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Cowboy Up at the Dillon Montana Rodeo

August 30th
2010
by Becky Youman
posted in:
U.S. West destinations events and festivals

Labor Day Weekend is often seen as the last hurrah of summer. There is no better way to end your dog days than with a Montana vacation that includes the annual Dillon Jaycee Rodeo.  Known as “Montana’s Biggest Weekend,” the Labor Day Rodeo Weekend features not only a professional rodeo that draws top riders and ropers from around the country, but also a country music concert, a county fair, and a Labor Day Parade. Taking place from September 4-6 this year, the Dillon Rodeo offers visitors an authentic taste of the American West.

Dillon, located in southwestern Montana, is nestled in a broad valley and surrounded by mountains in all directions. It is the seat of Beaverhead County, the largest in Montana, and is known for abundant wildlife, historic towns, and expansive views. The Ruby, Big Hole, and Beaverhead rivers drain into the basin, making for a lush and scenic site an easy 65 mile drive south from Butte hotels.

The big draw of the weekend is the rodeo. People hoping to get a dose of western culture will have to go no farther than the Beaverhead County Fairgrounds to enjoy the cowboy (and cowgirl) competitions. Taking place both Saturday night at 7:30pm and Sunday starting at 1:30pm, the rodeo features sanctioned events like cattle roping, steer and bronco riding, and barrel racing. Don’t miss the Wild Horse Race, a crowd favorite for its entertainment value.
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Riding the Western Range

August 10th
2010
by Becky Youman
posted in:
U.S. West destinations family outdoor adventure

There’s something about the Old West that seems to bring out the kid in all of us. No matter how polished and sophisticated we may have become in our daily lives, when we pull on a pair of boots and sit high in a horse’s saddle, we imagine ourselves riding the range with the cowboys of legend (and Western movies). I recently got the chance to spend a couple of days at a dude ranch on my Colorado vacation and can vouch that each person in our group of 13 got to let that inner cowpoke loose.

To get the most out of a visit to a dude ranch, you need to set your mind to embrace the whole cowboy experience. If you act like you are too cool for your Tony Lamas  you are going to miss out on tons of fun and would be better off just staying in your Denver hotel.  If you decide to buy into the whole wrangling dream however – which you should since you are paying to be there– you will find yourself a yee-hawin’ good time.

I have actually been to a handful of dude ranches over the last couple of years and they all have many facets in common. Here are some of the things you can expect while getting your authentic western experience.

Horses
Horseback riding is the main draw. While many ranches offer activities for those who aren’t gung-ho riders, the main programs each day revolve around riding. This does not mean that you have to be an experienced rider. Many visitors come to the ranches expressly because they don’t know how to ride and want to learn. A good ranch will accommodate all levels of riders and separate them out by groups. It’s worth asking about the level of instruction before picking a specific ranch. Some ranches focus on giving out tips and pointers while others are more geared to getting people out on the trail.
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Durango, Colorado In-town Adventures

August 9th
2010
by Becky Youman
posted in:
U.S. West activities destinations outdoor adventure

Colorado is known as a fantastic spot to get outside in the summer and enjoy the majestic wilderness and mountains for which the state is famous. Colorado vacations are often planned around hiking, biking, or the summiting of “14-ers”.

While some people may prefer the remote backwoods for their adventuring, others, due to time constraints or the conflicting desires of travel companions, need to stay closer to town. If you find yourself in the second group, do not despair. Durango, located in southwestern Colorado, offers a wide range of in-town adventures. You can find high quality hiking, biking, and paddling just minutes from your Durango hotels.

I just spent a few days in Durango and enjoyed the following adventures without leaving the city limits:
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Biking the Grand Canyon

August 4th
2010
by Becky Youman
posted in:
U.S. West destinations

The Grand Canyon is an awe-inspiring sight. Many people consider it the highlight of their Arizona vacations because of the incredible views, gorgeous colors, and vast, layered grandeur. A summer visit offers some challenges however, due to the crowds. Most Grand Canyon hotels are booked months in advance and sometimes it feels like all six-million annual visitors are there the day of your trip.

I recently discovered the perfect way to escape the summer crowds while taking in incredible canyon views – biking Hermit Road.   I was visiting the South Rim with my seven-year-old daughter, which meant that a long hike down into the heart of the canyon was not an option. We decided to bike the rim instead.

