SEPTEMBER THROUGH NOVEMBER EVENTS CALENDAR
SEPTEMBER
SEPT. 4
John Denver Tribute Concert, at the Fairgrounds, Stanley Park. For tickets and info.: www.estesparklionsclub.org,  970-577-1027

Labor Day Arts and Crafts Show 4th, 5th and 6th, at Bond Park, Elkhorn Ave. and MacGregor Ave., over 100 booths. www.estesparkartsandcrafts.com, 970-577-9900.

Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo 4th and 5th, a state-wide competition of Sheriff’s Dept.s, Fairgrounds, Stanley Park. Info. at: 970-586-6104.

SEPT. 9
Long’s Peak Scottish Irish Highland Festival 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th, at Stanley Park, Hwy. 36 and Community Dr., tickets at www.scotfest.com.

SEPT. 11
Longís Peak Scottish Irish Highland Festival Parade, downtown, starting at 9:30 am.

SEPT. 17
5th Annual Estes Park Film Festival 17th, 18th, and 19th, Park Theater, 130 Moraine, www.estesparkfilm.com, or 970-231-2580.

SEPT. 25
Autumn Gold: Bands, Brats n Beer 25th and 26th, Bond Park, downtown, 970-577-9900.

OCTOBER
OCT. 2
Elkfest 2nd and 3rd, a celebration of Estes Park’s most famous residents, downtown Bond Park, 970-577-9900.

OCT. 9
Surprise Sidewalk Sale 9th and 10th, downtown merchants, the sale isn’t a surprise – it’s what you’ll find there that is.

OCT. 26

Friends of  the Library Annual Potluck, at the Walnut Room, YMCA of the Rockies – Estes Park Center, 6:00 pm., www.esteslibrary.org, (970) 586-8116.

NOVEMBER
NOV. 7
Estes Park Music Festival Winter Concert 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th, Stanley Hotel, 333 Wonderview Ave., 2:00 pm., www.estesparkmusicfestival.org and 970-586-9519.

NOV. 20
7th Annual Holiday Art Exhibition, Cultural Arts Council Fine Art Gallery, 423 W. Elkhorn Ave., beginning at noon, www.estesarts.com, 970-586-9203. Exhibit thru Dec. 30th.

NOV. 21
Estes Park Wedding Assoc. Bridal Show, Estes Park Conference Center, 201 S. St. Vrain, noon to 3:00 pm., www.estesparkweddings.com/bridalshow.

NOV. 26
Catch the Glow Holiday Celebration and Evening Parade, beginning at noon with events around town including a visit from Santa followed by the lighted parade downtown at 5:30 pm.

NOV. 27
Holiday House Christmas Bazaar, an annual event to benefit the Estes Park Medical Center, at the Estes Park Conference Center, 201 S. St. Vrain. 9:00 am. to 1:00 pm., 970-586-7205.

Fort Collins has over a half a million visitors every year enjoying its lively art scene, eclectic shops and boutiques, a wide variety of healthy and delicious restaurants, 6 breweries, hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails; the list just goes on and on.

Here are a few fast facts:
For one thing Fort Collins has over 300 days per year of sunshine! The average temperature in middle of the winter is 42 degrees and in July, the hottest month, its 86, that’s a pretty easy range to live with.

Fort Collins is home to about 140,000 residents plus the population of students at Colorado State University. It has 600 acres of parks within the city limits, 3 golf courses, 3 public pools, a racquet center, ice rink, a museum and a zoo; and the renowned Lincoln Center that plays host to professional theater, dance, and music.

See for yourself how great this little town is. Ask at the front desk of the Silver Moon Inn for directions and recommendations of the best spots to visit.

But recently the doors have been shut up tight as the major players felt they needed a break. It’s not easy keeping the quality and reliability at peak standards year after year, decade after decade, so the break was healthy for all involved. During the hiatus Chef Brown took on the position of head chef at Dunraven’s and Crowley moved on to Nicky’s.

Locals and visitors missed the restaurant above the Wheel Bar where everybody did know your name, your order, your favorite table, and how to make you smile and laugh. Now the re-opening of Orlando’s has excited the community with Chef Tandy Brown returning to whip up more of his delicious sautéed mushrooms, herbed chicken breast, and, of course, the most mouthwatering, buttery steaks and filets in the high country.

