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From stay-at-home parents to 9-to5ers, here are three gift ideas that will improve the early hours of the day:
1. Rise and shine: A morning is only as good as the night of sleep that preceded it. A Restore device from Hatch can make falling and staying asleep easier with soothing music, calming sounds and guided sleep exercises. In the morning, an alarm light with 22 available colors makes for a gentler wake-up call.
2. Perfect cup of coffee: Now there is a solution for keeping one’s hot drink
the perfect temperature for hours. Nextmug, a ceramic, self-heating mug, offers three settings — warm (130 degrees), hot (140 degrees) and piping (150 degrees). Ideal for home or office, you can brighten and improve mornings.
3. Jazz up the shower: Take shower time to new heights with audio entertainment, be it a podcast or music. For students, with so many textbooks now available as audio recordings, shower time can become a chance to squeeze in a study session. Just make sure the speaker is listed as safe for the shower.
StatePoint Media
Winter escapes
Embrace the cold with four hot trips
BY SETH BOSTER seth.boster@gazette.com
You could stay warm and cozy at home this winter, or you could allow yourself to be taken by the magic of this state’s many winter destinations. And no, you don’t have to ski. Consider these possibilities for an ideal staycation:
Estes Park
If you’ve been there in the summer, you might find the winter refreshing. You might hardly recognize Elkhorn Avenue, what with the available parking spots and elbow room.
But oh yes, the magnificence of Rocky Mountain National Park remains — minus the required reservations of the busy season. The premier drive to the top of the national park is closed, and some snow-packed trails won’t be suitable for little ones. But sledding at Hidden Valley should appeal, or snowshoeing or cross-country skiing elsewhere.
Several rustic, historic lodges represent the great wintertime draw. On the higher end, if you’ve always wanted to stay at The Stanley, winter offers the best rates. If you’re not a guest, you should still check out the amazing whiskey bar.
SEE GETAWAYS • PAGE 6
CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE
Visitors enjoy the view from above Nymph Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park.
In southwestern Colorado, Durango Dog Ranch offers several tour options, with something for just about every age and ability.
GETAWAYS
More warming spirits at Elkins Distilling and Estes Park Distilling. They’re both situated amid Elkhorn Avenue’s festive shops, which roll out plenty of sweets. Among restaurants, The Grubsteak is a family favorite along the main drag. Or go for Italian at Mama Rose’s or Mexican at Ed’s Cantina
If this is a romantic rendezvous, consider places such as Dunraven or Twin Owls Steakhouse. Make it dinner and a movie at the nostalgic Park Theatre
Steamboat Springs
We said you didn’t have to ski, and you don’t, but it must be said that this winter marks a marquee moment for Steamboat Resort. An ambitious, multi-year project has transformed the base area and positioned Steamboat as Colorado’s second largest ski area in terms of terrain.
You could stick to the reimagined base area: a family fun zone complete with an ice rink, food and drink hall, retail outlets and live entertainment. Or you could stick to the town down the road, closer to the other, much smaller ski hill. That’s Howelsen Hill, home to Ski Free Sundays. It’s home to a sledding hill as well.
Also for your outdoor consideration: the short hike to a frozen, 300-foot Fish Creek Falls and, with a four-wheel drive and reservation, a day of soaking at unforgettable Strawberry Park Hot Springs. However remote, it’s the city spoils that make Steamboat shine year-round. Your shopping on Lincoln Avenue is not finished without a stop at F.M. Light & Sons, the Western wear store with a history dating to 1905. Happy hours abound in town, including at Laundry; get there right away
for cocktails and choose-your-own spreads of smoked and cured meats. Aurum is another go-to, as is pizza and beer at Mountain Tap Brewery
Old Town Pub is another happy hour site and also one of Steamboat’s spots for live music. Locals and visitors boogie down as well at Schmiggity’s
Durango
Durango knows how to have fun in the winter. Look no further than Snowdown, the annual week-long affair since 1979. Recent years have seen beard-growing contests, beer plunges, outhouse stuffings and more shenanigans in early February.
Maybe that’s when you chart a course to this bustling pocket of the San Juan Mountains. The skiing typically picks up around then at Purgatory Resort, which also offers tubing and the thrilling Inferno Mountain Coaster on weekends. Tubing also is offered at the smaller ski area closer to town: Hesperus, where locals go for night skiing under the lights.
More memories can be made at Durango Dog Ranch, a nearly 30-yearold family business of mushers leading dog sled tours.
Warm up and relax at Durango Hot Springs Resort + Spa, which has been included in more itineraries in recent years thanks to extensive renovations.
Add that to a list that inevitably includes the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. In winter, the five-hour excursion chugs to Cascade Canyon, a magical realm of snow-draped forests and rock walls.
You won’t soon forget the views, just as you won’t soon forget a night at Strater Hotel. It’s the Victorian landmark occupying a downtown corner, alive at night with a Wild West-themed saloon and craft cocktail lounge.
The hotel’s Mahogany Grille is one of the town’s highly regarded restaurants. Nearby is the popular Steamworks Brewing Co., among other breweries big and small here: Ska, Carver and Animas
FROM PAGE 5
CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE
A multi-year project has helped to transform the base area at Steamboat Resort, known for its unique, ultra-fluffy powder.
MARK REIS, THE GAZETTE FILE
FROM PAGE 6
Glenwood Springs
While the world flocks to Aspen, this town less than an hour’s drive away offers similar beauty and spoils without as much hype.
OK, so the skiing isn’t as good. But folks in Glenwood are just fine with Resort, which also sells snowmobile tours and a Nordic trail system. And it sells something Aspen cannot: world-class hot springs down in town.
Commanding the view is the giant, steaming Glenwood Hot Springs Pool view is Iron Mountain Hot Springs nicely constructed dips near the scenic banks of the Colorado River.
Before settling on more ideas in town, might we suggest a mode of getting there in the first place: Amtrak’s California Zephyr
Denver’s Union Station, weaves through fabulous scenery and drops you off in downtown Glenwood within walking distance of a hotel. You might go for the most historic: Hotel Colorado
The aforementioned hot springs can be reached without a vehicle, as can downtown’s many col orful shops and eateries. Close together are a few of the finest: Riviera Supper Club, Co. Ranch House and The Pullman. Or make it dinner and a show at Glenwood Vaudeville Revue
Everybody’s favorite watering hole is liday’s Saloon. The legend’s grave can be visited via a short hike.
GABI BROEKEMA, THE GAZETTE
ed by Bob Boze Bell hangs over the mantel at Doc Holliday’s Saloon in Glenwood Springs.
COURTESY PHOTO
Glenwood Hot Springs Pool is the largest of its kind in the world.
PLAYTIME TO BEDTIME
Holiday gifts that make kids’ days special
StatePoint Media
Searching for the perfect holiday gifts for little ones? Think about their daily activities and consider how you can make those moments more special.
