Colorado Springs fire 2012

We are all in shock here. Last Saturday afternoon during my son's baseball game, we spotted smoke on the mountain side. We all decided it must be a house fire because it looked very close to town. Just an hour later this smoke pole grew into a much bigger one, and we've learned it was Waldo Canyon fire. 

The weather in Colorado has been extremely hot since mid June - no rain and very low humidity. All these factors created perfect conditions for this fire to grow quickly. For us personally, it's a little better now than it was 2 days ago. The fire is moving north, and we live in southern Colorado Springs. We have not been told to evacuate, but we have our things ready. It is smoky and we feel a bit panicky as we are only about 12-14 miles away from the fire now. Yesterday this fire moved on the grounds of the Air Force Academy, and NOW (after 4 days of burning) federal sources are finally getting involved. President Obama will arrive tomorrow, so we hope things will get better very soon.

Meanwhile, I've been taking tourists outside of the city, down south to the Royal Gorge and rafting on the Arkansas River. Garden of the Gods is closed (fire is just west of it) and very smoky, many other popular attractions are closed too. 

More Europeans will visit Colorado. Guess why?

About a month ago I've learned about new Airline from Europe will start flying to Colorado this year. If you are in the airline industry, you probably know how hard it is for any U.S. airport to land a new international contract, especially if you are not a major airport on the U.S. East cost. So, guess what? DIA did it again! Denver is a new destination for Icelandic Airlines.
Their very first direct flight will take place on May 10, 2012 from Reykjavik, Iceland to Denver, Colorado, USA. We are thrilled about it! Iceland is the most western lying country in Europe, and Reykjavik International airport is s very busy place, meaning we will receive more tourists, and as Colorado tour guide I'll get more work! :)))
So, welcome newcomers from Europe and Asia to Colorado!!!
Honestly, I have my own (kinda professional) reason to cheer this fact, because I'll have a client flying on that very first flight - it's a small group of senior citizens form Iceland coming to visit our beautiful state for the first time. We will do bunch of different local tours with them originated in Colorado Springs, CO.

U.S. Women’s Open at The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs

July 4-10, 2011 one of the greatest golf events going to be held at The Broadmoor Hotel. It is the U.S. Women’s Open! We are going, probably on the 4th of July. You can find all the information here.

Chaffee County or Now you are in Colorado

Week or so ago I've made a day trip to Salida, CO. This town is located a little over 100 miles south-west of Colorado Springs. The day was gorgeous, just right for me and my little adventure!
When you leave Canon City and continue west on highway 50, you are literally getting further away from Central Colorado populated areas and into the Rocky Mountains. The road lies right along the Arkansas River, on the bottom of shallow mountain canyon, and this drive west is very beautiful. I saw a good dozen fishermen on the river, a couple river rafts were going down stream even though the water is still low this time a year, twice I've spotted big horn sheep grazing on the other side of the river.
The coolest thing on the road was the sign where you leave Fremont county and enter the Chaffee: "Now you are in Colorado".

Both extremes in Colorado in one month

Both extreme temps took place in Colorado within month of February 2011. Beginning of the month was extremely cold with temperatures down to 23 below in the day time, and even 30 below at night. Colorado Springs schools were closed for three days - unthinkable event! But in other Colorado communities such as La Veta, schools were closed even longer - 4-5 days.
Yesterday, February 12, we've had temp of 71 degree during the day. How about it?! It felt like summer.
So, as we know, it's Colorado, and the weather changes fast here.
You can find our daily temps here.

Trip from Colorado to New Mexico

I love hot springs pools. I've been to the most of them in Colorado. My favorites so far are Pagosa Springs, Glenwood Springs and Mount Princeton. I've heard a lot of good about Steamboat hot springs. It's a bit out of our way, but when the occassion arrises we'll take a drive and sample the Steamboat water.

In December my husband and I found some free time and decided to visit Ojo Caliente, New Mexico for the first time. Drive time from Colorado Springs, CO is aproximately 5 hours. Ojo Caliente hot springs resort is located in a secluded valley high in the rocky deserts of Northern New Mexico.

Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs undoubtedly was a sacred therapeutic area long before the Spaniards arrived there. As well, they claim to be the oldest hot springs in North America. What makes this place different from many other hot springs is a combination of four unique minerals that well up with the waters in this area. Guests can choose between natural springs with lithium, iron, soda and arsenic. My favorite was an iron pool. Not so much for the iron itself, but the evening temperature was a chilly 14 degrees outside and this pool had a very comfortable water temperature to be in while outside. I also tried out the arsenic steam room - I enjoyed it a lot! I was also hoping to get into some mud, but unfortunately the mud bath was empty.

The thing that struck me the most was the number of stars I could see in the sky. I think there were millions of them, literally. I love stargazing, and I do it often during the summer in Colorado. But that night in Ojo Caliente was the most spectacular night sky ever! I felt like I've never seen the night sky before.

Ojo Caliente was a pleasure to visit and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. This is one little trip I would recommend to anyone who likes hot springs. We definitely enjoyed neighboring New Mexico - it was full of fun and lots of relaxation.



In Taos, New Mexico



Young musicians travel to Colorado in 2011

Lately I've been working a lot on planning touring and performing itineraries for large groups of young people which will come to Colorado Springs April and May 2011. 

I had no idea how many high school musicians from all over the country come to Colorado every spring! April and May are two major high school music months. Many different choirs and bands ride their school buses from Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, and even Florida and Georgia (I mean that's fa-a-ar). They usually add a couple days of fun to their trips for the kids to sightsee our area and to visit our cool places. That's where I'll be hopping up on the bus to direct the driver and to tell all the stories about Colorado - Rocky mountains, wild west, gold rush time, etc. As any tour guide, I have to spice it up for the tourists, and often the only way to do it is to make up some funny or wild stories. These are usually the most memorable ones for everyone. :))

2010 Colorado season is over

Usually Colorado has a beautiful long fall, and this year was no exception. This summer I've been very busy with Colorado tours, especially in the fall of 2010. My clients were from all over the world - USA, Canada, Russia, Ukraine, Australia, Mexico, Ireland, Spain, Thailand, China, Philippines. Mostly I've worked with the private parties, couples, or small groups of colleagues. However I've been a step-on bus guide a few times as well, mainly for the military reunions.

Today I've spent lots of time preparing a small group tour next September. It will be 5 days long!

Basically we are going to make a giant loop through southwestern Colorado. This includes several of the most unique and scenic areas and National parks such as Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Pagosa hot Springs, Mesa Verde, Great Sand Dunes, Box Canyon (by Ouray), and more. So far, we already have 6-7 participants and it's very exciting!