tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62979785326932945512010-09-03T14:42:23.950-06:00Fran Farrisfran.farris@gmail.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297978532693294551.post-45223952411548694832010-09-03T11:39:00.001-06:002010-09-03T11:45:38.698-06:00

By Fran Farris Central City, Colorado Bob and I like to go to Black Hawk.  There, I said it. It's not like we're big gamblers; it's just loads of fun to explore the Old West mining towns nestled in the Rocky Mountains ... and toss a few coins into the slots in case we get lucky ... which isn't too often. :(  After numerous trips to Black Hawk, we were pleasantly surprised to finally

Fran Farrisfran.farris@gmail.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297978532693294551.post-8764620355943739132010-09-02T21:44:00.000-06:002010-09-02T21:44:38.530-06:00

By Fran Farris About, oh ... two weeks ago, Bob and I were driving around Estes Park and spotted a large bull elk running around in the street near the Stanley Hotel.  Albeit, that's not unusual in Estes Park, but elk activity has been on the rise in recent weeks.  I caught a quickie video of him with my cell phone ... Now, if you want to see some real crazy elk activity, check out this

Fran Farrisfran.farris@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297978532693294551.post-42505258157342695572010-09-02T19:17:00.000-06:002010-09-02T19:17:32.546-06:00

By Fran Farris Gnarly Barley Brew Festival at the fair The Larimer County Fair, at The Ranch in Loveland, Colorado, is by far the CLEANEST county fair I've ever attended ... and I've been to a lot of county fairs having covered them for weekly newspapers in Colorado and Minnesota.  I'm a tad late posting this ... the fair took place August 6 through 10.  Some of the highlights included the

Fran Farrisfran.farris@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297978532693294551.post-49625300742137704642010-06-29T18:46:00.008-06:002010-06-29T19:38:02.307-06:00

By Fran Farris The ten mile drive up into the Rocky Mountains from Boulder to Gold Hill, Colorado, is a pretty spectacular, steep and scenic ride. Elevation: 8,300 feet. Gold Hill was the first mining camp in Colorado.  It still retains its Old West appearance and flavor. It's a great quick weekend getaway drive.  Scenic lookout points provide beautiful vistas of the mountains.  I found a

Fran Farrisfran.farris@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297978532693294551.post-33717514328218043712010-06-27T19:54:00.004-06:002010-06-27T20:11:52.871-06:00

By Fran Farris She said it was too much dessert for one person to eat ... it needs to be shared.  I know my husband pretty well, however, and had no doubt that he could polish off the GINORMOUS cinnamon roll sundae at Vern's Place in Laporte, Colorado.  He did, of course, and proved the server wrong. "I could go for another one of those sometime," said Bob. I taste-tested it ... my reaction .

Fran Farrisfran.farris@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297978532693294551.post-65481237885068499212010-06-27T00:10:00.007-06:002010-06-27T00:41:59.285-06:00

By Fran Farris Attended the 21st annual Colorado Brewers' Festival in Fort Collins, Colorado today.  Lots 'o cops and security diligently patrolling the grounds.  Keep up the good work, ociffers! Did not witness any outrageously erratic behaviors, aside from the guy by the bandstand who kept insisting I dance with him.  Guess I still got it ;) Am writing in fragments cuz I'm tired ... had lots

Fran Farrisfran.farris@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297978532693294551.post-24204665564547529712010-06-26T08:27:00.004-06:002010-06-26T08:33:26.606-06:00

By Fran Farris Let's see ... three hours equals 180 minutes ... divided by 50 different types of beer equals 3.6 beers per minute.  No wait, that can't be right ... is it the other way around?  Fifty beers divided by 180 minutes equals .27 beers. Oh, who cares ... we'll be taste-testing a whole LOT 'O BEER and listening to some great live bands today - my birthday - at the 21st annual Colorado

Fran Farrisfran.farris@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297978532693294551.post-24758171525516074602010-06-26T08:22:00.001-06:002010-06-26T08:23:51.113-06:00

By Fran Farris Originally posted Sunday, June 13, 2010 COLORADOHOLIC site Check out this in-depth story about Alferd Packer ... the Maneater of Colorado, written by Katherine Ramsland for trutv.com. I gotta check out the museum relics, Packer grave and massacre site in Lake City, Colorado. In the Colorado Rockies Where the snow is deep and cold And a man afoot can starve to death Unless he's

Fran Farrisfran.farris@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297978532693294551.post-77116167900284026782010-06-26T08:18:00.000-06:002010-06-26T08:18:28.291-06:00

Originally posted Sunday, June 13, 2010 COLORADOHOLIC site Geez ... the water levels continue to be high in Estes Park, Colorado, as the Big Thompson River runoff rages through town ...

