BEACON - Summer Travel & Festivals 2015

2015

SUMMER TRAVELER & Festivals

Rocky Mountain National Park celebrates 100 years page 2

Summer Festivals page 7

Photo by John Fielder

Your Guide to Summer Travel, Recreation & Festivals Produced by the BEACON’s Advertising Team

Visit us on the web at www.BeaconSeniorNews.com

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Rocky Mountain National Park celebrates 100 years

By Melanie Wiseman

T

Photo by Lee Kline

Read up on RMNP “Rocky Mountain National Park: The first 100 years” by Mary Taylor Young, won the Association of Partners for Public Lands 2014 Publication of the Year award. The coffee table book celebrating the park’s 100th anniversary is lavishly illustrated with historical and landscape photos and contains historical stories reaching back thousands of years ago to today.

“The Best of Rocky Mountain National Park” by Alan Leftridge can help you make the most of your trip to the park. Find the best hikes and picnic spots, and get the inside scoop on the best spots for wildlife and nature viewing. Better yet, Leftridge includes photos, maps and directions to help give you a better idea of how to plan your trip and the best way to get there.

Books are available at Out West Books (533 Main St.) or at www.farcountrypress. com. You can also call Farcountry Press at 800-821-3874.

June 2015

he fact that two-thirds of the annual visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park have been to the park more than five times says it all. Its 100th anniversary milestone is the perfect time to experience this park, which according to Park Superintendent Vaughn Baker, preserves some of the most rugged and spectacular scenery in the Rocky Mountains.

“The foresight of those who preserved this special place and all national parks for future generations is remarkable,” Baker said. “They knew it was imperative to protect the mountains and wilderness then, not later. Without their vision and hard work, what Americans know today as Rocky Mountain National Park would be dotted with private homes, hotels, gas stations and neon signs. Because of the foresight of these early conservationists, we have Rocky Mountain National Park, one of the great treasures of the national park system.”

Former ranger Alan Leftridge recently published “The Best of Rocky Mountain National Park,” a guidebook including photos, descriptions, maps and other information about the sights and activities in the park.

“Rocky is a land of superlatives,” Leftridge said, “Mighty rivers, majestic peaks, amazing wildflowers, and abundant wildlife—the park has it all.”

The 3.4 million people who visited the grandeur of Rocky Mountain National Park last year would concur that RMNP has some of the most spectacular terrain in the world.

Congress and President Woodrow Wilson signed the legislation that established RMNP as the 10th national park on January 26, 1915, with two goals in mind. First, to protect the rugged environment from dwindling numbers of wildlife, and second, to promote the recreational opportunities in a land whose tallest summits are perpetually capped in snow and

the valleys are 8,000 feet above sea level.

One hundred years later, the park invites visitors to participate in their anniversary celebration, taking place now through September 4. Speakers and special activities are being coordinated to commemorate its centennial. Events include historic reenactments, bike rides, Longs Peak climbs, concerts, art and craft exhibits, and educational programs on the connections between the chemistry of RMNP and nature, poetry, history, literature, music and more.

Settling the area and creating a new park “Rocky was established as a national park in 1915, but the story of any park with ‘Rocky Mountain’ in its name begins not just 100 years, but a billion years ago,” said Mary Taylor Young, author of “Rocky Mountain National Park: The first 100 years.”

Although archaeological evidence suggests people wandered these mountains as long as 10,000 years ago, the Ute and Arapaho Indians were the first groups to leave traces of having inhabited the RMNP area.

Both groups retreated from the area when European-Americans moved into the central Rocky Mountains.

Longs Peak was named after Major Stephen Long, who explored eastern Colorado in 1820.

Joel Estes found the area of Estes Park in 1859, as his family was the first to settle and begin cattle ranching. Others followed and tried their hand at ranching and mining, but neither proved profitable. In the late 1800s many homesteads were converted into profitable guest ranches. People were also attracted to the clean mountain air, which was deemed to be healthy.

For hundreds of years the land’s high altitude and extreme weather made it off limits to all but the boldest travelers. With the construction of mountain roads and a grand hotel

June 2015 near Estes Park around the turn of the century, unrestricted development seemed inevitable. That is, until passionate naturalist pioneer Enos Mills enlisted the aid of John Muir to lobby for the creation of a new park.

“In the years to come when I am asleep beneath the pines, thousands of families will find rest and hope in this park,” Mills said at the park’s dedication a century ago. “Today the park is a testament to Mills’ quiet vision,” Senator Mark Udall said.

The Civilian Conservation Corp had five camps in RMNP between 1933 and 1942. Hundreds of young men worked on projects to preserve America’s natural and historical heritage.

They constructed bridges, buildings, trails, amphitheaters, reservoirs and rock walls within the park.

Early painters and photographers such as Ansel Adams captured the landscape wonders of RMNP to inspire influential people to preserve these lands for future generations.

Witness RMNP’s natural beauty Easily accessible gateways into the park include the more serene Grand Lake on the western edge, and the vibrant Estes Park on the eastern side.

Five visitor centers are located throughout the park, staffed with National Park Service employees to help enhance your visit. If you’re apprehensive about driving the curvy high-altitude roads through the park, and taking in the views at the same time, consider touring the park on any of three shuttle bus routes.

