Tabernash Tavern Review

 
 
our waitress, Colleen

our waitress, Colleen

We had another outing to Tabernash Tavern last week and we thought we should share our experience – it was a good one!

 Sarah’s brother was in town from Minnesota with his wife and two sons plus Sarah’s neice and parents (ah, yes, a lot of family).  Thursday night was their last hurrah before heading back on Friday. 

The eight of us rolled in just in time for our reservation at 6pm. We strongly recommend making reservations at the Tavern – even on a weekday night. It is almost always packed.  We were quickly seated at a nice table in the middle of the dining room.

Colleen, our waitress, was very nice as everyone has been in there each time we go. We had incredible meals but Sarah’s was voted the best – Beef Tournedos – wow!!! And we split the calamari and cheese/meat plate for appetizers. Both excellent. They always have different cheese on the plate and it’s always interesting to try.

We skipped dessert because Sarah’s mom made pies and more dessert than we could eat in a week back in home.   I know it would not have disappointed. 

Still a top favorite – you gotta try it. Where is it? Easy – go thru Winter Park towards Fraser, pass thru Fraser and then in about 3 miles, you will get to Tabernash. It’s on the right. Only fine dining in the town – you can’t miss it, well, unless you blink. 

Note: be sure you go to the one in Tabernash. Great ambiance – rustic remodeled building.  The Tabernash Tavern at the Iron Horse is not as nice – more of a hotel-like feel and a whole different experience. It’s worth the drive to the one in Tabernash! Here’s the number: (970) 726-4430‎.

Rafting in the Rockies

 
 

The Rocky Mountains are one of the premier places to find both relaxing river floats and high adrenaline raft trips. Here in Winter Park we have 3 great  local raft guide companies. All of which offer  trips on either the Colorado or Clear Creek rivers, or both. One even offers overnight trips for the more adventurous outdoorsy types.  All of these companies are based in Winter Park where WPLBO can provide you with outstanding accomodations to return to after your long day on the river. Be sure to speak with a guide before you go to find out exactly what you need to bring, and what equipment you can rent from them.

Clear Creek rapids

Clear Creek rapids

  Adventures in Whitewater

The owners of Adventures in Whitewater, Travis and Helena Powell, are long time Winter Park residents and life-long rafters. They provide everything you could possibly need for your trip on the river, all you have to do is show up with a need for excitement.  A average full day is $58/pp and a 1/2 day is $48/pp. They also offer Duckie trips, individual inflatable kayaks. They are lots of fun in the rapids.

Check them out at http://adventuresinwhitewater.com/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx.  You can book online or give them a call at 1-877-321-RAFT.

 

 

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 Red Tail Rafting

When you book a trip with Red Tail Rafting, you will ride the whitewater of the legendary Upper Colrado River through Class II and III rapids. You might talk your guide into stopping at the relaxing natural hot spring, or for the more daring jumping off the the appropriately named “Jump Rock”.  A full day is $65/pp and a 1/2 day is $50/pp.  Snacks and transportation are provided. 

To book, give them a call at 888-8-GO-RAFT or check out their website for more info, http://redtailrafting.com/index_files/Page375.htm.

 

madadventures_logo2

Mad Adventures   

Mad adventures rafting trips are for all ages,  from 4-104. OK, maybe not quite all ages, but everyone is guaranteed to have a fantastic time. They offer trips on both class III and IV rated Clear Creek for , and on the more family friendly class II and III Upper Colorado. They even offer overnight trips custom fit to your needs.  Their prices range from $39/pp for a 1/2 day to $299/pp for the 3 day overnight trip. Check out their web site at http://www.madadventures.com/index.phpm or give them a call at 800-451-4844.

 

Easter Activities in Winter Park

 
 

 

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Downtown Activities

This coming Easter Weekend will be quite festive here in Winter Park.  Saturday, the Chamber is sponsoring an Easter Egg hunt for children of all ages. The activities start at 11:00am in Hideaway Park and will include games and egg hunts for different age levels. Be sure to bring your own basket to collect your eggs, and keep your eyes open for the Easter bunny, he’s sure to make an appearance. For more information call the Chamber at 970.726.4118.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!