Fran Farrisfran.farris@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297978532693294551.post-22611751353319787292010-06-26T08:13:00.000-06:002010-06-26T08:13:52.657-06:00

By Fran Farris Originally posted Wednesday, June 9, 2010 COLORADOHOLIC site This is a pretty cool time lapse video of Pearl Street Mall and the Boulder County Courthouse in Boulder, Colorado ... taken during the 2010 Boulder Jewish Festival this past Sunday, June 6.

Fran Farrisfran.farris@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297978532693294551.post-13961220204273240352010-06-26T08:09:00.003-06:002010-06-26T08:12:01.485-06:00

By Fran Farris Originally posted Wednesday, June 9, 2010 COLORADOHOLIC site Memorial Weekend 2010 came and went, but in Boulder, Colorado, the 23rd annual Boulder Creek Festival marked the start of summer.  Three days of food, music, entertainment, fun, games, carnival rides, hundreds of vendors selling wares and a rubber duck race were capped off by the annual Bolder Boulder 10K road race on

Fran Farrisfran.farris@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297978532693294551.post-69949932451548124712010-06-24T08:23:00.001-06:002010-06-26T08:02:56.385-06:00

Photo by Bob Farris Originally posted Tuesday, February 16, 2010 COLORADOHOLIC site That's ALOT of geese flying over Lake Loveland! Bob snapped this while ice fishing on Presidents' Day :)

Fran Farrisfran.farris@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297978532693294551.post-77798357486808783832010-06-24T15:31:00.001-06:002010-06-26T08:02:21.813-06:00

By Fran Farris Originally posted Sunday, February 21, 2010 COLORADOHOLIC site Medical marijuana dispensaries have been popping up like crazy in Colorado, and it's become a pretty hot issue with local municipalities trying to stem the tide of dispensaries opening in droves everywhere.  I say give it time ... it's a new thing and only the strongest facilities will eventually survive. One of the

Fran Farrisfran.farris@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297978532693294551.post-92117801053728108322010-06-24T15:45:00.001-06:002010-06-26T08:00:47.275-06:00

By Fran Farris Originally posted Tuesday, February 23, 2010 COLORADOHOLIC site Mmm ... bacon cupcakes.  That's right ... bacon cupcakes.  My first attempt at duplicating a popular Colorado cupcake didn't turn out half bad, although I opted to make my own "quickie version." I got the idea from a video I saw on the Food Channel about Tee & Cakes - a bakery in Boulder, Colorado, that makes an

Fran Farrisfran.farris@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297978532693294551.post-80114885305357257052010-06-24T20:16:00.002-06:002010-06-26T07:59:06.573-06:00

By Fran Farris Originally posted Tuesday, March 2, 2010 COLORADOHOLIC site We spent time Sunday afternoon at the Boulder Public Library, then walked the bridge across Boulder Creek to Pearl Street.  It was overcast with drizzling snow.  It was pretty quiet and tranquil, but the place is a hopping hub of activity during the spring and summer months.  It even hosts the annual Boulder Creek

Fran Farrisfran.farris@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297978532693294551.post-72897634728236074962010-06-26T07:55:00.001-06:002010-06-26T07:55:56.411-06:00

By Fran Farris Originally posted Wednesday, June 9, 2010 COLORADOHOLIC site It's been unseasonably HOT lately, but at least it's a dry heat, right? Well ... heat equals melting mountain snow equals LOTS 'O SPRING RUN-OFF raging down the rivers and creeks in mountain canyons.  It may look like a fun venue for tubing or kayaking, but it's actually quite dangerous.  The current is STRONG and the

Fran Farrisfran.farris@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297978532693294551.post-67968636850020504222010-06-26T07:48:00.001-06:002010-06-26T07:49:08.423-06:00

By Fran Farris Originally posted Thursday, June 3, 2010 COLORADOHOLIC site Well, whaddaya know?  Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado is rated the NUMERO UNO Outdoor and Adventure Destination in the U.S., according to Traveler's Choice 2010 The Best Destinations. Some of the listed "don't miss" attractions include: Estes Park (yay) and Trail Ridge Road, Bear Lake Trailhead, Alpine Visitor