From playtime to bedtime, here are five ideas that add fun and wonder to kids’ routines:
1. Bath time comfort: If bath time could use a revamp, consider a set of bath toys. While rubber ducks are a classic option, today’s bath toys don’t just float; they also spray water, spin, make music and light up, keeping babies and toddlers occupied and engaged while getting clean. Pair this gift with an animal bath wrap, so that getting out of the tub is just as fun. Ducks, bears and dinosaurs are some of the cutest and coziest options and are nice for the pool too.
2. Time to build: Kids can start on their first DIY projects with the Drill & Learn
Workbench from VTech. With nine included project ideas, youngsters can learn to use its drill, drill press, sander, circular saw, screwdriver, vise and hammer. Three modes allow young builders to listen to music while they work, explore sounds and facts about each tool, and show off their discoveries in quiz time. Storage and trays help kids keep a tidy workspace.
3. Glamour and magic: Bring magic into playtime with the Style & Glam On Unicorn. Kids can choose from six glamorous accessories to decorate the unicorn’s horn and tail, then hear the unicorn describe each accessory, helping kids explore colors, counting, feelings and more. Kids can coordinate the color of the unicorn’s star by pressing the gem on its necklace, or place an accessory on its horn to see its star change color to match. Music adds to the dress-up party as the unicorn’s
horn and star will flash to the beat.
4. Creative mealtimes: Make meals more creative with BPA-free, silicone placemats that can be doodled on again and again along with a set of colorful dry erase markers. Easy to clean and featuring designs meant to educate and entertain, they offer parents convenience and children endless fun.
5. Bedtime stories: Storytime With Sunny is not only a bedside lamp but also an animated friend and storyteller that invites participation in more than 300 activities. Sunny shares fairy tales, classic songs, guessing games, silly jokes and tongue twisters, and also encourages good manners and healthy habits such as brushing teeth. When the day is done, set the gentle alarm and let kids take a quiet moment with Sunny as she leads them in a bedtime routine. They will fall asleep to her softly glowing light.
‘Tis the season ... for shopping
BY SETH BOSTER seth.boster@gazette.com
We hear Santa forgives slackers. But don’t count on him to bail you out for last-minute gifts. For those and for after-Christmas deals, you better look to these shopping centers.
Cherry Creek Shopping Center: The Denver mall combines all the favorites (American Eagle, Express, Lululemon) with some of the finer, luxury lines (Gucci, Louis Vuitton). We counted close to 150 stores up and down the directory. That included beloved brands for
your outdoorsy someone: Arc’teryx and Cotopaxi.
Park Meadows: The Lone Tree complex is flanked by the likes of Dillard’s, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Nordstrom. Whatever you’re looking for — clothes, shoes, housewares, beauty products, Apple — it’s all here. Or it’s on the peripheries. Barnes and Noble and World Market are examples nearby.
Outlets at Castle Rock: It’s a compendium of classics at a discount. Shoppers load up at Nike and Under Armour, among fac-
tory stores here. Deals abound at outlets such as Columbia, Kate Spade, The North Face, Levi’s, Puma and Vans. Did we mention Crocs?
Downtown Colorado Springs: Compared with, say, Denver’s 16th Street Mall, your parking hassles and such will be far lesser at the center of the Springs. So the options aren’t as vast. Still, you’re bound to find something among the stores of local, thoughtfully curated goods.
Old Colorado City: This is the Victorian, picturesque hub west of
downtown Colorado Springs. The gold rush era has given way to a colorful hub of clothiers, jewelers and gift shops ranging from high end to quirky. Holidays got you down? The locals drink here. Outlets at Silverthorne: It competes with the prices of the Castle Rock outlets, the brands familiar but maybe not quite as many. It wins when it comes to views. That’s why you’re making the drive to Summit County — and maybe for a quick ski. Don’t skip the shops in Frisco and Breckenridge.
TIMOTHY HURST, THE GAZETTE
A family shops at the LEGO Store in Park Meadows. Shoppers will find a wide array of stores inside the Lone Tree complex.
Festive feasts
BY SETH BOSTER seth.boster@gazette.com
Sites to take the family for memorable holiday dining
So you’ve got family coming to town and cooking sounds daunting. Leave the hassle to these Colorado Springs restaurants, local staples that cater to groups and memories:
Brunch: Everybody loves a pancake flight at Urban Egg. Or maybe opt for Urban Steam or Mother Muff’s, where a band plays Sunday mornings. Or treat yourselves to something more magnificent than anything you’ll find under the Christmas tree: The Broadmoor’s Sunday brunch.
Edelweiss: The restaurant has been a family favorite for more than 50 years, bringing everyone back for pretzels, sauerkraut, schnitzels,
JEFF KEARNEY, SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE Chicken with Waffles at Urban Steam in downtown Colorado Springs.
DINING
bratwurst and more in a cozy, chateau-like atmosphere.
Italian feasts: Will it be Luigi’s, the old-school staple since 1958? Or perhaps the more modern Red Gravy downtown? Or maybe it’s Paravicini’s on the west side. They all make us feel at home.
Till: The “Till Experience” is an upscale, four-course meal for one or two. Maybe that’s the move for your splurging party. Also consider the happy hour of discount drinks and appetizers.
Local Relic: The historic Carter Payne church continues to pour unique brews as well as curated wines and cocktails. Those are joined by crafty shareables and larger plates in a no-fuss setting.
Fat Sully’s: A large pizza elsewhere might be 14 inches. It’s 26 inches here on South Tejon. How about that for an easy, unforgettable sit-down for you and yours?
CO.A.T.I.: This might be even easier than Fat Sully’s. The neighboring food hall is super spacious and offers seven walk-up-and-order kitchens along with a brewery and two bars.
Ivywild School: As with others listed, the draw here is space, convenience and options. And, of course, the beloved elementary school scene. Bristol Brewing Co. shares the school with kitchens specializing in burgers, pizza, barbecue and empanadas.
Tapateria: The purpose is in the name: Tapas, small and flavor-packed plates that are meant to be shared in the charming Old Colorado City nook. Goes the suggestion: “Order a few, and then a few more.”
Crystal Park Cantina: If it’s a large group, there’s a good chance you’ll have to wait. But the fresh Mexican flavors and margaritas always deliver here in the hills of Manitou Springs.
Wines of Colorado: There’s lots of wine — but there’s beer and cocktails as well. The other reasons to make a reservation: the delicious appetizers and creekside scene in Cascade.
Roll with sushi: The new, hip spot downtown is Sushi Row. Maybe that’s the spot. We’re partial to two on the west side: Nara and Dozo, both of which you might want to call ahead depending on group size.
Porky’s Revenge omelet with hash browns and toast at Mother Muff’s in Old Colorado City.
