Strawberry Park Hot Springs Review, Steamboat, Colorado
By PK | January 7, 2009
One day last fall Dalton and I decided we would hike up to Strawberry Park Hot Springs as there were several trails leading to the hot springs. At the last minute we changed our plans and drove up. That was a decision we were glad we made.
My mind was filled with wonderful images, glamorous pools of steeping hot mineral waters… “What?”, was my first response after arriving. “Where is the beauty and glamour?” To tell you the truth, I would have been very peeved to have hiked several miles and been disappointed as I was.
Even the ticket booth had me scratching my head…. Though unique and I like unique, I figured the place would have more charm.
Now I didn’t expect to see tropical palm trees in the Colorado Rockies, but perhaps a few gallons of paint would turn this old truck into something a little more pleasant to the eye.
A tepee, outdoor furniture, and a dead tree. Hmmm…if I had these three elements I think I would build a fire pit, chop down the dead tree, and create a warm, inviting atmosphere.
One of the most intriguing and interesting items is seeing the stream of hot mineral water trailing down the mountainside and into the pools.
Admission is $10.00 for adults and I wasn’t going to pay that just to get in and take pictures, as requested.
My overall analysis would be the benefits of the mineral springs bath just not any pleasant surroundings. I guess you could always jump in and then shut your eyes and visualize you are somewhere else. To read about the benefits of a mineral spring bath, click here.
For me, I would sooner buy some bottles of mineral water, pour it into my bathtub, light some candles and relax. But then, I have an aversion to bathing with folks I don’t know.
Topics: Colorado | No Comments »
Winter Activities at Fish Creek Falls, Steamboat Springs, Colorado
By PK | January 5, 2009
In the northwest corner of Colorado winter activities are abundant if you’re craving adventure. From the most extreme thrills of ice climbing the famous 230-ft. Fish Creek Falls waterfall to snowshoeing the many accessible trails to body-sledding and winter hiking at Fish Creek Falls, there’s plenty to do to enjoy the snowy outdoors.
Two ice climbers on the Fish Creek Falls Frozen Waterfall
While I may be adventurous, I am not quite this adventurous though I must admit just watching these climbers was a thrill within itself.
With temperature averages maintaining in the 20s for daytime, many climbing enthusiasts seek out Fish Creek Falls for an ice-climbing adventure facing a different course every year after the falls freeze.
Snowshoeing is a great activity for all ages and helps maintain that wistful waistline. I personally rate this outdoor activity as easy to moderate. Don’t know how to snowshoe? It’s easy to learn or you can take classes in Steamboat. I found it difficult at first not to look at my feet as I walked. I’m sure they’ll teach you NOT to do that in snowshoeing school.
Prepared to go on their snowshoeing adventure…
During our exploration of Fish Creek Falls during the winter we saw this young couple body-sledding down one of the trails. It looked fun and reminded me of my youthful days when I lived next to Lake Erie as a child.
His turn… Her turn…
Even a walk on one of the trails will get you out of the house to avoid cabin fever during the long winters here and offers fantastic views.
Bottom of Fish Creek Falls
We really enjoyed our hike and I was quite amazed that we were actually walking almost two feet above the trail as the trail was covered with two feet of packed snow.
I bundled up against the elements with a double layer of clothing with my Gore-Tex jacket and warm, insulated gloves. The trail was a bit slippery and if you stepped off the ‘beaten’ path, you soon found yourself sinking into the unpacked Champagne snow this area is famous for.
So, get off the couch, get out of the kitchen, or push away from your computer and get outside and enjoy a brisk walk. Wherever you live, don’t let old man winter keep you indoors. Get out and have fun!
Okay, maybe not that much fun and silliness…but whichever you choose just remember to bring along your camera and take some pictures. Post them on your blog and watch the fun begin!!!
Topics: Colorado | 2 Comments »
Cardboard Bobby Hits Slopes
By PK | December 28, 2008
photo/Jeni Gamble/courtesy
article/The Steamboat Pilot & Today/ courtesy
Wife takes cutout of soldier husband on ski vacation
By Melinda Dudley
Steamboat Springs — Bobby Kelly had a fabulous ski vacation in Steamboat Springs last week. He rode the gondola at the Steamboat Ski Area, tried out some new tricks in the terrain park, climbed aboard a snowmobile, and drank après-ski beers with his wife’s family.
