The RMVR crew

The Rocky Mountain Vacation Rental staff once again went out for some fun in the Colorado sunshine. This time, we went rafting down the Colorado River with the crew from the Colorado River Center, Colorado’s only full-service riverside gear rental and rafting facility. Twice. The first time, we went on inflatable one and two person kayaks called duckies, and the second time we were all together on large rafts. Both times, we had an amazing day out on the river, but each experience was very different from the other.

When we took the duckies out, some of us opted for singles while others paired up for a double. Besides the fact they’re inflatable, the duckies are just like a sit-on-top kayak. They are perfect for low class rapids and easy to use. If you’ve ever paddled a canoe or kayak, you can definitely handle a ducky. Your skill level will determine the class of rapids more appropriate. On our office trip, we went down the Colorado River on class 1 and class 2 rapids. The river was pretty mild except for a handful of white water areas, but even these were gentle. On the duckies though, class 1 and class 2 rapids feel much more intense. Our duckies bounced around, water poured in and it was a welcomed challenge getting through the rapids without tipping over. The best part of our ducky trip was that we went at our own pace and got to do whatever we wanted while on the river. If we wanted to stop on the bank and suntan for 20 minutes, we could, and we did. It was a lot of fun, especially since we had a group of about 15. The more the merrier!

A couple days later, the Colorado River Center took us rafting on the upper Colorado River. We all crammed into two large rafts and had a guide with us on each. The general consensus with my coworkers was that the trip was a bit too tame for us adrenaline junkies. We did class 1 and 2 rapids again, but on the large raft the rapids don’t feel as powerful as on the duckies. We all concluded this trip would have been perfect for families with small children looking for a milder rafting trip. The best part of the trip was the scenery. It was breathtaking! We went through Little Gore Canyon, saw geese, a bald eagle nest and a bald eagle soaring above us. Overall, the scenery, the sunny weather and the great company made it a trip to remember.

1. Wear Sunscreen: The sun’s rays are 40 percent stronger at 10,000 feet of altitude. So come prepared!
2. Wear comfortable walking shoes: The festival is pretty spread out and there are also other fantastic things happening in the Valley that are walking distance from the Lionshead area.
3. Bring at least $15 dollars or your ski pass: This is because the Friday Afternoon Club, or FAC kicks off today! So after you check out all of the great art at the festival jump on the Gondola (Free for pass holders) and check out some live music, food and drink specials and free activities including bocce ball. Today The Laughing Bones are playing!
4. Know where to Park: Sometimes the nearby parking garage fills up. So, just know that if the Lionshead parking structure is indeed full, the Vail Village garage is just down the road with a free in-t
5. Bring your Camera: You don’t want to miss out on some great photo ops! The mountain is gorgeous with cascading waterfalls and lush green trees ensuring a memorable ride up that Gondola that you will definitely want to capture!
6. Grab a Vail Daily: Grab one and check out all the great restaurants and drink specials.
7. Bring a Water Bottle: It’s getting warmer outside, meaning that you can become more easily dehydrated! Maintain energy by drinking water all day.
8. Don’t forget a leash for Fido! Today, June 25, is national bring your dog to work day, which means that your pooch won’t be the only one out and about. So bring a leash and avoid any confrontations with other not so friendly dogs!
9. Check out Last minute lodging: There are great deals to be had on last minute lodging. If you decide that this weekend is perfect for an impromptu mountain adventure, go to rockymountainvacationrentals.com or call 970-477-1777 for lodging deals staring at only $99/night.
10. Go to Yo Yo Ma’s Recital TONIGHT, June 25! Yes, tonight at 6:00 p.m. Yo Yo Ma, the world famous cellist, will be playing a 75-minute recital at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. You can purchase GA/lawn tickets at the gate for $40. This will be a once in a lifetime experience and a great way to end a spectacular day spent at the Vail Arts Festival.

Us on the Giant Canyon Swing.

Last week, my coworkers and I went to Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, and it was awesome! Nestled at the top of a mountain overlooking Glenwood Springs, the park merges Colorado’s rich history with fun attractions for the whole family. Once you take the gondola ride up to the mountain peak, you enter a world of log cabins, gem panning and wagon rides. And the view of the valley below and the mountains in the horizon is stunning.

Although most of the attractions were meant for small kids, there was still enough to keep us “young at heart” entertained and delighted. Our favorites, of course, were the adrenaline-rushing Alpine Coaster and the heart-pumping Giant Canyon Swing. The park also has amazing caverns for guided tours. Guests can learn about the cave’s history and about the various kinds of formations present in caves. One of the cavern’s rooms is the most decorated cave room in the world, holding the record for most formations in one room. It is breathtaking! Nature truly is remarkable.

