Another Update

The new site is up and running and I'm liking it and the freedom it offers over Blogger. I still have to write up my posts here though since the html on there isn't ideal for photo placement. It's all going well though and I'm hope everyone enjoys the new site.

I'm still checking in here next to daily though to see your posts as well, so don't think for a minute that I've forgotten about anyone I'm following or who is following me. The one thing I do really like about Blogger is that it makes it super easy to follow other folks who post here, opposed to just doing it on an RSS feed, and I'll continue to check in on your posts. There's been a lot of good ones lately and I love reading 'em so please keep it up.

If you have any comments or questions though about the new site, please let me know. Feel free to post it here, since I'm still checking, or to send me a note through my website. Thanks!

New Site Update

I just added a bunch of new features to my new travel site, including a page of links.

If I didn't get you on the list and you want to be on, I apologize for missing you. I tried to get all of the travel related blogs from folks here that follow me, but may've missed one or two. If I did, please leave me a comment here, or DM me on Twitter, and I'll add you to the list.

If I put you on and you don't want to be there, I also apologize. Again, just leave me a message here or DM me on Twitter and I'll take you off. No problem, no question...just let me know.

Thanks for checking out the new site though and thanks for all of the feedback thus far. I certainly do appreciate all of it. Hopefully I can continue to expand the site into something special that will help all travelers to some extent.

Viva la travel?

New Travel Site

I have a new travel related website and will slowly be transitioning to solely posting there. I'll continue to post entries here as well until the site is fully up and running, but ultimately everything will be there. The new site is cleverly known as Jason's Travels.

Please check it out and let me know what you think. Any ideas are much appreciated. Unfortunately though, all of those thoughts and comments need to be posted here since I haven't worked out a comment section there yet. I'm open though to any ideas folks have, so don't be shy.

Other things I want to add are a list of blogs I follow, a message board or forum and a spot for guest posters from around the world on their travel experiences and recommendations. A page for my travel related photos is also in the very early stages, but it's something I'm looking at.

Thanks for reading and any comments you may have. ~ Jason

My Colorado: St. Mary's Glacier

Idaho Springs is best known for such places as Tommyknocker Brewery and BeauJo's Pizza. A short drive north from town though, along I70 and Fall River Road, sits the St. Mary's Glacier; a beautiful trail and lake where time is well spent. The trail up to the lake and glacier seems to be more suitable for an ATV due to the rocky nature of the path, but it is primarily, and easily, used by hikers. And it may seem difficult at first, going up at a steep grade from about 10,300 feet in elevation, but it levels out and becomes easier closer to the top.

It's only a mile anyway, so no sweat! ...figuratively speaking of course.

When we made our way to the top, I found the mountain views stunning. And with the number of outdoor activities to enjoy, I could easily see spending all day there hiking, fishing and enjoying the scenery. Heck, I could've even brought a board up and gone for a ride down the glacier as some people who were too impatient for the resorts to open were doing.

On some well-worn paths my friend and I made our way around the lake to check out the glacier, sans snowboards. It's a beautiful area dotted with wildflowers and lots of brush that hid some small animals that peeked out at us on occasion. And the glacier itself, albeit tainted a bit brown, is quite nice with a couple of small flows issuing from its base that feed the lake.

The best part about all of this though is that it's totally and completely free. So many places in Colorado, like the state and national parks, require payment. But this gem of a spot has none of it. The only payment required is a $5 day fee for parking at the trailhead, but we were fortunate enough to get a free spot along the road.

And as any Coloradoan, or visitor to the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, knows, that $5 can be better spent on a brew and a burger in Idaho Springs.

My Colorado: The Beecher Island Battlefield

Sometimes there are things listed on maps that sound interesting, but when you try to go there's not a single sign for it until you're already at the spot; such was the case with the Beecher Island Battlefield.

The name on the map sounded interesting enough to my friend and I, so we decided to head that way. After some good navigation on his part we arrived at the small site near the nice town of Wray, Colorado.

An obelisk marks the spot where for nine days in 1868 50 U.S. Scouts held their ground against a group of 600 Indians who were suspected of raiding frontier settlements on the Plains. The Indians attacked the scouts in their camps behind the leadership of Chief Roman Nose. He was killed in an initial charge though and the Indian's assaults became rather unorganized thereafter.

A small display near the obelisk explains the battle, as well as some of the events around it, but since it was put up in the 1960s it is a bit slanted. Just for this matter I threw in a few bucks to the donations box so hopefully they can fix a few things for future visitors. I find it troubling though that this cannot be done more easily than by donation since the spot is a National Historic Site. It would seem to me that a small amount of funds could help tell a better, and more balanced, story of the events.