Paravicini’s Italian Bistro serves up several tasty veal dishes in Old Colorado City.
PHOTOS BY JEFF KEARNEY, SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE
Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Sweet Potato Fries along with the Mushroom and Swiss Burger with Fries at Ivywild Kitchen south of downtown Colorado Springs.
Fish Tacos with Roasted Veggies at Wines of Colorado, located west of Colorado Springs off U.S. 24 in Cascade.
Lights! Lights! Lights!
Take in the glow of the season at these cherished Springs displays
BY SETH BOSTER seth.boster@gazette.com
The Broadmoor: You don’t have to be an overnight guest to delight in the tradition. Locals head to the resort when it transforms into a holiday wonderland, the trees wrapped in twinkling lights and the halls decked with boughs of holly. Drive around the neighborhood for more magical displays. More information: broadmoor.com/holiday-faq
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Electric Safari: Colorado’s most scenic zoo becomes its most colorful around Christmastime. Kids and kids at heart love the tradition that has grown to include more than
85 glowing sculptures, larger-than-life inflatable animals and, new for 2023, a drone light show. Advanced tickets online starting at $20.
Magic of Lights: South of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak International Raceway lines the road with tunnels of Technicolor lights and digital animations using the latest and greatest in LED technology. For its second year, the event has added the Jolly Holiday Village, featuring Santa and treats. Tickets are $22.
Holiday Headframe Lighting and Ice Castles: Fill the thermoses with hot cocoa, load the family in the SUV, and head to the hills of Cripple
Creek and Victor. The wooden headframes from the gold rush days are decorated with giant, illuminated fixtures. The big bonus for 2023 is the LED-infused complex called Ice Castles, where tickets start at $21.
Stroll the city streets: The shops add to the holiday cheer along Tejon Street, lined with glowing trees and garland-wrapped light posts. Acacia Park hosts downtown’s proudest tree, along with ice skaters. Old Colorado City is always a festive, charming scene; you might just come by some carolers. That’s also the case in Manitou Springs, where stores vie for the best window displays.
GETTY IMAGES
Sudoku X
Sudoku X 1
Sudoku X 2
Train Tracks
Lay down tracks to allow a train to travel from A to B. Only use straight and curved rails and the track cannot cross itself. The numbers indicate how many sections of rail go in each column and row. — Crosswords Ltd.
Jumble Crosswords 3
Jumble
Jumble Crosswords 4
Obviously, a lot of people would rather be wrong than quiet.
Jumble
Jumble
Jumble
Jumble
Jumble
Jumble
Jumble
The Commuter Crossword
The Commuter Crossword
The Commuter Crossword
The Commuter Crossword
Quote-Acrostic
The bigger the mouth, the better it looks shut.
Sunday Crossword Puzzle
“CAN YOU DIGIT?” By
PAM AMICK KLAWITTER
1 Prepared for a selfie
Pizzeria chain, familiarly
ER figures
What worms help do, soilwise
Unite in a common cause
73 Phishing target, briefly 74 W ith no time to spare
Nero’s 902 79 Six-pack muscles 82 “__ Walked Into My Life”: “Mame” song 83 Love interest of 58-Down
84 Liability
86 Aussie leaf munchers
89 “Yeah, right!”
90 Front door, usually 91 Week attachment?
92 Banned bug spray
93 Fla. NBA team
94 Barcelona bears
95 What “I don’t wanna” do, in a Zayn/Taylor Swift hit
99 Crew member
102 Butcher ’s cut
Mustard, e.g.: Abbr
Bruins legend
Lacking freshness
35 Place to find a hack
Blood prefix 40 Problem for the wear y
Eight hours per day? 42 Nods from NASA 43 Loner of a fish? 44 Prospecting tool 45 Lar yngitis docs
Post-Civil War economic growth period 51 Food ser vice trade org.
52 Midsummer arrivals 53 Vintage autos 54 Kid __: reading genre 55 Shopper ’s indulgence
Newspapers 60 Lord’s domain
Audi’s rings, e.g.
Fortuitous 64 On a lark 66 Co-star with Goldie, Ruth, Henr y, et al. 67 Courtroom attention-getter 68 Reference volumes
103 __ Today: magazine for teachers
104 5 1/2 and 8 3/4, e.g. ... and a hint to this puzzle’s circles
109 RSVP cards, say
110 Terrible start?
111 “Come-faithful” filler
112 Clavell’s “Shogun” sequel
113 Deli choice
114 People fixers: Abbr
115 TV’s “New Girl”
116 Involve
1 Hangdog
2 Cousteau’s sea
3 Nest egg letters
4 Action in a legal thriller
5 Words from Caesar
6 Cole of “Angie Tribeca” 7 Incalculable
8 “Guess again”
9 GM subsidiar y until 2017
10 LPGA star Pak in the World Golf Hall of Fame
11 Smartphone feature 12 It’s underfoot 13 Foliage element 14 Dr. Howser of ’80s-’90s TV
18 Difference between winning and losing, maybe 20 Word in an iconic cocktail order 22 Small racer
27 Asian menu promise
28 Inedible wraps
29 ’Vette roof option
30 Maui’s scenic __ Highway
31 Babe’s relatives
36 W ilson of “Walker, Texas Ranger”
37 Brown of publishing
38 Snack cake brand
39 Scratches (out)
15 They involve responsibilities 16 Largish combo
40 React to a boring speech
42 “This is only __”
Vehicle for Hulu and Roku
Pretense 78 E-file alternative 79 Talent show entries 80 Pressure: Pref. 81 Northern __: apples 85 How much space
travels 86 Sullivan’s pupil 87 Like some bagels
88 It may be unwanted
Things to aspire to
Walks unhurriedly
Hardly look forward to
Bar words that make you smile 97 Key with four sharps: Abbr
Tick off
Renaissance instrument
Yemen neighbor
108 Popular skit show, for short
By GARRY MORSE
Sunday Crossword Puzzle
Makes red-faced
Brew in big containers
“The Enemy W ithin” org.
Golden State school whose city is also its county
Doesn’t abandon, as one’s promise
Nine-piece combo
“Fooled you!” 65 Dishes like a 28-Across? 70 Morse “T”
“Phooey!” cousins
Dense overgrowth
Bad picnic omen
Marseille mates
Sugar coating 73 Kindle download 74 Bishop’s district
Sandburg’s metaphorical fog carrier
Barbarian
Preserved, in a way
Span. title 90 Leaving approx. 91 Just taps on the door? 94 Rooftop landing spot 97 Like candid photos 98 Transfer to a larger computer, say 99 Barbecue leftovers 102 Rough partner? 107 Texas Hold ’em in Texas?