Other attractions available are a 4D theatre, 32-foot climbing wall, mechanical bull, maze, laser tag, old time photos, gemstone panning and a simulated wagon ride. You and your family can easily spend a whole day here, trying out the great rides, having lunch on the deck of the mountaintop restaurant, perusing the gift shop and relishing the mountain air. Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is a must for any family!

Christine Hanks playing at the Vail Golf Club. Photo by Alana Hanks.

Yesterday, the crew from Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals and I went to Vail Valley Partnership’s first annual Vail Recreation District Hospitality Day hosted at the Vail Golf Club. There was a luncheon mixer and a free 18-hole round of golf! This was my first time playing golf. It was my first time even holding a golf club! And I’ll admit I was sincerely shocked by how much fun I had. I always considered golf an old man’s game, a game for the lazy, for the rich and for the plain dull. But after spending six hours out on the course of the Vail Golf Club, all my prior perceptions disappeared. Not only did I become addicted to trying to get the perfect swing, but the perfect weather, beautiful scenery and great company made it a great day on the green. I’m positive I would not have enjoyed myself as much if it weren’t for the fun friends I was with and the breathtaking surroundings.

The Vail Golf Club has an 18-hole, par 71 course. The 7,024 yard course is at an elevation of 8,200 feet, which means that swings will go 10 percent farther. The Vail Golf Club was ranked by Golf Digest among its “Top 100 Resort Course,” and it’s clear to see why. Located at the base of the Gore Mountain Range, stunning views of the Rockies and the White River National Forest surround the green and give golfers an experience unlike any other. The views are unbeatable. Everywhere you look there are stunning peaks dusted with snow, clusters of pine trees and pristine creeks. Only in the Rocky Mountains can you feel on top of the world while golfing.

Registration is still open, so bring out your friends, co-workers and family to have some fun on the sand. Visit the event Web site for registration costs and a full schedule of the competitions.

Photo from vailrec.com

The 10^th annual La Sportiva Vail Mountain Trail Running Series starts Saturday, June 19 in Beaver Creek with the 5 p.m. La Sportiva Summer Solstice Twilight Trail Run. New this year is a father/child 5K and 10K run in honor of Father’s Day. There will also be live entertainment, BBQ and an awards ceremony. Preregistration is $35, which goes to benefit the Vail Valley Charitable Fund. Kids run free.

Named Colorado’s “Best Race Series” by Colorado Runner Magazine in 2005 and 2008, La Sportiva series is a can’t-miss for avid runners. Merging endurance and strength, the race courses total 52 miles and have a total elevation gain of 16,475 feet. Here is a schedule of the races:

June 19 – 5 p.m. – La Sportiva Summer Solstice Twilight Trail Run – Beaver Creek

July 3 – 8 a.m. – 34^th Annual La Sportiva Vail Hill Climb – Vail’s Mountain Haus

July 18 – 8 a.m. – La Sportiva Vail Half Marathon – Vail Village

August 1 – 8 a.m. – La Sportiva Berry Picker Trail Run – Lionshead

August 15 – 9 a.m. – La Sportiva 10K at 10,000 Feet – Eagles’s Nest, Vail Mountain

September 12 – 10 a.m. – La Sportiva EverGold Trail 10K – Vail Golf Club

The Food & Wine Classic in Aspen is just days away. The event hundreds have been eagerly waiting for will kick off June. The festivities will continue until Sunday, with enough events, tastings, demonstrations and celebrity chef appearances to keep any food and wine connoisseur happy. The event has been going on for 28 years, bringing Food & Wine magazine to life through culinary demonstrations, wine tastings, food sampling and a cast of revered, world-renown chefs. The tickets for this acclaimed festival aren’t cheap ($1,185 for consumer and trade tickets). But this is an event like no other, bringing together people that live for good food and fine wine. There will be dozens and dozens of things to do each day, so you really are getting your money’s worth. The Food & Wine Classic definitely won’t disappoint.

Photo from vailmusicfestival.org

Classical music will be resonating throughout the Vail Valley later this month. From June 25 to August 3, the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival will bring thousands of people from across the nation to watch dozens of the best soloists and orchestras perform on stage.  Now on its 23^rd season, the festival will feature more than 50 acclaimed soloists and four different orchestras: The Philadelphia Orchestra, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic and National Repertory Orchestra. There will also be chamber music, jazz and pops. Visit the event Web site for a full list of musicians. The concerts will take place in the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheatre in Vail, the Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek and the Vail Mountain School in East Vail.

