Tag Archives: Adventures: Colorado

Alumafandango Lakeside 2012 ~ Part 2 13

Airstream, Events/Clubs • Tags: , , ,

The inaugural Alumafandango event was held last week at Lakeside Amusement Park near Denver, CO. The event drew approximately 80 Airstreams both new and vintage models from across the county. We met so many wonderful people last week at Alumafandango! As I mentioned in my post yesterday, Airstreamers truly are a great bunch of people. No one is a stranger in the Airstream community and these rallies really prove that.

Laura D. invited Hub’s and me to join her and a very fun group at “The Breezeway” for a cocktail and conversation. Loved this gathering place in-between two Airstreams where we met new friends and fellow bloggers: Laura and Kevin from Riveted, Tiffani and Deke from Weaselmouth and Kyle from Where is Kyle Now? Another blogger who isn’t pictured here is Dan and Marlene from Mali Mish. All very fun blogs about travel, adventures, gadgets and more all written from their Airstreams. Worth a peek!!

Shari and Rob D’s immaculate and darling “Birdie” was the highlight of one of my favorite Alumafandango events: “Open House”! Streamers open the doors to their mobile homes for all to step inside, ask lots of questions and take many photos. Thanks to everyone who participated in the open house. My favorite event for sure!!

Various other “Open House” Airstreams at Alumafandango…………………..

Lakeside Amusement Park, during the day when it was very quiet…………

I enjoyed a roundtable seminar lead by Rich Luhr from Man In The Maze on Blogging. Leading the discussion was Where is Kyle Now?, Weaselmouth and Riveted.

Friday evening was the very anticipated “Ride Night” where Alumafandango participants had unlimited classic amusement park ride access. I believe the “Kid” was brought out of many ‘Streamers!!

Future Airstream Rallies:

February 2013 in Tucson, AZ ~ Alumafiesta

June 2013 in Jackson Center, OH ~ Alumapalooza

Photo source: Anna Sullivan Photography

Alumafandango Lakeside 2012 ~ Part 1 4

Airstream, Events/Clubs • Tags: , , ,

Last week, we attended an amazing Airstream rally at Lakeside Amusement Park near Denver, Colorado called Alumafandango. Sponsored by Airstream Life Magazine and Timeless Travel Trailers, folks arrived in their vintage and new Airstreams traveling from across the country to attend the festivities. For all my non-Airstream followers, rallies are a really big deal in the Airstream community. All over the US, local Airstream clubs host smaller, local rallies throughout the year. The first rally I attended and posted about here in Texas was a great introduction into the Airstream world. But, Alumafandango is more of a National rally. Five full days of fun, sharing, seminars, dinners, contests and more ~ bringing old friends together and almost all participants will drive away having made many new friends alike.

I must admit that I have never met a nicer group of people than Airstreamers. They all share my wanderlust for travel, they are so willing to share information and answer all sorts of “wanna be” questions and then they open their Airstream homes and invite you in to take a peek. Airstreamers like to have fun and fun they had last week in Denver!

Jim and Vicki O’s 1966 Vintage Airstream

Timeless Travel Trailers in Wheat Ridge, CO hosted several tours of their workshop so guests could see current projects and methods of restoring Airstreams and other travel trailers. Here are some of the highlights including Brett Hall, President of Timeless, speaking to the crowd:

Dale “Pee Wee” Schwamborn, Wally Byam’s first cousin once removed, hosted an interesting seminar on Wally’s history and contribution to Airstreaming!

Yvonne Savage of Garden Party lead a seminar about ”Landscaping Your Airstream”. Lots of fun items for sale to Glamp-up your Glamper.

Dusty Dog Studio ceramic artist and owner, Corrine Vegter, showcased many of her hand-made, one-of-a-kind Airstream ceramics along with super cool T-shirts and other fun ‘Streaming products.

I fell in love with Judith and Tim S’s ~ 23′ Airstream. Judith is an interior designer from Santa Fe and her Airstream is divine. You can see some of her amazing work at Studio Judith (the 4th photo down was taken by Judith of her Airstream interior seating area).

