Having lived in northeastern Colorado, riding in the wind was more like riding in the oven.  The temperatures consistently hovered around 90 degrees.  Taking a break under a shade tree, well, let me just say, it was easier to find a bridge to provide shade.

When we moved to up to Silverthorne the first thing I noticed were the massive amount of people riding dirt and street bikes.  I couldn’t wait to get my motorcycles in my new garage.  Within a few weeks, we were moved in our home and I had my garage full of motorcycles.  It was not until this moment that I felt “right at home”

Motorcycle riding in the Colorado Rocky Mountains is much different than riding in other parts of Colorado.  The average temperatures are around 80 degrees, which makes riding in the wind a great experience.  The scenery is the best part of riding. There are plenty of places to pull off the road and enjoy the millions of shade trees, not to mention the snow-capped mountains, streams, lakes, and wildlife.

Summit County welcomes motorcyclist with open arms.  There are a couple of motorcycle shops in Summit County and a new Harley Davidson dealership is in the process of being built.  The Concours Owners Group has their National Rally in Frisco in June of each year while the Harley Owners Group has “Ridin’ the Rockies” and in July, the “7 Peak Charity Ride.”

Riding in the mountains give you the opportunity to ride on various road surfaces from interstates to True Mountain riding on a scenic byway.  Many times after working a long day, my wife and I will ride up to the Green Mountain Reservoir.  We ride along Heeney Drive, which circles the reservoir and has spectacular views of the water and mountains.  There are dozens of great places to stop and walk around and see the wildlife, which is more than abundant.  Our Heeney Drive ride is probably one of the most relaxing rides we take.

Sometimes on Saturdays my wife and I ride over to Leadville.  We travel on Colorado Hwy 91, which seems to have a quiet and serene presence to it. Your mind endlessly wanders as you ride on this road, thinking about all the towns and mining camps that once dotted this area.  All that is left now is the tailings from mines and the vast valleys and tall mountain peaks, which seem to dominate the area.  It is said that the highest named lake in the United States is near here.  The Pacific Tarn Lake is 13,420 feet above sea level.  It is just east of Colorado Hwy 91 towards Breckenridge.  We hope to hike up to the Pacific Tarn this summer.

After a long ride we often end up at one of the many restaurants in Summit County.  I will admit, the food at the local restaurants is very good.  After dinner, we then ride over to the outdoor  Dillon Amphitheater  for one of their free concerts.  It makes a nice end to a perfect day.

Mark

Living near the Blue River, I will say that River Fishing here is a fisherman’s dream.  The water is so clear, not only can you see to the bottom of the river, but you can also see the fish swimming around.  The Blue River is a tributary of the Colorado River.  It flows about 75 miles and begins its long journey in the valley above Breckenridge near Quandary Peak.  It then flows down through the Dillon Reservoir, through Silverthorne, and on to Kremmling.  Although this is a catch and release area, the action of the fish is incredible.

On any given day, fly fisherman can be seen on raging turns and eddies of the Blue River.  The Blue River runs next to the outlet shops in Silverthorne, which is perfect because your family can easily shop while you are fly fishing only feet away from them.

For the anglers who prefer the serenity of bank fishing or trolling from a boat, the c will more than fit the bill.  I have never been disappointed when fishing in the reservoir.   The Dillon Reservoir is located between Frisco and Dillon.  Both locations have boat launch ramps and marinas.  This is a multi use reservoir and caters to sailboats, canoes, kayaks, and fishing boats.

Dillon lake sprawls over 3,000 acres and has nearly 25 miles of shoreline.  The elevation is about 9,100 feet above sea level; so needless to say, the boating season is very dependent upon the weather. Relaxing on a boat and enjoying the spectacular views of the snow-capped Rocky Mountains during a warm summer day is the ultimate experience.  However, once a breeze comes up, it can become very chilly.  The water in the Dillon Reservoir averages a frigid 50 degrees on the surface and much colder beneath.  Hypothermia can occur in as little as 15 minutes if you are not careful.  The melting snow of the local mountains feed our local rivers, streams, and lakes.  Unfortunately, this makes wading or soaking your feet a very cold and unpleasant experience for most of the year.