This summer tradition was started in 1987 by John Giovando, an attorney with a love of classical music, and acclaimed violinist Ida Kavafia. The beginnings were humble, to say the least. But after 23 years, the festival has become nationally recognized and acclaimed for its remarkable blend of music and nature. Since its founding, the festival’s mission has been to “stimulate and foster public interest and appreciation of the performing arts, especially music; to serve the State of Colorado and the Vail Valley community through the presentation and sponsorship of musical concerts, activities, and events of the highest international standards; to promote and assist the economic base of the Vail Valley through presentation of such concerts; and to enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors alike to the Valley.”

Multiple Grammy-winning cellist Yo-Yo Ma and pianist Kathryn Stott kick off the festival with a 75-minute recital on June 25 at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheatre. With just the two of them on stage, this will be an intimate, once-in-a-lifetime performance not to be missed! Tickets range from $40 for lawn seats to $150 for reserved pavilion seats. Ticket prices for the rest of the concerts are available here. It’s not too late to purchase tickets and plan a Vail vacation. Contact Rocky Mountain Vacation Rentals for help finding the perfect place to stay! 1-888-866-2305

Michael Franti and Spearhead performing at the Labor Day Festival. Photo from jazzaspen.org

JAS’ 20th season kicks off with the 10-day June Festival on June 25. There will be four days of concerts by world-renowned performers, including Harry Connick Jr., Natalie Cole and Pink Martini. During the rest of the days, band from the JAS Academy will be performing, and some of the events will be free. September 3 to 5 belongs to the Labor Day Festival. So far the only artists to be announced have been Wilco and The Black Crowes. But keep checking the Web site for new updates. In celebration of JAS’ 20th anniversary, three day tickets are on special for $145. But hurry because this deal ends May 31. The most beloved JAS event is Snowmass Villages’ Summer of Free Music series. Every Thursday night, crowds gather at Fanny Hill to watch artists perform all kinds of music, from Latin to blues to reggae. And it’s all free!

Besides its exceptional festivals, JAS also dedicates itself to educating the public about jazz, spreading jazz throughout the community and helping out young talent. They have a multitude of local programs set up that accomplish their mission of preserving the music. The JAS in Schools program places professional jazz musicians and educators in local schools to introduce middle and high school bands and ensembles to jazz. JAS also has set up a private lesson fund called Pays to Play that provides three free private lessons to Roaring Fork Valley youth in any instrumental discipline. Through Stuff for Students, JAS donates instruments to schools that wouldn’t be able to afford them otherwise. Their most prestigious program is the JAS Academy, the nation’s only all-scholarship jazz residency program. Now in its 15th year, JAS collaborated with the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, Washington D.C. to make the Academy a dream come true. JAS has another half-a-dozen programs that spread education and love of jazz to young generations.

JAS’ pioneering efforts to the preservation of music in the community have been beyond influential. To come see first-hand what one organization can do to a community, contact Rocky Mountain Group Travel to find lodging in the area that meets your budget and convenience 1-866-348-5129

The Turtle Bus Bar

Visitors of Vail, you don’t have to choose between an expensive cab ride and getting behind the wheel while intoxicated. Thanks to Andy Zenor and Shane Ward, the geniuses behind the better option: the Turtle Bus Bar. This retired school bus painted green and turned party bus has been transporting locals to and from the hottest bars, apres ski locations, and rivers of Colorado in a safe and unique way. To put it into perspective, the bus is outfitted with neon lights, a disco ball, a stripper pole and a bar in the back. It’s definitely a party on wheels.

During the season, the Turtle Bus runs Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights until around 2 a.m. depending on the location. Departure and arrival locations include the Vail Transportation Center, Loaded Joe’s in Avon, Woody’s in Edwards, Covered Bridge in Beaver Creek Village and Sandbar in West Vail. A full schedule of times and locations is available. It costs $5 to ride one way, making it about five times cheaper than a cab. The bus is also available for private parties of large groups, costing $15 per person.

With Summer right around the corner, Turtle Tubing invites guests to “experience nature’s water park” through a float with the Turtle down river.  Don’t forget to bring a extra tube for your cooler full of beer and water!  You’ll be glad you did and we’ll be waiting for mid June when Turtle Tubing gets back in full force!

If you’re in search of a great night out, a day in the sun, hop on the bus and have the time of your life in Colorado!