Food & Wine Romance & Relationships Skiing & Snowboarding: Food & Wine Romance & Relationships Skiing & Snowboarding
by maribeth
Comments Off on William, Kate, Snow Cats and Scrambled Eggs
William, Kate, Snow Cats and Scrambled Eggs
To the Happy Couple!
I just woke up from a nap. I fell into a Mimosa-induced sleep later on this morning which plunged me into end-of-the-ski-season images intertwined with the royal wedding. What an adventure! I’m glad though that both are finally over. Now I can finally keep distractions to a minimum.
But what glorious diversions they have been! There’s little I can say about today’s marriage of William and Kate that has not been uttered by the innumerable commentators who have weighed in on this grand event. Sublime. Inspirational. Faiytale-like. Heartfelt. Never-to-be-forgotten.
I can, however, offer you my recipe of scrambled eggs. Yes, scrambled eggs, the perfect brunch food in case you weren’t able to prepare a proper spread during the wee hours of this morning. Inspired by les oeufs brouillés served in France on occasions big and small, the secret to these eggs is in their cooking—long and slow over extremely low heat. This worked out perfectly this morning since it mattered more to me to remain glued in front of the T.V. than to be slaving over the stove. So here goes:
-Crack eggs into a bowl and beat vigorously.
-Add whatever strikes your fancy. Today I made them with chunks of cheddar cheese and ham, fines herbes and white pepper. (Be careful of adding salt if you add something salty such as ham or smoked salmon.)
-Pour the egg mixture into a very buttery, nonstick pan that has been heated on the lowest possible heat.
-Cook the eggs, stirring occasionally. Depending on how many eggs you put in the pan, cooking time should be about a half hour. No rushing!
-Spoon onto pretty porcelain plates and sprinkle with chopped parsley or chive for added effect. Serve immediately.
Voilà! If you do these eggs right, the result should be the creamiest scrambled eggs you’ll ever taste. I served mine today with sautéed asparagus and buttered English muffins. But of course. The tea and scones were consumed as the prelude.
Here’s wishing you and the newlyweds many wonderful meals filled with life’s sweet and savory. And, of course, a lifetime full of love.
Aspen Colorado Mountain Living Music & Dance Skiing & Snowboarding The Rockies: Aspen Colorado Mountain Living Music & Dance Skiing & Snowboarding The Rockies
by maribeth
Comments Off on What a Glorious Day, What a Beautiful Week
What a Glorious Day, What a Beautiful Week
Spring Powder in Colorado
Amidst all the mud, mixed precipitation and snowstorms here in Colorado, one can sometimes forget the promise of rebirth and renewal that recharges the spirit every spring. We just need to tap into reminders of this awakening more, especially when we don’t find ourselves surrounded by budding trees and blooming flowers.
If it weren’t for the sun shining so high in the sky these past couple of days, I’d swear it was the month of February. Huge, puffy snow pillows weight the trees as birds dart about wondering what happened to spring. It’s been cold, too, and all told I’d say it snowed at least two feet in Telluride throughout the Easter weekend and into the early part of this week. Then finally the sun emerged revealing a beauty so spectacular that it’s hard to regret that it looks like winter all over again in much of Colorado.
The sun, however, is so strong here that it should start looking like spring again sometime soon. In the meantime, die-hard skiers have been hitting the back country for some of the best spring skiing in years. Others are busy giving thanks for finishing out the season with such a significant snowpack, a not-so negligible happening in the West where fire danger consistently looms. Plus snow in the mountains means lots of rafting on our rivers throughout spring. With the huge snowfalls of this April, it looks like folks will be riding the river through the fourth of July.
Yes, even with all this snow, I feel the sense of optimism and awakening ushered in with spring.
