Colorado Outdoor Adventures Podcasts Shopping Travel: Colorado Outdoor Adventures Podcasts Shopping Travel
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Bootdoctors Offers Further Adventures
Rollicking on the River with Further Adventures
Did you know that most of our mountain towns attract more visitors in the summer than in the winter? Heck, yeah. As the saying goes, “I came for the winter and stayed for the summers.” Our hills are alive with all kinds of great outdoor activities. Actually our mountains, valleys and streams furnish glorious backdrops for fair weather fun of every stripe.
I chatted with Bob Gleason, owner/operator of Bootdoctors and Further Adventures, in a recent Travel Fun interview and he provided me with a fantastic overview of the rafting, fly fishing, hiking and biking in Telluride, Colorado and the outlying area. Between the lush alpine landscape and the rugged red rock of southwestern Colorado, the whole region offers many stunning experiences both on the water and off.
“I like to play on those H2O molecules all year round,” Bob says. It’s true that as the snowpack melts, the level of fun rises on our rivers and streams. This year’s flow will be rather thin, yet there are still good times to be had. Further Adventures arranges rafting trips on two different rivers in southwestern Colorado: the San Miguel and the Uncompahgre. This year the season is super short on the San Miguel (only through early June), although most years you can run the river through the end of July. Bob and his band of river guides will be conducting float trips on the Uncompahgre all summer long.
“There’s nothing like floating thru a river canyon to see the geology of the area,” Bob says when talking about some of the highlights of river rafting in the West. “Any time you spend on a body of water is a time of peace. The Native Americans called the river system the veins of our mother,” he adds.
Art & Culture Colorado Denver Fashion & Style Podcasts Travel: Art & Culture Colorado Denver Fashion & Style Podcasts
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Denver Art Museum Salutes Yves Saint Laurent and More
One of Many Engaging Displays at the YSL Show in Denver
“Rien n’est plus beau qu’un corps nu.
Le plus beau vêtement qui puisse habiller une femme ce sont les bras de l’homme qu’elle aime.
Mais pour celles qui n’ont pas eu la chance de trouver ce bonheur je suis là.”
—Yves Saint Laurent
I’d loosely translate the above as follows:
Nothing is more beautiful than a naked body.
The most beautiful clothing that can dress a woman are the arms of the man she loves.
But for those who don’t have the fortune to find this happiness, I am there.
One of Many YSL Ball Gowns on View at the Denver Art Museum
Wow! That’s how I feel about the above and that was my reaction after visiting Yves Saint Laurent: The Retrospective at the Denver Art Museum (DAM) recently. Wow, wow, wow. What a gorgeous show. Men, please keep reading and listen to the below podcast. Even those of you that might not have an interest in fashion will surely be dazzled by this extraordinary exhibition.Yves Saint Laurent, one of the most legendary fashion designers, opened his first couture house in Paris in the early 1960s at a time when the world would experience great change, especially for women.
From a historical perspective, the YSL retrospective is fascinating. It’s a dynamic show that examines the many external events that influenced this man’s forty years of creativity through a variety of media including photography and videos.
But let’s get back to the women. This man loved women. So much so, in fact, that he primarily worked on live models so that he could take in their gestures, their movements, their élégance. “He really had a goal of making women feel loved and empowered from what they were wearing,” says Tara Moberly, from the press department of the DAM, in our below interview. Indeed and this show-stopping exhibition offers a stunning look at Yves Saint Laurent’s work throughout his illustrious career. From the wall of colors that showcase the couturier’s vast collection of swatches to the black on black display of his famous tuxedos to the grand finale of ball gowns, this exhibition provides a feast for the eyes at every turn.
Art & Culture French Life Hotels Music & Dance Paris Podcasts Restaurants: Art & Culture French Life Hotels Music & Dance Paris Podcasts Restaurants
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Terrance Galenter from Paris Through Expatriate Eyes: An American Bon Vivant
Terrance (Seated in Blue Sweater) and His Cohorts at the Famous Café de Flore
Ahhhhh. April in Paris. It truly is a delightful time for visiting the City of Light. And as Terrance Galenter, emphasizes in my below Travel Fun interview, the month of May is even better.
Terrance, an American that started Paris through Expatriate Eyes ten years ago in California, has been operating from the French capital for the past fours years. He’s your point person in Paree for everything from tours to lodging, restaurant and reading recommendations. “It’s a very small town for a big town,” Terrance says about Paris. And if you make contact with him before or during your Paris stay, he’s sure to make this fabulous city a smaller, more comfortable place for you.
