Following in the Anasazi’s (Extreme Adventuring) Footsteps at Mesa Verde National Park (Part II)

November 8, 2012 By

Hadley’s third grade class camping trip to Mesa Verde National Park wasn’t just about play (see Part 1). We were there to learn and spending only a few days exploring the archaeological sites and hundreds of cliff dwellings was worth weeks in the classroom.

Spruce Tree House

And what a cool classroom it was.

We were given National Park Service handouts that were specific to school groups with great questions like, “Visit the spring area and describe how a deep spring functions.” “Count the number of kivas and describe two possible functions.”  After exploring the Chapin Mesa Archeological Museum (be sure to watch the free, 15-minute film) we hiked the short, steep trail down to the Spruce Tree House.

“I feel like I’m gonna cry!” Haddie excitedly squealed.

She held it together but was thrilled to discover the third-largest Anasazi village in the park with 130 rooms and eight kivas (places of worship) that was constructed sometime between AD 1211 and 1278. Because of its protected location hugging the cliffs, it is well preserved and made for some fun explorations.

Grinding food

When I informed Haddie she could climb down into a kiva, she cut me off and hurriedly prepared donning her headlamp, gloves and compass. I didn’t have the heart to tell Adventure Girl she was simply climbing down a ladder and not doing some extreme backcountry mountaineering expedition.

Also, it helps when your headlamp doesn’t cover your eyes.

From there, it was onto the Balcony House for the highlight of our entire trip. This is a ranger-guided tour only (purchase $3 tickets for the one-hour tours at the Far View Visitor Center) and Ranger P.T. was informative, fun and engaging. This medium-size cliff dwelling had 45 rooms and two kivas but what made it so awesome was the adventure that went with it.

From the stellar views.

To the beautiful hike.

To crawling through a 12-foot tunnel, then climbing a series of toe-holds in a cleft of the cliff.

Precipitous cliff scaling

But the coolest feature of all: a 32-foot ladder. Well, cool unless you’re afraid of heights in which case, it was terrifying for a few people.

Of course, Adventure Girl had no problem. She could have even done it blindfolded blinded by her headlamp.

After scaling the ladder, we huddled together on the edge of a kiva. P.T. shared the rich history of the Ancient Puebloans and how they believe their ancestors emerged from the Third World through a sacred hole known as Sipapu to the Fourth World where we were sitting.

The lore wove its mythical spell and the children were entranced. As we looked out at the hundred-mile views of Mesa Verde’s wind-swept mesas and the azure desert sky in our outdoor classroom, anything seemed possible.

And I guess that’s the point of an experiential education.

Filed Under: Colorado, Family travel, Hadley, hiking, outdoors, travel

Surviving (and thriving) a class camping trip to Mesa Verde National Park

November 7, 2012 By

The main reason we switched Hadley to her new Waldorf charter school was for their experiential, arts-based education. The week before school started, we received an email from her new teacher announcing the first class field trip in early-October would be a three-day camping trip to Mesa Verde National Park.

[Insert Haddie's squeal of delight here. OK, if we're really being honest I did it, too. Hence the reason I signed up to chaperone.]

Spruce Tree House

I had only been to Mesa Verde briefly many years ago when I was writing about the Four Corners region (see the article here). With some of the best-preserved cliff dwellings in a world, the 81-square mile national park in southwestern Colorado features more than 4,000 archeological sites and 600 cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloan people.

In third grade speak: “This is soooooo cool.”

It had the makings of a disaster: 23 kids, a 7.5-hour drive and many children were away from their parents for the first time or were camping newbies. But it was one of my most enjoyable camping trips ever. Not only were the kids angels but 12 incredibly capable parent chaperones took three days off work to accompany the class.

Getting There is Half the Fun

Remember the 7.5-hour drive? That’s not counting gas stops and a lunch break so we spent a good portion of our day in the car. Before you start feeling sorry for me, it was one of the most beautiful drives I’ve ever done in Colorado and the fall colors were at their peak. In the wintertime, Wolf Creek Pass outside of Pagosa Springs is treacherous. In the fall? A different story.

Durango, Colo.

View from car window from Mesa Verde

But still, after a long drive like that you have to wonder is this going to be worth it? That, and more.