Fran Farrisfran.farris@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297978532693294551.post-66867384341885681712010-06-26T07:40:00.001-06:002010-06-26T07:45:30.250-06:00

By Fran Farris Originally posted Wednesday, June 2, 2010 COLORADOHOLIC site We went to a lot of places this past Memorial Day holiday weekend.  There's just so much going on everywhere in Colorado this time of year.  It's the start of summer and the start of TOURIST SEASON ... Yikes!  I like to write a lot about the fabulous town of Estes Park, CO, because I enjoy "heading up" there on a

Fran Farrisfran.farris@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297978532693294551.post-70660703353999362262010-06-26T01:04:00.000-06:002010-06-26T01:04:59.911-06:00

By Fran Farris Originally posted Wednesday, June 2, 2010 COLORADOHOLIC site There was no shortage of things to see and do throughout Front Range cities and mountain villages in Colorado this past Memorial Day holiday weekend.  Windsor, CO, held its annual Pelican Fest which drew hundreds of participants to a triathlon race consisting of an 800 meter swim, 10 mile bike ride and 5K run.  Whew!

Fran Farrisfran.farris@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297978532693294551.post-63342750549173654932010-06-26T00:50:00.003-06:002010-06-26T00:52:02.268-06:00

Originally posted Sunday, May 23, 2010 COLORADOHOLIC site Crystal Clear I stare at the mountains. I can’t go there the snow’s too deep, the trip too dear a coyote yelp I hear He will go there his pleasure I will know as he plays in the snow music to my ear echos to my soul I’ll sip my beer smoke a bowl and love the mountains crystal clear. slodog All Rights Reserved

Fran Farrisfran.farris@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297978532693294551.post-53331516467452858212010-06-26T00:17:00.003-06:002010-06-26T00:51:01.355-06:00

Originally posted Wednesday, May 5, 2010 COLORADOHOLIC site Colorado Unexpected Down an old, old ride in the green smell of sage three bumps were on the side two large, one small showing long age in brown prairie nowhere that was all I knew they were graves markers gone, or never there on my dusty knees I sit still in hot trickling wind alone with pioneers and woe buried those many years ago

Fran Farrisfran.farris@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297978532693294551.post-83575482354343545082010-06-26T00:47:00.000-06:002010-06-26T00:47:19.518-06:00

By Fran Farris Originally posted Sunday, May 23, 2010 COLORADOHOLIC site Horsetooth Reservoir is a very popular recreation destination in Northern Colorado, located in the foothills just west, and above, the city of Fort Collins.  Altitude: 5,430 feet.  Approximately 570,000 visitors come to Horsetooth every year.  On a nice sunny summer day, locals and visitors can be found sunbathing by the

Fran Farrisfran.farris@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297978532693294551.post-75568309420969055002010-06-25T22:54:00.002-06:002010-06-26T00:20:18.026-06:00

By Fran Farris Originally posted Monday, April 19, 2010 COLORADOHOLIC site Boulder, Colorado, has got to be one of the coolest cities in the country.  It's just so very hip and fun and full of surprises. Ever seen a bronze statue sweat?  We did Sunday.  He was one of a large number of street performers out on Pearl Street - musicians, singers, a juggler, Tarot card reader and the

Fran Farrisfran.farris@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297978532693294551.post-28578116747379437872010-06-26T00:14:00.001-06:002010-06-26T00:15:25.247-06:00

By Fran Farris Originally posted Tuesday, May 4, 2010 COLORADOHOLIC site It's hay fever season in Colorado.  The pollen count is high, and spring wind storms have been carrying desert region dust east over the Rockies from Arizona, New Mexico and Utah causing pink snow in the high country.  Check out the pink ski trails and prematurely melting snow at Vail here.    I went to my favorite grocery

Fran Farrisfran.farris@gmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297978532693294551.post-31196644727298242972010-06-26T00:00:00.004-06:002010-06-26T00:07:01.741-06:00

By Fran Farris Originally posted Wednesday, April 28, 2010 COLORADOHOLIC site OH NO ... not the dude-in-the-cube!  They wouldn't deport him for smoking pot in Boulder, would they?  A week ago, nearly 20,000 people smoked MJ at 420 smokeouts in Boulder and Denver ... surrounded by cops.  Oh, puhleeze ... As reported in the Boulder Daily Camera, April 27, 2010 Boulder fixture, Pearl Street Mall

Fran Farrisfran.farris@gmail.com0