Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2008 - (Page 11) Spring (Above 8,500 feet: April to mid-June. Below 8,500 feet: late March through May) Summer (Above 8,500 feet: late June to late August. Below 8,500 feet: June to mid-September) Fall (Above 8,500 feet: September to early October. Below 8,500 feet: late September to early November) 01 Surge down a roaring river on a guidedrafting or solo-kayaking trip (page 32). 02 Scream down a zip line as you soar high above evergreen forests and over deep chasms at a mountain adventure park. 03 Find yourself knee-deep in the vibrant wildflowers that cover the prairies of Colorado’s two national grasslands. 04 Twists, turns and stomach-dropping falls are in abundance at the opening of amusement park season. 05 Watch the annual migration of sandhill cranes — an incredible spectacle that draws birdwatchers from around the world — at the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge as well as near the town of Eckert. 06 Learn to rock climb under the tutelage of a qualified instructor and amaze yourself at what you can accomplish in just one afternoon (page 40). 07 Challenge the rapids while river boarding — which is sometimes called “sledging.” Zip up the wet suit, strap on the helmet and grab tight to your board as the current propels you down river. 08 Catch the Rockies’ season opener, when the boys of summer return to Coors Field to face some of baseball’s best (page 78). 09 Shout with glee as you zoom down a mountain aboard an alpine slide. Ride tandem or make a solo trip at top speed. 10 Lather up the sunscreen and ski in short sleeves during the warm and clear days of a Rocky Mountain spring (page 46). 01 Visit a local farmers market. Chat with the growers to uncover sun-ripened food and family traditions (page 67). 02 Learn to windsurf one of Colorado’s lakes and reservoirs, where the wind is gentle and steady. 03 Fly-fish during the mayfly hatch on the Arkansas, Colorado or Gunnison rivers for your best chance to snag a 20-inch trout on a dry fly (page 174). 04 Travel to the prairie — where starlight outmatches city lights — to watch shooting stars bounce off the atmosphere like pebbles on a pond during the Perseid Meteor Shower in August. 05 Set up a tent in a grove of aspens and camp beneath the shadow of a 14,000-foot mountain peak. 06 Let the sounds of world-renowned musicians ring through the warm summer night as you take in an outdoor concert or annual music festival (page 58). 07 Catch the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo, or any of the many county fairs held across the state. You’ll indulge in down-home cooking and enjoy Colorado customs (page 198). 08 Hop aboard a historic and scenic narrow- or standard-gauge train for a trip through the past (page 62). 09 Water-ski on Colorado’s many lakes and reservoirs — you don’t even need your own boat, just rent one at a marina (page 38). 10 Take a quiet walk or challenging hike into one of the state’s many wilderness areas, and let your thoughts wander (page 28). 01 Drive one of the state’s scenic and historic byways to watch the aspens change from shimmering green to glowing gold and orange (page 22). 02 Find yourself in the throng of an annual cultural event, such as the Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Heritage Festival (Estes Park) or the Council Tree Pow-Wow (Delta). 03 Stain your feet purple as you stomp grapes at a grape stomp during fall wine festivals. 04 Take a haunted tour through a historic slice of Colorado’s past, and hear ghost stories of miners, madams and cowboys. 05 Drink a draught at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver. 06 Settle in for an evening of theater, dance and orchestral music as performing arts companies around the state begin a new season (page 58). 07 Cheer until you’re red in the face at a Denver Broncos home game. 08 Listen to the echoing bugle of elk in Rocky Mountain National Park, or during Elk Fest in nearby Estes Park. 09 Pamper yourself like frontier royalty, or live like a true-grit cowboy at one of the state’s dude ranches. 10 Fall is perfect for playing a round of mountain golf — tee times are easy to come by, as are the views of fall color (page 44). 1-800-Colorado | www.colorado.com 11 http://www.colorado.com
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