 Campin’

We stayed at Morefield Campground in Mesa Verde, which has single and group camping sites. The first item of business was helping the kids set up camp. Hadley was assigned to a tent with five other girls and my co-parent Christine and I helped them set-up, after which there was plenty of time to explore, eat, snuggle up for storytime and eat some more.

If there’s a tree, Haddie will climb it

The party grove. I was never invited. #shocker

Tent mates at breakfast

Dinner

Bustling camp

I scored and set-up my tent in a cossetted site tucked away in the trees.

Christine made the mistake of pitching her tent mere feet away from the girls so guess who they went to all night long for their needs? “Don’t worry,” I assured her. “I’ll take care of them on our second night.”

They miraculously slept straight through. [Insert evil, relieved cackle here]

For once, luck was on my side.

Stay tuned tomorrow for our adventures in Mesa Verde National Park, including scaling a 30-foot ladder. Go here to read that post.

Filed Under: Colorado, Family travel, Hadley, hiking, outdoors Tagged With:

Steamboat Springs: Adventures at the Upper Fish Creek Falls

November 6, 2012 By

Every Colorado resort has one: a popular hike that is bombarded with tourists in the summertime. In Steamboat Springs, that hike is 283-foot Fish Creek Falls in the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. And for good reason. It is:

1) Lovely. The falls spill over a hanging valley, formed at the junction where a small glacier joined a larger one.

2) Accessible (only four miles from downtown Steamboat Springs).

3) Easy. From the upper lot (which has a $5 fee to park), it is only a 1/4-mile trek to the falls with some scenic picnic areas.

During my October visit to Steamboat Springs to speak at the Governor’s Tourism Conference, I resolved to hike the still-popular yet not as frequented Upper Fish Creek Falls, a 4-mile round-trip hike. But here’s the catch: a storm was blowing in and I needed to drive back to Denver. And the trail was pretty unrelenting and steep.

But I was a woman on a mission. I hoofed it through the conifer forest with its Englemann spruce and Douglas firs for what seemed like an eternity (really, it was only 50 minutes) until I was finally rewarded above treeline with this stunning view of Steamboat Springs and the Yampa Valley.

I chugged along another 10 minutes before I finally reached the falls. For anyone keeping track, it took me one hour to hike 2 miles, attesting to 1) The trail’s steep pitch or 2) That I’m more out of shape than I thought.

The Upper Falls. This picture taken as a testimony I actually made it.

For those ambitious sorts, Fish Creek Falls is the jumping-off point for miles of hikes and the 6-mile hike to Long Lake leads to the Continental Divide trail where the real backcountry explorations can begin.

But that time around, I was perfectly happy with my four-miler.

Filed Under: Colorado, Family travel, hiking, Humor, travel Tagged With:

My Coronado Island Love Story Begins

October 15, 2012 By

Remember my AMAZING trip to Coronado Island a few weeks ago?

Welp, I’ll be dedicating several more posts about it because I loved it just that much.

Hotel del Coronado

Check it out at Travel Mamas and stay tuned for even more adventures!

Just as soon as I get around to writing them, of course.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Family travel, travel

The ultimate in fall family travel

October 2, 2012 By

I’m excited to be part of an amazing team of travel writers at Travel Mamas where I’ll be contributing twice a month.

Translation: I have some FUN adventures on the horizon, including details of my trip to Coronado Island.

I’m always babbling on about Colorado’s giant pumpkin weigh-offs but did you know these events are held all over the nation? That’s right, folks. Jamie’s crazy is not limited within the confines of this great state.

So, please head over to Travel Mamas (click here) to get an inside scoop on where these fun events are held. I’ve also included some craaaaazy pictures of the world’s biggest pumpkins.

This ain’t one of them. But he sure is cute.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Family travel, pumpkins

Summer 2012: It’s a WRAP!

August 21, 2012 By

We’re currently in back-to-school mode but I’d be remiss if I didn’t post about some forgotten moments of summer.

Or rather, soon-to-be forgotten because I have the worst memory ever.

Of course, there was our trip to Calgary to visit my family, whom I’m missing like crazy. From My Favorite Ice Cream Shoppe.

