Colorado: Beyond Skiing

Resort towns mix old-time heritage with modern sport

While vacationers migrate to the scenic mountains of Colorado for winter ski trips, Ouray and Durango remain popular destinations for those looking for something different.

Located in a narrow valley of the San Juan Mountain Range, Ouray (pronounced you-ray) is rich in old-west history, and nicknamed the “Switzerland of America” for its world-famous ice climbing venues. Arriving in Ouray, you feel as though you are stepping back into an 1890s mining town; most of the original Victorian structures are still standing. Beautifully restored homes and commercial buildings such as the Beaumont Hotel helped Ouray earn the honor of being named a National Historic District, by both the Colorado State and National Historic Authorities in 1983.

After settling at the Ouray Chalet Inn, conveniently located within walking distance of most of the shops and restaurants, we enjoyed a leisurely stroll through town. The friendliness and hospitality of Ouray people made us feel as if we truly belonged there.

Our appetite began to grow as we breathed the fresh, clean mountain air. The Bon Ton Restaurant, located in the beautifully restored Victorian St. Elmo Hotel, offers fine dining with an Italian flair. Their menu features specialties such as prawns sautéed with fresh basil, shallots and garlic in a creamy sherry sauce served on fettuccine with fresh garden vegetables.

After enjoying the short stroll back to the Ouray Chalet Inn, it was time to settle in for a peaceful night of sleep to prepare for what the morning had in store.

Always up for a new challenge, we were excited to experience ice climbing. Ice climbers come from all over the world to hone their craft for free at the Ouray Ice Park located in the Uncompahge Gorge. The park was developed by a group of dedicated volunteers and opened in 1995. We relied on the skilled instructors of San Juan Mountain Guides to safely assist us in this adventure. The guides helped us to relax and feel secure and confident in the climb. The empowering experience gave us an exhilirating sense of accomplishment.

We followed our excursion with a relaxing dip in the Ouray Hot Springs Pool, once called the “sacred mineral waters” by the Ute Indians. The snow-covered mountains provided a gorgeous backdrop as the therapeutic waters cleansed away the day’s trials.

We completed the day by dining on delicious Rocky Mountain trout sautéed with lemon, butter and white wine in a charming rustic atmosphere at The Outlaw, Ouray’s oldest operating restaurant. Be sure to check out John Wayne’s hat hanging behind the bar!

A trip to Ouray is not complete without a visit to the Ouray County Historical Museum, housed in what was originally the St. Joseph’s Miner’s Hospital. Built in 1886, the facility was intended for miners injured while working in the treacherous landscape. The Sisters of Mercy and doctors ran the hospital and provided care for the miners and townspeople. The hospital closed in 1964 and reopened as the museum. The museum is rich in history and showcases a replica of a late 1800s mine, along with an impressive mineral collection, Victorian-era displays, Ute Indian artifacts, railroading and ranching exhibits. One exhibit depicts an operating room as it existed in that era.

Next, it was off to Durango.

On the way to Durango, enjoy the breathtaking beauty of Red Mountain Pass. We stopped for a two-hour snowmobiling adventure with Red Mountain Silverton Molas Tours. The expert guides led us through winding trails, eventually climbing to a high elevation above the tree line. The view on top was magnificent and we felt as if we were on top of the world.

Durango, while larger than Ouray, is very charming. Several of the buildings, such as the Strater Hotel, were built in the late 1800s. The hotel was built in 1887 by Henry Strater who dreamed of building the grandest hotel in the West. The hotel houses the world’s largest collection of authentic American Victorian walnut antiques.

Dining at Seasons Rotisserie and Grill was an amazing ending to this day. Diners should not expect to find their favorite entrée on the menu every time they visit. The menu changes with the seasons. Seasons is located in the heart of downtown Durango within walking distance of The Strater Hotel. Don’t retire for the night until you stop in the Diamond Belle Saloon, located in the Strater Hotel. Taking a step in the Diamond Belle feels as if you have stepped back in time.

The next day, we visited The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad which has been in operation for 125 years. The historic steam-powered locomotive cuts through mountains following the Animas River. At times, the train seems to hang on the sides of sheer cliffs overlooking the river below. The surrounding territory is pristine as only the train tracks cut through the San Juan National Forest; there are no roads or highways in the back country. Enjoy the stop at Cascade Falls where you can play in the snow, build snowmen or make snow angels.

