Colorado in the Cracks

After years working for Frommer’s Travel Guides, Eric Peterson decided to take a vacation from the strictly who, what, when and where of travel writing to try his hand at uncovering all those great things that fall between the cracks. From this simple premise, Ramble Colorado: A Wanderer’s Guide to the Offbeat, Overlooked and Outrageous was born. “I just wanted to have some fun with it,” says Peterson, “and inspire people to be more free-form in their own road trips. I wanted to write a travel guide that was fun for people who aren’t even traveling.”

The result is more than just a breakdown of hotels, restaurants and tourist hot spots. Ramble Colorado is a Gonzo-meets-Frommer’s approach to travel writing that includes unusual highlights such as a tour of dog graves (pictures and directions included), an entry on the big blue bear gazing into the Convention Center, a treasure hunt on the Western Slope, trouble with police at a Denver beer festival, and a hike down Colfax Avenue. Loaded with practical details such as websites, phone numbers and hotel information, Ramble also includes six first-person travelogues, a state-specific must-do checklist (eat a Denver omelet, drink a local beer, etc.) and a front section that lists movies to watch, music to listen to and books to read in preparation for your trip.

Peterson will sign and discuss Ramble Colorado tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Tattered Cover, 2526 East Colfax Avenue; admission is free. For more information, call 303-322-7727 or go to www.tatteredcover.com.
Wed., June 25, 2008