Even if you never leave your car and stick to the main Trail Ridge Road, it’s well worth the visit.

“At its highest point, Trail Ridge Road carries visitors through a land that few people would likely ever see by others—the alpine tundra,” Baker said. “This austere, open landscape, where only the hardiest plants and

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animals survive, is Rocky’s crown jewel. It encompasses one-third of the park’s 415 square miles.”

You’ll travel 11 miles above timberline, and the road’s highest point is 12,183 feet, making it the highest continuous paved road in the U.S. The best scenic drives include Bear Lake Road, Fall River Road and Trail Ridge Road. These routes take you to lakes, waterfalls, overlooks, mountain passes, lava cliffs, historic sites, and the Discovery Center.

If you’re interested in history, European-Americans who came to settle have left the park with dozens of remaining structures, roads and trails listed on the National Register of Historic Places. You won’t want to miss Holzwarth Ranch, Lulu City, Moraine Park Lodge, Beaver Meadows Visitor Center and Old Fall River Road.

RMNP offers trails suited to every hiking ability, but keep high elevations in mind. The park has six interpretive self-guided trails, which give you an overview of why RMNP was designated a national park. The best day hikes include Bear Nymph, Dream and Emerald Lakes, Bierstadt Lake, Lake Haiyaha, The Loch, Cub Lake, Ouzel Lake, Gem Lake and Ute Trail. You may see wildlife, such as big horn sheep, yellow-bellied marmot, mule deer, elk, moose, coyote, black bear, mountain lion, chipmunks, red squirrel, pika and beaver.

Interested in geology? You’ll find unique rock formations, continental divide drift and uplift, and mountain carving evidence from glaciers, weathering and water sculpture over the last 60 million years.

during the fall. The weather is relatively dry and cool, scenery is full of golden Aspen splendor and bugling bull elks are abundant.

Most of RMNP is at very high elevations so be prepared for winter-like weather which can happen yearround. RMNP is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Depending on snowfall, Trail Ridge Road is usually open from Memorial Day into October.

Rocky Mountain National Park Fun Facts: • The park is home to more than 60 peaks over 12,000 feet.

• The highest point is Longs Peak at 14,259 feet.

• There are 355 miles of hiking trails.

• The park has 147 lakes and 473 miles of streams.

• Wildlife species includes 66 mammals, 280 birds, five amphibians and one reptile.

• The NPS estimates more than 1,000 species of flowering plants and 141 documented species of butterflies live in RMNP. • RMNP is the headwaters of the Colorado, Big Thompson, Cache la Poudre, and Fall Rivers.

• 98% of the park is designated wilderness.

• Almost 800 elk winter in the park.

For more information on RMNP and its 100th anniversary events, visit www.nps.gov or call 970-586-1206. ■

When to visit RMNP July sees the highest number of visitors and March sees the least. Half of all the over three million annual visitors come between mid June and mid August. To avoid crowds, visit

All photos courtesy of Rocky Mountain National Park Archives published in the book, “Rocky Mountain National Park: The first 100 Years” by Mary Taylor Young.

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June 2015

All aboard Amtrak’s California Zephyr!

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ravelers say the California Zephyr is one of the most beautiful train trips in all of North America.

The California Zephyr is the only Amtrak train where you can see two mountain ranges (Sierra and the Rockies), San Pablo Bay, Nevada desert, Mississippi River and the great plain states. The California Zephyr runs daily between Chicago and San Francisco, cruising through the plains of Nebraska to Denver, across the Rockies to Salt Lake City, then through Reno and Sacramento into Emeryville/San Francisco.

The California Zephyr is a full-service train featuring coach cars with wide reclining seating, sleeping cars with various types of bedroom accommodations and showers, sightseeing lounge car with café, and dining car with superb meals. We also offer inclusive Amtrak Vacation packages to make your trip planning easy.

Escorted Rail Journeys - Escorted vacations bring people together to discover famous landmarks and

RANGELY, COLORADO slightly off the beaten path

Kenney Reservoir: a fisherman’s, camper’s paradise

K

209 East Main Street Rangely, CO 81648

970-675-5290

www.rangelychamber.com

spectacular scenery. Guided by tour managers, these planned itineraries deliver unique adventures and unforgettable moments.

Independent Rail Journeys Take an unforgettable journey by train on your own using a professionally planned itinerary to visit America’s national parks and cities.

Rail Getaways - These two- to four-day, single-city getaways combine your travel needs into a simple package. Inclusive of hotels, sightseeing and entertainment, these unescorted getaways let you explore at your own pace.

Family Adventures - Leave the driving behind and spend more time making memories.

Designed for families of all ages, escorted rail adventures will delight everyone with fascinating destinations and exciting experiences for an unforgettable family vacation.

For Amtrak Vacation information, call 800-268-7252 or visit www. amtrakvacations.com. ■

enney Reservoir is located five miles east of Rangely on Highway 64. It was built in 1984 and is managed by the Rio Blanco Water Conservancy District. The parking facilities and campsites are open from approximately early April until the lake begins to freeze, which is usually sometime in November.