109 Causes of road trip delays 112 1977 ELO hit 113 Selection from a pool
114 Bird that returns fire when hunted? 115 Yet 116 Square dance quorum 117 “Live PD” airer 118 Throb 119 W ine list heading 120 “Flashdance” star Jennifer 121 Top officers 122 Tarot reader
1 Son of Thor, in comics 2 Divvy up 3 Bacteria in grapelike clusters
4 Libyan port on its own gulf
5 Whiner 6 Lupine call 7 Fictional governess
8 Main plot element in “The Sting” 9 Labor Day mo. 10 Recap 11 Central idea 12 Springs
13 Baseball’s Hershiser
14 “Piece of cake” 15 Learn well 16 Begged 17 Went after
Hunting dogs 24 Where it’s at 28 Took off 29 Persian on the floor 31 Yeshiva leader
34 “I want to be entertained”
35 Mennonites, e.g.
36 Pinafore letters
37 Play a prank on
38 Like a large hole
39 Taking everything into account 40 Jordan or Curry, e.g.
41 Actress Rowlands 42 Beast with thick skin
43 Dropped-pot sound
48 West Virginia border river
49 Letter after Sierra 50 Plains tribe
52 Paolo’s possessive 54 Enjoys, as an ice cream cone
56 Indigenous
57 Not enjoying the whale watch, maybe
59 Frat row letter
61 Nephrologist’s concern
63 Luther’s 95 __
66 Lessened
67 Old stories
68 One’s early years
69 Tiny insect egg
72 Efron of “High School Musical”
75 Mets infielder Robinson __
77 Regular work
79 42-Down features
80 Folksy Guthrie
83 ProFlowers parent co.
85 Econ. yardstick
86 At work
87 Horror film reaction
88 Admonish
89 Eased
92 Violinist who taught Heifetz
93 Tea prep aids
95 Hawkeyes
96 Friend
99 Blood line
100 Word shouted with a raised glass
101 Antelope groups
103 King with a magic touch
104 Wayne of Wayne Manor
105 Café lightener
106 Glacial ridge
108 Dark purple
109 Word repeated in an iconic FDR quote
110 Superboy’s girlfriend
111 Includes
114 Slight amount
CRACKERS”
By MARK McLACHLAN
80 One of Australia’s six 81 Summing-up words 83 Thin coin 86 Digitally approve 88 Game-winning line 89 Hallelujah trio? 90 Spanish article 91 Sharp tingle, as of fear
95 Ford contemporary 98 Discount
102 Guru whose opinions are trusted
107 Surname on Elm Street
108 Chiwere-speaking native
109 Trial subject 110 2019 “Game of Thrones” event
114 45, in classic pop
117 Well-behaved
118 Like many Horace works
119 Mexican madam
Physical location?
Sunday Crossword Puzzle
76 Slips through the cracks
79 Domingo, for one
120 Govt. employees encoded by the nine other longest across entries in this puzzle ... and who might be called in to decode them
122 __ Reader
123 When Hamlet kills Polonius
124 Divider of pews
125 Word in many obituaries
126 Collectible ’90s caps
127 Put away for later
128 Kingdom
129 Important stretch
DOWN
1 Kanye West label
2 Ring of color
3 Regarded
4 2003 holiday comedy
5 Reason for being barred at a bar
6 Taj Mahal city 7 Immense 8 Blast cause 9 Suspected 10 Heaps
11 Tear channel
12 Czech track legend
Zátopek
13 Cellular process affecting nucleotide sequences
14 Scene of some “Gunsmoke” action
15 College address ending
16 Actor born Alphonso D’Abruzzo
17 First of three Leslie Nielsen comedies, with “The”
18 Supervises
24 Venomous
29 U2 frontman
30 Whale group
32 Pitching staff star
34 VCR button
37 Masseuse’s target
38 Not sure (of)
39 12th Jewish month
40 Hi-__ graphics
44 Munro pen name
46 “Great minds think alike,” e.g.
47 Fire-suppressing gas
48 Position
50 Med. care provider
52 U.K. fliers
53 They may be changed by judges
55 Place side by side
56 Taking it badly?
57 Run in place
58 Modernist’s prefix
59 TV chef Brown 61 Love of antiques
64 Renowned clown
65 Navel formation
66 Stand-up comic’s seat
70 Front-of-bk. list
73 __ Bo
74 “Just what I wanted!”
75 ’70s Israeli prime minister
77 “Music for Airports” producer
78 Move quickly
81 Ruler unit
82 Veg out
83 A piece of cake
84 More than familiar with
85 Growing up
87 “Shoo!”
67 Lock __: come into conflict
92 Brand with a pitchershaped mascot
93 Bard’s instrument
94 Freudian focus
96 Mo. when Festivus is celebrated
97 Beetle Bailey nemesis
99 Treats again, as a sprain
100 Grow older
101 Actress Thompson and ice dancer Virtue
103 Disney Beetle
104 “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again” singer Warwick
105 Drama queen, e.g.
106 View from Jidda
111 Really digging
112 Pinot
113 Grammy winner India.__
115 Galileo’s birthplace
116 Strip
120 Away companion
121 Rock in a setting
ArrowWords
Fill in the grid using the clues provided in the direction of the arrows. When complete, unscramble the letters in the circles to reveal the mystery word.
Sudoku
Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. — The Mepham Group
Sudoku 1
Sudoku 2
Sudoku 3
Sudoku 4
The best way to teach your children to count is to give them different allowances.
More or Less
Each digit can appear only once in each row and column but still follow the > or < signs. — Knight Features
1 Diamond problem 5 Plush carpet 9 Test versions 14 Feminist poet Adrienne 15 It’s partially submerged 16 Valuable violin 17 Italian wine region
18 Founder of Edom
19 R2-D2 or BB-8, e.g.
20 Parvenu’s business venture?
23 Beantown NHL nickname
24 “__ whiz!”
25 Quarterback’s nonchalant move?
32 Vague time period
33 Spots for AirPods
34 One may be decorated for the holidays
35 Sprightly
36 Marmalade bits
38 __ Ren, “Star Wars” villain
39 Trig. function
40 Aloha State bird
41 Plumlike fruit
42 Down Under withdrawal?
46 Disney doe
47 It’s just over a foot
48 TSA agent’s perfected search technique?
55 Tropical porch
56 Murdoch who received the 1978 Booker Prize for “The Sea, the Sea”
57 “What’s the big __?” 58 Habituate 59 Retail outlet
60 Mattress option 61 Zaps 62 Neverland pirate
63 What this puzzle does here
1 German spouse 2 Speech therapy target
3 Tries to look
Daily Crossword Puzzle
4 Plant leaf pest
Himalayan guide
“Prizzi’s Honor” director or actress
of regret
Scrubby wastelands
Chewed the scenery
Perfume that sounds forbidden
Surmounting
“Pull up a chair”
Arthur in the International Tennis Hall of Fame
When you’re young you
22 Seaweed-based thickeners
Buckeye State sch.