Various other Airstream sights at Alumafandango. Check back with me tomorrow for Part 2, more photos and more Airstream peeps to introduce you to!

Photo source: Anna Sullivan Photography

Rocky Mountain National Park 2

Destinations • Tags: ,

 

Once again, a one day adventure from our home outside of Denver, Colorado takes us to the breathtaking National Park ~ Rocky Mountain National Park. A quick drive through Boulder, Lyons and you enter the park just past Estes Park, Colorado. The park encompasses 415 square miles of complete grandeur. You will drive over the famous Trail Ridge Road which is the highest road in any National Park taking you to over 12,000′ elevation. You will experience subalpine and alpines worlds in only a few miles. Wildlife viewing is abundant with sightings of Elk, Bighorn Sheep, Mule Deer and Marmots to name a few.

“In 1915, Congress created Rocky Mountain, the nation’s 10th national park. Congress created the National Park Service in 1916.”

“Temperature causes tree line. Trees need an average growing temperature of about 50 degrees fahrenheit.”

As noted in my previous post, Mount Evans ~ “If you are a flatlander, please make sure you are aware that temperatures in Denver can be 90 degrees while on top of Trail Ridge Road on the same day, it can be 40 degrees. Dress appropriately, drink tons and tons of water and if you feel fatigue, dizziness, loss of appetite or nausea ~ please descend to lower elevations. A drive to Rocky Mountain National Park should be on your bucket list for sure. I highly recommend this peaceful, secluded, masterpiece of our great country on your next journey to Colorado.”

Photo source: Anna Sullivan Photography

Mount Evans in the Arapaho National Forest 7

Destinations • Tags: , , , ,

I consider myself one of the lucky one’s who can venture out on a blue skied Colorado morning, drive about 1 1/2 hours from home and end up in one of the most peaceful places on earth ~ Mount Evans. I feel like this majestic landscape is in my backyard. Hub’s and I pack up a picnic lunch, throw the camera gear in the Expedition and away we go. One side note: if you click on each photograph, you can view it in a larger size!

On this wonderfully perfect Saturday, we were awe-struck not only at the grandeur of our drive but, also to have viewed the mountain goats and bighorn sheep so closely. Mountain goats are an even-toed ungulate with inner pads on their feet that provide extraordinary traction so they can climb steep, rocky slopes.

We watched and photographed bucks, does and kids while they scaled the steep terrain and then came trotting down the hill till they were about two feet from us so they could lick the minerals off the rocks. I tell you, it was amazing!

The Bighorn Sheep also graced our presence. The bucks and ewe’s were a little taken back by the presence of the mountain goats, however. All vying for the rights to lick the minerals from the rocks. The bighorn in Mount Evans were smaller than the bighorn that I photograph in Grand Teton National Park. But, none-the-less, they are spectacular to view.

Mount Evans is nestled in the Arapaho National Forest in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Our adventure takes us to the top of the highest paved road in North America.  Since 1931, travelers like myself have been witness to some of the most stunning terrain including alpine tundra, abundant wildlife and views of Longs Peak, Denver, Pikes Peak and Mt. Bierstadt.

Once you reach “The Top”, the parking lot sits at 14,130′ above sea level. One can view Summit Lake as seen in the photo below. I couldn’t get over the layers of mountains that seem endless. Glorious!

Park your car and take the short hike to the very tippy top of Mount Evans. You will be basking in the glory at 14,258′ above sea level. You can take a photo of the U.S. Geological Survey marker as seen below and be the envy of your friends.

If you are a flatlander, please make sure you are aware that temperatures in Denver can be 90 degrees while on top of Mount Evans on the same day, they can be 40 degrees. Dress appropriately, drink tons and tons of water and if you feel fatigue, dizziness, loss of appetite or nausea ~ please descend to lower elevations. A drive to Mount Evans should be on your bucket list for sure. I highly recommend this peaceful, secluded, masterpiece of our great country on your next journey to Colorado.

As we were winding our way down the switchbacks of the mountain road, we came across this cutie pie to bid us adieu.

Photo source: Anna Sullivan Photography