Fun Colorado Day Trips

If you are in Denver or Vail, there are several great day trips worth checking out.  The following are some of my favorites.

Driving west on I-70, between Vail and Glenwood Springs, you will pass through beautiful Glenwood Canyon.

The Hanging Lake Trail is a must-stop along this scenic patch of highway.  The trail is relatively short–just over a mile–but it’s quite steep and rocky.  There are, however, plenty of places to rest along the way  to take great photos of the canyon and river flowing through it.  There are handrails on the tricky parts.  Hanging Lake is one of Colorado’s gems, a National Natural Landmark, a mysterious natural wonder high in the bluffs.  In summer, waterfall tendrils, gumdrop-green waters, a cliffside location and lush surroundings make it one of Colorado’s most popular hikes.  In winter, masses of icicles transform the lake into a frozen wonderland.

Iron Mountain Hot Springs, at the site of the historic Iron Springs Spa on the scenic banks of the Colorado River, is located in Glenwood Springs–about 3 hours from Denver or 1 hour from Vail.

It has a rich history dating back to 1896, when travelers came from near and far to soak in the therapeutic thermal mineral waters.

Sixteen pools filled with pure, untreated thermal mineral water feature natural designs that complement the riverside landscape—with walkways to connect them; the walkways are heated in winter for a true winter perk!  A quiet zone surrounds these pools to ensure a peaceful setting.  Each pool is a little different, with temps ranging from 98 – 108 degrees F, and all are tucked into the riverbank with mountain views that soothe and inspire!

The family pool has fresh water kept around 93 degrees F with a jetted spa and provides accessibility.

In addition to the bathhouse and gift shop, there is a great little café and bar so you can spend much of the day there.  Upon leaving Iron Mountain Hot Springs, you might want to stop off at  the nearby Glenwood Springs Brew Garden  for a beer and delicious banh mi or Kaleidoscoops for a variety of ice cream flavors.

Aspen is one of America’s most famous mountain towns, and it manages to maintain a character that is 100 percent Colorado.

Hops Culture, located on the pedestrian mall, is a terrific place to have a tasty Colorado brew and bison nachos (with Texas bison!).

Visiting Maroon Lake with the striped, tilted pyramids of the twin Maroon Bells in the background is a great way to enjoy a day trip.   It is one of North America’s most famous mountain scenes.

 

Short Trip to Austin and San Antonio

Just back from a fun couple of days in Austin and San Antonio, showing some friends around for their first trip to the area.

 

Took in several sites, including the Mission Trail

and the Riverwalk

 

in San Antonio, and ate at some old fav restaurants–Liberty Bar, Rosario’s for terrific Mexican food and Geunther House for an awesome breakfast.  A visit to the renovated historic Pearl Brewery  included drinks at The Blue Box, the most fantastic fried snapper throats at Hotel Emma’s restaurant, and browsing some cool small shops there.

 

 

Heading north on IH 35 to Austin, we detoured off the highway to give them a glimpse of historic Greune, with its 100+ year old dancehall.

In Austin, we showed them popular sites, including Mt. Bonnell and walked the trail around Town Lake.  Had very delicious pancakes at The Magnolia Café–always good.  Lunch at The Eastside Café included many of the cafe’s homegrown vegetables and herbs–yum!  The South Congress Café was a great place for a delicious dinner.  Stopped in at The Oasis to have a drink while overlooking Lake Travis.  Took in a little 6th Street action for live music as well as The Saxon Pub for more music.  The Driskill Hotel’s bar is a wonderful place for a late night nightcap!

 

Packed in a lot for a quick trip to these fun cities.

 

 

America’s Historic Triangle

The birthplace of American Democracy is comprised of three cities–Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown.  If you have ever looked at an American history book, you’ve heard of this area where settlers sent by London’s Virginia Company first landed at Jamestown, where the first ideas of a revolution from Britain were developed in Williamsburg, and where one of the most critical of all Revolutionary War battles was fought at Yorktown.

Start your journey where it all began in historic Jamestown (originally, Jamestowne).  Jamestown Settlement, a living history museum of 17th century Virginia history, tells the story of America’s first permanent English colony, founded in 1607.  In Jamestown, you can see life-size replicas of the three ships that brought the English settlers to these shores  after a 4 1/2 month journey.

Visitors get a sense of the spirit of opportunity that motivated the Jamestown colonists to leave their homeland for a difficult voyage to Virginia where the Powhatan Indians were living and the ensuing convergence of diverse cultures.

Outdoors in the re-created Powhatan Indian Village, historical interpreters discuss and demonstrate the Powhatan way of life.