Cute cousins
Attacking my bro Pat
Disturbing family pic w/ niece Emily, SIL Jane & creeper Pat
Overlooking downtown Calgary

To my almost-daily bike rides with Dad all over the city. Dude is in his 70s and still cranking out 20 miles/ride.

Not to be forgotten is our better-than epic trip to Disneyland to witness the opening of Cars Land.

‘Twas definitely in the Top 3 Vacations Ever.

And that means a lot because we’ve been on some killer trips.

Like this one to YMCA of the Rockies Estes Park.

We also had plenty of local adventures such as Heritage Square. I did a write-up at Mile High Mamas about it and between the alpine slide, amusement park and new Miner’s Maze Adventure, the kids had a blast.

Water Walkerz a.k.a. “hamster balls” were a hit

The claustrophobic need not attempt.

And then there were plenty of activities with the youth from our church. Every Tuesday night, they congregate for fun or service and my kids are always delighted when I let them tag along.

Like this boating adventure at Chatfield State Park.

Haddie tubing behind the boat w/ her two babysitters
Stomp rocket fun; minor nailing of geese involved

The weather turned really blustery and we were delighted our group of 30 had the beach to ourselves.

Fair-weather wussies.

On another youth activity, we hit Bear Creek Lake State Park for some good ol’ fashioned crawdad fishing, swimming and playing.

Building the crawdad swimming hole

And the scariest of the youth activities: tubing down Clear Creek. The Adventure Kids had a blast navigating the rapids.

Until they rode with me and we flipped backward and capsized. Want to talk about scary mom moments as I tried to swim upstream to collect them? I prefer not to. Big-time #MomFail.

But I made up for it on our final getaway before school at the Omni Interloken Resort in Broomfield where we endlessly played in the pool, fine-dined and scavenger-hunted with their Camp Omni program.

Poolside with the Honey
Snowcones at H2O Pool Bar

And, of course, we have to end with Hadley and Bode’s television debuton 9News.

Dear Denver Summer 2012: You about killed me with your record-breaking streak of 100-degree days in June and July.

But you’re definitely a summer we’ll never forget.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Bode, Family travel, Hadley, Humor, Jamie Tagged With:

How Omni Hotels’ Appetizer Changed My Life

August 18, 2012 By

During our fun staycation at Omni Hotel Interloken, we were thrilled to have breakfast and dinner at Meritage, their signature resort restaurant.

We ate a lot. Jamie had the Land and Sea with lobster and buffalo tenderloin while I opted for the 16-spice Chicken with blackberry licorice reduction, green onion mashed potatoes and glazed carrots.

It was every bit as unique and tasty as it sounded.

The kid’s menu had a great variety of food, including Captain Nemo’s Fish Plate (Hadley), Little Paisan Pasta and Red Sauce (Bode) and Yosemite Sam Sliders.

Following the meal, Bode groaned he couldn’t eat another bite but I secretly ordered them a worms in dirt dessert (cookies smashed in chocolate pudding with gummy worms). When our server brought them to the table, Bode perked up and I interjected, “Oh no! But you’re too full to eat this!”

“That’s OK,” he bravely countered. “I CAN MAKE IT!”

What a trooper.

But the appetizer we ordered? I’ve been dreaming about it ever since and the best news of all: the hotel is a mere 15 minutes from my house so I envision many date nights there. The glorious appetizer was Grilled Flatbread Portobello with tomatoes, Haystack Mountain goat cheese, portobello mushrooms, onions and artichokes.

I’m not kidding when I say it was so good it almost reduced me to tears (foodies will understand that rare time when you find a dish that so perfectly matches your palate).

“Jamie, I’m not kidding when I say this is the best appetizer I’ve ever had.”
“Whatever.”
“No, I’m serious. Can you think of anything we’ve eaten that is better?”
“Yes I can. The Blooming Onion at Outback Steakhouse.”

At least one of us has taste.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Bode, Family travel, Humor, Jamie Tagged With:

Denver’s family-friendly hotel: Omni Interloken Resort and the local conspiracy

August 17, 2012 By

I’ve lost track of how many times out-of-state strangers have emailed me and asked for advice on vacationing in Denver. Though I can keep ‘em busy for weeks with local activities, I always draw a blank when they’re looking for hotel recommendations.