The Frisco marina offers a full service marina, boat rentals, canoe and kayak lessons, sailing, scenic boat tours, and the Marina Park.  The Dillon marina offers boat rentals, sailing instruction, and racing regattas.  If you have any trouble with your boat, the Dillon marina also employs certified mechanics and boat specialists for any repairs you may need.

What’s great about spending the day on the lake is that Dillon, Silverthorne, and Frisco are so close by.  With their many restaurants, hotels, and annual events, there is always something fun and exciting to do.

If you are a history buff, there is plenty of history in Breckenridge.

The Briggle House
Originally built about 1896, local socialites William and Kathleen Briggle purchased the one room log cabin in 1898.  Immediately they enlarged the home to include six additional rooms downstairs and three rooms upstairs.

Directions: 104 N. Harris Street, near the intersection of Lincoln and Harris.  At the stoplight at Main and Lincoln, head east and go for three blocks.  The house is on the northeast corner of the intersection.

Country Boy Mine
Tour a mine from the mid 1800’s.  Venture into a mountain and experience what it was like to be a miner.  During the winter months, you can take a sleigh ride, while during the warmer months you can pan for gold.  Burros roam the grounds and love to give you attention.

Directions:  Head east on Wellington Road in Breckenridge.  Pass the two stop sights through the neighborhood.  Bear right when the road forks.  Continue about ¼ mile after the road turns to dirt.

Lincoln City Ghost Town
Originally named Paige City, Lincoln City once had a population of over 1500 people.  In its heyday, Lincoln City had one store, two hotels, three furnaces, one stamp mill, and one steam powered saw mill.  Today, much of Lincoln City is privately owned.

Directions: Follow the directions to Country Boy Mine.  Head east, about 2 miles past the Country Boy Mine.

The Barney Ford House Museum
Barney Ford was an escaped slave who became a prominent entrepreneur and black civil right pioneer in Colorado.  In 1880, Ford became the first black business man in Breckenridge, opening Ford’s Restaurant and Chop House.  The Ford house was designed and built in 1882 for Ford and his wife Julia and their three children.  The house was considered a “showplace” home back in its day.

Directions: In downtown Breckenridge on 111 E. Washington Ave.

After you play, it’s time to Shop!

Downtown Breckenridge offers a shopping experience which is definitely one of the many highlights of a Colorado Vacation.  Home to more than 200 shops, the shops in Breckenridge are not your average everyday chain stores.  They are unique and carry a variety of items from the latest spring fashions to book stores to toy stores.  One could easily spend the entire day roaming through these shops.

The Dining Experience in Breckenridge

There are dozens of unique restaurants in Breckenridge.  Along Main Street, Ridge Street, and South Park Avenue, you will find just about every type of food to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.

Many of these Summit County trails remain closed until after the spring runoff as to not damage the environment or cause severe erosion.  Other trails are so high up in the Rocky Mountains that they are not accessible until mid July when the snow finally melts.

Summer is the perfect time to visit the Colorado Mountains.  But even in August, heavy snows continue to melt and make the damp ground a perfect hang-out for the mosquitoes.  If you decide to go exploring on foot, make sure you bring plenty of bug repellent.

As the snow melts and the water drips off the tips of the Colorado Rockies, it feeds many large ponds and the water is so clear you can see the fish swimming around in it.  From there, the water makes its way down the picturesque valleys which are perfect for exploring on foot.

Several of these old roads and trails in Summit County lead to former mining towns and ghost towns.  One of my personal favorite four-wheel adventures leads south from Keystone, through Montezuma, then Saints John, and finally up to the Wild Irishman Mine.  If you have a motorcycle or quad, you’ll do fine.  Otherwise, you will need a four-wheel drive SUV and will do most of your traveling in four-wheel high.

If you are brave, and your vehicle is equipped with four-wheel low, you can continue up the steep winding road past the Wild Irishman and visit the General Teller Mine.  The General Teller Mine is, literally, on top of the world.  The views from this high are breathtaking and you can see for miles in every direction.

Many of the old mining towns in Summit County cling to life as several old buildings are still standing where they have stood for over 100 years.   The pioneers who built these buildings obviously knew how to build them right because this is one of the worst possible climates you could ever imagine.  Looking at the location and terrain of these mining towns makes you wonder how these pioneer families could have possibly survived so high up in the Colorado Rocky Mountains!