“He’s had a blast, and he doesn’t even know it yet,” Bobby’s wife, Niki Kelly, said Friday.
Capt. Bobby Kelly, an Apache helicopter pilot for the Army, has been deployed in Iraq since summer. He is not due to return to Germany, where he and Niki have been stationed for almost three years, until November 2009.
Bobby introduced Niki to the ski slopes in Europe, and skiing during the holidays has become a Christmas tradition for the couple.
To cheer her up for the holidays, Niki’s family flew her to Steamboat Springs for a ski vacation. And they brought along a life-sized cardboard cutout of her husband so he wouldn’t miss out on the fun.
“They know how important it is for me to do something honoring him this Christmas, instead of staying home and moping,” Niki said. “When it’s something we’d do together, it makes me feel close to him. And it makes me laugh, which is what I think people need in times like this.”
“Cardboard Bobby” — really a promotional cutout of a character from the movie “Twilight” with Bobby’s head attached to it — quickly became part of the family’s activities this week.
“They actually include him in their conversations. It’s getting kind of weird,” Niki’s aunt, Tammy Loux, said with a laugh Friday.
His travels in Steamboat have been extensively documented and photographed, and Niki plans to surprise her husband with an album of their pseudo-Christmas vacation together. He was particularly jealous of the 20-inch powder day his wife got to ski Tuesday.
“He has a ‘spidey sense’ when it’s snowing. He wakes up and is like ‘fresh tracks!’” Niki said.
Because Bobby works a night shift, he slept through his unit’s Christmas meal and had a hot dog for dinner instead, Niki said.
“They’re trying to be festive, wear the Santa hats,” Niki said. “But on Christmas Day, it’s just really somber, because everybody wants to be home with their families.”
Cardboard Bobby sat next to Niki at Bear River Bar & Grill on Friday, dressed up for après ski Fat Tire pints and nachos with a red and blue scarf.
Jeni Gamble, the niece of Loux’s partner, described Bobby as an “out-of-control ski junkie.”
“He would’ve loved this trip. The whole time, we would’ve been eating his dust,” Jeni said.
In the photograph they chose for his cutout’s face, Bobby has a busted lip and a snow burn on his face from wiping out while skiing with Niki in Austria.
Niki’s family flew Cardboard Bobby from Florida to Philadelphia, where they attended a wedding, and then brought him to Colorado, concealing him from her the whole time. A week of winter weather has not been entirely kind to Cardboard Bobby, who has endured a few duct tape touch-ups. On Friday, his legs were cut off so he could fit on the chairlifts.
“He’s a local celebrity at this point,” Jeni said.
Despite a few odd looks from passersby, vacationers and locals have been interested to hear the story behind Cardboard Bobby, and they’ve been very receptive to his nontraditional ski vacation, Niki said.
“They’ll see us carrying him around, and ask questions. They’re so supportive,” Loux said.
“So many people do recognize that he would be here, but he’s in Iraq. It’s a huge sacrifice on so many levels,” Jeni said.
Strangers helped out, too, from the bus driver who loaned Bobby his cowboy hat, to the kids at the Steamboat Ski Area who helped terrain park novices Niki and her aunt with Bobby on Friday.
“They weren’t phased. They were like, ‘Oh, naturally, she wants to go off this jump with this cardboard cutout,’” Loux said.
Topics: "Rants and Raves" | 6 Comments »
Snow and More Snow in Craig, Colorado
By PK | December 28, 2008
It doesn’t seem to want to end, this never-ending snow in the northwest corner of Colorado. Following a blizzard that started late Christmas Eve and continued throughout Christmas Day, we have MORE snow today and will continue throughout the following week.
Hwy 40 in Craig, Colorado
Rivaling the Rocky Mountains will soon be piles of the scooped up white stuff accumulating along all the area roads. Four-wheel drives only will get you through this mess.
Hwy 13 in Craig, Colorado
Headed south towards Meeker doesn’t help much; in fact, the roads get worse. Just ahead is a sign warning all commercial motorists to have chains on your tires.
But these snow-covered roads didn’t keep us from getting out and checking on the area wildlife. With temperatures running below zero, we warmed up the truck and took a spin, not literally of course. I had gotten a new zoom lens for my camera from Dalton at Christmas and wanted to check it out.