Orlando’s Steakhouse and the Wheel Bar are within very close walking distance of Silvermoon Inn. No need for a designated driver, just take a leisurely stroll down the street.  Orlando’s Steakhouse is located at 132 E. Elkhorn Ave. in the heart of downtown Estes Park. Their phone number is 970.586.6121 and you can email them here, web address: http://thewheelbar.com.

The wildlife of Estes Park can be cute, funny, quiet, regal, placid, curious, and playful. Remember that they also can be territorial, belligerent if provoked, and unpredictable. Try to follow the guidelines below for safe viewing.

Downtown Encounters
Problems arise when visitors do not give the wildlife enough space. Often in their excitement of discovering an animal, viewers get way too close. It is important to remember to keep a very healthy distance between yourself and the animal. This isn’t Disneyland – the animals here are all totally wild. None of the creatures you might come across are tamed or domesticated in any way and therefore can be quite unpredictable.

For the most part if you stay back from an animal, move slowly, speak in hushed tones, and do not make eye contact, the experience will be pleasant for the humans and the critters alike.

Roadside Viewing
If you stop along a roadway to view elk or other wildlife minimize disturbance to the animals by turning off your car engine immediately. Shut car doors quietly and keep conversations to a minimum. Move slowly, don’t make any large gestures. Observe and photograph from a distance that is comfortable for the animal, not what is a good range for your photograph.

If the animal moves away or if their attention is diverted from what they were doing before you arrived, you are too close. Do not assume that an animal with its back to you is not aware of you. Know that the animal is critically watching you too, no matter how nonchalant it may seem as it grazes or lounges.

Wildlife viewing in Estes Park is half of the fun of coming here. Just be smart, careful, and always respectful of the animals.

It is illegal to use artificial lights or calls to view or attract wildlife. Go to http://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm for more useful tips and information.

June
5 Fishing Derby
12 EP Marathon, Kids Fun Run and Festival
12 Rocky Mountain Brewfest
17 – 20 2010 Quilt Colorado
25 – 27 The Best of Estes Wild West Fest
26 – 27 Scandinavian Midsummer Festival

July
2 – 4 Arabian Horse Show
4 Coolest Car Show
4th of July Fireworks
6 – 11 Rooftop Rodeo and Parade
9 Rooftop Rodeo Parade
21 – 25 Copper Penny Horse Show

August
7 – 8 Alice in Wonderland Children’s Theater
14 Auto Extravaganza
20 – 21 The Senior Professional Rodeo
20 – Dressage at the Peak Horse Show
21 – 22 Heritage Festival
22 Draft Horse Show
28 American Cycling Assoc. Master Championship
28 – 29 EP Bicycling Fest

For more information on these events talk to the Events Department, call 970-586-6104, or e-mail  them.

Dale Katechis, founder of Oskar Blues Brewery, found out his hand crafted beers had made the list by seeing it on the “Early Show”. “I was watching TV with my kids. We were watching and screaming,” said Katechis. Since the GQ list came out business has been booming for Oskar Blues which is sold by distributors in 26 states.

Oskar Blues Brewery also made the February, 2010 issue of Maxim Magazine’s ”Top 25 Best New Beers in America” with it’s  2010 World Beer Championship gold medal winner, “Ten FIDY Imperial Stout”. The article says, “The beer pros at Oskar Blues have struck black gold.”

Take a fun day trip to Lyons to tour the brewery and enjoy the grill.

Tours:
Saturday and  Sunday at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm.
More information at http://www.oskarblues.com
Oskar Blues Grill & Brew
303 Main Street
Lyons, Colorado 80540
303-823-6685
For the complete from GQ Magazine go to: http://www.gq.com/food-travel/wine-and-cocktails/201004/best-greatest-beers-in-the-world
Maxim’s Top 25: http://www.maxim.com/stuff/beer/86092/top-25-best-beers-in-america.html

Here’s where llamas come into the picture.

Llamas are a natural for carrying gear; they are environmentally friendly to the terrain, comfortable at high altitudes, and have an easy temperament. A llama can carry up to 80 lbs. of equipment, including tired children.

Kirk’s Mountain Adventures (KMA) has terrific back country day trips including fly fishing, horseback riding, and snowshoeing, but their overnight pack trip with the llamas is truly a unique experience.