The village, consisting of several dwellings, a garden and a circle of carved ceremonial posts, is based on archaeological findings at a site once inhabited by Paepahegh Indians, the Powhatan tribal group closest to Jamestown, as well as descriptions recorded by English colonists.

 

 

 

Inside the re-created 1607 James Fort, you can learn about the daily life of the colonial settlers.

Inside the museum, exhibition galleries do a wonderful job of chronicling the nation’s 17th century beginnings in Virginia in the context of its Powhatan Indian , English and West African cultures.

Colonial Williamsburg affords you an up close look at 18th century Virginia–right as this country is being born–from the perspectives of free and enslaved people.  Williamsburg is the largest–173 acres surrounded by a 3,000 acre greenbelt– and most complete restoration of an early American community.  88 buildings are original, while others have been painstakingly reconstructed on their original foundations, gleaned from plans found in Britain or America.

Historic tradespeople, using 18th century methods and tools, demonstrate and explain their crafts.

The sounds contribute to the colonial atmosphere:  the chink and clatter from the blacksmith’s forge or the rhythmic whoosh of the lathe in the wheelwright’s shop.

 

 

 

The smells are also of the era;  fragrant wood shavings of oak, ash and poplar litter the floor of the cooperage, and the peppery aroma of hickory is thick in the smokehouse hung with hams.

Several taverns, including the Kings Arms Tavern, offer historically-inspired meals.

 

The Raleigh Tavern was a favorite of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.  Try the spicy gingerbread cakes from the ovens of the Raleigh Tavern Bakery!  Charleton’s Coffee House, which hosted an angry uprising over the Stamp Act, serves a hot chocolate drink made from the same recipe as back in the day!

Yorktown is a must-see for anyone who wishes to understand the story of our nation’s birth.  The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown tells the story of our nation’s founding.  Personal stories of citizens and soldiers caught up in the American Revolution are told.  The film “Liberty Fever” introduces you to the world of Revolutionary America.  “The Siege at Yorktown” film transports visitors into the action of America’s 1781 victory.  Outside you can visit a re-created Continental Army encampment as well as a Revolution-era farm based on a real-life 18th century family.  You can also explore the Yorktown battlefields and take yourself back in time to where history was made.

Jamestown is where America was born.  Williamsburg is where our nation’s ideas matured.  Yorktown is where America became of age.  All are worth a visit.

Fort Lauderdale Area

The southeast portion of Florida, on the Atlantic coast, surrounding Fort Lauderdale, is a fun place to visit.  It’s one small town after another–it’s hard to tell when you leave one and enter another.

In West Palm Beach, Havana has some of the best Cuban food in south Florida–and the crowds prove it!  Though much of the food is awesome, their cubano is the best I have ever had!

Delray Beach is a great little town.  The main drag is Atlantic Avenue.  Sit on the deck of Rappaport, on the intercoastal waterway, for delicious shrimp or mahi tacos, or Hudson’s, on the same waterway, for a drink while watching for manatees.  Shop at Snappy Turtle for affordable beach bright cashmeres or across the street at C. Orrico for a Lilly Pulitzer popover shirt.

Down the street is  the Colony Hotel, built in 1926.  It still has its original wicker furniture in the lobby, as well as its manually operated elevator–it has been owned by the same family since its inception.

 

The Porch Bar is a terrific place to sit and watch the world go by!

 

Or have a drink on a sofa under a banyan tree at Salt 7.

Head east on Atlantic Avenue to A1A, then north for one of the most scenic drives on the east coast; the next 20 miles will take you by white-capped stretches of turquoise ocean and meticulously manicured waterfront estates.  On this drive, you will pass Southport Raw Bar, which has excellent fresh seafood.

The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is a quiet and beautiful place to visit.

 

The Wakodahatchee Wetlands has a mile long boardwalk over tropical waterways with cooters (turtles), gators, massive iguanas, heron and spoonbill.  When the weather is unseasonably cold, iguanas fall from the trees to the ground below, appearing to be dead; once the sun warms them, they come back “alive”–watch out!

Before leaving for home, we picked up truly delicious bagels at Brooklyn Water Bagel Company, where the bagels are just as good as they are in New York.

Good food in the Plantation/Weston area are Arepa Pueblo for Colombian/Venezuelan eats; Tin Fish for very good seafood and live music on the patio; and Kristof’s Café for tremendous breakfasts.

The most fun thing we did was to take the new Pompano Beach Water Taxi for a 4-hour ride through all of its route, from Lighthouse Point to Bokampers in Fort Lauderdale.