So when Omni Hotels contacted me a couple of weeks ago and invited my family to stay at the Omni Interloken Resort in Broomfield to check-out their new Camp Omni program for kids, I jumped at the chance. The timing was perfect to have a final summer getaway and we prefaced our stay with back-to-school shopping at nearby FlatIron Crossing.

The Local Omni Conspiracy

There’s a conspiracy at Omni and the worst part about it is I was left out.

I’ve driven past this four-diamond, 290-room resort a number of times but with its 27-hole golf course overlooking stunning panoramas of the mountains, I figured it was a hotel that catered to the conference-center crowd.

Oh, how wrong I was.

First, there is Camp Omni (stay tuned for details on that). Second, there are oodles of kid-friendly amenities. When we arrived, their two luxurious outdoor pools were bustling with families as kick-back parents ordered poolside service from H2O or skipped off to Mokara Spa.

I was curious where they were from. Though Broomfield is conveniently located a stone’s throw between Denver and Boulder off Highway 36, it’s not exactly an in-demand destination.

The responses shocked me: “I’m from Erie.” ” Louisville.” “Denver.” “Littleton.” I’m sure there were families from out-of-state there but everyone I talked to was local. One very pregnant mom even opted to skip their annual vacation to Vail so they have a staycation close to home.

“It’s great,” she said. “We feel like we’re a million miles away with the kids and yet we can race home and let the dogs out without springing for a dog sitter.”

Now, that is a vacation.

Camp Omni

First things first, Camp Omni isn’t exactly a camp but rather, a fun promotion designed for families. Upon check-in, each child received a welcome backpacking with s’mores-flavored marshmallows, collapsible water bottle and a lanyard kit.

We were also given a well-planned and easy scavenger hunt, which helped the kids discover the hotel as they raced from clue to clue. The kids had a blast and this is what was included:

  • 15% discount on deluxe accommodations (minimum two-night stay)
  • Complimentary breakfast for kids 12 and under from the buffet or children’s menu
  • $10 gift card for kids to use anywhere in the hotel
  • Camp newsletter with scavenger hunt that is redeemable for a merit badge and ‘dirt & worms’ dessert upon completion
  • Pre-call from camp counselor (concierge)
Scavenger Hunt

Pricing is from $155 per night (based on two kids per room) and the promotion runs until September 16, 2012. Here’s for hoping they’ll plan to do it again in 2013.

Other Family-friendly Fun
Between the pool and scavenger hunt, the kids were plenty entertained during our one-night stay but that wasn’t all. Every Friday and Saturday night during the summer, they have a “Dive-in” Movie at sundown complete with popcorn.
But there is more. The Omni also hosts the Butterfly Pavilion on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. through September 16, 2012. Kids crowded around the rock-star staffer who brought invertebrate friends to see and touch. They were fascinated by this interactive science education and the highlight was everyone got to take a turn holding Rosie, the Butterfly Pavilion’s famous tarantula.
“Everyone” meaning brave kids. I chose to cower in the background with the other moms. 

Stay tuned tomorrow for the Omni’s fine dining and the appetizer that changed my life.

And no, I’m not exaggerating. 
 

A special thanks to Omni Resorts for hosting my family!
© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Family travel, Humor Tagged With:

My mother’s horror and our best Canadian day ever

July 31, 2012 By

I’m a sucker for traditions and on our trip to Calgary, we instituted a new one.

Much to my mother’s horror.

Remember when I let the kids jump into Fish Creek fully-clothed and we had the best night ever?

They begged my dad and me to take them back during the day so they could wear their swim suits. We went to our favorite spot: the ice caves. Remember last winter when we literally walked on water?

It’s a much different scene in the summer.

 We were delighted to stumble upon some kids who were attempting to catch minnows and they graciously loaned us their nets. 

Who knew miniature carp could be so fascinating?

Grandpa also held a tutorial on skipping rocks.

I only got pegged once.

But what unfolded next is still causing my mother sleepless nights. When we were at this area last summer, we saw some teens who were covered in mud. I didn’t think much of it–they had climbed straight up a precipitous cliff to get there and risking life and limb didn’t appeal to me. This summer, some teens emerged who’d done the same thing but it wasn’t until I saw a family of four take a much tamer path up the mountain that I decided to investigate.