The Lighting of Breckenridge Dec 5, 2009, Main Street Breckenridge

Kick off the holiday season in Breckenridge with contests, craft workshops, and shopping.  The annual tree lighting happens in Blue River Plaza followed by a memorable outdoor holiday concert and photos with Santa.

Ullr Fest January 10-16, 2010, Downtown Breckenridge

A festival in honor of the god of Winter.  A week long celebration of the mythical Norse god of Snow, the celebration of Ullr brings live entertainment and a bar series, a Nordic event, Ulympics, and an ice-skating party.

2010 Tentative Schedule of Events:

Ullr Skating Party – January 10  - 1:15 – 4:30 pm
All proceeds benefit Al Chaffee Scholarship program, helping local students.

Ullr Nordic Party & Bonfire – January 11  - 5:30 – 9:00 pm, Gold Run Nordic Center on the Breckenridge Golf Course
The crowning of the Ullr King and Queen, food and a cash bar, bonfire.

The Dating Game Breckenridge-Style – January 12  - 8:00 pm Cecilia’s Martini Bar and Nightclub  Call 970.453.2234 for more information
Breckenridge’s version of the Dating Game.  Adults over the age of 21 are welcome.

Ullympics – January 13 Carter Park
Co-ed teams compete fun and prizes in three events.

Ullr Parade – January 14 (4:30 pm)
The Ullr parade kicks-off on North Main Street.

Breckenridge’s Comedy Night – January 15
Stand-up comics from Comedy Works of Denver.

Chili Cook Off  – January 16  - 3:00 – 8:00 pm Riverwalk Center

Breckenridge Mountain Rotary Club Chilly Chili Cook Off.  Famous chili chefs, live entertainment, and many other activities for the whole family.

20th Annual Budweiser International Snow Sculpture Championships Jan 26-31, 2010 Riverwalk Center 888.251.2417

Over the course of five days at the Riverwalk Center, artists use their hands and a few tools to create beautiful sculptures from blocks of snow. A must see during your next Colorado Vacation!

Mardi Gras in Breckenridge February 13-16, 2010, Downtown Breckenridge

Bacchus Ball – February 13
A New Orleans Style masquerade ball.  Live music, dancing, food and drink, crowning of the Mardi Gras Rex and Queen.

Fat Tuesday Celebration – February 16 – 4:30 pm
Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday Celebration with a parade on Breckenridge’s Main Street with food and drink specials, and colorful masks.

Spring Massive Festival April 1 – 18, 2010, Breckenridge Ski Resort and Downtown Breckenridge

The 2009 Schedule of Events:

Massive Rail Jam – April 3, 2009
Skiers and riders compete at the rail jam at the Peak 8 Freeway Terrain Park.

Massive Slopestyle Competition – April 4, 2009
Freestyle event for Skiers and riders.  Peak 8 Freeway Terrain Park.

Massive Superpipe Competition – April 5, 2009
Superpipe Competition  for world class riders and local amateurs.

Massive Beer Festival – April 11, 2009  - 12-5 pm
Live music and tastings from 22 micro and craft breweries from around the world.

Kingdom Days June 20-21, 2009, Throughout Breckenridge

Themed Outhouse Races, town party, take a historic dredge boat tour, race in the Repertory Run and Kid’s Dash, get cultural at museum and gallery events, take in some live music and wager on your favorite character during a Wild West gun fight on Main Street.

Fourth of July Celebration in Breckenridge July 3-5, 2009, All Around Breckenridge

Fourth of July Parade, Arts Festival, 10K trail run, bike race, kids’ activities.  End the day with National Repertory Orchestra performing a patriotic concert at the Riverwalk Center followed by a firework display

Labor Day Weekend

Oktoberfest Sept. 17-19, 2010 Downtown Breckenridge

Beer/Wine Tickets $5
Main Street Party:  11:00am to 6:00pm Saturday, 11:00am to 5:00pm on Sunday
Street party with traditional costumes, German food, polka music, Bavarian dancers, children’s activities, a keg-tapping ceremony, 5k run and, of course, Paulaner bier