 

WPRA Activities

The Winter Park Ski Resort is also having an action packed Sunday. For the little ones, 5 and under, there will be a non-skiing candy hunt in the Zephyr plaza at 12:00pm. 

Skiing kids, ages 5-10, will have a candy hunt on Porcupine and Bobcat runs at 12:00pm.  If your kids are into racing, you can register them for a “fun race” that will take place on Lower Village Way from 12:15- 1:30. Registration is from  8:30-11:00am in the Balcony House.

On the artistic side, the winner and runner’s up for the coloring contest will be decided on Sunday as well. To download your entry go to www.winterparkresort.com or stop by the Balcony House to pick one up. The contest is open for kids ages 1-10, and prizes are given to each age group, 1-3, 4-6, and 7-10. 

Any questions about any of these events, please call 970.726.1564 for more information.

Star of India a new star among Winter Park Restaurants

 
 
A New Star in Winter Park!

A New Star in Winter Park!

A new star has been added to the list of Winter Park restaurants. Star of India, located on the second level in the Cooper Creek Square, adds some new flavors to your dining choices.

Ike Cheema, the owner, seems to have a great staff and a fun atmosphere. They serve a bountiful lunch buffet from 11:00 – 2:30 pm for just $8.95. I especially liked the creamy spinach and chicken dish, and the rice pudding for dessert. 

 They are open Tuesday through Sunday, from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm.  To see their web site and check out the full menu go to http://starofindiawp.com/. For reservations call 970 726 5981.

 

 To see their full menu go to http://www.starofindiawp.com/menu.html

Star of India Manager & Owner

Star of India Manager & Owner

Pole Creek Golf Course Opening Day: May 22nd!

 
 
New Clubhouse at Pole Creek

New Clubhouse at Pole Creek

I just visited the site of the new Pole Creek Club House yesterday and was excited to see the progress on the new clubhouse. It’s so much bigger and grander than the old one.

They are planning on opening Memorial Day Weekend, May 22nd. With the new electric carts, a new irrigation system, and the new clubhouse, it is like playing at a whole new course. 

 Click here to make a tee time or call 970 887 9195. The new restuarant, Bistro 28, will be open for breakfast at 7:30am everyday and then for dinner, 5:00 – 9:00pm,  Thursday – Saturday.

Why Cook? Call Kate!

 
 

pad thaiKate LeVasseur, long time Fraser Valley resident, wants to be your personal chef. Kate’s passion for food and cooking has helped her to find this great outlet for her culinary creativity. As it says on her web site, why go through the hastle of cooking for yourself or fighting the crowds at the restaurants, when you can have a home-made meal waiting for you when you get off the slopes or head in after a round of golf. Her menus are always custom fit to each guest, and since she is not satisfied with anything standard, the dishes she prepares will always have an exotic twist on things. She can even make meatloaf exciting!  You can choose the level of preparation that works for you, she will pack a nice lunch, leave a “heat and eat meal” in your fridge, or fully prepare, cook, and clean up a gourmet dinner at your home.

Kate is also an avid rafter who’s  been on too many raft trips to count. Everyone looks forward to her meals, even on the river where amenities are limited. Read about one rafter’s recent trip with Kate where she prepared a fantastic Pad Thai dish. http://www.skyhidailynews.com/article/20080613/MISC05/570357271&parentprofile=search.

Check out her web site at www.lemasterwrites.com/wpchefkate. To contact her about rates and dates, please call 970.531.8069, or email her at wpchefkate@yahoo.com.

Winter Park Wedding Ideas – Part Two

 
 

Let’s say you already know where you are having your wedding in Winter Park. You’ve got the lodging arranged (through WPLBO of course), the wedding site figured out and the meals planned. Now it’s time for details, I’m thinking flowers in particular. A wedding without flowers is like a tree without leaves, or something.