Upon our return to Lighthouse Point, we took a 5-minute ferry to Cap’s Place for dinner.  You feel like you are on an expedition into another era–and you are.  Built in 1928, it was a rum running operation and speakeasy in the middle of the swamp; since then, a lighthouse, houses and a marina have built up around it.  You now have dinner and drinks in the original old building.

 

Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Sanibel and Captiva Islands are located on the Gulf Coast of Florida.  Both islands are relatively small , laid back and great places to visit.  Sanibel Island is connected to mainland Florida by a short causeway, and Captiva Island is connected to Sanibel Island by a short bridge.

We stayed on East Gulf Drive, which turned out to be a terrific location.  Our rental had a large heated swimming pool just below our balcony, and the Gulf, with its white sandy beach, was just steps beyond the pool.  We also had access to bikes (to navigate the island’s 22 miles of paved trails), stand up paddle boards and kayaks.  And, of course, chairs and towels were also provided.

There are several beaches on Sanibel.  In my opinion, Lighthouse Beach and Bowman’s Beach are the best locations for shelling.  In addition, toward the end of West Gulf Drive, Beach Access #6 has a secluded swath of sand with a jackpot of shells.  It is said that Sanibel is the shell capital of the world as a result of the way the barrier island sits.

 

Tarpon Bay Beach has the prettiest water.  Blind Pass Beach has dangerous undercurrents so you shouldn’t swim there but it is a great place to view the sunset.

 

 

I was told that Sanibel has about 50 restaurants.  Lighthouse Café serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and I can attest to the fact that breakfast is truly delicious–we had our morning meal there several times during our stay!  We had lots of wonderful local seafood.  At Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grill, the Yucatan shrimp, in a dressing of butter, garlic, Colombian chilies, cilantro and key lime juice, was awesome, as was the banana leaf snapper!  At Cip’s Place, the fresh catch of the day was pan sautéed with a lobster citrus butter and was really tasty.  Gramma Dot’s, at the marina, had very good Cajun fish and chips, though not the type of chips you might imagine!  We liked the Italian fare at Matzilunas.  Also enjoyed Mad Hatters.   For your ice cream fix, Pinnochio’s Italian Ice Cream hit the spot; the adjoining Geppetto’s had good take-out Italian sandwiches and other tasty treats–suitable for taking to the beach!

 

The J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge has a 4.5 mile trail to drive, bike, or hike–you can also canoe along one side of it.  The refuge is part of the largest undeveloped  mangrove ecosystem in the US, and it’s famous for its migratory bird populations–so interesting!

 

 

Captiva is mostly residential, with old homes nestled in trees along the main road.  Andy Rosse Street is the original remnant from the old fishing village–named for a 90 year old fisherman.  There a couple of restaurants–The Mucky Duck serves English pub food with a spectacular view of the Gulf; Key Lime Bistro has live music on the patio;  The Bubble Room is a quirky place with ok food but the orange crunch cake baked by the restaurant is really good!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

California Wine Country

California has several wine valleys.

This trip, we made our base at the Westin Verasa Napa, just steps from the town of Napa, where we had tastings at Trahan Winery and Brown Downtown–enjoyed the wine and friendly staff at both.  Breakfast at Napa’s Casa, in the Oxbow Market, was really delicious–excellent breakfast tacos in addition to other items.

One day, we booked a driving tour with Napa Private Tours.  I must say this is a terrific way to go!  We were driven to four wineries without worrying about driving ourselves, and we were provided with delicious snacks, water and an entertaining driver along the way.  Mumm was a great spot to start, tasting sparkling wines.

 

Vine Cliff, Viader and Knights Bridge rounded out the four wineries included in the tour.  All three were new to me, with Viader having my favorite wines of the three.  Halfway through the day, Napa Private Tours included wine and food pairings at Knights Bridge for a light lunch.

A good place to stay in Sonoma is The Lodge at Sonoma–about one and a quarter miles from downtown Sonoma.  San Francisco Mission is historic and beautiful.

Wonderful places to dine in Sonoma are Fig & Girl,

Sonoma Lodge,

and Sweet Scoops for yummy ice cream.

Another great sparkling winery is Chandon.

Conn Creek, Cakebread Cellars (another favorite for over 30 years) and Sattuie are all wonderful places to taste wines–all very different.  At Sattuie, you can purchase food to accompany your wine and have a terrific picnic under the trees.

To delve further into wine country, try Russian River, Livermore or Mendocino Valleys.  You can’t go wrong with any!