Although most vacationers think of skiing in Colorado, the Durango Mountain Resort offers snowshoe hiking. Your guides will take you up the mountain on the ski lifts and once you have reached the top, you will follow the peaceful trails down the mountain.

Afterwards, rest your weary muscles at Trimble Spa &Natural Hot Springs. You can enjoy a massage or a soak in the healing waters. The springs are located below cliffs that were home to the Anasazi Indians and the ruins remain but are inaccessible.

Durango offers many diverse dining choices including Steamworks Brewing Co., where beer is brewed on site.

A stroll down Main Street is a must before leaving Durango, as there are many stores, coffee shops, restaurants and bars to enjoy.

While ski resorts are most popular in the winter and early spring months, it’s not hard to find something different. When looking off the beaten path, you can find wonderful treasures like Ouray and Durango. The beautiful mountain terrain and historic landmarks provide an abundance of activities — even off the slopes.

Essentials:
www.colorado.com
www.ouraychaletinn.com
www.ourayicepark.com
www.ouraycolorado.com
www.ouraycountyhistoricalsociety.org
www.redmtmotelrvpk.com
www.strater.com
www.seasonsofdurango.com
www.durangotrain.com

Meet the billboard bride

Hundreds of brides-to-be responded to the Bridal Extravaganza Show’s call for a woman to appear on billboards throughout Houston

Being engaged and planning your special day is one of the most exciting times in a girl’s life. The details, the worry, the joy, the countless thoughts running through your mind can be exhausting. Bride-to-be Michelle Usher attended July’s Bridal Extravaganza Show looking for ideas and inspiration to plan her big day. While browsing through the aisles, she saw a contest for Houston’s next Billboard Bride. “I dropped my name in the box not thinking that they would actually call,” she gasps. “Next thing I know, they do.”

Usher received the congratulatory call telling her that she would be the face of the Bridal Extravaganza Show while getting ready for work. “I was in shock initially, but then it set in. I had two dreams in life — to meet my true love and to be successful at whatever I do. Both goals were met this year.”

Bridal Extravaganza Show officials decided to embark on this journey when owner and recent bride Laurette Veres graced the show’s billboards last year. She was overcome with emotion when she looked up and saw her picture on a billboard. “Getting married is such a special time in your life,” she says, “Each time you see your bridal portrait, you are reminded of your special day.”

After receiving tons of feedback from family and friends on how using a real bride on the billboards was a good idea, the wheels for the city-wide contest were set in motion. “Why not ask Houstonians to be a Billboard Bride?” Veres asks. “As soon as I saw the billboard, I knew I needed to share this feeling with other brides.”

The response was overwhelming. Hundreds of engaged ladies entered the contest and weeks were spent narrowing down the selection to eight finalists. A test photo shoot was conducted to determine who would be able to captivate Houston’s drivers as the next Billboard Bride. It was a daunting task for the panelists to choose as each woman had beauty and a great personality. Usher won over the judges with her poise and personality. As her test shoot ended, her radiance was still beaming. “We loved her confidence and beauty,” says Veres.

Usher has had a whirl-wind year. After a bad ending to a previous relationship, she decided to get out and mingle with friends. While watching television one night, her sister convinced her to try out for the reality show “The Bachelor.”

“I thought why not?” she says. “I was single and wanted a break from everything. I didn’t necessarily want to be in a relationship, I just wanted to go for the experience.” She qualified and almost made it to the final end. Out of thousands of would-be contestants, Usher was ranked No. 30; however the show allows only 25 ladies. “I am so glad I didn’t go,” she says. “If I did, I never would have met Sam.”

Usher, a law clerk, did not want to date a lawyer. However, after frequent run-ins with her groom-to-be at the courthouse she says the attraction was too much to bear. From the moment Usher’s fiancé laid eyes on her, it was love at first sight.

Sam Cammack III, an attorney in Galveston County, is the lucky guy. With a successful career, the only thing missing in his life was love. He can’t stop expressing his admiration for Usher and claims she is the most incredible woman he has ever met. “There were instant sparks,” he says. “Our attraction isn’t fake — you can’t fake what we have.” When he learned she was the contest winner, he was ecstatic. “I am glad that everyone will see [the beautiful girl] I get to see and be with everyday,” he says. “My greatest success in life is her.”

At the photo shoot, Usher donned five dresses by Houston-based designer Winnie Couture, and flashed her bright smile for six long hours. Throughout the day her enthusiasm didn’t diminish. “Because of Christ and finally accepting myself for who I am, my dreams are finally coming true.”