Brightest star in Cygnus
Taken in
“All Because __”: 2005 U2 song 30 Steakhouse order
Picked dos
Dr Pepper Museum city
Skin pics
Yukon gold rush region
Au pairs
When you’re old, it’s hypertension.
41 Burlesque bit 43 “’__ the Jabberwock, my son!’”: Carroll 44 Have great plans 45 Pure 48 Mike’s “Wayne’s World” co-star
49 Obligation
50 Gets in the crosshairs, with “at”
51 Disneyland transport
52 Norse god
53 Make (one’s way)
54 Old horses
55 Put a match to
1 Component of an Olympic bronze medal 5 Off-road vehicle maker?
Peddle 14 Brand in a studio, maybe
Chooser’s choice
Onetime capital of the Mughal Empire 17 Seats facing the altar 18 Alley button
Genesis problem 20 Soiree for woodchip manufacturers? 23 Energized
Inspection 26 Soiree for certain divers?
Govt. stipend 31 Angel dust letters 32 Neural transmitter 34 Powerful 2017 hurricane 37 Soiree for spreadsheet creators?
41 Solo number 42 Gear for Lindsey Vonn
Service reward
PETA concern 47 Soiree for fake coin makers?
50 Need for big dos
Spherical extremities
55 Soiree for army enlistees? 59 Green hue 60 Louvre Pyramid architect
Chatroom spammers
Manipulates 65 Really funny ones 66 City-circumventing road
Hot message 68 American in Paris, perhaps
69 One of 11 for Julia LouisDreyfus
1 12345, for Schenectady, NY
2 Turner on a turntable 3 Times, at times 4 Spirited toon?
Daily Crossword Puzzle
5 Actress Hatcher 6 “Top Chef” set piece
Building project for cranes?
Get down to earth?
First pro team to play on artificial turf
Samurai ritual
Lab gelatins
Pen
GOOD Music record label founder
Cholesterol letters
Presume
Common 99-cent
Hajji’s destination
Potter’s creation
Plot lines
Imitates derisively
“American Gods” author Gaiman
Traveler’s overnight spot
Seasoning seed
Buoyant protection 39 Actress Dern of “Twin Peaks” 40 Sch. with a Harrisburg campus
44 NBA stat
46 Hang up the spikes
48 2.3, perhaps: Abbr.
49 Slight character flaw
50 2.3, roughly
51 Come up
52 Big name in stopwatches
53 Compilation album add-on
56 Per item
57 Spanakopita cheese
58 Solidarity symbol
62 First of a generic trio
63 Expert on bugs?
Daily Crossword Puzzle
ACROSS
1 “We’re done here”
Lead-in for an old saw
Star associated with Venus
It may be taken before a vote
Reality
__ Stadium, home to the 49ers 24 Wild fruit is a feature of it
Opposite of original
Baseball’s Maglie and Bando
Tequila sources
Short-legged lizard
Song title line after “once, twice”
Basements, to Realtors
Sources of sprays
Figs. with two dashes
“El Cantar de mío __”: Castilian epic
41 The U.S. Naval Academy is situated at its mouth
Piano duet quartet
Caterpillar rival
Word with box or dome
Whack 51 Act with a rainy day in mind?
53 Hosp. area with few visitors 54 “AGT” judge __ B 55 Singer in the Whiffenpoofs, e.g. 56 Slangy states?
Word Salsa
CHANCEY BUSH, THE GAZETTE FILE Steam rises on a frigid December afternoon as guests soak in Strawberry Park Hot Springs just outside Steamboat Springs. The iconic pools attract visitors year-round.
NATHAN VAN DYNE, THE GAZETTE It’s hard to beat the natural pools at Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort.
CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE People soak along the San Juan River at The Springs Resort.
BY SETH BOSTER seth.boster@gazette.com
Some of Colorado’s hot springs rise above the rest. Consider these for your soaking bucket list:
Strawberry Park Hot Springs: It maintains a rugged quality — no better felt than in winter, when the road from Steamboat Springs requires a four-wheel drive. However rough the journey, it’s all serenity upon arrival. The stonecut, thermal pools are nestled in a forest that catches the glistening snow for which the ski town is famous. You might pair a pool reservation with lodging; choose from a quirky array of cabins, a train caboose and a covered wagon.
The Springs Resort: Pagosa Springs is home to several commercial hubs that have harnessed the town’s thermal waters (not to mention the “hippie dips” known along the river through town). This is the most renowned spot. For the suite named for Oprah, yes. But more so for the Mother Spring, regarded as the world’s deepest geothermal spring. It feeds pools varying in size and temperature along a terrace that is open to day guests.
Glenwood Hot Springs Resort: Pagosa has claim to the deepest spring, while Glenwood has claim to the biggest
steaming pool of its kind. It sprawls beside the 107-room lodge, originally built of sandstone in 1890. The development put Glenwood on the map, attracting presidents and global dignitaries before today’s memory-making families. A newer development nearby is Iron Mountain Hot Springs, some thing more quaint for the grown-ups.
Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort: Near Buena Vista, the resort is a go-to destination for day trippers and over nighters alike. Overnighters are treated to modern hotel rooms and cabins along with complimentary cross-country skis or snowshoes for adventure nearby. But it’s hard to leave the peace and quiet of pools both man-made and natural along the creek with mountain views.
Valley View Hot Springs: The managing nonprofit, Orient Land Trust, carefully protects the grounds and waters near Moffat from crowding. That explains why overnights and day reservations have been hard to come by in recent years. If you’re lucky, you won’t soon forget the experience that is unlike any other in Colorado. Orient Land Trust celebrates clothing-optional “naturism” around the rustic, steaming ponds reached by trail. They are situated on a hill looking out to the San Luis Valley and Sangre de Cristo peaks.
CHANCEY BUSH, THE GAZETTE FILE
Take paths near the pools of Strawberry Park Hot Springs to an array of cabins, a train caboose and a covered wagon.
MARK REIS, THE GAZETTE FILE
MARK REIS, THE GAZETTE FILE
A decorative collection of rocks at Valley View Hot Springs.
COURTESY GLENWOOD HOT SPRINGS RESORT Glenwood Hot Springs Pool is open daily, rain or shine, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
WordWheel
Insert the missing letter to complete an eight-letter word reading clockwise or counterclockwise.
You know you’re getting older when you still have ideals but you’re willing to sell them for the right price.
Word Search
If you have what it takes, there’s always somebody willing to take it.
Word Search
Married person: Someone who lost their liberty in the pursuit of happiness.
Kubok 9
Enter the missing numbers from 1 to 9 without repetitions so that the sum of the three numbers in each row and column is the same as the corresponding circled number.
Kubok 12
• In each of the 18 rows formed by the alignment of 12 squares all of the numbers from 1 to 12 must be present, without any repetition.