 

Breathtaking Iceland

 

The Sun Voyager is a beautiful sculpture in the image of a Viking ship located by the ocean near the center of Reykjavik.  It serves as a reminder of Iceland’s history and heritage, when the first Viking settlers came sailing to Iceland.

There are 7 geothermally heated pools in Reykjavik proper and 17 in the larger capital area.  We visited the iconic Blue Lagoon, located in a lava field.

And, yes, it really is an exquisite milky blue!  The mineral-rich hot water is pumped up from the depths of the earth and mixes with sea water to form a pool of water at the perfect temperature of 100 – 110 degrees F.  The water is completely replenished  every 40 hours, keeping it naturally clean.  The spa’s features include a complimentary silica facial mask, a terrific waterfall, a sauna, a solarium, a swim-up bar, and dining facilities.  It was the perfect way to spend our first day, overcoming jet lag and settling into the country.

To view some of Iceland’s best known sites, we took a full day Golden Circle Tour.

Thingvellir National Park is an historic and geologic marvel.  Since 930, it is where Iceland’s parliament met.  But it is also where the North American and Eur-Asian tectonic plates are slowly pulling apart to form cracks and crevices in the earth.

 

The rift between continents is clearly visible in the dramatic cliffs on either side of the valley–makes for stunning landscapes with cascading waterfalls, majestic cliffs and fissures filled with icy blue water!

Gullfoss is a thundering stream of water cascading down in two tiers before reaching the jagged canyon below.  The name means “The Golden Waterfall”, and it’s from this waterfall that the Golden Circle gets its name.

 

Geysir, the original erupting hot spring, lends its name to all other geysers around the world–think Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park; it’s fairly quiet nowadays but its neighbor, Strokkur, ejects boiling water every 8 – 10 minutes.

 

 

The Icelandic horse has been bred in almost perfect isolation for over 1000 years.  They are well-tempered and relatively small; you shouldn’t fall off but if you do, you won’t fall far!  They are most famous for their unusual gait–the tolt.  Tolt is a way of walking unique to the Icelandic horse; it keeps the rider stable while maneuvering easily over Iceland’s uneven landscape.

Iceland is one of the most volcanically active places on earth, with more than 30 active volcanoes; eruptions occur every 4 – 5 years.  As a result, much of the landscape is lava fields.  The Volcano House has an interesting exhibit.

 

The Reykjavik area is home to 2/3 of Iceland’s population.  The city is vibrant and full of artistic creativity

 

 

–there are lots of galleries and museums.

 

Its small population helps it to maintain its small town charm.

The old harbor area has been taken over by artists, designers, boutiques and restaurants.  The new harbor is full of boats of all kinds, from fishing to wildlife watching to northern light tours.  We saw two exceptional displays of the aurora borealis.

Traditional Icelandic food is centered around fish or lamb–some of the best you will ever taste!  Icelandic Fish and Chips had the most delicious fish and chips I have ever had–straight off the boat in the harbor across the street.  The plokkfiskur (fish and potato casserole) was also very tasty.  The lobster soup at Segreifinn had loads of delicate  lobster.

At Apotek Kitchen & Bar, we had a traditional Icelandic 8 course tasting menu;  it included puffin, sea trout, lamb tartare, minke whale, lamb rump steak, plaice, ocean perch, and tuna.  Icelandic yogurt is different and delicious!  Our favorite bakery was housed in a nicely painted building.

The hydroponically grown tomatoes from Frioheimar greenhouse, with the aid of geothermal heat, are wonderful and are supplied throughout Iceland–they made for some delish bloody marys.

Iceland is an awesome destination!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shining City on Lake Ontario

There is lots to see and do in Toronto.  Our base was the Westin Harbour Castle–a great location on the Inner Harbor.  Dinner at the 360 Cafe in the CN Tower, with its glass elevator,  provides a terrific view of the Toronto metro area–you can also opt for the observation deck without the dining.  If you do plan to dine, I would suggest that you make a reservation–it is wildly popular.

Hockey buffs will enjoy the Hockey Hall of Fame.  The Downtown Distillery District is quite nice.

Firkin on the Harbor Sports Bar and Cactus Club Cafe are both great choices for food downtown.  There are a variety of harbor cruises available.  We opted for the 10 minute 1930s ferry to the Toronto Islands–Ward’s Island was my favorite.

When you get off the ferry, turn around and you will be afforded the most awesome view of the Toronto skyline!  Be sure to check out the quaint cottages with their gardens and small, quiet beaches.

Both the Rectory Cafe and the Island Cafe are great bets for food here.