Near the battlefield marker there is also a trail named after Chief Roman Nose. We were running out of time on the day so did not have a chance to take a hike. I'm sure though that it offered some interesting views, particularly over the battlefield, since this area is quite hilly in spots.

Despite the small difficulties we had in finding the location, almost missing it entirely, it was well worth the troubles. I gained a greater appreciation for eastern Colorado and its history. It also helped me to better understand what happened in the Plains between the settlers, the Indians and the U.S. soldiers in the area and the hatred and troubles that continued to spill over following the Sand Creek Massacre.

My Colorado: Bonny Lake State Park

If boating and fishing are your types of things, then Bonny Lake State Park in eastern Colorado is a perfect place for you. But for me, ever since a weird incident with bullheads up in Alexandria, Minnesota, I can't say that it much interests me anymore. I'll save that story though for another time.

In case you were wondering, Bonny Lake is a 1,900 surface acre reservoir that sits at a paltry 3,700 feet in elevation. The lake is formed by a dam, built in 1951, along the Republican River. It is lined with trees and offers great opportunities for camping as well as fishing and boating.

There are a couple of hiking trails in the park as well, but the focus is definitely elsewhere. And because of this, it held little interest for me. My friend and I made a quick stop to check out the lake and then took the road back out and over the dam to head north again.

I'm not sure what I was hoping for with this stop since this is a lake orientated state park on the far reaches of the eastern plains. I guess I was expecting something more along the lines of Clayton Lake or Scott Lake, both of which I quite enjoyed.. But I was sadly disappointed since this was no where near as interesting as either of those. It was quite the opposite since we weren't there to fish or camp.

The welcome wagon didn't exactly come out for us here either. The ranger at the gate was quite rude as we made our grand arrival with a chipper hello. As my friend pointed out though, it appears we may've interrupted her afternoon television programs, thus upsetting her, since he thought he saw her watching TV in an adjoining room in the visitor's center before her glaring welcome.

I suppose that if I were torn away from a dramatic moment in my soap I'd be rather grouchy though too.

My Colorado: The Kit Carson County Carousel

Even if for just five minutes, isn't it great to feel like a kid again? I mean, really feel like a kid again? And what about if, in those five minutes, it would only take a quarter? Would it be worth it to have all kinds of great childhood memories rush back on you for only two bits?

It certainly was for me when I visited the Kit Carson County Carousel in Burlington, Colorado.

I was never much for rollercoasters or the other wild rides at amusement parks as a child, just ask my brother if you don't believe me. He and my sister thought it'd be fun to take me on a crazy ride called the Octopus at Valleyfair in Minnesota, and I screamed so loud my brother had to slap his hand over my mouth to get me to shut up.

I'm pretty sure he still has a slight outline on his palm from where I bit him.

Yes, rides like the ferris wheel and carousel were always much more my speed. I loved just going around and around at a nice, even pace; relaxing and taking in the world was certainly the way to go for me. I guess it just feels like a nice life metaphor.

The Kit Carson County Carousel is well known in Colorado for it's great history, and I wanted to make it a priority stop. So of course, when my friend and I pulled up, I was like a kid in a candy store and on Christmas morning all rolled into one. I was electric with excitement.

Glued to the attendant's story about the history of the carousel I instantly knew which stationary figure I wanted to ride on; it would be none other than the lion! Yes, the king of the jungle, the beast of all beasts, and the one piece that proved to be impossible to steal in 1981 when antique thieves made off with four of the statues.

I wanted to ride on the historic animal as I felt that great flood of memories pass over me. I knew it was going to be a special moment for me and I wanted to make sure it was exactly how I wanted it to be. Heck, I even had to throw down the trump card on my friend, reminding him that I paid his quarter for the ride too, so I could lay claim to it.

It's too bad though that I was a bit busy holding on for dear life. This carousel cooked! I had to hold on and lean in out of fear of the centripitel force flinging me out on to some small, unknowing child waiting in line and ruining a whole slew of memories for the both of us.

Really though, what a ride it was. I laughed and enjoyed myself as I went around on the plains of Colorado. It was every bit as fun as I had hoped, making me want to go again and again. Yet, in an effort not to dilute things, I exhibited some self control and made my way into the museum.

The museum, which is also about carousels in general, was not nearly as enjoyable as the ride itself, but still worth the dollar admission. Although, now that I think about how that's four separate rides, I'm not so sure. After all, what museum did I ever enjoy as a kid? I don't recall a single one that brought me such great memories as the carousel.

Sigh. I got ripped off.