March 2024
Chuck 's Reviews
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tasty but not too gamey and the buffalo osso buco melted in my mouth. The night was filled with live music, laughter, interesting conversation, great food and exceptional wine. We all scurried back into the kitchen after dinner to get a group photo with Chef Topple. It was a night to be remembered and we all had the most wonderful time. Beano's Cabin is open for dinner through April 7, 2008 with 10 sleigh rides nightly. Dinner is served between 5pm and 10pm. It's been the recipient of the AAA Four Diamond DiRoNa Awards and has received the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Beano's serves a prix fixe, five-course dinner for $99, $50 for kids. For reservations, call 970-949-9090.
DOG SLEDDING MOUNTAIN MUSHERS We meet Bill in the lobby of The Park Hyatt Resort & Spa at 8:15am. He's looks like a mountain man ought to, with long hair and a seasoned face. He's got some stories to tell. Don't be afraid to ask him to tell you one or two of them on the 25-minute ride to the Lazy J Ranch in Wolcott, CO. He's been dog sledding with Mountain Mushers for 16 years. The Lazy J Ranch is right out of an old western movie set. The hand-hewn wooden gate with a 13-point rack and hand-carved signage welcomes all. It's a short ride to the main staging area. There are five sleds being readied. This is a great time to meet some of the animals. They love to pull the sled and work. Full of anticipation, they'll all be barking and howling when you get there. This behavior is characteristic to Alaskan Huskies so don't be afraid. Approach the dogs slowly and offer your open hand. Some of the dogs are shy and others are super-friendly. Nobody has ever been bitten in the history of the company. I'm riding with Sarah. Her father, Wally, is known for his ability to train dogs and horses by his body language and voice commands. He calls himself a dog whisperer. With over ninety dogs in the kennel, he becomes the alpha male of the pack. This takes the pressure off the animals vying for this position. You can tell the dogs are well cared for and happy by the constant wagging of their tails. Each sled can accommodate two people. They're comfortable and warm with wool blankets that keep you tucked in place while underway. The dogs hit a new level of excitement now as the first sled rockets away. It's so exciting to watch this and experience it first hand. We come out of the gate with amazing speed and the scenery opens up to unlimited vistas to Castle Peak and the open Colorado wilderness. Sarah is calling out to her team of Alaskan Huskies by name. We've got Mozart, Howler, Oreo, Tazz, Quasar, Togo, Grinch, Jules and Yapper who are all happily pulling us along. "Hike. Hike." Hike is the command to get the dogs moving from a standstill position and we stop several times along the six-mile route to wait for the other teams to catch up. A 20-minute break halfway through the trip gives everyone a chance to stretch their legs and try some of Sarah's homemade bread and cider. Single person dog sled rides are $325 each. Mountain Musher Dog Sled Rides, Tel: 970-653-7877, Email: dogsledders@aol.com.
TOSCANINI RESTAURANT
SNOWSHOEING MCCOY PARK We started our trek at 9,840 feet and worked our way uphill on Primrose trail. We snow-shoed a groomed trail and my heart rate soared. The air is thin at this altitude so .... |