After prepping her hair and makeup, the fun began. The panelist agonized about which dress she should wear, then narrowed it down to two; one from the Winnie Couture selection and her own wedding dress. “Let’s just say I am getting much use out of this dress,” she laughed.

Fresh Blooms of Houston contributed two custom flower bouquets for the shoot. Hair and makeup was styled by Andrea Schutter, whose work has appeared in national magazines for 20 years. The photo shoot was a success. “I can’t believe this happened!” she exclaims. “I have had such an amazing year and this experience was icing on the cake. Can you believe my face will be all over Houston?”

Yes, we can.

Space Ace

Teacher continues legacy more than 20 years after tragedy

When Barbara Morgan’s students look up into the starry skies, they see the wonderment of a universe far beyond their dreams or comprehension. But when Morgan, a former elementary school teacher, looks up into those same heavens, she sees the road of an educator’s unfinished legacy.

Many people grow up wanting to be an astronaut. However, Morgan’s path to the heavens came through the classroom. Although Morgan successfully traveled into space aboard the space shuttle Endeavor in August, her 14-day journey began more than 20 years ago.

In 1984, she applied for the Teacher in Space Project and the next year, she was one of two teachers selected by NASA from a nationwide pool to participate in the program. She trained side-by-side with astronauts as well as fellow teacher and astronaut-in-training Christa McAuliffe.

Shattered Dreams
Like the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, most Americans can tell you exactly where they were and what they were doing on the morning of Jan. 28, 1986. Morgan can tell you exactly where she could have been; instead, she had a front-row seat to one of the most horrific disasters in American history. Just months earlier, McAuliffe was selected for Mission STS-51-L and Morgan was her alternate.

That cold January morning, seven astronauts, including McAuliffe, were to lift off aboard the space shuttle Challenger. However, just 73 seconds into its flight, the shuttle exploded over the Atlantic Ocean, killing all seven people on board.

“I trained with that crew; I trained with Christa,” Morgan says. “They were wonderful people and it was a great mission to be a part of. What happened to them was horrible.”

After watching the work and lives destroyed in front of her, Morgan accepted NASA’s invitation to continue her participation as an educator in the program. She moved back to Idaho and continued her teaching career.

Back for More
Morgan never gave up the dream of going to space. Finally, in 1998, she received a call from NASA, inviting her to rejoin the astronaut program. In August of that year, Morgan became a full-time astronaut and moved to Houston. Before long, the assignment of a lifetime arrived — she would participate in STS-118, accepting the role of a mission specialist.

Finally, on Aug. 8, a team of seven astronauts, including Morgan, launched into space aboard the Endeavor. More than 20 years of training, hard work and heartache finally came down to seconds ticking on the launch pad.

“It was a long time coming,” she says, recalling her experience on the launch pad during the countdown. “During the launch, you are paying more attention to what’s going on around you and making sure everything is working correctly. When we felt the thrust of the solid rocket boosters, that’s when I knew we were finally going somewhere. That’s when I said, ‘Wow, we are really going.'”

Among the objectives for the crew of STS-118 was to dock with the International Space Station and retrieve a module containing more than 800 specimens used to study long-term space habitation.

“My duties were to operate the robotic arms of the shuttle and the International Space Station,” she says. Morgan was also responsible for transferring 5,000 pounds of cargo to the ISS and moving more than 3,000 pounds of cargo to the shuttle.

“It’s not like there’s an empty garage where you can just leave everything,” Morgan laughs. “It was kind of like a shell game.”

Beyond the Earth
Morgan says she had little time to gaze out the window and take in the view of Earth that few have seen with their own eyes. However, the opportunities she had were astounding.

“It was so amazing to see the Earth lighting up below. There was a sunrise every 45 minutes,” she says, describing how quickly the shuttle orbited the Earth. Morgan said she heard other astronauts say they felt a sense of awe when looking at the planet from above. “I had those feelings too, but I was prepared for them. I knew what I would see and how I would feel. Those feelings were wonderful, but not a surprise.”

Instead, Morgan describes a sense of purpose, not only for astronauts but for anyone who dreams of going beyond human boundaries.

“As we flew over the oceans, I felt like we were the explorers who sailed the seas,” she says. “It was calm and quiet in the cabin and all you can really hear are the fans in the shuttle humming. It really felt like this was the right thing for human beings to be doing.

