Best Way to See the Aspen Turn -- on Horseback 2001 | Aspen Lodge at Estes Park | Best of Denver® | Best Restaurants, Bars, Clubs, Music and Stores in Denver | Westword
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Best Way to See the Aspen Turn -- on Horseback

Aspen Lodge at Estes Park

The glorious colors of turning aspen trees in autumn are not to be missed -- but the traffic caused by other nature lovers pouring up I-70 is a must to avoid. The solution? A horse, of course. The Aspen Lodge Resort in Estes Park organizes fall aspen-viewing rides, pairing riders with trusty steeds appropriate for their experience; once suitably mounted, your group can trot along trails that meander through the blazing groves. Not only do you get to appreciate nature's colorful display, but you get to do it from a cowboy's colorful perch. The year-round working ranch/resort also offers fishing, swimming and other activities, but for a real look at the great outdoors, this mobile aspen viewing presents a golden opportunity.

Best Dog Park

Off-Leash Dog Park

Flickr/Jeffrey Beall
When running at large can get your owner a big, fat ticket, but there's no place in the city to blow off some steam, what's a pooch to do? That was the quandary facing the Aurora Parks Department, and last year they finally did something about it. The Off-Leash Dog Park -- basically a five-acre fenced-in field of mown native grass next to the water -- gives canines a place to run and chase things, including each other, without the encumbrance of any sort of restraint. They are free to play Frisbee, sniff and be sniffed, and run wild -- so long as humans clean up after them and keep some semblance of order.

Best Dog Park

Off-Leash Dog Park

When running at large can get your owner a big, fat ticket, but there's no place in the city to blow off some steam, what's a pooch to do? That was the quandary facing the Aurora Parks Department, and last year they finally did something about it. The Off-Leash Dog Park -- basically a five-acre fenced-in field of mown native grass next to the water -- gives canines a place to run and chase things, including each other, without the encumbrance of any sort of restraint. They are free to play Frisbee, sniff and be sniffed, and run wild -- so long as humans clean up after them and keep some semblance of order.

Best Snowshoeing

Montezuma

More than 125 years ago, Montezuma was a major silver-mining center best reached in winter on cross-country skis or snowshoes. Today, the route from Montezuma to Breckenridge is the site of the annual Mail Run race, in honor of the mail carriers who made the trek long ago. For fun, you can drive the few miles up-valley from Keystone to partake of the web of wooded trails on snowshoes or skinny skis; then stop for refreshment at the funky Soulhouse Cafe.

Best Snowshoeing

Montezuma

More than 125 years ago, Montezuma was a major silver-mining center best reached in winter on cross-country skis or snowshoes. Today, the route from Montezuma to Breckenridge is the site of the annual Mail Run race, in honor of the mail carriers who made the trek long ago. For fun, you can drive the few miles up-valley from Keystone to partake of the web of wooded trails on snowshoes or skinny skis; then stop for refreshment at the funky Soulhouse Cafe.

Best Place to Buy a Custom-Made Bamboo Fly Rod

South Creek Ltd.

The fly rods made by owner Mike Clark at South Creek Ltd. are works of art with a purpose: catching fish. These handmade beauties are created to the individual's specifications, and South Creek is the only place in the state (and one of only a handful in the nation) where you can buy such a rod. They're pricey, ranging from $1,400 to as much as $4,000 (depending on which special features -- engraving, gold-plating, insetting precious stones -- are requested). But they're worth the cost in fly-fishing enjoyment, and worth the wait (currently three years from start to finish). No rod leaves the store without Clark's seal of approval -- he'd rather break 'em and start over.

Best Place to Buy a Custom-Made Bamboo Fly Rod

South Creek Ltd.

The fly rods made by owner Mike Clark at South Creek Ltd. are works of art with a purpose: catching fish. These handmade beauties are created to the individual's specifications, and South Creek is the only place in the state (and one of only a handful in the nation) where you can buy such a rod. They're pricey, ranging from $1,400 to as much as $4,000 (depending on which special features -- engraving, gold-plating, insetting precious stones -- are requested). But they're worth the cost in fly-fishing enjoyment, and worth the wait (currently three years from start to finish). No rod leaves the store without Clark's seal of approval -- he'd rather break 'em and start over.

Best Anagram for Invesco

Novices

What's in a name? Ask Invesco Funds: It's still fielding complaints for buying the naming rights to Mile High Stadium's replacement. For $120 million, Barron's recently reported, Invesco purchased the title "Invesco Field at Mile High" -- as IF -- and also bought itself a "big black eye."

Best Anagram for Invesco

Novices

What's in a name? Ask Invesco Funds: It's still fielding complaints for buying the naming rights to Mile High Stadium's replacement. For $120 million, Barron's recently reported, Invesco purchased the title "Invesco Field at Mile High" -- as IF -- and also bought itself a "big black eye."

Best Lakeside Campsites

Heaton Bay

Rated one of the best campgrounds in the state by Gil Folsom in his Colorado Campgrounds: The 100 Best and All the Rest (Westcliffe, $24.95) for quality of scenery, privacy, shade, tent space and overall "niceness," Heaton Bay has one more critical feature: access to water. Located in the White River National Forest by Dillon Reservoir, Heaton has about five dozen spaces that can be reserved; the rest are first-come, first-served. So take a chance and beat the heat at Heaton Bay.

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