“C’mon, Hadley,” I barked. We were Johnson girls on a mission.

We climbed for a few minutes until we stumbled upon a trail that was covered in mud. Thinking this was the final destination, Hadley and I called the boys up to come check it out. We then, of course, got dirty.

Really dirty.

Bode and my Dad joined us and Bode tepidly stepped into the mud. His shoe sank. He panicked and soon his other shoe got stuck, he freaked a bit and I thought he was having nothin’ to do with that mud.

Until Grandpa saved the day.

While Hadley and I had assumed this was the final destination, my dad forged forward through the mud and continued upward on the dry trail. And that, my friends, is when we stumbled upon a mucky, oozing wonderland: the mud pits. There were literally pools and slides of mud.

“Well get in!” I squealed.

My kids hesitated. Could it be? The woman who is always saying “stay out of the mud” was actually encouraging it?

They never looked back.

Muddy kids w/ view of Fish Creek below
Cooling off later at Annie’s Bakery & Cafe

 And we’re counting down the days until we can do it again next summer.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Bode, Canada, Family, Family travel, Favorite Posts, Hadley

A Day in the Canadian Countryside

July 27, 2012 By

One of my favorite outings when I come home to Calgary is going to the Millarville Farmer’s Market. Located about 30 minutes southwest of Calgary, this small community is dripping with nostalgia with its sweeping pastoral views and old-timer charm.

I would be the old-timer.

And their farmer’s market? It’s one of the largest and most successful of the Alberta-Approved Farmers’ Markets and is chock full of my childhood goodies. Favorites include saskatoon berry jams and syrups (we’re bringing some home for Jamie), oodles of beef, crafts, gluten-free, glorious bakery items and a montage of ethnic selections (Thai and Indian are my favorites–still reeling over the mango butternut squash soup I sampled).

Did I mention it was 72 degrees? I was in heaven and so were the kids.

Bode driving the tractor. See that blue backside behind the wheel? Thus were the remains of Hadley.

My mom is turtle-obsessed and many of her treasures were destroyed in their garage fire. They added this turtle solar lamp to their collection.

I’ve decided I’m in love with beavers. Here’s Bode staring one down.

Old buck-tooth totally won. There’s no competing when you’re sporting a Canadian flag.

And our lunch of champions? Kettle corn, pina colada fudge, Skor fudge, French fries and fresh peas.

Give us a break–we’re on vacation.

When we left Millarville a couple of hours later, Dad suggested instead of going back to Calgary on the 22X (highway), we try to find a charming country church he loves on the backroads around Millarville.

We never found it and ended up doing a big detour through country hamlet Black Diamond and then Okotoks, which has grown to a bustling city of 30,000.


We used to nickname it “Hickville” when I was a teenager, which just shows how old I really am.

“Let’s stop at Bulk Barn in Okotoks,” my mom suggested.

Now, I don’t know about you but anything with “bulk” and “barn” are not very alluring. But do you know what? I’ve never seen anything like it. Bulk Barn is a veritable bulk foods emporium with over 4,000 products and is Canada’s largest bulk food retailer. Rows upon rows of bins with the most amazing selections, many of which I’d never heard of–everything from soup to nuts, candy and snacks, baking ingredients, health food and pie fillings.

Hadley tried Turkish delight, I freaked over plantains and mango-flavored craisins (I brought home a bunch for salad), and Bode fell in love with  creamsicle Big Feet (like orange-flavored Swedish fish in the shape of feet). Talk about getting your hand caught in the cookie jar.

Or rather, the bulk food bins.

But the item I was most excited about? In the baking section, they had a large selection of various kinds of chocolate for making desserts. I have a snickerdoodle bread recipe and have been trying to track down the requisite cinnamon chips to make it. Bulk Barn didn’t have them but had something even better: lemon chips. I’m totally making some cream cheese oatmeal cookies with lemon and  white chocolate chips with coconut.
.

Now is the time for my local friends to start sucking up.

Or that should be “puckering up.”

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Bode, Canada, Family travel, Hadley
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