Family owned and operated, Kirk’s can provide all the equipment you need including tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, food, and guidance. They will set up camp, prepare all the meals, and take you anywhere you would like to go- they even have exclusive access to some of the most beautiful private lands for fishing and hiking. Be sure to bring your camera!

Kirk’s llamas are also available for day trips and drop pack services. For more information call or visit and tell them the SILVER MOON INN sent you!

Kirk’s Flyshop, (877) 669-1859, located at 230 E. Elkhorn Avenue (Main Street), across from City Hall, near Dairy Queen. You can easily walk there from the SILVER MOON INN. http://www.kirksflyshop.com

Sometimes visitors who normally live at lower altitudes experience altitude sickness or acute mountain sickness (AMS).

The higher you climb above sea level, the less oxygen there is in the air. This can cause a problem with some folks whose bodies aren’t used to working on so little oxygen. If you stay at a high altitude for a week or more, your body gets used to the lower levels and functions properly.

The most common cause of altitude sickness is ascending elevation too rapidly and can usually be prevented by ascending slower. How high you go, the amount of physical activity performed at high altitude, as well as individual susceptibility are also contributing factors to the onset and severity of high-altitude illness.

If you have a heart or lung condition, consult your physician before going to high altitude. He or she can tell you whether your condition will let your body adjust to the lower oxygen in the atmosphere.

PREVENTION

Take your time traveling to higher altitudes. When you travel to a high altitude, your body will begin adjusting right away to the lower amount of oxygen in the air, but it takes several days for your body to adjust completely. The closer you live to sea level, the more time your body will need to get used to a high altitude.

First 24 Hours at High Altitude:
1.    eat lightly
2.    avoid alcohol
3.    keep exercise to a minimum
4.    drink plenty of fluids
5.    rest and relax at 6,500 to 8,000 ft., if possible, before ascending slowly to higher altitude

Get a good nights sleep at an altitude that is lower than the altitude you were at during the day. For example, if you ski at an elevation of 10,000 feet during the day, sleep the night before and the night after at an elevation of 8,500 feet.

SYMPTOMS

Some of the signs of high-altitude illness are:
•    headache
•    lightheadedness
•    shortness of breath
•    fatigue or weakness
•    trouble sleeping
•    rapid pulse
•    nosebleed
•    upset stomach
•    pins and needles feeling

If you have these symptoms stop going up or go back down to a lower altitude until your symptoms go away. More severe symptoms include difficulty breathing even while you’re resting, coughing, confusion and the inability to walk in a straight line. If you get these symptoms, go to a lower altitude right away and get help from a doctor.

TREATMENT

The best treatment for high-altitude illness is to go down to a lower altitude right away. But if you only have mild symptoms you might decide to wait it out until your body adjusts. If you do this, don’t exercise at all – just rest until you feel better.

If you have severe symptoms, go down 1,500 to 2,000 feet right away to see if your symptoms get better. Keep going down until your symptoms go away completely and seek medical attention.

Don’t ignore signs of high-altitude illness. People can die of this if they don’t recognize the signs or if they don’t believe their illness is caused by the high altitude. When you have signs of high-altitude illness, don’t go higher until you feel better and your symptoms have gone away completely.

The folk remedy from Ecuador and Peru in the Andes Mountains is coca tea, or mate de coca, made from the leaves of the coca plant, it is said to soothe the stomach and headache.

Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)  and American Heart Association (AHA)

Are you a photographer looking for wildlife in their habitat? Or maybe you would rather bird watch in the forest? Perhaps you want to climb somewhere off the beaten trail? How about experiencing the thrill of white water rafting? Maybe you just want to drop a line in the river, fishing for a trout dinner. Or, maybe you want it all.

By hiring a local guide you have the benefits of insider knowledge and experience while avoiding the sometimes dangerous pitfalls and often time-wasting mistakes inexperienced visitors make.