So, this is the view without zooming. My subject is on the hill quite a distance from me. Now for the test I’ve been waiting for. Not only do I want my camera to zoom in on the wildlife, but also with a clear, concise photograph of my subject.
Given the current conditions of blowing snow, and zoomed all the way out, not too bad of a photograph. It lacks the crispness I desired, but could be due to the snow. I’ll have to repeat this test on a clear, dry day. Any guesses as to when that’ll be???
Finding another buck to be my case study and this one closer, I zoomed about half way out and snapped this photo. Again, I notice the lack of clarity. For today, I’ll blame it on the snowy conditions.
Now this is what I’m hoping to achieve with the new lenses. Actually at this distance, I was hoping to be able to count chin hairs.
Not quite! But I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt for now and, once again, blame it on the snowy conditions. All in all, he is a handsome buck and an excellent case study.
As evening progressed, the sun remaining hidden behind the snow clouds, a few more deer ventured out into the bitter cold for a late supper.
The Dull Stuff…. my camera is a Canon PowerShot S2 IS Digital camera - 5.0 Megapixel - 12 x optical zoom for under $400.00.
I added…Canon LAH-DC20 Conversion Lens Adapter (LA-DC58E) and Hood (LH-DC40) Set.
And then added…CANON TC-DC58B TELECONVERTER LENS.
With an end result of this….
(photo depicts wide angle lens and not teleconverter lens, but you get the picture!) I’ll be knocking someone’s nose off with this one and hope it isn’t my own.
Topics: Colorado | 2 Comments »
Snowy Steamboat and Stagecoach Area, Colorado Photographs
By PK | December 27, 2008
Christmas Eve, 2008…..
Looking down Lincoln Ave., Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Mt. Werner (Steamboat Ski Resort) in background
Lincoln Ave., decked out for the holidays
Check out the spurs on the light post!
Slopes at the Steamboat Springs Ski Resort
Top of Thunderhead, Steamboat Ski Resort
Along CR 14 headed towards Stagecoach
Stagecoach Lake and State Park Area
One small glimpse of the Flat Tops
A few elk at Stagecoach
Looks like she’s eating some willows
Snowy Covered CR 18
Remember Muddy Slide? It’s just right of the center of the photo.
High Meadows Ranch
Topics: Colorado | 2 Comments »
I Caught Santa!
By PK | December 25, 2008
I caught Santa skiing in Steamboat!! Merry Christmas Everyone!
Topics: Colorado | 3 Comments »
Meeker Hotel, Past and Present
By PK | December 22, 2008
The minute I stepped into this historic hotel, I knew my next article was born. I love history and places that have character and you’ll find that here in the Meeker Hotel located on Main Street in Meeker in Northwest Colorado.
Present Day Meeker Hotel
Topics: Colorado | 4 Comments »
Only For Love
By PK | December 18, 2008
ONLY FOR LOVE A brother and sister had made their usual hurried, obligatory pre-Christmas visit to the little farm where dwelt their elderly parents with their small herd of horses. The farm was where they had grown up and had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge pine, which topped the hill behind the farm. Through the years the tree had become a talisman to the old man and his wife, and a landmark in the countryside. The young siblings had fond memories of their childhood here but the city hustle and bustle added more excitement to their lives, and called them away to a different life.
Topics: "Rants and Raves" | 3 Comments »
A Different Christmas Poem
By PK | December 18, 2008
A Must Read Christmas Poem!
A very special thanks to the families who have or
have had family members in the Armed Services.
Please remember them in your prayers.
If you don’t pray, please keep them in your thoughts during these trying times!
My son, Allen, now home from Iraq stationed in Georgia, pinning his wife, Candice, who achieved the rank of Sgt.
Topics: "Rants and Raves" | 3 Comments »
The Best Kept Secret in Colorado
By PK | December 18, 2008
With winter among us here in Craig, Colorado, the best kept secret in Colorado is out. This is winter range for the wildlife, which I love to photograph and the best is that I can stand at our picture window and snap away. I was quite delighted to find this trophy mule deer buck and his does meandering along the bank not 50 feet from me.
Topics: Colorado, Uncategorized | No Comments »