Maybe I’m also revitalized from the Easter Day I experienced this year. It was doubly special since it was both Easter and closing day at Aspen Highlands, both reason for celebration. Sure, a proliferation of bunnies peppered the costume-clad crowd on the mountain and Jelly Beans, Peeps and chocolate eggs were handed out by Aspen Ski Co. staffers with a smile. But it was the Easter Sunrise Service at the base of the Highlands that touched me the most. I’d even call it transformative and isn’t that what Easter is all about? The setting, the music, the message—it all filled my soul with a hope and love that I’m inspired to inject into my thoughts and actions each day of the year.
Wow, yeah, it was that great. Not surprising either, especially when you consider all the elements that made it so special: outside in the early morning grandeur of the Rockies, guided in song by professional musicians and lead in prayer by a chaplain that’s both inspirational and entertaining. Good news is that the service, presented by Aspen Chapel, typically begins at 8:30 a.m. And you can attend even if you’re just a passing tourist with no intention of skiing. You must go though, especially if you love nature and great music. Look at it like an extraordinary concert that will touch your soul. Put the Easter Sunrise Service in Aspen on your calendar for next year right now. (Know that some years it takes place at the top of Aspen Mountain which means another kind of spectacular.)
French Life French Provinces Paris Podcasts: French Life French Provinces Paris Podcasts
by maribeth
1 comment
Bonjour Paris Talks with Bonjour Colorado
View from Pont Alexandre III in Paris
Ah, Paree. There’s nothing like Paris. And it’s true, the City of Light can be delightful in April.
Karen Fawcett
But where does one begin? There’s so much to see and do in the French capital. And how about gaining more insight into zee French? I lived there eleven years, have written four shopping and touring guides to Paris and the French provinces, and I’m still looking to inform myself about France and its countrymen. So where do I turn for lots of helpful information and insightful stories about Paris and the French provinces? Why, BonjourParis.com, bien sur.
I interviewed Karen Fawcett, the driving force behind Bonjour Paris, this past fall on my Travel Fun radio show. Listen to our chat below to hear how Bonjour Paris has been the definitive guide to Paris since 1995. And the range and depth of their reporting doesn’t stop with Paris. (Although every bon parisien has believed for centuries that their fair city is the center of the universe. In truth, moi aussi for a while!) Thankfully Bonjour Paris gives the rest of France its due, another reason why this informative Web site has earned a leading presence on the worldwide web for all things French.
Karen is funny and insightful, so don’t miss this opportunity to hear more about this much-loved land from someone truly in-the-know.
Click to play the Bonjour Paris program
Thank you to DaliParis and Karen Fawcett for the above images.
Aspen Colorado Skiing & Snowboarding The Rockies Writing & Books: Aspen Colorado Skiing & Snowboarding The Rockies Writing & Books
by maribeth
Comments Off on Skiing, Smores and Storytelling at Snowmass
Skiing, Smores and Storytelling at Snowmass
Big Blues on the Big Burn at Snowmass
I woke up to a winter wonderland in Telluride this morning. The mountain’s closed here but I instantly went to the Aspen/Snowmass Web site and saw that they’ve already received seven inches and it’s still snowing. Yes, we’re still skiing here in Colorado! I’m taking off tomorrow for Aspen for a last blast at Aspen Highlands. They always put on a great end-of-season party.
Ten days ago I experienced closing weekend at Snowmass, a mountain I had never skied. Much like in Telluride, their last day of the season was marked by a terrific spring storm that left most people bemoaning the fact that it was the last hurrah. I can only wonder what this Sunday will bring at the Highlands.
So what do I think of Snowmass? Fantastic! I can’t wait to go back and get to know the mountain better. No wonder it’s such a popular choice for all kinds of skiers and boarders, big and small. The groomers seemed endless—long, languorous blues that undulate down the mountain making even the most intermediate skier feel like an expert. It was windy and cold on the last day, so I didn’t bother much with the blacks that crown the summit. But I long to ride The Cirque, a poma lift that runs along the crest of the mountain providing access to the steeper terrain. From there also, I imagine skiers and boarders revel in killer views.