You can have your Winter Park wedding supplied with beautiful fresh flowers from our very own local company – Pick Me flower service.  Owners Kara Daley and Rami Carter not only design amazing flower arrangements, they also provide personal wedding coordination to help you with all of the other details, such as a theme, lighting and more. They work one-on-one with each client to really help you make the wedding you’ve imagined a reality. They have coordination and flower arrangement packages at a few different price levels, too.

They now have a store in downtown Winter Park next to Rudi’s Deli. For info you can email info@pickmewp.com.  Here are some examples of some of the work they can do for your wedding.

Winter Park Jazz Fest Line-up Announced

 
 

jazz-fest-1-2Yeah! Part of the line-up of the 2009 Winter Park Jazz Festival has already been announced, with more artists still to be announced in the coming weeks. Since I’ve lived in Winter Park, the Jazz Fest line-up hasn’t been announced until late May or early June, so this is a record!

I’m not a really big Jazz music fan, so I can’t tell you much about these artists, but I can say that the Jazz Fest weekend is one of the most happenin’ weekends of the summer in Winter Park.  I  love going to the shows and being out in the action. Last year was a great time, the weather was perfect and I was introduced to some really good Jazz performers, like Kelly Sweet and Dave Koz (pictured here). 

Oh, I almost forgot. Winter Park Lodging by Owner has some premier condos in a prime location for the Jazz Fest. They’re called the Trailhead Lodge condos, and they’re so close to the festival grounds, you can even watch the festival from the balcony one of them. Plus, they’re finishing up an outdoor pool and hot tubs this summer – we’ve heard they’ll be ready by July!

Here is what we know so far:

Saturday, July 25th

  • Fourplay
  • Warren Hill
  • War

Sunday, July 26th

  • Boney James
  • Sax for Stax
  • Rippingtons

We’ve updated our website with the Jazz Fest line-up as well. Keep checking back to get updates on the line-up, ticket prices and more.

Winter Park Snow Report

 
 

winter-park-snowflakeAs I’m looking out at the blizzard that has engulfed Winter Park I was wondering how much of the white flufffy stuff are we going to get from this storm.  This led me to Google the Winter Park snow report to get the official lowdown on the snow totals.  Anywho, what I’m trying to say is that snowforecast.com is the best snow indicator out there on the web for Winter Park/Mary Jane.  What they are showing is this doozy of a storm will drop about a foot a powder on top of the two feet we have gotten in the last week.  It may be spring down in the lowlands but up here in the Rockies it is the best time of year to ski.  Check out Winter Park Lodging by Owners top ten reasons to ski in April!  Come on up and get your last turns of the year in under our Colorado blue skies and don’t forget that the Winter Park Spring Splash is on April19th.  After April13th adults ski for $40 and kids for $25.  Mention you saw the Winter Park Loding by Owner winter park snow report blog and get your 4th night free.

Fraser Valley Library – Children’s Reading Time

 
 
Joy leading the children's reading time

Joy leading the children's reading time

You may be the lucky one who gets to stay home with the little one(s) while everyone else goes skiing.  You may not have thought you were lucky, but you could change your mind if you go over to the Fraser Valley Library on Monday or Tuesday at 10am each week. 
Pop in and join the gang lead by Joy for children’s reading hour.  Joy always starts the group out singing songs and then has a theme for a few books and activities she goes thru with the kiddos. 
Yes, very few are paying attention at all times, but it’s a fun (and funny) hour to spend with other moms, dads, grandparents and nannies and the kids love it.  She also passes around a plate of cookies for the kiddos and it’s completely acceptable for the adults to snag one too (bonus!).   Stay afterward for socializing and playtime with the many toys and books they have in the reading room. 

Willem enjoying his cookie

Willem enjoying his cookie

Need a few books for yourself? Fraser Valley Library is good about having programs to lend books to out of towners, so go across the hall and pick up The Last Lecture (my latest favorite), or Eat, Love, Pray (one I’m reading now).  Willem enjoying his chocolate chip cookieDo you know how to sing Ickity Pickity? You won’t be able to stop after an hour with Joy.  It’s addictive…