The lake has plenty of room for water skiers and fishing. There are plenty of campsites for tents or selfcontained campers. Regularly maintained bathroom facilities are available, along with covered picnic tables surrounded by shade trees and lawn.

The south side of the lake contains two swim areas and the docks are seldom crowded.

Five thousand rainbow trout are

stocked into the lake each spring.

The reservoir also has black crappie and channel catfish. Many locals enjoy fishing and know that the best fishing is right below the dam. You may also catch a whitefish. In case you capture an endangered fish, get a copy of the Colorado Division of Wildlife fishing brochure, which can help you identify them.

The lake sits on the White River with the wetlands area at the tail water of the lake, providing cover and food for waterfowl, bald eagles, osprey, blue heron, mule deer, elk and beaver. An annual fishing derby on June 6 and Fourth of July celebration are some of the activities held each year.

To make reservations, call 970-6755055. ■

June 2015

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5 safety tips for women traveling alone

P

erhaps more than ever, women are willing to ditch their traveling companions and go solo when it comes time to hit the road and see the world.

A recent survey by Small Luxury Hotels of the World revealed that in one year’s time there was a 53 percent increase in the demand for rooms by women traveling alone.

There are also reports that some hotels have taken steps to make their accommodations more appealing to women traveling on their own, with such features as women-only floors.

Still, despite the trend, many women may worry that such solitary excursions carry too many risks, making them a target for thieves, kidnappers and other criminals.

But one woman who has logged endless miles exploring the world and finding romance said it doesn’t have to be that way.

“There is no reason to let your fears keep you from the adventures you can experience,” said Barbara Foster, a veteran globetrotter and author of the book “The Confessions of a Librarian: A Memoir of Loves.” (www. threelovestory.com) “Sure, there are risky places and bad types out there. But with the right precautions, women can travel solo with confidence, visiting the places and meeting the people they always dreamed of and returning home with wonderful stories and memories.”

Foster speaks from experience.

Her travels have taken her across the country and around the world, with stops in Istanbul, Mumbai, Buenos Aires, Jerusalem and other locales.

As an adventurer, Foster is something of a contradiction. She describes herself as a librarian who has difficulty reading flight schedules, and suspects a haggling merchant in an Arab bazaar would view her as easy pickings.

He would be mistaken.

While Foster has spent a professional lifetime in academia, and co-authored books on such esoteric subjects as Tibetan Buddhism, she also is steeped in real-life experience.

Foster, who said solo trips can be deeply rewarding for women, offered five tips for traveling boldly while staying safe.

1) Steer clear of the most dangerous locales. Come places just aren’t worth the risk, so avoid sketchy neighborhoods, cities and countries. For example, if you feel compelled to go to the Middle East, visit Israel, which is the safest Middle Eastern country. But if the destination is truly important to you, go ahead and take the risk. India can be dangerous. Foster said she was nearly kidnapped there, saved only by the

intervention of a friend. At the same time, she said, the country offers a once in a lifetime experience.

2) Connect with friendly contacts. Make yourself known not only to the U.S. embassy or consul, but also to people in your field. During her travels, Foster wrote articles about libraries she visited. Her fellow librarians were a protective group.

3) Learn the language or at least useful phrases. Even if it’s just a few key words, speaking the language can come in handy if you need to seek assistance. Understanding what others are saying also can alert you to potential dangers.

4) Dress wisely, pay attention to manners and spend money in mod-

SUMMER TRAVLER 5 eration. Don’t draw unnecessary attention to yourself. In her book, Foster recounts a visit to Istanbul, where she watched horror-struck as two Turkish men slapped a young British woman for wearing a miniskirt on the street. For added protection against thieves, Foster recommended carrying money and identification in a pouch under your shirt.

5) Travel in the USA. You will miss many of the world’s must-see places, but if the thought of traveling abroad is too stressful, it might be better to stick closer to home. Foster said two of her favorite U.S. cities are New York City and New Orleans, both great places to explore. ■

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ESCORTED SUMMER TOURS Idaho! Montana!

Summer Theatre Tour -- Featuring 6 live musical

July 31 - August 7 -- Utah!

performances and the majesty of Glacier National Park August 28 - 30 -- Denver

Summer Weekend Tour

Featuring The Book of Mormon, Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang All Tours fully escorted from Grand Junction

Terry Eakle

Escorting Custom Tours from Grand Junction Since 1985.

751 Horizon Court, Suite 249 (Skyline Building behind WW Peppers)

Grand Junction, CO 81506 • 434-6494

June 2015

How will the Apple Watch affect travel?

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r. Zongqing Zhou, PhD, professor of tourism at the College of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Niagara University in upstate New York, analyzed the Apple Watch’s capabilities and predicted that as the product improves, it will be able to aid travelers in many ways.

According to Dr. Zhou, the Apple Watch can provide the following advantages: 1. Time zone management Auto international time zone conversion as travelers proceed from one time zone to another.

2. Tickets/admissions/boarding pass/airport management With all of these stored in the Apple Watch and scannable with the flip of a wrist, travelers will no longer need to fumble for their phones or paper documents while carrying luggage.

The same goes for the ability to immediately see fight delay and cancellation notices.