The Hermit Rest Route, a road that follows the western edge of the rim out of Grand Canyon village, is closed to private vehicles most of the year except December through February. Many visitors to the canyon take the free shuttle, stopping at some or all of the nine canyon overlooks along the seven-mile route, to enjoy this part of the National Park. Others might hike the Rim Trail, which leads from the Grand Canyon village to Hermits Rest along the canyon’s edge. Those in the know however, cover the route by bicycle.
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Montana Festivals: Stevensville Creamery Picnic

August 2nd
2010
by Becky Youman
posted in:
U.S. West destinations events and festivals family food

Montana is a striking place to visit during the month of August. Summer travelers on Montana vacations enjoy warm days, cool nights, mountain peaks still capped with snow, and lush alpine meadows thick with wildflowers. Summer, with its ideal climate, is also a popular time for festivals in Montana. One of the longest running in the state is the Stevensville Creamery Picnic, which will take place on August 6 and 7 this year.

Stevensville, tucked between the Bitterroot and Sapphire mountain ranges on the banks of the Bitterroot River, is a stunning spot to visit any time of year. Located in western Montana, just 30 miles south of numerous Missoula hotels, Stevensville is a popular day trip from Missoula. Known as the town “where Montana began,” Stevensville is also the oldest permanent settlement in the state.

The Stevensville Creamery Picnic, which is being celebrated for its 98th year this month, has an interesting history. In 1907 the dairymen of the region formed a cooperative creamery, producing Gold Bar butter, buttermilk, and ice cream. In June of 1911 a fire completely burned the creamery. The co-op manager told the community that if they could help rebuild the creamery in 30 days, he would throw a huge celebration. After 39 days the creamery was up and running so the manager kept his promise. Celebrants enjoyed public speakers and a lunch that included free Gold Bar ice cream. Since then, the Creamery Picnic has been on the Stevensville community calendar every year.

Vacationers who stop by the Creamery Picnic this year will enjoy far more than ice cream (although that is on the menu, and it’s still free on Friday night.) Delicious brisket and a wide variety of beer will also be on hand as the Creamery Picnic includes the Montana State Barbeque Championship as well as a microbrew festival.
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San Jose del Cabo Art District

July 20th
2010
by Becky Youman
posted in:
Mexico destinations

Certain images come to mind when most people think of Cabo vacations  – gorgeous stretches of sand, sparkling blue waters, world-class golf courses, ready adventures like zip-lining or riding ATVs in the desert, and festive bars. While these assets certainly draw most visitors to Cabo, there is another more cultural side to this Mexican getaway spot at the tip of the Baja Peninsula.

There are actually three areas that make up the Cabo resort area – Cabo San Lucas, with bars, shopping, swimming with dolphins, and numerous restaurants catering to tourists; San Jose del Cabo, a more typical Mexican town with a spacious central plaza and colonial architecture; and The Corridor, a stretch of hotels and golf courses along the coastline that connects the two towns. Even if you are staying in Cabo San Lucas hotels, it’s worth a visit to San Jose del Cabo to enjoy a more authentic taste of Mexico and discover the town’s burgeoning arts scene.

Located on Obregón Street behind the main square in San Jose del Cabo, the Art District consists of unique galleries featuring the works of both Mexican and international artists. The galleries, which showcase paintings, sculptures, jewelry, and photography, welcome browsing visitors. In fact, during the high season from November to May, the galleries host both a Thursday evening Art Walk from 5-9pm, and a Tuesday morning Art Walk at 9am to accommodate the schedules of visiting art fans.
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Summer Vacations in Santa Fe, New Mexico

July 12th
2010
by Becky Youman
posted in:
U.S. West destinations events and festivals

Santa Fe, located at 7,000 feet, is an ideal place to spend summertime New Mexico vacations. With sunny, warm days and crisp cool evenings, Santa Fe offers not only excellent weather, but a vibrant cultural scene, abundant outdoor activities, and the second largest art market in the country. Pick any week on the summer calendar to book your Santa Fe hotels and you will find festivals, art shows, and musical performances that draw both visitors and locals alike.

Here is just a sampling of some of the events a traveler to Santa Fe could enjoy this week:

ART Santa Fe

While Santa Fe first hit the art world for its western, Latin, and Native American art, it is now a thriving center for all types of visual arts, including contemporary. ART Santa Fe, taking place July 15-18, in an international contemporary art fair that draws dealers, artists, and collectors from around the globe. Galleries from the US, China, Japan, Europe, and Latin America are all represented at this important show.

Santa Fe Bandstand Concert Series

This summertime favorite runs from July through mid-August and offers an incredible array of free music on the historic plaza in downtown Santa Fe. When the city was developed by the Spanish in the early 1600s, it was set up according to the Laws of the Indies, which required that a municipality be built around a central plaza. Santa Fe’s plaza is still the heart of the city, especially during the summer. The concerts take place every Monday and Wednesday during the day from noon to 1:30pm and also every Monday through Thursday evening from 6:00 to 7:30pm. Musical genres featured include rock, western swing, folk, salsa, blues, reggae, and alt country.
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Beat the Heat: Skiing in Chile

July 8th
2010
by Becky Youman
posted in:
South America destinations

The East Coast heat-wave continues for another day, prompting authorities to issue an Excessive Heat Watch and citizens to try to stay cool in malls, movie theaters, and swimming pools throughout the northeast.  Sounds like the perfect time to take a South America vacation since the southern hemisphere is in the heart of winter right now.