An Unfinished Legacy
After 14 days in space, the shuttle and crew safely returned to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Following a two-week debriefing with NASA officials, Morgan has been on a whirlwind tour, continuing the education program she helped launch two decades ago. Despite fulfilling the goal of having an educator in space, the work of NASA, teachers and students is far from complete.

“We didn’t finish the work when I came back,” Morgan says. “Christa’s legacy is open-ended. Every teacher’s legacy is open-ended. There is still the legacy of those who worked with the Challenger’s crew. [Education] is a mission that will never end. It’s satisfying to play a small part in that mission.”

Tubular Talent

Agency takes models off the paper and onto the screen

From hospitals to television stations, most industries are vying to stay at the forefront of Internet technology for their services and products. Now, you can add models to that list.

The Neal Hamil Agency is using services offered by the popular online video source YouTube.com to better market its models and talent to agency clients. The service is free, easy to manage and a great tool for the agency.

“Many times I am already at a client event like a Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s or Nordstrom fashion show, so why not bring a video camera and record our models on the runway while I’m there?” asks Jeff Shell, director of Neal Hamil Agency.

After the show, Shell edits the footage and uploads the newly created video to YouTube. For every model in that video, the YouTube link can be included in the model’s profile on the agency’s website.

“Once a video is created, we paste the link in the admin section of the agency website and the video shows up on the model’s page.”

Shell says he does not like to make long videos. “They must be kept short since the videos are geared toward clients who don’t have a lot of time,” he says. “Plus, YouTube is a very user-friendly web application that clients have no problem using from their sometimes-slow office computers.”

On the screen, the Neal Hamil Agency’s models can be seen in new ways. Whereas before, clients could only see still shots of prospective models, now they literally come to life. The models become more than headshots on a page or screen, which is great for clients, Shell says.

In addition to fashion show videos, the agency shoots the models individually. “We use one of our hallways as the runway in which to record the models walking,” Shell says. “This makes a very clean backdrop in which to showcase the models walk and [it shows their] personality!

Models love it too. They include the links of their Neal Hamil YouTube videos in their Myspace and Facebook accounts, giving the agency free, extra marketing,” continues Shell.

The idea of putting models’ videos online isn’t new. However, with the implementation of YouTube and their websites, NealHamilAgency.com and NealHamil.tv, accessibility of their models is now at an all-time high.

“NealHamil.tv is the agency’s new site where we are collecting our favorite YouTube videos and eventually we are creating our own,” he says. “Videos are a great way to communicate to the younger generations since they grew up with television and the Internet.”

Party Time

The perfect holiday soiree takes a bit of planning and a dash of WOW

Between creating your fourth incarnation of turkey tacos and planning the winter ski trip, the calendar always saves the year’s best event for last — the holiday party.

Whether it’s a black tie corporate affair or a casual get-together at your home, the holiday party has become the year’s signature event for party-goers. The events can be extravagantly large or intimately small; either way, planning ahead will make things easier on you and can make your party the subject at water coolers the next morning.

Think Tank
When it comes to planning a party, the first item to address is the budget. Knowing how much money to spend and where to spend it will help decide how big your party will be, what you will do and who you will invite.

“Even if money is no object, there’s still a budget, so spend your money wisely,” says Lee Capetillo Jr., creative director and founder of Ta-Dah Events. “You need to think about how much you want to spend on different aspects. If you spend a lot on invitations, do you cut back on food? If you spend a lot on food, do you cut back on entertainment or how many people you invite?”

Capetillo suggests deciding on a theme early in the planning stages so that other aspects of the party fall into place.

Valerie Rooney, event planner for the Perfect Touch, says planning ahead can deter headaches along the way.

“So many times, people wait until the last minute to plan things,” she says. “If you wait until the last minute, things you have in mind may not be available and that can be a huge let down.”

Rooney says many corporate party planners book their venue a year in advance. “For example, this year, the most popular date is Dec. 15. It’s a weekend and it’s in the middle of the month. You can’t call just a few days or weeks in advance and expect to have a particular venue available,” she says.

A-List
Next, it’s time to decide who you want to invite. If it’s your company’s holiday party, then this part is easy. Just use the global e-mail list and Voila! Done! If it’s your own party, it doesn’t have to be tricky. Think about the people who you want in your house or at the venue where you are hosting. That’s your list. To stay on their good side, it might be wise to invite a couple of neighbors as well. While attending your party, it is hard for them to complain about the traffic and noise your party is causing. They may even allow you to use their driveway for parking spaces.

Whether it’s a corporate or personal event, make sure the invitation is crystal clear about who is invited, Capetillo says.