3. Priority management - The watch will enable people to produce voice memos to capture ideas on the fly. For example, those who wish to preserve their thoughts, perhaps with photos, will be able to record instant impressions of scenic spots.

They will also be able to create priority or to-do lists, all of which can be converted from voice to text later on.

4. Currency exchange management - Facilitated conversion of native to foreign currency.

5. Payment management - Apple Pay on the watch will make paying for travel and shopping during a trip a breeze.

6. Communication management - The watch will display important email and social media messages (with notification priorities preset by users) so one can simply glance at the wrist to determine whether a message can be dismissed or requires action, saving the effort of finding one’s phone and opening apps.

7. Destination management The watch will offer the ability to communicate with travel partners, either in voice or texts within a destination (as big as Disney or as small as a museum). It will be analogous to having a walkie talkie to say something like, “Hey, where are you?” when a companion wanders off. It will also provide automatic display of the travel partner’s location. Also handy will be group chat, via voice or text.

Further, immediate access to weather and traffic conditions will help one decide a best time to visit and best route to travel. Other features may include local police and emergency help numbers and auto sending the user’s location information to first responders.

8. Hands-free Q&A - Easy access to Siri, potentially in multiple languages.

9. Big screen accessibility - The ability to connect wirelessly to bigger screens (like phones, iPads or even laptops) for easy typing, viewing or transferring of files.

10. Food, lodging and entertainment management - Auto display of the closest food, lodging and entertainment facilities within a certain distance of location and routes.

11. Health management - Reminders for medications (time and dosage) and display of vital healthrelated data to advise the travelers what to do and not to do while traveling, based on the traveler’s physical condition at any time during the trip.

It can even be programmed to trigger calls to health professionals in case of emergency. ■

Summer Festivals 2015

Photo by Katherine Lopez

A Little Something For Everyone

Bluegrass • Wildflowers • Cherries • Fair & Rodeo • Arts & Crafts • Sweet Corn • Sheepdogs Peaches • Strawberries • Country • Harvest • Cherries • Apples • Fall • Jazz • Wine

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Palisade Bluegrass & Roots Festival

Summer F 2015

June 12-14

Riverbend Park 451 Pendelton St., Palisade, Colorado 970-464-5602 www.palisademusic.com

Country Jam June 18-21

Country Jam Ranch 1065 Highway 6 & 50, Mack, Colorado 855-821-9210 www.countryjam.com

Strawberry Days June 19-21

Photo cour tesy Pa

lisade Chamber

Palisade Peach Fes

tiva

l • August 13-16 Riverbend Park, P alisade, Colorad 970-464-7458 • o www.palisadepea chfest.com

Photo by Katherine

Sayre Park 1702 Grand Ave., Glenwood Springs, Colorado 970-945-6589 www.strawberrydaysfestival.ning.com

Paonia Cherry Days July 3-5

Paonia, Colorado 970-527-3886 www.paoniacherrydays.com

Crested Butte Wildflower Festival July 13-19

Crested Butte, Colorado 970-349-6438 www.crestedbuttewildflowerfestival.com

Mesa County Fair July 14-18

Mesa County Fairgrounds 2785 US 50, Grand Junction, CO 970-256-1528 www.mesacountyfair.com

Deltarado Days July 16-19

Delta, Colorado 970-874-8616 www.deltacolorado.org www.facebook.com/DeltaChamber

Photo courtesy Mountain

Har vest Festival

ival • Sept.

Mountain Harvest Fest

24-27

ado Town Park, Paonia, Color untainharvestfestival.org 970-778-9072 • www.mo

Telluride Bluegrass Festival July 18-21

Telluride Town Park, Telluride, Colorado 800-624-2422 www.bluegrass.com/telluride

Carbondale Mountain Fair July 24-26, 2015

Sopris Park Carbondale, Colorado

Montrose County Fair & Rodeo July 24-August 2

Montrose County Fairgrounds 1001 N. Second St., Montrose, Colorado

Photo by Katherin

e Lopez

970-252-4358 www.montrosecounty.net/378/Montrose-County-Fair-Rodeo

Lopez

June 2015

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Palisade Peach Festival

Festivals

August 13-16

Riverbend Park, Palisade, Colorado 970-464-7458 www.palisadepeachfest.com

Meeker Classic Sheepdog Championship Trials

Photo cour tesy

Weehawken Ar ts

31st annual Rid gway Rendezvo us Arts & Crafts F estival • Sept. 1 7-20 1075 Sherman S

(970 ) 318-0150 •

t, Ridgway, CO 81 432 www.weehawke narts.org /ridgway -rendezvous

September 9-13 Meeker, Colorado 970-878-0111 970-878-5510 www.meekersheepdog.com

Colorado Mountain Winefest September 17-20

Riverbend Park, Palisade, Colorado www.coloradowineexperience.com/ colorado-wine-festivals/

Mountain Harvest Festival September 24-27

Paonia, Colorado 970-778-9072 www.mountainharvestfestival.org

Fruita Fall Festival Photo by Katherine

September 25-27

Lopez

Telluride Jazz Festival

Garfield County Fair

Telluride Town Park Telluride, Colorado 970-728-7009 www.telluridejazz.org

Garfield County Fairgrounds 1001 Railroad Ave., Rifle, Colorado 970-625-2514 www.garfieldcountyfair.com