And what about the ambiance? I like it. Although some of the eateries and facilities seem a bit dated, I truly appreciate the strong ski culture embedded throughout the resort. Sure, even on the last day the mountain boasted lots of tourists, yet I could also tell there were just as many local and regional die-hard skiers on the hill. I gobbled up a savory chicken stew at Gwyn’s High Alpine and met new friends that had been skiing Snowmass for years. And then not surprisingly, I found myself at Café Suzanne, a French-inspired establishment, before the last run to sip a hot chocolate with my hunny. Next time, I’ll be back for their boeuf bourguignon.
Being Green Colorado Podcasts Telluride Telluride Festivals Travel: Being Green Colorado Podcasts Telluride Telluride Festivals Travel
by maribeth
Comments Off on Bag It and Green Travel
Bag It and Green Travel
Suzan and the Bag Monster
In honor of Earth Day, next Friday, April 22, I wanted to once again draw your attention to “Bag It,” the award-winning documentary produced and directed by Telluride local Suzan Beraza. April is also an important month for this informative and highly entertaining film since this is when PBS has chosen to make it available to their viewers.
I sat down with Suzan last fall and interviewed her for Travel Fun, my talk radio show on travel. I highly encourage you to click on the link below to listen to what Suzan says about “Bag It” and why we should all pay more attention to our consumption and use of plastic. There’s no lecturing in this movie—or in the interview for that matter—but Suzan and her work (as well as my chat with her!) politely reveal that plastic doesn’t just go away. Where is away anyway? In honor of Earth Day, which I try to celebrate every day of the year, please listen to our interview by clicking on the below link.
Click to play the Suzan Beraza interview
If you tuned in to the interview, you should now be on your way to realizing that buying water in a plastic bottle is a silly concept. Suzan started “Bag It” by making a short film about the plastic bag challenge between Aspen and Telluride a few years ago. Her project grew in scope as she discovered to what extent plastic impacts our environment. “Bag It” began with plastic bags and then expanded to reveal how single-use items such as plastic forks wreak havoc in our world. It follows one man’s journey, played byTelluride local, Jeb Berrier, as he learns more about plastic, how it’s unhealthy for us and the environment.
Cutting down on our consumption of plastic and being green overall can sometimes be challenging. The task often becomes an even taller order while traveling. But in all cases, the reward is great and isn’t it our duty to at least try to be better stewards of our environment? In our interview, Suzan chats about her experiences traveling the world, promoting “Bag It.” Be sure to tune in to hear some of her observations about how other countries are faring in their efforts to be green. We also share how all of us can become more eco-friendly travelers.
DC Hotels & Lodging Paris Restaurants Travel: cherry blossoms DC Hotels & Lodging luxury DC hotels Paris Restaurant Restaurants The Fairfax at Embassy row The Jockey Club Travel Washington DC
by maribeth
1 comment
The Elegance of Paris in Our Nation’s Capital: The Fairfax at Embassy Row
Cherry Blossoms at the Jefferson Memorial
It’s been over a week that the mountain closed here in Telluride and the town has already slowed down to its sleepy off-season mode. Many people have hit the road in search of warmer climates. Others (like me) are using this quiet time to catch up on work that had been shelved during the busy winter season. Fortunately there’s still fun to be had nearby since I just returned from a long weekend of skiing at Beaver Creek and Snowmass. My final spring ski fling will be in Aspen over Easter.
Still I’m feeling the itch to visit cities such as Paris or Washington D.C., two great capitals that are especially resplendent this time of year. I’ve often been to Washington in (late) spring since it’s an easier trip than crossing the Atlantic; and in Paris I’ve lived through nearly a dozen printemps. Flowers bloom bountifully in April in both cities, making spring the perfect season for strolling vast boulevards while crisscrossing in and out of world-renowned museums. This year, due to the disasters in Japan, there was more talk than ever about D.C.’s cherry blossoms, great puffs of beauty that surely provoked more emotion than usual. (I haven’t seen the cherry blossoms in D.C. but I did experience them in all their splendor nearly two decades ago in Kyoto, and I remember them as heartbreakingly beautiful then.)
