Oktoberfest In September?
Ever wonder why Oktoberfest happens in September? Well, true to name, Oktoberfest was originally held in October – or Oktober, in German. The first Oktoberfest, held on October 12, 1810, was a wedding celebration and parade honoring the marriage of Bavarian Crown Prince Ludwig to Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen . Six days of festivities took place on the outskirts of Munich on fairgrounds named “Theresenwiese” (Therese’s meadow) after the princess, concluding on October 17 with a horse race. The festival was such a hit that it was repeated in following years. Additional features such as a Bavarian agricultural show and[...]
Down Old Durango Way
Why not grab Fido and Spot and your family and friends and get off the Front Range for a change of scenery? Colorado doesn’t stop at Rocky Mountain National Park or even the Vail Valley, y’know! If you time it right, you might even catch some autumn colors along your six-and-a-half-hour Denver to Durango trek. Not too far from the New Mexico border, Durango is a perfect place to start exploring the area. Home to the liberal arts-oriented Fort Lewis College and 18,500 local residents, Durango is an interesting mix of college town and Old West in a setting of[...]
Off the Beaten Path
If you’ve been following this column with any regularity for the last two-and-a-half years, you probably know that I love nothing more than relaxing in the comfort of my own outdoor retreat. I am anything but a global traveler. In fact, I’ve previously made it known that despite traveling extensively around the United States, I’ve never been outside its borders. Last month, however, I did something I didn’t think I’d ever do again and took some road trips around Colorado. There’s a backstory here. I was an avid skier and camper in my younger days but couldn’t stand “sightseeing.” The[...]
Lions and Tigers and Bears in Colorado? Oh My!
You’re probably familiar with Colorado wildlife, from mountain lions and black bears to deer, elk, bighorn sheep, coyotes, moose, mountain goats and other furry creatures that share our beautiful state. But tigers? Yes, tigers. If you’re looking for something off the beaten path this summer, check out The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg at 2999 County Road 53, a wildlife refuge and educational facility 30 miles from Denver on the eastern plains. Believe it or not, this low-profile, Keenesburg nonprofit, home to more than 450 large animals, is the nation’s largest and oldest carnivore sanctuary, and the site of the[...]
Birding on Deck: Bird Feeding
Welcome to our third in a series of articles about backyard birding “On Deck!” The first thing to know when it comes to feeding your backyard birds is that there are different types of feed and feeders for different types of birds. It can, unfortunately, be a bit overwhelming for the beginner, as there’s a seemingly endless array of options and effects. There are “loose” feeders such tray, tube and house (or “hopper”) styles, suet or seed cylinders, bark butter pellets and tubs, and specialized feeders and food for birds such as hummingbirds, orioles and goldfinches. There are various placements[...]