July 31-August 2

August 3-8

Olathe Sweet Corn Festival

Marblefest

Olathe, Colorado 970-497-0832 www.olathesweetcornfest.com

Marble, Colorado marblefest.co/ 970-963-7257

August 1

Delta County Fair August 1-9

Delta County Fairgrounds 403 S. Fourth St., Hotchkiss, CO www.deltacounty.com www.facebook.com/DeltaCountyFair (970) 872-2161

August 8

Ridgway Rendezvous Arts & Crafts Festival August 8-9

Ridgway Town Park, Ridgway Colorado http://www.weehawkenarts.org [970] 318-0150

Downtown Fruita 970-858-3894 www.fruitafallfestival.com

AppleFest October 3-4

Cedaredge, Colorado 970-856-6961 www.cedaredgechamber.com/applefest

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Still pick’n’ those Palisade peaches

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he Palisade Chamber of Commerce and American Furniture Warehouse are proud to bring you the 47th annual Palisade Peach Festival on August 12-16 with the festival at Riverbend Park on August 14 and 15. There will be peach pies, cobblers, ice cream, cocktails and wine, jams and jellies, peach salsas, art, peach racers, peach peddlers and peach cuisine. Then if you haven’t had your fill, check out local restaurant menus for peachy creations by our local chefs.

The celebration kicks off with a night of peach baseball Wednesday with the Grand Junction Rockies at Stocker Stadium. Palisade Mayor Roger Granat of Palisade will throw the first peach pitch and a mini farmers market will take place under the stands.

On Thursday evening, town officials and staff dish out gallons of ice cream and sliced peaches at the free ice cream social and street dance. Live music will take place in the plaza downtown, and the Peach Queen and the Town Grouch will be crowned.

On Friday, the Palisade Historical Society guides historical walking tours at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. for $5. The festival in Riverbend Park opens at 4 p.m. on Friday. Remember to leave your pets at home. No outside alcohol or large coolers will be allowed.

Stroll through the market of vendors, offering a wide range of items to purchase, and enjoy the entertainment. Jake’s Jungle will delight the kids with activities and games. Bring your camera for a photo shoot with one of Jake’s stuffed giant tigers or take selfies on a horse carriage ride.

Don’t forget to buy your floating peach and help support the Palisade High School Knowledge Bowl. At 4 p.m. the peaches are dropped into

the river and the Peach Plunge floats toward the boat launch, where the winners are picked. Watch the peach pits fly and the juice flow at the peach-eating contest.

We have Feast in the Field dinners on Friday and Saturday nights at Suncrest Orchard Alpacas with catering from Berna B’s chefs who will prepare a four-course gourmet feast, perfectly paired with local wines.

Buy tickets at www.eventbrite.com.

One Saturday highlight is the Palisade Peach Parade downtown. Before the parade be sure to visit Memorial Park and enjoy the Lions Club Pancake Breakfast, complete with sausage, eggs, coffee, juice, and pancakes with peach syrup. Our Peach Recipe Contest takes place there as well, and scrumptious samples are sold after judging. Don’t miss the Guns vs. Hoses Tug of War, a hilarious tug of war contest between the local police and fire departments.

The Navigators and Round-About will kick off the music Friday and the Radio Band from Denver will close the show.

Saturday opens with Collin Reese at noon followed by Nick Pants Band, Tuck and Roll, Stray Grass and Boogie Machine.

The Sunday Farmers Market will have the best produce in the state available for purchase, more food and retail vendors, live music and the shops and galleries in downtown Palisade are open for business. Pick up your produce at the market or be sure to take one of our many “agritours” and buy fresh from the stand.

Please join us in this long tradition of celebrating our peach industry and our community. As our theme this year states, we are still pick’n’.

For more information, visit www. palisadepeachfest.com or call the Palisade Chamber of Commerce at 970-464-7458. ■

Watch the peach pits fly and the juice flow at the peach-eating contest.

June 2015

A guide to travel insurance

By Jason Alderman

A

sudden storm, a missed connection or a family emergency can turn a hard-earned vacation or important business trip into a big disappointment. Travel insurance can save the day, but picking the right coverage requires research, cost comparison and above all, reading the fine print.

A quick online search can make it easy to identify and price highly rated travel insurance carriers. But personal circumstances and coverage should be examined thoroughly before any trip reservations are made.

First, travelers should evaluate their own life, home, auto and health insurance coverage. It is wise to call personal insurance agents to discuss the future trip and its accommodations and activities. The idea is to see where personal coverage ends and where additional travel insurance might be beneficial.

Some travelers might be surprised to know that their homeowners’ policy actually offers liability coverage for out-of-state or foreign trips and their health insurance might offer full or partial evacuation insurance. Credit card companies may offer additional protection. List specific risks and circumstances surrounding the trip to discuss with insurers to determine whether additional travel coverage might be necessary.