If the invitation specifically says “you and a guest,” make sure one guest is all they bring. It would be pretty embarrassing to have to check the children at the door with the jackets and purses.

“Each party is different,” Capetillo says. “A party that invites a spouse or a significant other will be different than a party that invites the entire family.”

Be warned: if you say “the more, the merrier,” you just may get your wish.

What to do, what to do
Now that you’ve decided who is coming, the real fun begins. Hopefully by now you’ve picked your theme. Using the theme and the guest list, it’s time to start planning entertainment, activities and food.

“Look at your list and get a good idea of the type of people you are inviting,” Capetillo says. “If your friends are all ‘foodies’ then cater to that type of crowd. If they are wine lovers, then use that to plan the rest of your party.”

Knowing your guest list is of utmost importance to decide what to serve and how to entertain. If you are off the mark, your party can be a bust and will probably end too early.

“If your guests aren’t the ‘foodies’ type, then you don’t want to serve them the fru-fru food. That’s why it is so important to pay attention,” he says. “The last thing you want to do is make your guests feel like the party is way over their head. If they feel that way, they probably won’t have a good time. You can throw the most fabulous party ever, but if it doesn’t appeal to any of your guests, all the work and planning you did would be a waste of time.”

Also, when it comes to food, decide how you will serve it. If it’s a dinner party, make sure everything is in order to serve all the courses planned for the evening. However, if it’s a causal get together, make sure there are plenty of light snacks. Your guests will appreciate a good variety and the freedom to mingle with each other as they please without a designated seat. Items like chips and dip, wings, pizza and cheese/meat/veggie/fruit trays are available at the store… little-to-no cooking involved!

For corporate events, Rooney recommends booking caterers no less than three months in advance. “There are a lot of corporate parties, and almost all of them are calling caterers,” she says. “Book them early too.”

WOW!
Capetillo says the best parties all have one thing in common: no less than three Wow Factors. “You want your Wow Factors to leave your guests saying, ‘Can you believe they did that?’ or be something they can take with them and use in their lives,” he explains. “It can be the invitations and thank-you cards, the décor, the food, the presentation, the entertainment, anything.”

However, Capetillo says to use the Wow Factors with caution.

“Don’t spread yourself too thin. You can have the awesome Wow Factors, but if you aren’t careful, you won’t have any money left over. Just because you are going for the ‘Wow’ doesn’t mean you have to go over the top or be obnoxious and sacrifice in other areas of your party,” he warns.

Have fun!
The name of the game is to have fun. You want your guests to have fun, but don’t forget about yourself. Don’t stress out because you want to make sure they are enjoying the evening. It’s supposed to be a party, right?

“The best thing to do is not to do everything by yourself,” Capetillo says.

Rooney agrees, but warns not to over do it.

“If you are trying to plan a corporate party, it’s great to have committees, but you need to have very few decision makers,” she explains. “Too much help is not always good help.”

With more individuals involved in the decision-making process, vendors can become confused and, in the end, she says, no one will be happy.

By mastering the art of delegation, you have the opportunity to relax and enjoy the fruits of your collective labor. Put someone else in charge of the food or decorations. Hire a party planner. Make the party pot-luck. No one has to know how hard you worked, but at the end of the night, your guests will be thanking you — and asking if you are in charge of next year’s shindig.

Ouray and Durango, Colorado

Colorado: Beyond Skiing Resort towns mix old-time heritage with modern sport

While vacationers migrate to the scenic mountains of Colorado for winter ski trips, Ouray and Durango remain popular destinations for those looking for something different.

Located in a narrow valley of the San Juan Mountain Range, Ouray (pronounced you-ray) is rich in old-west history, and nicknamed the “Switzerland of America” for its world-famous ice climbing venues. Arriving in Ouray, you feel as though you are stepping back into an 1890s mining town; most of the original Victorian structures are still standing. Beautifully restored homes and commercial buildings such as the Beaumont Hotel helped Ouray earn the honor of being named a National Historic District, by both the Colorado State and National Historic Authorities in 1983.

After settling at the Ouray Chalet Inn, conveniently located within walking distance of most of the shops and restaurants, we enjoyed a leisurely stroll through town. The friendliness and hospitality of Ouray people made us feel as if we truly belonged there.

Our appetite began to grow as we breathed the fresh, clean mountain air. The Bon Ton Restaurant, located in the beautifully restored Victorian St. Elmo Hotel, offers fine dining with an Italian flair. Their menu features specialties such as prawns sautéed with fresh basil, shallots and garlic in a creamy sherry sauce served on fettuccine with fresh garden vegetables.