Colorado Mountain Living Podcasts Telluride Travel: Colorado Mountain Living Podcasts Telluride Travel
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From Telluride to Maui: Alan Bradbury’s Garden of Eden
Where Water and Sky Create Lovely Waterlilies
A Special Kind of Paradise
With off-season officially underway here in Telluride, there’s a stillness that hasn’t been felt in this world-renowned resort since before ski season began. Empty parking spaces, a smattering of closed restaurants, hotels, bars and boutiques punctuate the landscape both in town and in Telluride Mountain Village. Needless-to-say the mountain is no longer illuminated at night with snowcats, snowmobiles or slopeside condos. It’s so windy and dry today that we’re apt to see tumbleweed blowing across the Valley Floor, a Western image that would not seem out of place in our now emptied out mountain town.
Outdoor Adventures Podcasts Travel: Outdoor Adventures Podcasts Travel
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MedjetAssist: A Smart Way to Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones
MedjetAssist Arranges Medical Transfers
As ski season winds down, many people in our mountain towns are hurriedly formulating their travel plans for off-season. Whether you’re planning to heli-ski in Canada or loll on the beach in Florida, you definitely should consider what kind of protection you have in case of accident or illness when away from home. All travelers should pay attention to this post, in fact, since no matter your age or your level of adventure, you never know when you might be knocked down with some unfortunate medical emergency.
Podcasts Romance & Relationships Travel Writing & Books: Podcasts Romance & Relationships Travel Writing & Books
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Dr. Pepper Schwartz on Sex, Travel and Fun
Dr. Pepper Schwartz
I interviewed Dr. Pepper Schwartz on my Travel Fun radio show a few years ago. In honor of Valentine’s Day, I thought I’d post this program here as a podcast, especially since most people I know are still looking for ways to spice up their lives at home and while traveling. As the co-author of “The Great Sex Weekend” and a nationally-recognized authority on sexuality, Dr. Pepper Schwartz knows how to speak intelligently about finding a healthy combination of sex, travel and fun. And if you tune in to our interview below, you’ll learn that romance plays a big role in a couple’s connection as well. (Did you hear that guys?)
“Every couple needs to get away to refocus on each other,” Dr. Schwartz emphasizes. “It’s important to remember they’re lovers and that they can surprise and delight each other,” she continues. If you go away, it’s a way of saying you’re going to focus on each other, Dr. Schwartz explains.
In our interview you learn that just getting away isn’t enough. (Sorry guys.) No, there’s so much more to a getaway including planning, packing and well, a bit of teasing. Anticipation plays a big role and if you do this right, you’ll reap the benefits from your getaway tenfold. Here are some of Dr. Schwartz’s recommendations:
-Figure out TOGETHER what is right for you in terms of hotel and destination choice. (Maybe that charming B & B—with thin walls—might not be such a good choice after all.)
-Discuss what you want to do together (and maybe separately) before you go away. (One round of golf for him might be O.K. as long as she can hit the spa.)
-Consider visiting a sex shop or lingerie boutique together before you leave town. (This gives packing new meaning!)
-Talk, plan, titillate to give your eventual trip added zest.
“Plan it so that there are no false notes,” Dr. Schwartz says.
In the below interview, Dr. Schwartz also mentions some favorite hotels and resorts that she recommends for especially romantic getaways and how you can create their special ambiances at home. She gives “eye-gazing,” for example, new meaning.
Definitely tune in.
Click on the play button below to listen to my interview with Dr. Pepper Schwartz.
Note that Dr. Pepper Schwartz is in the midst of writing a romantic travel book for Frommer’s and AARP, so I’ll be sure to do another story on her when that book is published.
Colorado Podcasts Skiing & Snowboarding Telluride: Colorado Podcasts Skiing & Snowboarding Telluride
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Talking About Telluride Ski & Snowboard School
A Red Coat and Company Carving It Up in Telluride's Revelation Bowl
“Our mission is to pass on the passion,” says Noah Sheedy, Director of the Telluride Ski & Snowboard School in a recent Travel Fun interview. Listen to all you ever wanted to know about the Telluride Ski & Snowboard School and ski and snowboard instruction in general by clicking on the play button below. Noah—along with Doug Morrisson, Manager of Adult Programs, and Frank Martinez, Manager of Children’s Programs at Telluride Ski & Snowboard School—provided me with terrific interviews about their highly-acclaimed products and instructors.
Whether it’s your first experience or your one thousandth on the hill, Noah explains why skiers and riders of all levels should take a lesson. “There’s always room to improve,” Noah says. “Especially with the new equipment and terrain,” he adds, referring to the opening of a lot of additional expert runs in Telluride in recent years.
In response to my question regarding the difference between self-taught and professionally taught skiers, Noah explains the many reasons why you shouldn’t pick up your latest techniques from chairlift gawking. (I know there are many of you out there that do this!) “It’s about really becoming efficient and proficient,” Noah explains. “It takes a professional to lead you through it, so that people can conserve energy and have a better time” he continues. Any pro knows that big aches and pains endured throughout a ski vacation are no badge of honor. There is an easier way and it’s called technique.