For business trips, employees should repeat this process with their benefits or human resources departments. Employers that regularly do business in risky areas where crime, geopolitical conflict or rough weather are common may have specific systems in place for these issues. But it is important to know how extensive an employer’s protections might be to determine whether you’ll need additional coverage.

Travel insurance covers these main risks: trip cancellation and/or trip interruption, baggage loss, medical and/or dental, pre-existing (medical) conditions and evacuation (medical or otherwise).

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It’s difficult to cite average premiums for trips because every trip and traveler is different. Coverage for short domestic trips with basic coverage for cancellation or lost baggage might cost some; comprehensive coverage for a major world excursion may go well into the hundreds.

Travel companies like airlines and cruise lines sell various forms of trip insurance, but it might be wise to buy directly from an actual insurance company in the travel insurance business, better known as a third-party carrier. While travel insurance sold by travel companies might be adequate, they generally cannot match the quality of coverage or customer service that a full-time insurance provider can.

Before you buy travel coverage, it is particularly important to know what the policy’s exclusion clause says.

That section of the travel insurance policy indicates particular activities or circumstances that will prevent

the payment of a claim.

Insurance companies respond to claims when customers file documents properly. Travelers who need to make a claim should have copies of receipts, ticketing and paperwork relevant to losses such as flight delays, lost luggage or any other potential loss indicated in the policy. If the claim is the result of a criminal act, policyholders should make sure they obtain and file copies of police, hotel or other relevant documentation.

Finally, it never hurts to visualize potential risks on an upcoming trip.

Quick online searches make it easy for travelers to check on weather and potential conflicts at their destination. The U.S. State Department features its own global travel alert and warnings webpage (travel.state. gov) to prepare travelers for local crime, terrorist attacks or geopolitical conflict. The U.S. National Weather Service also features sites for longterm storm and hurricane prediction, though travel insurers will generally not issue coverage after a particular storm system is named. ■

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“Baby Boomer” Special

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No appointment necessary

2728 Railroad Ave • 970-625-1680 • www.columbineford.com

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June 2015

Explore Silverton’s gold mining history at the Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour

M

ention cliff dwellers and you probably think of the ancient Anasazi ruins. Mention gold and you probably think of the shiny metal.

What you probably don’t think of is the underground world of the gold miners who toiled for the metal lusted after by kings and commoners alike. On Galena Mountain, gold miners combined cliff dwelling and cave dwelling to extract gold at the Old Hundred Gold Mine, located about five miles southeast of Silverton.

After the last gold mine closed in Silverton in 1991, Bill Jones and his partners got a crew of out-of-work miners to reopen the famed Old Hundred Gold Mine. But it wasn’t for mining gold; it was opened for visitors to tour. After gathering up historic San Juan mining equipment, cleaning out tunnels, laying new track, installing lights and rebuilding the miner’s “dry room,” the Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour was born.

Today’s modern tunnels with their excellent ventilation and stable rock provide ideal access for visitors to see the underground world of the gold miner. The mine has quite a history.

After an electric train ride one-third of a mile in, miner-guides walk you through the tunnels, showing you the quartz vein and colorful minerals, and they even fire up the old mining equipment. Outside, you can try your luck panning for gold.

High above the tour stands the Old Hundred Boarding House, now a Colorado Historic Landmark. Open daily through September, the Old Hundred Gold Mine Tour can be combined with the Silverton Heritage Pass, offering a 15 percent discount to visit the new Silverton Mining Heritage Museum, 1901 Silverton Jail and the 1929 Mayflower Gold Mill.

Visit www.minetour.com or call 1-800-872-3009 for details. ■

Durango dining hot spot: Cyprus Café and Eno

By Liesl Greathouse

E

stablished in 1996 as one of the first farm-to-table restaurants, Cyprus Cafe is now a Durango landmark, serving fresh Mediterranean food with a twist.

“We like to say ‘where Mediterranean meets the mountains,’” Owner Alison Dance said. “You’ll see a southwest flair in some of our dishes, brought to you by Chef Vera Hansen, who has been cooking for us for 18 years.”

Eno opened in 2010, and is a place where you can drink coffees, cocktails and wines from around the world.

“We also serve tapas, small plates of delicious food, to go with your beverage of choice,” Dance said. “Open all day, Eno is a great place to sit, sip and

savor while you enjoy the local art, or just watch the world go by from one of our sidewalk tables.”

Dance has created a fun experience with Cyprus Cafe and Eno, crafting them into cool places to grab lunch or to hang out for an evening.

The Cyprus Café also showcases some of the best jazz musicians in the region five nights a week throughout the summer.

Cyprus Café and Eno are located at 725 E. Second Ave. in Durango. They are open seven days a week, with Cyprus open for lunch from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., and dinner from 5 p.m.10 p.m. Eno is open 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

Call Cyprus Cafe at 970-385-6885 or Eno at 970-385-0105. ■

June 2015

Get ready to soar!

Largest zipline in the WORLD

Soaring Tree Top Adventures: Durango’s #1 zipline attraction The mystical beauty of the forest is usually only seen from the forest floor. For most people, flying between its branches remains the stuff of a fantasy story or an eagle’s fancy.