• In each of the 6 zones made up of 6 x 2 squares, both horizontal and vertical, identifiable on each face of the cube, all of the numbers from 1 to 12 must be present, without any repetition.
• All of the numbers from 1 to 12 must be present without any repetition in the shape formed by the cube’s three faces that form the central corner of 2 x 2 x 2.
• In the shape formed by two visible faces of the six 2 x 2 x 2 cubes on the edges of the large cube, there must be only 8 of the 12 numbers from 1 to 12 present, without any repetition.
Kubok 1
Kubok 2
Kubok 3
Kubok 4
Kubok 5
Kubok 6
Kubok 16
Enter the missing numbers from 1 to 16 without repetitions so that the sum of the four numbers ineach row and column is the same as the corresponding circled number.
Kubok 999
In each column and every 3x3 sector all numbers from 1 to 9 must be present without repetitions. The sum of the 3 numbers of each row must be equal to the releative circled number.
How many people would continue to watch sports if they had to run on a treadmill to keep the TV going?
Kubok 7
Kubok 8
Kubok 9
Kubok
Kubok
Kubok
Boggle BrainBusters 1
Boggle BrainBusters 2
Boggle BrainBusters 3
Boggle BrainBusters 5
Boggle BrainBusters 4
Boggle BrainBusters 6
Kakuro
To solve Kakuro, you must enter a number between 1 and 9 in the empty squares. The clues are the numbers in the white circles that give the sum of the solution numbers: above the line are across clues and below the line are down clues. Thus, a clue of 3 will produce a solution of 2 and 1 and a 5 will produce 4 and 1, or 2 and 3, but, of course, which squares they go in will depend on the solution of a clue in the other direction. No digit can be repeated in a solution, so a 4 can only produce 1 and 3, never 2 and 2.
People who marry for money are just looking for someone to spend with, the rest of their lives.
Kakuro 1 Kakuro 3
Kakuro 2 Kakuro 4
The (Classic) TV CROSSWORD
ACROSS 1 Gabor or Longoria 4 Wayne and Denver 9 “American __!”
Actor Kilmer 13 __ a time; consecutively
Ending for infant or text
Wallach or Marienthal 16 Star of “Lou Grant” 17 “Single Parents” network 18 Cowell or Helberg
Murray and Heche 22 2009-14 “ABC World News” anchor
26 24 __ gold 27 Suffix for long or strong 28 Mali’s continent: abbr. 29 Ming-Na Wen’s “ER” role
32 Some SeaWorld performers 35 “Chicago Med” actor 39 Actor Nick 40 Ryan or Tatum
42 “Avengers: __ of Ultron”; 2015 film 43 Disney dog 47 Clock numeral 48 “The Adventures of __ Tin Tin”
“__ in the hand is worth two…” 50 Furry sitcom alien
“Say __ to the Dress” 52 Fodder storage towers 53 90 degrees from ENE
Arden & Plumb
Legally binding
Actor __ Ballard 4 Dick Loudon’s wife on “Newhart” 5 Slip-__; shoes with no backs 6 Egg layer
Glasgow refusal 8 Panama hat material 9 Ladd & Keaton
10 “Little House on the Prairie” adopted brother
11 Yuletide months: abbr.
19 Furniture wood
21 “Bill __, the Science Guy”
23 Clear the slate
24 Morley of “60 Minutes”
25 Catch in __; ensnare
29 “__ Howser, M.D.”
30 Burstyn & Pompeo
31 “A Little __ of Heaven”; Kate Hudson film
33 Bridges & Nolan
34 Actress Laura __ Giacomo
36 “Las __”; James Caan series
37 “Walker, __ Ranger”
38 Coin toss call
39 __ a soul; no one 41 “__ in Pieces”
44 __-Wan Kenobi
45 Jed Clampett’s discovery
46 To and __ ACROSS
“Bless This __”
Molinaro & Roker
Angry speech
TV Jumble
You can email David L. Hoyt at DLHoyt@aol.com
2020 Tribune Content Agency, LLC, All Rights Reserved
You can email David L. Hoyt at DLHoyt@aol.com
You can email David L. Hoyt at DLHoyt@aol.com
You can email David L. Hoyt at DLHoyt@aol.com
So many people seek the key to the meaning of life, not realizing it’s a combination lock.
Killer Sudoku
Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9. Digits inside the dotted cages must add up to the number in the corner of each cage, and digits can’t repeat inside a cage.
Killer Sudoku 1
Killer Sudoku 3
Killer Sudoku 2
Killer Sudoku 4
Jumble for Kids
The letters of these crazy words are all mixed up. To play the game, put them back into the right order so that they make real words you can find in your dictionary. Write the letters of each real word under each crazy word, but only one letter to a square.
Jumble for Kids
The letters of these crazy words are all mixed up. To play the game, put them back into the right order so that they make real words you can find in your dictionary. Write the letters of each real word under each crazy word, but only one letter to a square.
Jumble
Jumble For Kids — Page 49
Maybe it is lonely at the top, but the company on the bottom isn’t all that fabulous either.
SOLUTIONS: Jumble For Kids — Page 50
6 7 8
SOLUTIONS
SOLUTIONS
ArrowWords — Page 26
SOLUTIONS
YOUNG MATCH
SOLUTIONS
Scrabble Grams
SOLUTIONS
SOLUTIONS
TV Jumble — Page 47
OUTLAW DOLPHIN SKIPPER CARTOON
1
This actress was originally cast in the role of Roz Doyle on “Frasier.”
LISA KUDROW
BARBER BLOOPER CAPTAIN PUNCHES
3
This actor, who got his big break on a show that aired on NBC for five years, was born in County Meath, Ireland in 1953.
PIERCE BROSNAN
TV Crossword — Page 46 Killer Sudoku — Page 48
HEROES WALKER SUCCESS MAGICAL
A very small percentage of these stay on the air and go on to achieve success in the ratings.
GAME SHOWS 2
SAILOR GROUCH THINNER MORNING
This person was in his early 20s when he started performing on television from time to time.
RINGO STARR
Many a small boy is exactly the kind of kid his mother tells him not to play with.
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION
A movie marathon filmed in Colorado
BY SETH BOSTER seth.boster@gazette.com
Across Colorado’s movie landscape, you’ll find comedy (“Dumb and Dumber,” shot in Aspen, Breckenridge and Estes Park). You’ll find dark drama (“The Prestige,” with scenes from Redstone Castle near Carbondale). You’ll find romance (“Catch and Release,” filmed in Boulder). But this is Colorado, where action and adventure seem most fitting. That’s what we’re thinking for this movie marathon:
ISAAC BREKKEN, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
One scene in “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” which starred Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie as married assassins, featured the red cliffs of Glenwood Springs.