If a little snow play sounds heavenly as you sweat in out in New York or Washington, you might consider skiing in Chile. The country is home to roughly fifteen ski resorts each with varying degrees of modernity and infrastructure. Quite a few of them are an easy drive or shuttle ride from Santiago de Chile hotels, making a ski day an easy add-on to your Chile vacation. With mostly sunny skies and a high temperature today of about 30 degrees, it’s a far cry from the triple-digits at home.

The three resorts closest to Santiago are located high in the Andes east of town. I lived in Chile for three years and enjoyed a couple of epic winters with record snowfall during the week combined with gorgeous blue-sky days on the weekends.  I have skied each of these resorts numerous times and can recommend each of them depending on your wants and needs.
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Passport Fee Increase

July 7th
2010
by Becky Youman
posted in:
Caribbean Central America Mexico South America destinations news

If you haven’t gotten around to applying for passport books for those upcoming Europe vacations or renewing your passport cards for those booked Caribbean cruises, your pocketbook will appreciate it if you act before July 13. According to the US State Department website, new “consular fees” go into effect next Tuesday.

The cost of a new passport book for adults will jump 35% from $100 to $135 dollars. Renewal of existing passport books will increase to $110 from $85. Minors will see the cost of a new passport book go from $85 to $105. The cost of a passport card for adults will increase $10 from $45 to $55, while a minor’s passport card will go from $35 to $40.

If you are one of those travelers who collects so many stamps that you run out of pages and need more, that too will cost you. Currently you can just send in your passport and get new pages for free, but starting next week there will be an $82 charge attached to those additional sheets of paper.

Looking at the price difference between a passport card and a passport book, you might wonder if you can get by with just the card. The passport card, similar in size and appearance to a driver’s license, is valid only when entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea. It is not valid for any international travel by air, so if you will be flying to your destination, you’ll have to get the passport book.
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Groznjan: A Croatian Hilltop Marvel

July 2nd
2010
by Becky Youman
posted in:
events and festivals family music

As I mentioned in a previous post about Italy, the fact that the Euro has dropped almost 20% against the dollar since January is making Europe vacations look a lot more feasible for a wider range of American travelers. While there are now better bargains to be found in Europe, there are also some great deals to be found in the countries bordering the European Union that do not use the Euro. Croatia is one of those countries.

Located southwest of Slovenia, Croatia enjoys a large slice of Adriatic coastline relative to its size. It also shares borders with Hungary to the northeast, Serbia to the east, and both Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina to the southeast. While the beaches, seaside towns, and 1100 islands of the Adriatic are the biggest draw for many vacationers, Croatia also boasts medieval fortresses and castles, Roman ruins, and vineyards and olive groves reminiscent of Italy. The infrastructure for travelers is well developed, offering excellent Croatia hotels, wonderful dining, and a wide range of transportation options.

I recently spent some time in Istria, a peninsula in the northern-most region of Croatia. Located just about an hour’s drive from Italy via Slovenia, Croatian Istria offers a fascinating cultural mélange created from its history of Roman, Venetian, Austro-Hungarian, Italian, and Yugoslav occupation. While spots along the coast like Rovinj, a town that still retains its 13th century Venetian roots, draw the most travelers, there are treasures to be found in inland Istria as well.

Croatia has been billed as an inexpensive version of Italy and nowhere is this more keenly felt than in Istria. Heading inland from the coast, travelers will admire rolling hills striped with vineyards and olive groves and dotted with Italianate, terracotta-roofed farmhouses.  These vineyards supply the grapes for the country’s fruity wines, while the olives are used to create wonderfully fragrant and peppery oils. Another treasure found in the hills of Istria from September through December is truffles, which are used liberally in Istrian cuisine.

If travelers have time to visit just one inland town in Istria, they should head straight to Groznjan, an ancient city perched on a hilltop. Under Venetian rule for over 400 years starting in the 13th century, Groznjan features winding cobblestone streets, medieval-era walls, a Baroque church, and views to the sea. Almost abandoned in the 1960s when many of its residents moved to Trieste, Italy to seek greater economic opportunities, Groznjan was discovered by artists and has since become a thriving artist and music community and home of a popular summer jazz festival.
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