But for a lucky few, there’s Soaring Tree Top Adventures in Durango, Colorado, which offers the largest zipline course in the world. With 27 breathtaking spans, this all-day, family friendly adventure features 5 1/2 hours of ziplining, a four-course gourmet lunch in the trees, an ecology tour, and first-class train transportation to Soaring in their own private luxurious train cars, offering guests two of the best Durango attractions in one day.

Soaring Tree Top Adventures regularly rates in the no. 1 spot in the United States on Trip Advisor for guest tours, and it boasts being the largest, highest and safest zipline canopy tour and adventure in the world.

The course lets visitors safely zipline over the Aspen forest, mountain glens, flora and fauna, and the clean, cool waters of the Animas River from a vantage point high in the sky. It’s an adventure that the whole family can share. Children as young as four and grandparents as old as 94 have created lasting memories together on our unique zipline spans ranging from 56 to 1,400 feet.

The full-day adventure package begins with a historic train ride on the Durango & Silverton Railroad, transporting guests from their workday world into adventure. On board the train in Soaring’s private first-class

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Tall Timber Legend train car, guests experience ticketless travel, open seating, breathtaking views of the Animas River canyon, and the hearty anticipation of the adventure ahead.

The first-class comfort and amazing views represent the first memories that people take away from this fivestar adventure in the sky.

Sky Rangers lead the guests through the old-growth ponderosa forest on this zipline adventure.

Soaring includes a four-course lunch served on an elevated platform in the trees overlooking the Animas River, where chefs accommodate all dietary needs and requests. An eco tour led

by Soaring’s naturalist staff completes the full appreciation of flora and fauna in the beautiful alpine terrain that Soaring calls home.

Enjoy the Colorado mountains in a way that few will, gliding through Aspen forests, across mountain glens and traversing zipline spans across the rushing Animas River. This exhilarating tour culminates with the 14er: a 1,400-foot zipline, where guests reach speeds of 40 mph.

Advance reservations required.

Register online at www.SoaringColorado.com or call 970-769-2357. See the website for special discounts and offers, and to watch a video of this incredible tour.

Soaring Tree Top Adventures is now open for its 12th season. It’s open from mid-May to mid-October every year. Reserve your spot today for this one-of-a-kind bucket list adventure! ■

with 27 spans

w

Full day o f adventure for ages 4 to 94.

Rated #1 Tour in Durango

970-769-2357

www.soaringcolorado.com Photo courtesy Soaring Colorado

(reservations required)

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Paonia’s historic Bross Hotel Bed & Breakfast Take a local vacation at the Bross Hotel B&B  Outdoor activities  Music and Art  Food and Wine

Savor Paonia - Stay at the Bross Hotel

Bill Heddles Recreation Center offers something for everyone.

For more information on all our programs and amenities please visit our web site at www.cityofdelta.net or call 874-0923

 Basketball Gymnasium  Aerobic Classes  Water & Fitness Classes  Silver Sneaker Classes  Racquetball Courts  Weight & Cardio Rooms  Pickleball Leagues  Tot Pool  25 yd. (6) lane Pool & Sauna  Warm Water Wellness Pool & Lazy River

June 2015

Headed to Moab? Explore Thompson Springs

By Melanie Wiseman

covery quiet, bought the surrounding s you come up on exit 185 while property, and started coal operations on a small scale. Ballard sold his traveling I-70 through Eastern operation to Salt Lake City investors Utah, don’t blink, as you might just in 1911 and the coal-mining town of miss Thompson Springs, a small locale filled with history of mining and Sego was born, bringing more prosperity to the area. railroads, petroglyphs, old cemeterThompson Springs’ importance ies, and great spots for Jeeping or grew in 1914 when the Ballard and hiking.

All but a ghost town today, Thomp- Thompson Railroad was constructed to connect the mines, with the son Springs, with a population of railhead at Thompson Springs. Coal 39 at the 2010 census, is a quiet and was in high demand, but the mine unique spot in the road, located just suffered from financial, water and 77 miles west of Grand Junction. It makes the perfect day trip or a great side trip if you’re already headed to the Moab area.

Thompson Springs was founded in the 1880s and named after E.W. Thompson, who operated a sawmill to the north near the Bookcliffs. The community center served a small number of farmers, catPhoto by Melanie Wiseman tlemen and sheepmanagement issues from its start. herders living in the desolate region, but one ambitious Englishman named Mining operations continued in Sego Canyon until 1955, when the railroad Harry Ballard had grander plans. began to use diesel engines, replacA successful sheepman and cattleing the coal powered steam engines. man, Ballard began to buy up much Sego became a ghost town with just of the property that surrounded remnants of its cemetery, company Thompson Springs, and before long store, trestles, shafts and storage owned a hotel, store, saloon and sevbuildings remaining. eral homes in the small settlement.

Thompson Springs survived the Soon the little community was large enough to convince the Denver mining decline, as it was situated on the Old Cisco Highway 6 and 50, and Rio Grande Western Railroad, and provided services to travelers which had been completed through passing through the region. It was the region in 1883, to add a stop in dealt a blow, however, in the 1970s the settlement, making it a promiwhen I-70 was built through the area, nent shipping point for cattle and leaving the town a few miles north sheep stock. of the new highway. Traffic through Sometime later, Ballard discovered the small community dramatically a large coal vein on land adjacent to decreased and businesses began his ranch about five miles north of to close.