After enjoying the short stroll back to the Ouray Chalet Inn, it was time to settle in for a peaceful night of sleep to prepare for what the morning had in store.

Always up for a new challenge, we were excited to experience ice climbing. Ice climbers come from all over the world to hone their craft for free at the Ouray Ice Park located in the Uncompahge Gorge. The park was developed by a group of dedicated volunteers and opened in 1995. We relied on the skilled instructors of San Juan Mountain Guides to safely assist us in this adventure. The guides helped us to relax and feel secure and confident in the climb. The empowering experience gave us an exhilirating sense of accomplishment.

We followed our excursion with a relaxing dip in the Ouray Hot Springs Pool, once called the “sacred mineral waters” by the Ute Indians. The snow-covered mountains provided a gorgeous backdrop as the therapeutic waters cleansed away the day’s trials.

We completed the day by dining on delicious Rocky Mountain trout sautéed with lemon, butter and white wine in a charming rustic atmosphere at The Outlaw, Ouray’s oldest operating restaurant. Be sure to check out John Wayne’s hat hanging behind the bar!

A trip to Ouray is not complete without a visit to the Ouray County Historical Museum, housed in what was originally the St. Joseph’s Miner’s Hospital. Built in 1886, the facility was intended for miners injured while working in the treacherous landscape. The Sisters of Mercy and doctors ran the hospital and provided care for the miners and townspeople. The hospital closed in 1964 and reopened as the museum. The museum is rich in history and showcases a replica of a late 1800s mine, along with an impressive mineral collection, Victorian-era displays, Ute Indian artifacts, railroading and ranching exhibits. One exhibit depicts an operating room as it existed in that era.

Next, it was off to Durango.

On the way to Durango, enjoy the breathtaking beauty of Red Mountain Pass. We stopped for a two-hour snowmobiling adventure with Red Mountain Silverton Molas Tours. The expert guides led us through winding trails, eventually climbing to a high elevation above the tree line. The view on top was magnificent and we felt as if we were on top of the world.

Durango, while larger than Ouray, is very charming. Several of the buildings, such as the Strater Hotel, were built in the late 1800s. The hotel was built in 1887 by Henry Strater who dreamed of building the grandest hotel in the West. The hotel houses the world’s largest collection of authentic American Victorian walnut antiques.

Dining at Seasons Rotisserie and Grill was an amazing ending to this day. Diners should not expect to find their favorite entrée on the menu every time they visit. The menu changes with the seasons. Seasons is located in the heart of downtown Durango within walking distance of The Strater Hotel. Don’t retire for the night until you stop in the Diamond Belle Saloon, located in the Strater Hotel. Taking a step in the Diamond Belle feels as if you have stepped back in time.

The next day, we visited The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad which has been in operation for 125 years. The historic steam-powered locomotive cuts through mountains following the Animas River. At times, the train seems to hang on the sides of sheer cliffs overlooking the river below. The surrounding territory is pristine as only the train tracks cut through the San Juan National Forest; there are no roads or highways in the back country. Enjoy the stop at Cascade Falls where you can play in the snow, build snowmen or make snow angels.

Although most vacationers think of skiing in Colorado, the Durango Mountain Resort offers snowshoe hiking. Your guides will take you up the mountain on the ski lifts and once you have reached the top, you will follow the peaceful trails down the mountain.

Afterwards, rest your weary muscles at Trimble Spa &Natural Hot Springs. You can enjoy a massage or a soak in the healing waters. The springs are located below cliffs that were home to the Anasazi Indians and the ruins remain but are inaccessible.

Durango offers many diverse dining choices including Steamworks Brewing Co., where beer is brewed on site.

A stroll down Main Street is a must before leaving Durango, as there are many stores, coffee shops, restaurants and bars to enjoy.

While ski resorts are most popular in the winter and early spring months, it’s not hard to find something different. When looking off the beaten path, you can find wonderful treasures like Ouray and Durango. The beautiful mountain terrain and historic landmarks provide an abundance of activities — even off the slopes.

Essentials:
www.colorado.com
www.ouraychaletinn.com
www.ourayicepark.com
www.ouraycolorado.com
www.ouraycountyhistoricalsociety.org
www.redmtmotelrvpk.com
www.strater.com
www.seasonsofdurango.com
www.durangotrain.com