie and espresso, and the list goes on and on.  In fact, if you would like to see what new and innovative flavor Hammonds has in store for their guests, then checkout their annual Christmas festival, which takes place every December.  The festival is a celebration in all things sweet, with carolers, tons of gift ideas on display, and they even have a visit by Santa Claus planned.  It is a great way to get in the holiday spirit and spend some quality time with the family. 

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     So if you have a sweet tooth like me and are in North Denver, then come by Hammonds Candy Factory and indulge in a sugar laden heaven.

If you want to learn more about Hammonds Candies, then checkout their website at http://www.hammondscandies.com/index.html

For any questions, comments, or suggestions, than contact us at thriftyadventure1@gmail.com

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Wine Fit For A President

French Wine At Main Reservoir, Lakewood, Colorado

     Have you ever dreamed of living like a king?  Getting the opportunity to ride in a private jet or a luxurious limousine.  How about tasting an impeccable meal, while drinking a glass of the most opulent of wines.  Well, the good news is, you have the chance to drink like the President of France.  This week, The French Government has decided to auction off some of it's highly sought after wine reserves.  This assortment includes over 12,000 bottles, from the vineyards of Bordeaux and Burgundy.  So why would the French Government sell off these precious national treasures?  Money of course!  The first quarter has not been kind to the French Government, they are currently mired in a difficult financial recession as well as have amassed a 100 Billion Euro deficit.  So, the French Government has dug deep into that coveted wine seller and have brought some of the most incredible wine in the world to auction.  Be it a 1990 Petrus or a 1985 Krug Clos du Mesnil or an Alsatian wine from Hugel and Trimbach.  They even have a bottle of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, which is valued at $7,600 dollars a bottle.  Now, if you do not have a fortune comparable to a small nations gross domestic product, never fear, some of these wines will go for around $130 a bottle.  So if you have some extra money laying around and are in Paris, see if you can pickup some of these amazing bottles of wine, and then you too can drink like a French dignitary.

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June's Letter From The Editor

Roxborough State Park, Colorado

     Summer is finally here!  The kids are out of school, the swimming pools are open, and all of those great action blockbusters are coming to a theater near you.  Here in The Colorado Rockies, avid adventurers are setting out on those luscious mountain trails, kayaking down class four rapids, and scaling up steep rock faces.  This month, we will explore the roughed beauty of this land with a hike through the geologic marvel that is Roxborough State Park.  We will hobnob with the rich and famous in the mountain resort town of Aspen.  We are going to take a nice and relaxing dip in the hot springs of Glenwood, as well as take a road trip over the highest paved road in North America.  Lastly, we will continue our Great Itineraries Series with things to do during summer in the mountains of Colorado.  So from all of us at The Thrifty Adventurer, get out of town and enjoy that wonderful mountain air!

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Roxborough State Park: An Immersion Into A Geologic Wonderland

Roxborough State Park

     As I take another bite of crispy fried chicken, I cannot get over the absolute beauty of this place.  I am surrounded by the most incredible and dramatic rock formations I have ever seen.  From the jagged red rocks protruding from the ground at the most bizzarest of angles to the bright yellow and rich purple wildflowers in bloom, Roxborough State Park is truly breath taking and one heck of a place for a good old fashion picnic.

     This patch of majestic beauty, is less than 45 minutes southwest of Downtown Denver, but it feels so much further away.  As you enter the park, you are immediately struck by it's insationable beauty.  The place is simply incredible!  The park is endowed with several great trails, which vary in skill level as well as terrain.  Most people come to this park for The Fountain Valley Trail.  This is the most scenic path which allows you the opportunity to meander through a menagerie of limestone cliffs and monoliths.  These crimson rock formations are simply amazing!  Each stone has it's own character and charm, since they have all eroded in very unique ways.  This 2.2 mile trail is ideal for children and the less active, since the valley is relatively flat and full of benches for rest.  At the far end of the valley lies The Persse Place, an early 20th century home that was once owned by Henry Persse.  He originally owned all of this land, but eventually donated it to the City and County of Denver.  It is quaint, with the hand made brick exterior and a Victorian style interior.  Tours are rare, but can be arranged with the park service.   If you want a more challenging climb, then try The Lyons Lookout.  This switchback takes you to the most picturesque of views.  Here you can get a birds eye view of the whole valley as well as give you the opportunity to  embrace your inner Art Wolfe.  The photo opportunities here are endless, and it makes for a wonderful place to have a picnic.   For those hiking enthusiast, try The Carpenter Peak Trail.  This roughed eight mile path leads you to the summit of Carpenter Peak and some incredible views of the front range.

     Now if you are a wildlife enthusiast, Roxborough State Park can be a great place to see animals in their natural environments.  Over the years, I have seen red foxes, white tailed deer, great horned owls, and hawks, but other lucky visitors have encountered, rattle snakes, golden eagles, mountain lions, elk, and even black bears.  If you arrive early or late in the day, you might be fortunate enough to witness these North American icons for yourself.

     So if you are in the Denver Metro Area, and would like to see one of Americas best kept secrets, then head to Roxborough State Park and be prepared to be amazed!

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