Noah Sheedy: Leader of the Pack
Doug (on the left) Dishing Out Assignments to the Troupes
Doug talks about Telluride Ski & Snowboard School’s most popular product: private lessons. “It’s a very customized kind of product,” he explains. He also tells how lessons are booked and discusses the uniqueness of the instructors, an eclectic staff of over three hundred that distinguish themselves by eleven years of experience on average per person. (That’s high for the industry.) Doug also discusses Adult Group lessons and how most lessons are organized.
Frank Inside at the Children's Ski School Center
If you’ve been thinking about teaching your child how to ski or ride, please listen to what Frank has to say about the importance of children’s ski and snowboard lessons. There’s so much to know and not surprisingly, it is not recommended that you do the teaching yourself, no matter how skilled you are at snowsports. Frank explains how the aspirations and desires of parents don’t necessarily gel with what’s best for the child. There’s much to consider on every level, especially depending on the age of the child. It’s best to let professional instructors take care of your little ones. And as Frank adds, “it’s a learning experience beyond skiing.”
So have I convinced you yet? Yes or no, click on the play button to hear more. In our interview, I also share one of the big reasons I enjoy taking a lesson. Yes, I’m a ski instructor, too, and in addition to training, I love to join in on a lesson, time permitting. You know why? Aside from all the tips and technique I know I’ll learn, it’s because I like to be taken care of. And there’s no doubt in my mind that that’s much of what our beautiful band of Telluride Ski & Snowboard instructors do best.
Happy sliding! Hope to see you on the hill soon!
Click on the play button below to listen to my half-hour Telluride Ski & Snowboard School interview.
For more about why you should choose Telluride, check out my story and podcast with Telluride Ski & Golf CEO Dave Riley at Why Telluride.
Ski School Line Up During the Busy Holidaytime
Colorado Cycling Podcasts Skiing & Snowboarding Telluride The Rockies Travel: Colorado Cycling Podcasts Skiing & Snowboarding Telluride The Rockies Travel
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Telluride, Colorado: A Real Winter Wonderland
Main Street, Telluride
It’s that time of year again, the frosty season when you stand on main street in Telluride, Colorado and feel like you can reach out and touch the massive, snowy peaks in front of you. Sure, this view is nothing short of spectacular all year long yet in winter, the light and the snow render these looming monoliths even more awe-inspiring. Add to that old Western and Victorian buildings blanketed in snow, folks trudging through the streets with ski gear in tow, puppies and people practically skipping down the street—and suddently you realize it’s a Norman Rockwell scene like none you’ve ever taken in before.
Elk on the Valley Floor at the Entrance of Town
Yep, that’s Telluride and it’s no wonder once people come here, they return time after time again. I sat down recently with Michael Martelon, head of the Telluride Tourism Board, during a Travel Fun radio show program, to talk about the magical season of wintertime in this world-renowned mountain destination in southwestern Colorado. In our interview, Michael talks about the typical Telluride visitor, who they are and the Tourism Board’s approach to marketing T-ride.
“We’re the antithesis of Disney,” Michael says. And I agree, citing that the authenticity of Telluride is what I think people most appreciate here. I even go so far as to compare Telluride to Paris, two places I know and love well. Beauty, sophistication, genuineness and a funky, hip side characterize these two singular destinations in my opinion. (There’s also the City of Light connection, but that’s a whole other blog post that I hope to write soon.)
Tune in to our interview to hear about all there is to do in Telluride during the winter season in addition to skiing and riding on the mountain. “It’s just amazing the kaleidoscope of things you can do when you’re not skiing,” Michael says. This is exactly why I encourage people to come to Telluride even if they’re not big skiers or boarders. Between the charming shopping scene, our excellent spas and world-class dining, there’s more than enough to keep you busy when you’re off the slopes.
Plus, who can beat this drop-dead gorgeous scenery? You can just sit in a lodge and gaze at it from a cozy corner for hours. So much for reading a good book.
Numerous events mark the winter season in Telluride, including Noél Night and the Snowboard World Cup, a huge international gathering that also takes place in December.
Michael and I conclude our chat with a brief discussion about the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, a terrific bike race, that will be coming to Telluride in August 2012 for the finish of the first stage. Wow, that’s just one more reason for me to tout Telluride.
Hope to see you around this winter!
Click on the play button below to listen to my interview with Michael Martelon, head of the Telluride Tourism Board.
Go to VisitTelluride.com for lots of travel information, a complete calendar of events and more.
Check out these other stories about Telluride and its many attributes:
New Sheridan Hotel: Telluride’s Historic Gem; in this story I also include a brief summary of what makes Telluride so unique.
Camel’s Garden: A Telluride Favorite.
Why Telluride; a story and podcast about choosing Telluride as a ski and snowboard destination.
Snowboardcross World Cup: Telluride Goes International
Bobbi Brown’s Beauty: As Natural as the Mountains of Telluride.
Goodnight Sweet Telluride
