Real Estate & Relocation ^ Colorado

Liftoff!

Early this morning the balloons lifted off in the Rocky Mountain Balloon Festival.  I was shooting pictures up at  Roxborough Park above the balloon site.  It was so windy where I was, I didn't think the balloons would fly.  As I descended Long's Lookout I looked to the north and what a lovely site it was!  At least 50 balloons airborne against the horizon.

The Festival continues through Sunday.  Oh yes, there's a Balloon Glow this evening, if I can stay awake that long, I'll be there!

BTW photo was shot with a 400mm lens, f10 @ 1/500 sec.  As I said I was a few miles away as the crow flies.

It's Worth the Trip

This weekend at Chatfield State Park join in on the fun at the 2007 Rocky Mountain Balloon Festival with a liftoff at 6:30 a.m. Friday - Sunday.

This morning the weather wasn't good enough for a safe lift off, but several balloons did inflate to the delight of the crowd.  I overheard a pilot saying he's there more for a media event than anything else. 

No kidding.  Camera's were everywhere, pilots and crew were very relaxed and willing to let us shutterbugs crowd their spaces.  I loved being able to get right next to the balloon as they were inflating.  It is such a thrill to watch yards of flat fabric inflate into glorious kaleidocopes of color!

Overhead were the sounds of guys flying with parachutes and fans attached to their backsides.  At first I thought these were called "ultralights" but now I really don't know what they are called.  It certainly looked like a fun thing to do, assuming one wasn't afraid of heights!

The festivities will grow this weekend. Booths are set up at the park with demonstrations and food.  Set the alarm for "Oh dark-30", grab your group and head over to Chatfield State Park.  If you have a Colorado Park Pass you can park in the park for free.  If not, you can park outside adjacent to the park, but be prepared to walk.

Some folks like to bring lawn chairs and sit on the west side of Wadsworth, watching the event.  I prefer to be amongst the balloons as they grow into a colorful forest.  That is were the action is!

Oh and if you decide to chase the balloons as they land, the field to the north is full of cactus.  Don't make the same mistake I did last year by showing up in sandals!  Protect your feet by wearing hiking boots and watch your step!

As I left this morning I said a silent "thank you" to the people who show up in the middle of the night with their beautiful balloons.  They never know if they will get to fly that day until the sun shows up.  Just the same they come and put on a show for us.

Thank you Balloon pilots and crew, for making me and so many others smile today.  Yes, it's worth the trip.

Visit the HBA Parade of Homes at Southshore

Whether you are in need of a new home or not, the Home Builders Association Parade of Homes makes for an enjoyable afternoon.  Checking out the latest design trends and getting to see Aurora's newest and hottest subdivision at Southshore is worth the trip.

The Parade is manageable this year with five homes being featured. The custom home builders are:

• Remarc Homes presenting "Celebrations" at 7,200 square feet
• Hollyberry Homes showing off "The Boat House" with 3,800 square feet
• Village Homes with "The Shore House" at 6,168 square feet
• John Laing Homes scored well with "Trade Winds" at 3,796 square feet
• Rocky Mountain Custom Homes inspired us with "Montauk Point @Southshore" 6,200 square feet

Not surprising the designs this year focused on integrating out door living, due to the site's unusual and lovely setting at the shore of Aurora Reservoir.  Gracious decks, covered patio's complete with full outdoor kitchen's will encourage a homeowner to spend more time in the fresh air.

Media rooms and multiple flat screen TV's are still popular.  Granite finishes are being replaced with styled concrete, glass and other finishes.  White cabinets are making a reappearance (I question this, but then what do I know?).

My favorite feature are the wonderful closet finishes.  The closet has grown into a classy dressing room experience.  What gal wouldn't love to primp around in style with drawers and space for every cherished item and mirrors to help make sure "the look" is just right?  Closets are now part of the luxury experience, not just a dark, dingy place to hide the laundry!

If you want to make a trip to the Parade, be sure to schedule enough time to peruse the many vendors offering services and samples. You can purchase a lunch or snack on site. Parking is plentiful. 

If the Parade is not enough house looking for you, continue on to visit the many model homes offered throughout the Southshore area.  Make it a day of Lookie Louing.

The Parade of Homes runs now through Labor Day. Time 10:00 a.m. - 8 p.m. Friday is "date night" and open until 9 p.m. Take E-470 to Smoky Hill Road, go east and follow the signs to the "Parade of Homes at Southshore"

Denver Celebrates Blog Tour USA Fiesta

A group of bloggers from all over Colorado got together today to welcome the Sellsius guys from NYC.  Joe and Rudy have been touring the USA in an RV, meeting with bloggers and anyone who will take the time to talk to them. 

We had a great time networking and getting to meet people we had only known online, up until now.  Bloggers are a friendly, helpful bunch, that of course made the day even more thrilling.

One thing we all agreed upon, we need to do this more often. There is a strong need for us to learn how to be better at blogging and to keep up with the technology. From today's Fiesta, I believe something more organized will come.

Are you a Colorado Blogger? A beginning blogger? Interested in networking with other bloggers?  Drop me an e...

We've only just begun!

   

Happy Trails into the clouds

Last week I spent a few days with some clients who are relocating from Florida.  We took time to look at neighborhoods in several counties.  We finished up the orientation tour in Evergreen, Denver's bedroom mountain community.  To my delight, I had a few hours before my next appointment so I decided to motor up Mount Evans, the majestic peak we all see from the plains of Denver.

Funny or perhaps ironic as it is, I've lived in Colorado for many years and have never been to the top of Mount Evans.  It is not that I haven't tried, in fact twice this year I've tried to get up.  Once I started too late in the day. By the time we arrived the park was closed.  Instead we hung out at Echo Lake Lodge, photographing the humming birds who entertain and feed there. So the trip was not a total loss.

The next attempt was thwarted because we too early in the season. The Park opens  Memorial Day weekend, not sooner!  Once again I satisfied myself with photos of those hard to focus hummingbirds!

My lucky day finally came last week.  The weather was in the high 90's in Denver, since I was already enjoying the cool temperatures of the mountains, the last thing I wanted to do was go down to that heat, so I headed for the clouds.

My travels that day were most rewarding, the view from the summit was worth the trip. Standing at 14,264 feet above sea level, I could see forever.  It felt like the top of the world.

Just when I thought I couldn't get any happier, a mountain goat walked over and posed for me.  He stood still, not like the hummingbirds.  He made my week. No, my month.

I love serendipitous days like this.

Comcast La Piazza dell' Arte ~ June 23 & 24

Art takes to the street this weekend when artists demonstrate their talents in the 5th annual Comcast La Piazza dell' Arte show.

The popular Larimar Square will become a street museum for the weekend.  There will be food and drink served along with fun.

The festival will  be located between Speer Boulevard and 15th Street, and 14th Street from Market to Lawrence Streets.

For more information and photos from past events visit the Larimer Arts site