Both Paris and D.C. humble you year-round by their manicured landscapes and grand and glorious architecture. This stateliness may be considered distinctly Washingtonian or typiquement parisien. Or sometimes a little of both. (As most of us know, it was a Frenchman, Pierre-Charles L’Enfant, appointed by President George Washington in 1791, who designed our capital city.) The history and tradition of Washington D.C. may be more recent than that of Paris but a visit to this glistening beacon along the Potomac still imbues you with the spirit of the past as well as the omnipotent force of the present.
Colorado Podcasts Skiing & Snowboarding Telluride: Colorado Podcasts Skiing & Snowboarding Telluride
by maribeth
1 comment
Why Telluride
Telluride Ski Resort Backdropped by the Majestic San Juan Mountains of the Rockies
Here it is the last week of the ski season here at Telluride, the ski resort where I work and play. It’s hard to believe—it always comes way too fast. And we’re going out in full glory since it’s been snowing lots this past week and there’s more in the forecast. That’s always how it goes it seems. If you have the chance, take those extra vacation days off from work and hit the slopes as many days as possible. If not, start planning your stay for next year since Telluride Ski Resort truly is tops in the country.
Dave Riley
I sat down with Dave Riley, the ski area’s CEO, during the height of the season and interviewed him for my Travel Fun radio show. Click on the link below to listen to that program and to hear both of us chat about why T-ride is so great.
Click to play the Dave Riley interview
I’ve also composed a list of my top ten reasons why Telluride Ski Resort has so much appeal. Believe me, it was hard limiting the selling points to ten and if you’re lucky enough to experience our mountain, you’ll understand why.
My T-ride Top Ten
You’ll be dazzled by the scenery.
The mountain boasts a great variety of terrain for all levels of skiers.
Telluride Ski & Snowboard School consistently rates as one of the top ski schools in the country. It’s a great teaching mountain.
Skiing Bushwacker, One of T-ride’s Renowned Steeps
You’ll be in awe of some of the longest and steepest groomed runs in America.
Telluride Ski Resort dazzles experts with some of the best hike-to and side-country skiing in the country.
Just Like in the Alps: Gold Hill Stairs
Lift lines are practically nonexistent.
The lifties are both super friendly and cool. In fact everyone that works at Telluride Ski Resort sports an incredibly welcoming and service-oriented attitude.
In T-ride, you’ll discover a strong ski culture that makes it anything but a cookie-cutter resort. Indeed, the dining, lodging and shopping experiences in the town of Telluride and Telluride Mountain Village are both world-class and authentic.
Chairlift rides here offer spectacular ski shows, punctuated by stellar skiers and boarders carving up the hill.
A free gondola links the historic mining town of Telluride to the base of the ski resort and the town of Mountain Village.
Telluride’s Gondola By Night
Check out this video for a lovely glimpse of winter in Telluride.
For more of my own impressions of Telluride Ski Resort, check out Telluride Ski Resort is Tantamount to Fun, Winter in Telluride: Loving the Snow, Training and Turns, Family Fun Facilitators, Snowboardcross World Cup: Telluride Goes International, Playing Tourist in T-ride, Ski Instructors in Training: Precision Skiing 201, Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
Thank you to the Telluride Ski Resort, Brad Foley, Gus Gusciora and Ben Eng for the above images.
Please note that as of fall 2012, Dave Riley is no longer involved with the Telluride Ski Resort. The information presented above, however, is still quite accurate.
Colorado Fashion & Style Mountain Living Shopping Skiing & Snowboarding Telluride The Rockies: Colorado Fashion & Style Mountain Living Shopping Skiing & Snowboarding Telluride The Rockies
by maribeth
1 comment
Spring Fever Hits Colorado Big-Time
Spring Fun in Colorful Colorado
Oh, how I love spring in Colorado. At least early spring, since mud season can sometimes get you down come late April/early May.
We’ve been enjoying glorious spring skiing conditions the past couple of weeks. Many of the ski areas have adjusted their hours to make the best of the longer days and the mountain has been packed with a cavalcade of spring breakers that have enjoyed the twin benefits of beach-y days on glistening slopes. Locals lost no time in breaking out their panoply of flowered shirts and brightly-colored garb and accessories, adding to the already festive atmosphere that reigns come March at the most happening ski destinations of the country.
Spring Green in Aspen During Today's Storm
Much of the Colorado ski resorts were blanketed with a glorious snowfall two weeks ago and now just in time for the next wave of spring breakers due to arrive this weekend, we’re delighting in another fabulous dump. Indeed our first day of spring welcomed wonderful wintry weather, just the sort of thing you want to see at a ski resort the third week of March. And since March and April are among the snowiest months in Colorado, I suggest you put a fresh wax on your skis and boards and plan to hit the Rockies at its finest hour. Remember to pack some of your most vibrant attire for these sun-soaked days. And since a storm can blow in at any time, be sure to be prepared for great swings in weather. Layering is always essential.
Cinnamon Wear Base Layers
Some of My Favorite Things for this Year’s Spring Skiing
Cinnamon Wear Base Layers
Any snowsports enthusiast worth his or her turns dips into a nice assortment of base layers from expedition weight to mid-weight to lightweight before heading out on the hill. I used to don silks for super warm spring days until recently when I discovered Cinnamon Wear, original clothing made of bamboo fabric for men, women and children. It’s super soft, anti-bacterial, fast drying and unbelievably breathable—perfect for remaining fresh well into après-ski. The material is so magical, in fact, that you can wear these base layers several days in a row before having to toss them in the dirty laundry. (That’s right—you’ll find them to be odor free. Vraiment incroyable!) The base layer tops fit so well and look so good that you’ll likely wear them out and about in town. Here’s the added plus: Cinnamon Wear, homegrown in Telluride, Colorado, was created by a local gal who clearly reveres life and the world in which we live.
Oakley's Golden All-Mountain Glove
Oakley Eyewear and Accessories
We all know that Oakley is synonymous with topnotch sunglasses and goggles, but did you know that this superlative brand produces other killer accessories as well? Their gloves, for example, exude the same fashion forward look as their eyewear. Men and women are sure to make them must-haves, especially for spring skiing. Some of the models are so style-y you’ll want to wear them out for a night on the town. Only at the chic resorts, of course. Make sure you outfit yourself in a pair of their top-of-the-line sunglasses and goggles first though. I can’t say enough about proper eye protection on the slopes. Did you know that the sun is stronger on the slopes of Colorado in March than at most beaches? Way stronger. Forget about those cheap-o dime store shades that look oh-so cool. I guarantee you that your eyes will be burning and tearing up all night long. Yes, you can get a sunburn on your eyes as well. Fit should also be a key consideration when choosing eyewear, particularly for goggles. I like the feel of being in my own little bubble behind my Polarized Crowbar Snow goggles from Oakley. Their moisture wicking triple-layer face foam feels comfy on both warm and chilly days. There’s no such thing as vision distortion, haze or fog with these gems. Why, I think they’ve even taken my skiing up a notch as well. As I often say to my students at Ski School, If it feels good, it looks good. With Oakley, this motto seems to work both ways.
Know that a lot of Colorado ski resorts remain open well into April and many offer great deals on both lodging and lift tickets. Check out Skiing and Spa Going: Part One in Vail, Skiing and Spa Going: Part Two in Aspen and March Madness Runs into April for more stories about spring in Colorado.
An Unbeatable Après-Ski Experience: The Sundeck on Aspen Mountain
Thank you to Aspen/Snowmass, Biege Jones, Dave Amirault, Jeremy Swanson for the above ski shots. Thank you also to Cinnamon Wear and Oakley for their images.