It is fun just walking around Toronto’s varied neighborhoods–Little Italy (near College Street), Little India (around Gerrard Street), The Danforth, The Annex (some of the city’s glorious historic homes), and so many more.  My fave was Leslieville (Queen Street East, between Empire and Coxwell Avenues).  The OK2 Diner @ 1128 Queen Street East, has the best breakfast in the city, with a nice little patio.  Harvest Kitchen is a wonderful place to dine and has a really nice deck; it is near the University of Toronto.

 

Wander off Queen Street West to see Edwardian and Georgian architecture and several churches.  Kensington Market is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city, as well as one of the most vibrant and eclectic.  Spend a few hours at this national historic site!

Browse the cafes, stalls and bars.  You can probably find whatever you are looking for here.

For a fun afternoon, hop on the Queen Streetcar East from Spadina Avenue to Kew Beach, the best beach in the City in my opinion.   The lakeside boardwalk is a magnet for strollers!

Edwards Gardens, part of the Toronto Botanical Gardens, is a lovely place for a walk through 35 acres of nature.  It opens onto one of the city’s many ravines.

 

 

 

 

The gardens are located right in the city, easily accessible, and there is no entry fee.

Visit Toronto–you won’t be sorry!

More Awesome Texas Places

Stayed in Llano, located in central Texas, for a fun-filled couple of days!

Stayed at the wonderful Badu House–an old bank building renovated into an inn.  It is now a brewpub (with 120 wines and 100 or so beers), live music on the patio (with excellent music by Alan Reed and Patrick Russell) and very cozy rooms upstairs (where you and the chef discuss what you would like for breakfast each morning).

Spent a day at nearby Inks Lake State Park, where we swam at Devil’s Waterhole, a wonderful swimming hole surrounded by gigantic boulders–of course, we were too wimpy to jump off the 3 or 4 stories high cliffs.  Had a very tasty lunch at Chris’ Landing in the park, where the sandwiches and buns were house made and delicious.  Then swam in yet another part of the lake because it was too windy to rent kayaks.

Afterwards, headed to Marble Falls, where we had dinner at the patio of On The Rocks, a nice little Italian place high on a cliff overlooking Lake LBJ.  Texas has so many terrific destinations to enjoy!

Alaska’s First City

Ketchikan is known as Alaska’s “First City” because it’s the first major community travelers come to as they journey north.  This charming waterfront town offers picturesque scenery, quaint architecture, and loads of history.

It is located on the western coast of Revillagigedo Island, near the southernmost boundary of Alaska.  It is 679 miles north of Seattle and 235 miles south of Juneau.

An abundance of salmon drew the Tlingit people to the area.  It is home to the largest collection of totem poles in the world.

The 80 varieties displayed throughout the city are a reminder of the traditions and values of tribal culture and a powerful representation of Alaskan Native art.

 

There are 3 kinds of totem poles–commemorative are the largest in size, memorial celebrate important tribe members, and family lineage celebrate one family’s unique history.  You can also find totems at Totem Bight State Park, Saxman Native Village, and the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary.  Don’t feel bad if someone tells you that you are the low man on the totem pole–often the most important figure can be found at the base!

The only thing more ubiquitous than totem poles in Ketchikan is salmon!

In 1883, the area’s first salmon saltery was opened, and a fishing town was born.  Five different species of wild Pacific salmon are found in the waters here.  The salmon ladder on Park Avenue has a viewing platform where you can watch these determined creatures complete their exhausting journey to the spawning grounds.  It’s easy to remember the five different types if you hold up your hand.

—–Your thumb rhymes with Chum – Chum Salmon

—-Your pointer finger can sock someone in the eye – Sockeye salmon

—-Your middle finger is the tallest – King salmon

—-Slip a silver ring on your ring finger – Silver salmon

—-And your pinky – Pink salmon

In the late 19th century, gold and copper were found in surrounding mountains; Ketchikan flourished as a supply center.  Fishing and timber industries made it Alaska’s 7th largest city.

Take a stroll along Creek Street, the most photographed street in Alaska.  It was once the Red Light District, with over 30 brothels.

It is now populated with shops and galleries.

From Creek Street, take the tram up to Cape Fox Lodge

The crab and brie dip with sourdough is really yummy, as is the skillet halibut and potatoes with gruyere sauce.  A bald eagle landed in the tree outside our window  and provided entertainment during our meal

The walk down provides nice views of the harbor.

Vibrant Ketchikan is full of adventure and history and leaves an impression on all who grace its iconic shores.