 Original Facebook post June 15 at 11:27 AM While I didn't find love in Loveland, CO., I did find a lot of incredible art, eateries and shops. Like a lot of cool little Colorado towns, there is very diverse and expressive street art everywhere. And whether you prefer coffee or something slightly stronger, there are plenty of terrific little places to quench your thirst. Add to that a welcoming downtown vibe and it is no wonder so many people fall in love with Loveland. Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories              Original Facebook post June 16 at 10:37 AM
As I was leaving Loveland, CO, I happened to meet Annalise Lundeen. She is the delightful owner of a quaint florist shop called Annalise The Amaranth. She provides plants, gifts and custom floral design for weddings, events and special occasions. When I asked her about the unique name, Annalise told me that she chose Amaranth because it means: "An imaginary flower that never fades." It is fitting that Loveland should have a wonderful florist. The town is nicknamed the "Sweetheart City" and the Loveland Post Office has the largest Valentine Re-mailing Program in America mailing out over 160,000 valentines to 110 countries. As I left, I couldn't help but admire the convenient downtown location this bright, personable young woman chose. Because if I ever opened up a floral shop it wood be so far in the woods that no one could ever find me. I guess you could say it would be one of those cases where... You can't find the florist for the trees. :-) Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories  Original Facebook post June 16 at 10:58 AM
I had the great pleasure of visiting Mark and Robin McIntire again in Greeley, CO. They were kind enough to cook delicious dinners, provide great conversations, take me on a guided tour of Fort Collins and to a gallery to see some of Robin's sister, Rebecca Gutersohn Adams amazing wildlife photography. While I was there I had the joy of shooting some branding photographs for Robin's personal training site Training With Passion. As you can tell, Robin is very fit and very quick with an encouraging smile, which is why her clients love her so much. Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories  Original Facebook post June 20 at 10:48 AM
As I began my trip up the mountain to camp for several days, I had to pull over several times to capture some of the pure beauty of Colorado. If you have never had the pleasure of a leisurely drive in the Rocky Mountain state, then I hope you get the chance to experience it for yourself. And for those who have been there, and those who will have to live vicariously for now, I hope this photo serves as a reminder of the breathtaking, restorative nature that is there. Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories  Original Facebook post June 20 at 10:58 AM Readers of my travel books https://bit.ly/2Iz8wVN know that I love discovering and sharing terrific, one-of-kind places on my road trips. And since the Mishawaka Amphitheater is a hidden gem that combines great food, music, scenery and people - many miles from anywhere, it definitely qualifies as both awesome and unique. Located in Poudre Canyon right next to the Poudre River, the indoor and outdoor music venue brings in some top talent to perform. And according to the genial host and F&B Manager, Louie Leber, Mishawaka has a colorful and tasteful history of making guests feel so welcome that they want to come back. Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories         Original Facebook post June 23 at 3:05 PM The first night of camping was in Red Feather Lakes, CO. The town itself is so small - around 500 people - that it is on dirt roads. But the 612,000-acre Roosevelt National Forest with it's lakes, creeks, trails, and nature more than makes up for the town's tiny size. And as you can see, there are reminders of how grateful the Red Feather Lakes residents are for America and those who protect us. Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories      Original Facebook post June 23 at 3:08 PM
Steamboat Springs was a very pleasant surprise for my camping buddy, John Taylor and me. It started with a spectacular breakfast place on Soda Creek called Creekside Cafe. It continued as we found another great restaurant called Sake2U on the Yampa River where tubers floated just yards away. In fact, the food was so good and abundant in Steamboat that we felt the winged photos were the closest we'd ever get to being angels on our diets. :-) Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories  Original Facebook post June 25 at 10:45 AM Big Shooter Coffee is one of those out of the way places that make taking the road les(s) traveled so well worth the drive. Located in the tiny town - @ 1500 population - of Kremling, CO, this place is an mixture of quirky style and quaint welcome. There are pigs that fly, multiple ways to rock out (rockers, swings, etc.), ceilings lined with race numbers, wisdom offered daily on a chalk board, and endless eclectic art and signage. And because the very friendly staff members like Emma Auger pictured here make you feel like a big shooter, it serves as a popular respite for road warriors gunning for a little fun. Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories                    Original Facebook post June 25 at 5:48 PM
Sometimes the wrong road can lead you to the right place. And that's exactly what happened when we got lost in the Colorado mountains. My camping buddy, John Taylor and I were looking for a place to set up near a stream, when we lost our GPS signal. So, we pulled over to consult some maps. When that didn't help, John decided to knock on a door to ask for directions. He was invited in and minutes later emerged with Josh Moyer. Josh was kind enough to explain where we needed to go and then sat down on the porch just to chat. He explained that his family had been ranchers for generations, but his late father had told his sons that he wanted them to follow their own dreams. When Josh came down to Colorado for a vacation, he just knew that is where he wanted to start his new life. And so he bought the town. We were listening to his story when we both realized what he said. "Wait. Did you just say you bought a town?", we both blurted out. He smiled and said, "Yes. And that's it right across the street." Josh went on to explain that he and his family bought the town of Ferncliff, CO with a lake, creek, gas station, country store, store front building, lodging, etc., as well as nearby Meadow Mountain Cafe in Allenspark, CO. Their plan is to make the 8,000 foot altitude mountain oasis a great getaway for travelers who want to enjoy the beauty and fun of Colorado at a relaxing pace. And after hearing his vision, we left feeling that we our wrong road had lead us to the right place to witness the birth of an American dream. Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories  Original Facebook post June 26 at 7:23 AM The winding mountain road from Allenspark, CO to Nederland, CO is one of the prettiest rides in America. And by the time we arrived there, we were definitely ready for our first cup of coffee of the morning. We were pleasantly surprised to find that the village had several unique coffee houses to choose from. But when we saw The Train Cars Coffee and Yogurt Company we knew we had make tracks there and climb aboard. The structure is comprised of The Pullman Car, The Caboose and The Circus Star. I'd say that the latter was my favorite, but I'd just be clowning around. :-) The coffee, service and ambiance was terrific. And what made it even better was that we could see the Carousel Of Happiness located directly next to it. I'd say we went around and around about whether we should ride it, but that debate would just have us going in circles. :-) Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories           |