Bonjour Colorado

Great Deals for Public Radio: Winter 2010

It’s winter fundraising at KOTO, one of the few entirely community-supported radio stations in the country. It has been six years that I have been doing my Travel Fun talk show on KOTO, a program that has allowed me to deepen my ties with Telluride and to forge travel connections with a variety of people and places all over the world. I’m thrilled to be a part of such a family!

As in recent fundraising campaigns, I’ve obtained some very exciting premiums that you can win in exchange for a pledge to KOTO.  Fellow D.J. Chuck Burr has helped me with these efforts and together we have pulled together a show that will surely tantalize your trip planning ponderings.  Tune in today at 6:20 p.m. mountain time to this special live program at KOTO.org.  Here’s a preview of what we’re offering:

Ashland, Oregon Package

Chuck lives most of the time in this lovely northwestern destination.  He’ll be talking about Ashland’s allure and why its stunning scenery and charming town are worth checking out.  This package includes a two-night stay at Ashland’s Black Swan Inn, a soak for two at Chozu Bath and Tea Gardens and two tickets to the renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival, one of the oldest and largest professional nonprofit theaters in the country.  The value of this package is $420.; it can be yours for a pledge in the amount of $250.

Telluride Temptations

Rustic Elegance/$200. pledge: Two nights in a one-bedroom condo at the handsome Mountain Lodge in Telluride. Approximate value:  $500.-750.

Valentine’s Day Treatment/$100. pledge: Delight in an organic Belgian chocolate and Kona coffee scrub, followed by a luxurious massage with organic dark chocolate body butter, valued at $189., at The Himmel Spa at The Fairmont Heritage Place Franz Klammer Lodge.  That sounds like ninety minutes of yum, yum to me. Read about my take on this charming spa here.

Exciting Dining Experience/$75. pledge: Receive a $100. gift certificate to the new Palmyra restaurant at The Peaks Resort & Spa.

Perfect Turns/$75. pledge:  Join an adult group lesson, valued at $130., at Telluride’s most awesome Ski & Snowboard School.

Magnificent Massage/$75. pledge: A ninety-minute massage, valued at $150., with Darren Miller, from Rolling Relaxation Massage, to be provided at Mountain Lodge Telluride.  You may contact Darren at 970-369-5193, 303-257-6070 and rollingrelaxation@hotmail.com.  Read more about this expert healer here.

Rosa Lea and Jackson from Salon 7

Lady’s Locks/$35. pledge: A woman’s haircut, valued at $50., by Rosa Lea at Salon 7, my favorite stylist in town.  You can reach Rosa Lea at 970-708-1266 and rosalea_davis@hotmail.com.  I also wrote about her here.

Peaks Pampering/$30. pledge: Receive a Spa Access Day Pass to The Peaks Spa.  Four passes have been donated.  Approximate value:  $45. each.  Read more about The Peaks Spa here.

Voulez-Vous/$30. pledge: A one-hour French lesson, valued at $50., avec moi! Go to my About page to learn more about me.

Gorgeous Guy/$20. pledge:  A man’s haircut, valued at $30., by Rosa Lea at Salon 7.  (See contact info. above.)

Some Original Ideas

Your Own Tour Guide/$30. pledge: As the author of four books on France, I know a fair amount about Paris and the provinces. This pledge, valued at $50., will grant you a one-hour travel consultation with me on Paris and/or the French provinces.

Blah-Blah Blog/$100. pledge: You, your product or service (or maybe all three) get to star in one of my many postings at BonjourColorado.com.  Approximate Value: Priceless.  Let me spin you and/or your goods into a fun story!

Please note that certain restrictions may apply.  All pledges will be taken on a first-come basis.

Call the studio (970-728-4333) as of 6:25 p.m. mountain time today to make a pledge for any of the above offers.  You may also write me a note on my Contact Page.

Thank you to the above individuals and establishments for your geneous donations.  I encourage my readers to support these fine businesses.  Thanks to all for showing your love for Telluride’s unique public radio station!

Laughing All The Way: Humor and Travel

A smile is the shortest distance between two people.    —Victor Borga

Karyn Ruth White: Motivational Comedian/Author and Twenty Year Road Warrior

Motivational Comedian/Author and twenty-year Road Warrior Karyn Ruth White shared the above quote with me in a recent Travel Fun interview.  I met Karyn Ruth in November when she gave the keynote address at the annual meeting of the Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association.  She had all those hospitality folks in stitches and I’m sure she’ll have you laughing all the way when you hit the play button below.

“Humor allows you to see your world in a much more postitive, enthusiastic way,” Karyn Ruth says.  She emphasizes how humor can be a valuable tool in dealing with all kinds of situations.

Karyn Ruth encourages everyone to pack their sense of humor with them on their travels and to make a conscious decision that your journey is going to be fun.  Think about what attitude you’re taking on your trip and see how that effects your travels.  Just look around airports to see how many people are smiling.  ”How we travel is a great metaphor for how we live our lives,” she says.  ”If you watch someone in the airport it sums up how they live their lives.”

When was the last time you really expressed enthusiasm about traveling?  Do you remember how it was for you as a kid?  I can recall the night before the first time I was to take the train to New York City when I was about eight.  I couldn’t sleep all night!  And that wasn’t about stress—it was due to excitement.

Karyn Ruth points out that we are presented with humor opportunities every day at home and away. Her book, “Your Seventh Sense:  How to Think Like a Comedian,” helps people to see the world in a funnier way. ”Life is hysterical if you’re looking for the hilarity,” she says.

Karyn Ruth White Suggests You Ask Yourself the Following Questions on Your Travels, Especially in Stressful Situations

-Can I find anything to laugh about?

-Am I going to let this ruin my day?

-Would this be funny if it were happening to someone else?