MOVIES
FROM PAGE 60
“True Grit” (1969): The towns of Ridgway and Ouray mark the places where you can walk in John Wayne’s footsteps. That includes the park at the center of Ridgway, the scene of the gallows, and the Ouray County Courthouse, where little Mattie rolled a cigarette to get Rooster Cogburn’s attention. The movie’s shootout finale took place at a meadow off Owl Creek Pass.
“Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” (1969): Telluride only made sense — Butch Cassidy (played by Paul Newman) famously committed his first bank theft there. Newman’s co-star, Robert Redford, surely appreciated a return to the state where he attended the University of Colorado. That’s the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in the train robbery.
“Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” (1989): In Antonito, the Indiana Jones Bed and Breakfast is the childhood home of our beloved hero. He grew up to save the day on the nearby Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad. That’s not to be confused with the circus train; there’s the Durango & Silverton Railroad again. Other scenes took place in Alamosa and Pagosa Springs.
“Mr. and Mrs. Smith” (2005): Read the Glenwood Springs Post Independent in 2004: “Hollywood is on its way.” It was Hollywood royalty: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, “Brangelina,” as we came to know the ill-fated union. Before the real-life drama played out, we saw them at odds as married assassins.
Glenwood Canyon served as one battleground.
“The Lone Ranger” (2013): Disney picked areas around Creede for this remake following John Reid (played by Armie Hammer) and Tonto (Johnny Depp) on a path to justice. The train scenes were shot on the old rail line from South Fork into Willow Creek Canyon above Creede, where track was relaid to restore some Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad glory.
“The Hateful Eight” (2015): Director Quentin Tarantino continued the western tradition around Telluride with this bloody film pitting brutal lawmen against outlaws in a snowy, post-Civil War cabin in the West. While in Telluride, Tarantino and star Samuel L. Jackson were reportedly on hand for the town’s ceremonial burning of the skis.
“Furious 7” (2015): In 2013, the “Fast and Furious” franchise turned to Colorado for shoots on the epic roads of Pikes Peak and Monarch Pass.
COURTESY UNIVERSAL PICTURES
Paul Walker, left, and Vin Diesel starred in “Furious 7,” which featured scenes on Pikes Peak Highway and Monarch Pass.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Samuel L. Jackson in a scene from “The Hateful Eight,” a 2015 film by Quentin Tarantino that was shot on a ranch outside Telluride.
CHARLIE NEIBERGALL, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
A movie poster from “True Grit” is shown in a display case in the John Wayne Museum in Winterset, Iowa. Visitors still can walk in Wayne’s footsteps while in the towns of Ridgway and Ouray.
Cookies!
TUSCAN ROSEMARY AND PINE NUT BARS
1/4 cup pine nuts
Yield: 16 squares or 18 bars
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
Procedure:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Spread pine nuts on baking sheet and toast in oven, stirring once or twice to prevent burning, until they are a shade darker, about 5 minutes. Remove from baking sheet to prevent further browning and set aside.
3. In medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter.
4. Remove pan from heat and stir in sugar, rosemary, salt and pine nuts. Combine until sugar is dissolved. Stir in flour to make a stiff dough.
5. Spread dough evenly into an ungreased 8-inch baking pan. Bake about 20 minutes until dough is golden around edges and firm in the center. Cool pan on rack for a few minutes, then cut dough into bars or squares. Let cool in pan for at least 15 minutes before removing.
SOURCE: “Short & Sweet: Sophisticated Desserts in No Time at All” by Melanie Barnard
BRICKLE
Yield: At least 3 dozen pieces
60 or more saltine crackers
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 (12-ounce) package chocolate chips Chopped nuts
Procedure:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Cover large (about 13-by-15 inches) jelly roll pan with foil. Coat lightly with nonstick spray. Place saltine crackers in single layer on foil.
3. In saucepan on stove, melt butter and brown sugar over low heat. Bring to boil and cook 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove and pour over crackers.
4. Bake for 5 minutes.
5. Remove from oven and sprinkle chocolate chips on top. Leave until melted. Spread out the chocolate and sprinkle with nuts.
6. Refrigerate at least 4 hours. Break into pieces.
SOURCE: Submitted by Judith L. McVaugh and Carol Latta Milner
PHOTOS/RECIPES BY TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE
DIPPED GINGERSNAPS
Yield: 3 to 4 dozen cookies
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
2 eggs
1/2 cup molasses
4 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking soda
1 tablespoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
Additional sugar for rolling
For dipping:
2 (12-ounce) packages white chocolate chips
1/4 cup shortening
Procedure:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In large bowl, combine sugar and oil. Mix well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in molasses.
3. Combine dry ingredients in separate bowl. Gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Shape into 3/4-inch balls and roll in sugar.
4. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from cookie sheet to cool.
5. For dipping: Melt chips and shortening in microwaveable bowl. Dip cookies halfway and place on waxed paper to harden.
SOURCE: Submitted by Janet Starr
EPIC RUSH
Colorado boasts plenty of hills not reserved for skiers
BY SETH BOSTER seth.boster@gazette.com
If you’re in the city and you and the kids are really into sledding, surely you’ve got your favorite hill. Maybe this is the winter to take it up a notch at a true destination.
Here’s a look at some sledding and tubing hills worthy of a day trip:
Boulder: Where there used to be a rope tow, there is now earn-your-turn sledding along the steep hill off Meadow Trail in Chautauqua Park. It might be too steep for some. The larger, gentler hill of Scott Carpenter Park is also popular, as is the wide hill at Tantra Park.
Breckenridge: The town loves sledding, as evidenced by the wide, groomed hill called Runway. It’s free and near the free parking lot on Airport Road. Runway Hill aims to take pressure off Carter Park, another free hill close to downtown. Be on the lookout at Country Boy Mine; while permitting had yet to be finalized going into this winter, the attraction has offered “extreme sledding” in recent years.
Copper Mountain: Who says you need skis at this Summit County resort? Operators invite you
to “slide, spin and send it” on a course that “ups the tubing game with banked turns that make it nearly impossible not to beam all the way down.”
It’s an enticing sight from East Village.
Echo Mountain: The humble site between Evergreen and Idaho Springs calls itself the closest ski area to Denver. And while the skiing might be
too modest for some, the lift-served tubing might be just right — including under the lights at night. You’ll want to book tickets in advance; they’re known to sell out on weekends and holidays.
Fraser Tubing Hill and Colorado Adventure Park: They are practically next-door neighbors, just down the highway from Winter Park. Fraser Tubing Hill is an old family favorite while Colorado Adventure Park is the sleek, newer kid on the block. We’ll let you decide on which one — or maybe you stop at both, seeing how the terrain compares along with the hot chocolate.
Frisco Adventure Park: You’ll need a reservation for these groomed, in-demand lanes varying from mellow to steep. You can make the most of your hour with controlled crowds and the swift “magic carpet” lift. Then you can skip over to the park’s free sledding hill.
