Archive for the ‘destinations’ Category

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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Mountain Music in Quincy, California

August 10th
2010
by Pete Rerig
posted in:
U.S. West Uncategorized activities destinations events and festivals family music outdoor adventure

The scenery changed dramatically on the 90-minute ride west from Reno, from desert dunes and red-gold canyons and cliffs to beautiful pine forestland dotted with one-stoplight towns. We were headed to northern California for a Quincy vacation, specifically to the 20th annual High Sierra Music Festival, a four-day event jam-packed with music and merrymaking drawing tens of thousands from around the country. The car weighed down with camping gear and coolers. This trip was more than just an excuse to jam out to more than 50 bands playing everything from funk to bluegrass, country to jazz—it was opportunity to relax and breathe in one of the most beautiful spots in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

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Wild Fun at Ft. Lauderdale’s Billie Swamp Safari

August 9th
2010
by Matt Wilson
posted in:
U.S. Southeast destinations family

Most people who book a Florida vacation in the south end of the Sunshine State head for the beach, strolling in the stylish sands of South Beach, cruising the Ft. Lauderdale strip, or taking in popular attractions on Biscayne Bay involving killer whales, dolphins and birds.

But to get a different glimpse of South Florida–the original view visitors had when first setting foot in the tropics–take a short drive from those beachside Ft. Lauderdale hotels and head west; past the waterways, outlet shops, and single family neighborhoods until the expansive suburbia comes to a screeching halt. You’ll find yourself in what seems like the middle of nowhere. But to its first residents, this area known as the Florida Everglades was home, and that culture is well preserved at Billie Swamp Safari, a wet and very wild adventure you won’t soon forget.
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Hitting the Sac

August 9th
2010
by Pete Rerig
posted in:
U.S. West activities destinations events and festivals family music

It was unbelievably hot, so much so that the car’s AC could barely keep up. Rolling into California’s capital city in July, we considered turning around and making a run for coast. But we stayed the course and found a Sacramento hotel with a pool, and by the end of the weekend myriad small delights made our first trip to the city something to remember.

After a quick dip to bring our body temperatures back into a reasonable range, we set out for downtown, not really with a plan but more so just to explore. The blocks around the statehouse were strangely quiet, but music and laughter carried on a gentle breeze drew us towards Cesar Chavez Plaza at 10th and J streets, where the free Friday Night Concerts in the Park were rockin’ and rollin’. From 30-somethings pushing strollers to tweens’ goofing with their friends to seniors spread out on blankets enjoying a cold beer, it was a great surprise to happen upon seeing as though we had no real agenda for the evening.

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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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St. Augustine’s Historic Kenwood Inn

August 7th
2010
by Matt Wilson
posted in:
U.S. Southeast destinations

While vacationing in the nation’s oldest city, you don’t want to stay in just any St. Augustine hotel. To immerse yourself in the history of Florida’s First Coast, you need a place that serves the best of yesterday along with modern amenities and a big heart for hospitality. And with the first steps you take into the Kenwood Inn, St. Augustine’s oldest bed and breakfast, you’ll immediately know that this is the place to rest your head.

Sitting within the historic district, the Kenwood Inn offers an ideal location to fully experience all there is to see and do in St. Augustine. A short walk from the bay and its harbor of boat and pirate ship tours; the coquina-constructed Castillo de San Marcos; and the Old Town shops, sites, and restaurants; it’s also far enough away from the traffic of the busy Avenida Menendez and the sounds of live music from many historic area bars and night clubs.
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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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