 I went to Grand Junction, CO several times to visit Jan Marquis and my Wyandotte Roosevelt High School buddy, Bert Przybylski. On our first trip through the city I was blown away by all the art! (Something I happily learned was a trend in so many CO cities.) As you will see by the photos, there is amazing yard art, wall murals, statues, sculptures, fountains, and more. So thanks to Jan and Bert for giving me the Grand Tour of Grand Junction, and to two fellow road trippers Autumn and Jonathan Rodman who shot that photo of me getting the "run down" on the bicycle art scene. :-) As always, if you recognize any of the artist's work, please compliment them so they get the recognition - and hopefully new business - they deserve. Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories                                                  My sister Vivian used to work in radio. I used to work in radio. My Dad raised chickens. So when I saw this cute little radio station in Salida, CO called KHEN, I just couldn't resist going inside to take a peek...or would that be "peck"? I met the cool chicks - sorry, I can't help myself - Leslie Matthews, Jane Carpenter and Leah Capezio, and the most eggs-cellent dude, Bob Campbell. And as soon as they heard about my road trip and me photographing some of the great art around Salida, they put me on the air. Now granted, I won't be given the pullet-zer prize for my interview, but they sure made it a lot of fun. So hens-forth omeletting you know that I'd gladly do it it again, and I'm not yolking. Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories                I stayed in Salida, CO for 10 days on this trip so I was able to meet even more Amazing Faces. Here are just a few of the artists, entrepreneurs and other interesting people who were kind enough to let me photograph them. If you recognize anyone, please share my website post with them so they may see their full size images. Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories                                                  It is easy to talk about the beauty of Salida, CO. because there is just so much of it. The river, trees, mountains, wildlife and meadows all make for tranquil vistas. But what is most surprising to me is the incredible amount of art - and artists - this mountain town has. You can hear incredible original music in parks and venues. You see amazing sculptures, murals, paintings and extremely creative use of color, texture and repurposed materials on the streets, galleries, businesses, yards and homes. So simply put, Salida is a delight for all of the senses. If you recognize any of the artist's work, please share my website post with them so they may see their full size images. Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories                                                                                                                                                            I have done so many posts on one of my favorite places on earth that I thought I'd better organize them a bit. So I've gathered the links below to some of the wonderful people, places, art and events I experienced in Salida, CO. (You know a town has to be cool if the residents do a full on dance routine to Michael Jackson's Thriller for Halloween. Video here.) It is my hope in doing so that you will discover - and hopefully recognize and support - some of the artists, musicians, businesses and culture of this great mountain town. And lest I be accused of playing favorites, you can go to my Travel page to see some of the other Amazing Places and Amazing Faces in Colorado, America, and coming soon - Canada.
Colorad-oh? 10: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun! Colorad-oh? 11: The Art Of Travel. Colorad-oh? 12: Wherefore ART Thou? Colorad-oh? 16: Something To Crow About. Amazing Faces: Alex and Harper Amazing Faces: Danny and Kat Amazing Faces: Salida, CO. Amazing Places: Salida, CO. Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories  On July 4, 2017 America will turn 241 years old. And while it is easy to get caught up on all the negative news today, the best way to remind yourself of how incredibly beautiful America still is - is to go see it for yourself.
Last year I did just that when I road tripped to all 48 contiguous states. And this year I will do another big tour of the good ol' USA. (See those books here.) So if you have the time and resources to travel, do yourself a great service by visiting one or several of the great places in our country. My guess is that you will be glad - and proud - that you did. Happy Birthday America! You are beautiful!! Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories  When my friend, Jennifer Ricci asked me if I wanted to go to St. Elmo, CO to hand feed the chipmunks, I was all in. But when I found out it was a g-g-ghost town that is reported to be haunted, I asked myself, "If we get scared, who you gonna call? Ghostbusters?" Well, as it turns out, the once booming gold and silver mining town located about 30 miles from Salida, CO. wasn't spooky at all. The town has a quaint, not haint, General store, some guest lodging, buildings that have survived time remarkably and many that haven't, and cute little critters who literally eat out of the palm of your hand. And as Tatiana Danger (how fitting is that last name for a g-g-ghost town?) from RoadTrippers writes in her blog, it has quite a history. After our spirited tour of the town, Jennifer toured me through some the beautiful - and sometimes quirky - surrounding areas. And as I write this - make that "ghost write" this - I am reminded of what a great little road trip it would be for anyone who can say... "I ain't fraid of no ghosts." Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories              In an earlier blog, I talked about how incredible it was to go camping for the first time in over 40 years and wake up in Crested Butte, CO... So now I want to give you a brief overview of this great little mountain town itself. It has remarkable art, terrific restaurants, fun shops, great events and activities, colorful buildings, and flowers everywhere. And the surrounding mountains, lakes and forests are both awe inspiring and soothing to the soul. Now I realize that my limited time there only allows me to skim the top of all that this town offers, so if any of you want to add what you like most, I welcome your insights. Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories                        I was driving through the charming little town of Lake City, CO when I spotted the Chillin' Internet Coffee Shop. I stepped inside and immediately felt welcomed by the owners Shari and Jeff Heaton. I told them that I was a writer and photographer who was blogging about my travels and asked them if I could photograph their place. They said feel free and be sure to check out the music venue in the back. Then Jeff told me that he has been a musician for his entire life and wanted to have a place where people could come to hear great music in a laid back setting. As I finished my tour, I realized that their little hidden gem accomplished that and a whole lot more. So the next time you feel like Chillin' someplace cool, check out their Facebook page Chillin' Internet Coffee Shop. Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories                       As I was about to leave Chillin' in Lake City, CO, the owners, Shari and Jeff Heaton told me that if I wanted to see a really awesome music venue then I should go down the street to the Texaco station. I'm like, "Wait! What? A concert place at a gas station?!? I gotta see this." Well sure enough, I pulled into The Sportsman BBQ Station & Backyard and introduced myself to the owner, Charles Hutchins - better known as "Hutch". And even though the Backyard Amphitheater wasn't open yet, he took the time to show me around the big venue and his restaurant. Then he showed me the 2017 Musical Lineup of Live Music Shows which includes Johnny Rodriquez, Michael Martin Murphey, Marty Haggard, Bellamy Brothers and Suzy Bogguss. Then Hutch asked me to help him haul that giant fish out to the front, so I gladly helped him - and that is no fish tale. So if you are planning to be anywhere near Lake City this summer, check out one of these great performer's concerts and say hi to Hutch and his lovely wife, Roxa Hutchins. Cover Contents Books Home Hire Stories             |