Hidden Valley: Sledding and tubing prevail at the scene of an abandoned ski area in a snowy pocket of Rocky Mountain National Park, not far from the Beaver Meadows and Fall River entrances of Estes Park. No rentals or lifts here. Just good, old-fashioned fun amid some of Colorado’s grandest scenery.
JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE Tubers make their way down the tubing hill at Copper Mountain in Summit County.
CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE
Alex Teran, left, and Roberto Lopez from Chicago ride the carpet lift at Echo Mountain while
6 tips for comfort in the new year
HEALTHY FEET, HAPPY FEET
1. Winter footwear. Safety doesn’t have to come at the expense of fashion. While boots featuring tall, spiked heels and narrow, pointed toes can lead to slips and falls on slick surfaces, there are plenty of practical options that are also stylish.
“A low-heeled winter boot is always going to be more fashionable than a cast and crutches,” says Gretchen Lawrence, a foot and ankle surgeon. “Include some soft Merino wool socks for toasty toes and to wick away moisture that can cause issues like athlete’s foot.”
2. Healthy food subscription service. Did you know that certain foods support healthy feet? Foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, such as leafy greens and dairy products, promote strong bones and healing in the event of a fracture. Look for food box subscriptions that offer fresh produce, cheese or nuts.
3. Indoor footwear. Slippers provide cozy comfort, support and traction while indoors. If you have diabetes, they can be especially helpful as they
help guard against scratches and cuts on feet. Because the condition sometimes reduces blood flow to that area, it’s harder to heal from an injury or resist infection.
“People with diabetes should never go barefoot, not even at home,” Lawrence says.
4. Ice packs. Ice packs are ideal for those who suffer from plantar fasciitis, a common condition that can cause stabbing heel pain. One of the first-line strategies foot and ankle surgeons recommend is icing the heel for 20 minutes several times a day to reduce inflammation and pain.
5. Find a workout buddy. Weight-bearing exercise such as walking can decrease your risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease and promotes good overall health, especially for your feet. Make a plan to go for regular walks with a friend. You’ll appreciate the special time together.
6. Foot massage. A foot massage can alleviate muscle pain, improve circulation and soothe tired feet. Manual massage is the safest approach, so ask your foot and ankle surgeon for referrals to a qualified massage therapist.
First-rate options for First Day Hikes
BY SETH BOSTER seth.boster@gazette.com
Massachusetts is credited as the birthplace of a hiking tradition in 1992. That Jan. 1 morning, hundreds met at Blue Hills Reservation State Park with the idea of starting the new year right — with exercise and fresh air.
So the tradition continues at state parks around the country, including in Colorado.
Several parks host First Day Hikes led by guides who point out the finer details of nature, instilling in us an appreciation and education that lasts all year. That goes for state parks across the Front Range, some of the finest recreation escapes close to home. Call about details regarding guided tours. Otherwise, make a First Day Hike of your own at some of our favorite state parks between Colorado Springs and Denver.
Cheyenne Mountain: We’ve always found solitude at the foot of the Springs’ second most recognizable
mountain. Like the slopes of Pikes Peak, Cheyenne Mountain offers quaint meadows, woods and granite wonder. Dixon Trail to the top is not for everyone — it is long and grueling — but the Sundance and Blackmer loops could be just right.
Mueller: Pikes Peak looms in view from the aspen-mixed forests and waving grasses that define this Teller County park, along with hidden waters and homestead remains. The possibilities are endless across the 50-plus miles of trail. Cheesman Ranch is a signature 5-mile loop. Outlook Ridge is another go-to.
Roxborough: Garden of the Gods boasts more international fame, but these red rocks dazzle no less closer to Denver. Like Garden of the Gods, parking is no guarantee on holidays and weekends. But you’re sure to find peace on Fountain Valley or South Rim trails. Carpenter Peak Trail reaches the high point in a 6.5-mile round trip.
Golden Gate Canyon: It’s a year-round destina-
tion sprawling more than 12,000 acres, boasting big mountain views and winter serenity in cabins and yurts that book out quickly. Raccoon Trail is a 2.5-mile loop visiting aptly named Panorama Point. Mountain Lion Trail is a longer trek showcasing Golden Gate Canyon’s varied beauty.
Staunton: Tucked amid the greenery and granite off U.S. 285 west of Conifer, this state park has steadily expanded hiking options since opening in 2013. In recent years, that included a new parking lot, Lazy V, that cuts the distance to Elk Falls, considered the tallest waterfall near Denver. You also can’t go wrong with Mason Creek Trail.
Castlewood Canyon: It’s a surprising scene: a sudden, rocky canyon beneath the plains of Franktown. It’s the scene of a historic dam break that caused devastating floods in Denver. The crumbled walls still can be seen by splitting off Inner Canyon Trail. That trail combined with Lake Gulch Trail forms a nice 2-mile loop.
DOUGAL BROWNLIE, THE GAZETTE FILE
People enjoy First Day Hikes at Cheyenne Mountain State Park in Colorado Springs.
Eating a bowl of black-eyed peas and collard greens has become the standard on New Year’s Day.
What’s luck got to do with it?
New Year’s Day tradition features black-eyed peas
BY STEPHANIE TOONE The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
New Year’s Eve may traditionally include a glass of champagne and/or a kiss with a special someone, but come New Year’s Day, the traditions all encompass what’s on the menu.
Specifically in the South, eating a bowl of black-eyed peas and collard greens has become the standard on New Year’s Day.
A few culinary experts have some clues as to how this tradition came to be. According to celebrated Southern food researcher John Egerton in his book “Southern Food: At Home, On the Road, In History,” blackeyed peas are associated with a “mystical and mythical power to bring good luck.”
According to a report by Southern Living, the dish’s lucky reputation reaches all the way to 500 A.D. as a part of the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah, which is the Jewish New Year.
Linda Pelaccio, who hosts culinary radio show “A Taste of the Past,” told USA Today that peas and other lentils are associated with the holiday. Eating them along with collards, with their green color, represent a financially prosperous new year.
Though its roots do not stem from the South, eating black-eyed peas has become a Southern tradition, Pelaccio said. Black-eyed peas are served with rice in the traditional Southern U.S. dish called “Hoppin’ John” for
New Year’s Eve. Or, the peas can be part of a soup. In Italy, lentils are mixed with pork for a lucky dish. The tradition of eating the peas with rice is of African origin, and it became popular in the South later, especially in the Carolinas.
Black-eyed peas with cornbread represents gold, according to Southern Living. Stew black-eyed peas with tomatoes, and they become a symbol of wealth and health.
One unusual New Year’s Day tradition involves putting money in the dish. Some add to their “luck” by cooking their pot of peas with a penny or dime. Whoever gets the bowl with the coin, according to legend, has the best luck for the new year.
TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE
