A Moose on the loose...

One of the fun parts of living in the mountains is who we get to share our backyard with. The Routt National Forest is just 50 yards from the end of our driveway and the local wildlife has no concept of boundaries. Our backyard is just where their forest used to be. It's not surprising then that they stop by on a regular basis on their daily patrol for food.

Among our latest visitors over the Memorial Day weekend was a young black bear checking out why our guests at the Bear Chalets (you still wondering why we call it the Bear Chalets...?) had left the garage open, and attempting to make off with a bag of trash before we scared him off. That's not a good habit to encourage / reward. Black Bears are pretty timid and at the first sign of interest (or a camera) they are usually heading back to the hills. These fuzzy images do not tell much of a story because of the late hour of his visit. Trust me - that fuzzy blur is a bear..

This morning a couple of Moose stopped by. Our dog Lola was not impressed by these "funny looking deer" and attempted to show them that they were not welcome. Unfazed the moose grazed at the back of our house before strolling through the neighborhood and returning to the forest.

Your Summer Vacation could look like this...

(Each day is like reading a good book or watching a favorite movie)

Saturday, July 5: "The Wild Wild West" PM Arrive in Steamboat. Stop for lunch in the heart of downtown at Back Country Provisions - a mountainous selection of freshly made sandwiches is offered daily. Take a few exhilarating runs down Steamboat's 2400' long Alpine Slide - "The Howler" - at Howelson Hill just across the river. Check in at your chalet. Groceries and beverages can be stocked in advance, saving you a trip to the store, or you could consider our full-service package with meals prepared and served fresh daily by a private chef. BBQ & Rodeo Night - Watch the old west come alive! The Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo Series features the best cowboys in Colorado and Wyoming on the baddest bulls and horses with kids events too. The rodeo series starts on Friday, June 13th and is every Friday and Saturday night until Saturday, August 16th. All rodeos start at 7:30 p.m. except the 4th of July rodeo which starts at 7:00 p.m. Western BBQ served from 6:00pm.

Sunday July 6: "Into Thin Air" AM Gondola Ride / Guided Mountain Hike PM Sunday brunch at Hazie's at the top of Thunderhead (9080') Head downtown and rent bikes for all the family from Orange Peel Bicycle Service to ride the Yampa Core River Trail - an easy paved route that follows the river that flows through Steamboat. More adventurous mountain bikers in your group can explore some of the 50 miles of sweet single-track trails on Howelson Hill and Emerald Mountain. End the day under the stars in your private hot tub back at the chalet.

Monday July 7: "The River Wild" AM Start the day with the locals - Breakfast at the Shack Cafe. Check out the Huevos Rancheros - the best in town! Tube the Yampa River - take a 45 minute ride down the river from the 5th street bridge in Downtown out to the James Brown Soul Center of the Universe Bridge. PM Enjoy lunch by the River at Sunpies Bistro After shoppers can enjoy a stroll along historic Lincoln Avenue Check out the Strings Music Festival - tonight "Peter and The Wolf with the Pushcart Players" - a great family show.

Tuesday July 8: "A River Runs Through it" AM For fishermen in your group - depart for Bucking Rainbow Outfitters downtown for a full Day guided Fishing Trip on public or some of their extensive private water fishing grounds. Golfers can check out one of the 3 public courses in the Yampa Valley where altitude gives you an additional 10% carry on every shot. Ego-Golf! PM For a more relaxing alternative visit a health spa for revitalizing therapies or enjoy a massage in the comfort of your private chalet. Spend the evening with the family at the world renowned Strawberry Park natural hot springs.

Wednesday July 9: "The River Wild: Part II" AM Half Day of White Water Rafting on the Elk River 20 minutes from Steamboat with lunch on the river bank. PM Need more adventure? Try the "daily double" - after a BBQ lunch venture out on a horseback guided excursion to explore the back-country. "Parisian Soiree" - a night of classical French music in the newly completed Strings Music Pavillion

Thursday July 10: "City Slickers" AM Rise with the birds for an early morning Cattle Drive at Saddleback Ranch. Saddle up with real cowboys and move cattle, check for sickness, get in strays and make sure that everything on the ranch is doing well. Yee-haww! PM Dinner out at Café Diva, one of Steamboat's finest restaurants. Perfect for a special celebration.

Friday July 11: "Still more to do than you can shake a stick at.." AM Options for your last day range from: -Guided climbing with Rocky Mountain Ventures -Ride the Gondola and descend the mountain by bike on the world-class single-track trails that criss-cross the ski mountain -Tennis at the year-round tennis center -Kayak the Yampa with Mountain Sports Kayak School PM Enjoy the evening performance by Brent Rowan and Friends at the Strings Music Pavillion Two-time Academy of Country Music's Guitarist of the Year, Brent Rowan is Nashville's most sought-after studio guitarist. His "Friends" are the industry's top singer/songwriter/performers with past guests including Guy Clark, Hal Ketchum, and Suzy Bogguss.

Saturday July 12, 2008:"Homeward Bound..." AM Get up early to see the first launch of 50 hot air balloons at the Balloon Rodeo that light up the sky with brillaint colors. After a last breakfast in your home-away-from-home head for some last minute souvenirs at the Farmers Market downtown or the Art-in-the Park Festival on your way out to the airport. Did you think you could pack so much into just one week?

...and yes, it is like this all summer in Steamboat!

Summer 2008 Festivals & Events in Steamboat

27th Annual Steamboat Marathon, Half Marathon and 10k: June 1st.
Don't miss the 27th Annual Steamboat Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K - named one of the 10 Most Scenic Marathons and a Top 10 Destination Marathon in North America by Runner's World. This is truly the most scenic run in the Rockies! www.steamboatchamber.com

The Rio Stampede Mountain Bike Race: June 7th.
The Rio Stampede is the next generation race from the original Rio 24 Hours of Steamboat. The Rio Stampede is a 12 hour and 6 hour race that incorporates solo, duo and team divisions. Competitors will take the course designed previously for the 24 Hours of Steamboat. This epic mountain bike course utilizes both forest access roads as well as singletrack on the ascent and is littered with aspens through some of Colorados best singletrack for the ride down. Participants will compete within their divisions for 12 hours. Some teams will ascend over 20,000 vertical feet before the race is complete. You will find out why it is called "The Climb of Your Life". www.rockypeakproductions.com

Rocky Mountain Mustang Roundup: June 12 -15th.
A Father's Day tradition continues on in Steamboat Springs. More than 400 Mustang owners from Rocky Mountain Mustang clubs will convene in Steamboat for activities, including a timed event on Friday and a "Show and Shine" on Lincoln Avenue on Saturday. Both events are free and open to the public.

Spectators are welcome at the Meadows parking lot located at the corner of Mt. Werner Road and Pine Grove Road for Friday's Autocross. Over 180 Ford Mustangs compete in this timed event. Admission is free.

Saturday's Show n' Shine is a car lovers dream. Over 450 Ford Mustangs are lined up and down Lincoln Avenue for display. Admission is free and everyone?s welcome. www.rmmr.org

Strings in The Mountains: June 28th: August 22nd.
Strings Music Festival is a World-class music festival that presents over 70 performances of chamber music, jazz, rock, country, bluegrass, world rhythms, and many other genres every summer since 1988. Artists include Grammy winners and nominees, major competition winners and principal players from the most renowned orchestras.

Throughout the summer, enjoy chamber music concerts every Wednesday and Saturday evenings, the Different Tempo Series on Fridays, Youth and Family Concerts every Tuesday and free Music on the Green performances at the Yampa River Botanic Park every Thursday. With a schedule like this, there's simply no excuse to miss a Strings production.

The intimate newly constructed 540-seat Pavilion overlooks breathtaking vistas of Mt. Werner, Emerald Mountain and the beautiful Yampa Valley making it an ideal venue to hear world-class music. www.stringsinthemountains.org

Steamboat Free Summer Concert Series: June 30th - August 22nd.
The 2006 Steamboat Springs Free Summer Concert Series, now in its 14th year, will kick off the series with collaboration of Chicago music legends, Chicago Blues Reunion, Friday, June 30. July's concerts begin Friday, July 7, complementing an already popular Balloon Rodeo Weekend, when Michael Franti and Spearhead will take the stage. The remainder of the schedule includes the return of Los Lobos Thursday, July 27 and the local premiere of Matt Costa Friday, August 11 and Susan Tedeschi Tuesday, August 22. www.steamboatchamber.com

4th of July Cowboys' Roundup, Parade and Fireworks: July 4th - 6th.
For over 100 years Steamboat has celebrated Independence Day with rodeo. Cowboys' Roundup Days celebrates the Western Heritage native to the Yampa Valley with events for the entire family. Kick back in boots at several community events including, a community all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast, children's activities, concerts, the annual parade down Lincoln Avenue rodeo, cattle drive down Lincoln Avenue, and fireworks. www.steamboatsummer.com

28th Annual Hot Air Balloon Rodeo & 34th Annual Art in the Park : July 12th -13th.
Join Bank of the West at Steamboat's most colorful weekend - a festival of vibrant colors and art - this is one of the most anticipated weekends of the summer. The 28th Annual Hot Air Balloon Rodeo presented by Bank of the West combined with the 34th Annual Art in the Park have become a staple of Steamboat in the Summertime. Join us for this spectacular early-morning affair with over 40 hot air balloons rising softly from the mist and drifting over the valley. Later make your way over to West Lincoln Park for Steamboat's biggest arts and crafts festival. Art in the Park on Saturday is from 9-5pm and Sunday 9-4pm. Mark your calendars because this weekend is an absolute favorite for the entire family! www.steamboatsummer.com

Eriksen Tour de Steamboat - Road Ride: July 26th.
New to the Eriksen Tour de Steamboat for 2008 is the addition of two rides. Making it's return for a 4th year is the traditional ride over Rabbit Ears Pass, Gore Pass and Yellow Jacket Pass to return to Steamboat. In addition, two shorter rides - The Stagecoach Out and Back (40 miles) and the River Road Out and Back (20 miles). The 2008 Tour de Steamboat is proud to announce the partnership with Prudential Steamboat Realty to turn the tour into a fundraiser for The Sunshine Kids Foundation. www.rockypeakproductions.com

5th Annual Wine Festival: July 31st - August 3rd.
The 5th Annual Steamboat Wine Festival continues the tradition of Celebrating the Senses! As in previous years, the event will feature wine seminars and wine maker's dinners throughout the weekend. The Saturday Grand Tasting is at the Torian Plum Plaza. This year look for additional food and wine events including: the Kickoff Reception on Thursday night at the top of the Gondola at Thunderhead. Drink fine wines paired with exquisite foods. Talk to wine makers and an international wine panel. Participate in a live auction featuring some great trips and fabulous art work. On Friday, the Stroll of Steamboat will have patrons and their glasses meandering through downtown Steamboat Springs sampling over 400 wines and food at a variety of locations. This casual tasting is a great way to sample a variety of wines and experience the beauty of downtown. Finally, Saturday's Grand Tasting at Torian Plaza gets even bigger and better. Music and the Steel Chef competition both take place at this event. www.steamboatwinefestival.com.

4th Annual Labor Day Wild West Air Fest and Labor Day Weekend Celebration : August 30th - September 3rd.
Labor Day Weekend in Steamboat is packed with the entertainment in the air, on the mountain and all over town! It's a Labor Day celebration for the whole family featuring remote controlled aircraft, vintage aircrafts and war birds, classic cars, hang gliders, para-gliders at the Steamboat Springs Airport; the final installment of the Annual Art on the Mountain, shopping and dogs! The Steamboat Springs Stockdog Trials are back! If you love dogs you won't want to miss these amazing animals herding sheep in this great competition on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Plus our semi-annual downtown sidewalk sale is a Steamboat tradition you don't want to miss!

2nd Annual Brewers Festival: September 20th.
Steamboat celebrates fall with a beer tasting featuring the best breweries in Colorado. Join us from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 20, 2008 for the 2nd Annual Steamboat Brewers' Festival. The festival takes place at the base of the ski area at Torian Plum Plaza in front of the Slopeside Bar & Grill. This event has a little something for everyone including live music, a root beer bar for kids and food vendors. www.steamboatbrewersfestival.com