It May be Getting Warmer, But Winter is Still Around

Many of us are hoping for warmer temperatures to hurry up and get here. Besides, it is April, is it not? Unfortunately, Old Man winter isn’t finished. Then again, there are those of us who are not in a big hurry and are looking for something fun to do while the temperatures continue to keep things a little cooled off.

In Colorado, you have Crested Butte, which is a rather amazing ski resort. Right now, there are days when the temperatures reach the 50s and other days where it remains in the 30s. However, the winter season is coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean you can’t visit the area if you want to experience the beauty that it has to offer, as well as a number of non-skiing activities.

If you do want to ski, then there is the summer season. It starts June 1^st and continues through September 23^rd. Adult season passes start at $1,099 for unlimited skiing, the Adventure Park, and riding. This covers you through the entire 2011-2012 summer season. If you just want to ride and ski, then adult tickets start at $999 for the entire 2011-2012 summer season. If you won’t be able to ski for the entire season, there are tickets available for 10, 5, and 1 day.

If you are new to skiing, then you have access to the ski and ride school where you can receive private lessons, group lessons, and lessons for kids. There are also ski camps. For the tiniest of kids, there is a nursery so that the parents can enjoy the many activities.

As for where to stay, you have Mountaineer Square, Elevation Hotel & Spa, and the Grand Lodge amongst others. Many of your lodging options have hot tubs, which is quite nice. Some have washers and dryers, and others have on-site restaurants. There are plenty of options available so that you can find the amenities and the price range that you are looking for. And no matter where you lodge, the mountain scenery is amazing.

In regards to other things that you can do, you can have the Snowcat driving experience, can visit the spa, check out the art at art galleries, and take the kids to the Trailhead Children’s Museum, and go shopping. For the kids there is Kids Night out and Camp CB where kids can ski in areas adults can’t.

This is a place that you do need to check out in the winter and the summer. If the heat is getting to you where you are at, this is a good way for you to cool off. If you just love winter, well, you have a nice Colorado getaway to make the most of it. The mountain air can definitely bring about a serene feeling that you will want to feel again and again. 

Get in the Zone at the Earth Ship Landing Zone

In Northern New Mexico, West of the Taos Gorge Bridge, is an area with a cluster of “Earth Ships.” Yes, New Mexico is filled with alien tales and UFO crashes, especially the Roswell incident, but this is actually a different type of ship. What you have at your disposal is a form of alternative housing that is environmentally friendly. The homes do look like something from a different world, but they are absolutely fascinating. You can also lodge in an Earth Ship.

When lodging in an Earth Ship, you are looking at around $165 per night, which translates into close to $1,000 per week. Rates can change depending upon the time of year that you go. Nevertheless, the Earth Ship is not small. You have two bedrooms, one bathroom, a living room area, and kitchen. These homes are pet friendly, you have a patio with a BBQ grill, a washer and dryer, a refrigerator, wood stove, television, stereo system, and a DVD player. Basically, you have everything you would require at home.

 As for what makes these homes so environmentally friendly is that their exteriors are made of mud and old tires. Everything within them was built using environmentally friendly practices and materials such as satillo tile floors and walls made of straw and adobe, and the electricity is generated by solar panels.

The homes are located in a desert setting, but there is a beautiful mountain backdrop with activities nearby that include white water rafting, hiking, and, if you stay in Taos, New Mexico, you’re only about 25 minutes from the Taos Ski Valley. It’s only 20 minutes to get to Taos Plaza.

Taos Plaza is where you can do your shopping and where you can see a number of great monuments. It is a rather popular tourist attraction in New Mexico. In July, you can attend the Fiestas de Santa Ana y Santiago, which lasts an entire weekend and has a lot of food, music, and festivities for people of all ages to enjoy.

Taos itself is a beautiful little city. It has less than 5,000 residents living within the shadows of desert mountains. There are nearly a dozen historic places that include the Taos Inn, the Ernest L. Blumenschein House, the Governor Charles Bent House, and a number of others. Just north of the town is the Rio Grande Gorge bridge, and so much more. This makes for a rather unique vacation in that it’s not the beach, but you are literally in the middle of the desert, experiencing nature and even reducing your carbon footprint while you are enjoying yourself. 

Time to Head to the Keys and Brave The Overseas Highway

If you’ve never driven the Overseas Highway, then you have to do it. It is one of the best driving experiences you could ever have. At least it was for me.

This is a highway that in many places is surrounded by nothing but the ocean. It takes you through the Florida Strait and the Gulf of Mexico and into Key West. Those with a fear of bridges may have a terrible time traveling this highway since most of it is bridges. It takes you along the length of the Keys for 127 miles.

The Keys are filled with many tourist attractions, so there is plenty to see. There are many places to stay and eat. You can drive as much or as little of the highway as you want. The scenery is amazing and what’s even more amazing is the bluish green color of the water.

As for the things that you can do and see, you can stop by the Ernest Hemingway House. The house is now a museum where you can see how the disturbed, yet brilliant, writer lived and so much more. It is a very fascinating stop in Key West. Not far from Hemingway’s home is the Key West Aquarium where you can witness daily shark feedings and take tours. What I really liked about the museum is the fact that they explain to you why the water that surrounds the Florida Keys is so mysterious. In the meantime, you get to see some rather odd looking fish and put your hands on a shark.

After you go to the aquarium, you can head over to the Shipwreck Museum, which is also in close proximity to the Hemingway House and the aquarium. At the Shipwreck museum, you are able to see history come to life with real life actors and artifacts from discovered shipwrecks. One of the most famous ships that are depicted is the Isaac Allerton, which sank in 1856 and was discovered in 1985. It sank right on the Florida Keys Reef.

All of these are the activities you can do just in Key West. All of the Florida Keys are filled with water sports and other opportunities to have a lot of fun. Places to visit include Big Pine Key in the lower Keys. You can find a great beach at Bahia Honda State Park. On your way to Big Pine Key, you can stop in Marathon, which is located exactly in the center of the Keys. There are fishing and kayaking opportunities. There are a lot of islands clustered together at Marathon, which include Duck Key, Conch Keys, Long Key, Boot Key, and a few others.

What I enjoy about visiting the Keys is the fact that you can travel the Overseas Highway and visit a lot of places in a short period of time. You can find a central point to stay, such as in the Marathon area, or you can stay at cheap hotels as you travel along the highway. It’s up to you. This is the type of vacation where you have complete control over your budget.