Top Ten Reasons to Hire a Nature and Wildlife Guide

1. A good guide can take you quickly and directly to the places you wish to see. No wandering on your own getting lost.
2. If you’re looking for wildlife, local guides are nearly indispensable, as they know at any given time of day, or season, where the species you are interested in will probably be and what they will be doing. Not much fun to view the elk when they are napping.
3. The guide can shed light on the history, geology, folklore, and plants and animals of the area. Most of the really interesting and fascinating local color can only be gleaned by talking with a friendly guide.
4. Guides let you know what you’ll need to bring in your day pack– Warm clothes or cool? How much food and water to bring? Any specialty items? Like having the right bait for fishing, the right gear for photography, or even the right shoes. Do you have to have hiking boots or are running shoes okay? Your guide will know.
5. A guide can take you to places that are “off the map”, known only to locals. Usually these places are the most rewarding and memorable.
6. Most guides are patient teachers. If you are trying something new, your guide will happily teach you and point you in the right direction. Even if you are experienced you’ll probably learn something that you didn’t know before from your guide.
7. Guides help to keep you safe. The Rocky Mountains are not Disneyland. The area needs to be respected, and a good guide knows the dangers and how to play it safe. The guide will have a back up plan in case of emergency. Most guides are certified in CPR and first aid; and they usually carry GPS tracking systems.
8. As a guide, this person eats, sleeps, and breathes the high mountain experience. They love it, it’s their home. Guides take pride in sharing their knowledge and experience with visitors. It is in their own best interest to make absolutely sure your experience is terrific and extraordinary, as you’ll be more inclined to come again and recommend him or her to your friends.
9. A guide can help you avoid “tourist traps” in favor of more valuable and meaningful experiences. You may only get a few weekends a year to get away or maybe just one week long vacation. By hiring a guide on the first day you can glean important information to help you decide what you will be doing with the rest of your visit.
10. Make a new friend. Quite often guides become long time, trusted friends that you return to year after year. Even if you are not able to come back again, most guides are really fun to be around and have a very positive attitude.  It’s like having an instant friend in an unfamiliar place.

Everybody’s gearing up, reservations are being made, and plans are in the final stages.

Also, if you can’t make it to those events there are some fun and unique weekends planned for horse lovers, car aficionados, music and art connoisseurs and lots more.

If you do plan to attend either of these events, it is recommended that you make your reservations now as they tend to sell out early.

The Estes Park Rooftop Rodeo and Parade
July 6 thru 11, Parade is on the 6th
This is a fantastic week long summer vacation beginning with the annual Fourth of July Fireworks on Sunday followed by the kick off of the Rooftop Rodeo with a parade on Tuesday, the 6th at 10:30 am. Professional Rodeo Cowboys Assoc. (PRCA) cowboys compete in bull riding, bareback bronc riding, barrel racing, tie-down roping, saddle bronc riding, and steer wrestling.

The Long’s Peak Highland Scottish-Irish Festival
September 9 thru 12, Parade on the 11th
This international event is world renowned, and for a good reason. It is arguably the finest representation of Irish and Scotch culture outside of Europe. Many regiments make the long trips to participate in this festival. Bagpipes & drum corps, highland & Irish dancing, jousting and other athletic competitions plus an hour long parade of bands make this festival spectacular and one of a kind. Be sure to get your tickets now if you plan on attending any of these events: online at www.scotfest.com or www.ticketswest.com.

Can’t come for a week? Here are a couple of really fun upcoming weekends:

MAY
Jazz Fest and ArtWalk is coming up May 15 and 16. Don’t miss two extraordinary days of beautiful music and fine art. Music performed at Performance Park next door to the Silver Moon Inn on Elkhorn Ave. downtown. Pick up your map of the gallery tour at Performance Park or at the Silver Moon Inn. All absolutely free.

JUNE
Talk about something for everyone – check out the Best of Estes Wild West Fest and the Scandinavian Midsummer Festival scheduled for the same weekend in June – the 25th through the 27th. This is promising to be a very eclectic weekend!

JULY
If you can’t stay for the whole week to take part in the Rooftop Rodeo at least come up for the weekend of July 2nd through the 4th.

The Arabian Horse Show will be here and the Coolest Car Show, topped off by an unforgettable and magical fireworks display.

The cars will be on display in Bond Park which is in the center of town on Saturday the 3rd, the Arabian Horse Show will be at the fairgrounds of the Stanley Hotel through the weekend, and the most beautiful fireworks in the high mountains can be seen all around the valley but the Stanley is definitely the place to be.