Thompson Springs. He kept his dis-

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June 2015 Though the railroad still runs through Thompson Springs today, the final demise came in 1994 when their flag stop station, which provided service for Amtrak travelers, closed. Today, there is still an exit off I-70 with a gas station and convenience store, but the town itself lies a mile or so to the north.

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forms. These ghost-like figures often have hollowed or missing eyes, horns or antennae, and missing arms and

Petroglyphs and pictographs Although Thompson Springs was founded in the 1880s, there is evidence of habitants thousands of years old. Well-preserved groups of petroglyphs and pictographs from three distinct periods are displayed on separate rock panels just three miles north of Thompson Springs.

The Archaic people produced the oldest and some of the most rare and spectacular rock art in the American Southwest. The style is called Barrier Canyon, after a rock art site in Canyonlands National Park, where paintings of this type were first studied. Barrier Canyon-style is typified by painted versus carved figures of more than life-sized human life

Photo by Melanie Wiseman

legs. These mysterious pictographs are archeological treasures believed to be a practice of interacting with the spirit world, and channeling these transcendental energies to this world. Just 1/10th mile past the main

group of figures is an additional Barrier Canyon site on the opposite side of the road.

The Fremont people lived in central Utah from 600-1250 AD. They built expansive architectural villages in locations such as Mesa Verde and Chaco Canyon.

The Fremonts did not leave such rock settlements north of Thompson Springs, but they left a remarkable record of rock art. Fremont art contains petroglyphs and pictographs with human figures often having trapezoi-

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Abstract elements such as spirals are also common.

The third and most recent culture is the Utes, whose carved figures date between 1300 and 1880 AD. Historically the Utes were hunter/ gatherers who used the bow and arrow, and domesticated the horse, which they obtained from the Spanish in the mid-1500s. The Utes ranged freely over this area in small groups until 1880, when they were removed from their ancestral lands and consolidated on the nearby Uintah-Ouray Reservation.

When venturing into the past in Thompson Springs, getting lost isn’t an option, as there is only one road going north through town. Fourwheel drive is not required to see the sites.

The next time you’re yearning to explore, or looking for a historical and cultural outing, consider Thompson Springs, Utah: a straight shot west and a step back in time. ■

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June 2015

Summer and symphony Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra’s summer music schedule Those who have had the pleasure of hearing the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra in concert may be surprised to learn that while our season consists of six classical and two symphonic pops concerts from September through April, that’s not all that happens for the largest arts organization on the Western Slope.

From fundraising events, chamber concerts, educational programs and concerts by the Western Colorado Jazz Orchestra, Grand Junction Rockestra and others, the GJSO plans, implements and supports nearly 50 events a year, many of them over the summer.

On June 13, take a trip back to the future at the Grand Junction Rockestra’s Rocker Ball at the Colorado Mesa University Ballroom. This rockin’ evening will be complete with dinner, cash bar, a Rockestra concert of ’80s hit music and even some ’50s tunes

from the movie, games, party favors, a costume contest and more. Tickets are $75 per person or $500 for a table of eight.

The Western Colorado Jazz Orchestra takes the stage on June 27 at Grande River Vineyards as part of the Hear It Through The Grapevine Summer Concert Series. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and will happen rain or shine. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the gate.

On July 4, head downtown for the Fourth of July Parade on Main Street at 10 a.m.

On August 15, the Rockestra’s annual free outdoor concert will be held at CMU at 8 p.m.

The 23rd annual “An Evening Under The Stars” at Lincoln Park on August 23 will be bigger than ever as GJSO has partnered with the Grand Junction Rockies to hold the concert in Stocker Stadium at 7 p.m. after the game.

Enjoy some music outdoors and support the GJSO. Event details are available by calling 243-6787 or visiting www.GJSO.org. ■

What to do with the dog?

Summer is quickly approaching and it’s time for your well-earned vacation or weekend getaway. Unfortunately, traveling with the family dog is not always an option. The Wag Resort offers the perfect solution to this dilemma.

The Wag Resort’s Dog Boarding is designed to cater to your dog, regardless of his or her size, temperament or needs: from our Tiny Town package, which caters to our smaller guests, to our White Whiskers package, designed specifically with the senior guest in mind. For the active socialites, we can offer a day of play

to their boarding package.

Additionally, we are offering our Summer Camp Package, which allows your dog to board with us for a week for $300. With that package, your dog will receive five training sessions with our trainer during their stay.

To cap off your pup’s stay at the Wag, we suggest booking a departure bath or full groom prior to picking your dog up. Your pup will be looking and smelling fabulous!

We recommend planning ahead and reserving your pup a suite for their well-earned getaway at the Wag Resort. Call 241-2949. ■

Make every meal DIVINE.

Order online or stop in the store.

DivineFishandMeat.com Located off West Main St. on Willerup Ave. Mon-Fri 10:30-6:00PM

970-249-0866

Sat 10:30-4:00 PM

25 N. Willerup Avenue | Montrose www.DivineFishandMeat.com