Aspen mountain biking offers a great way to enjoy all that Colorado has to offer during the spring, summer and fall months.  Although many people think skiing and winter sports when they think of Colorado, summer is actually a terrific time to see what this state really has to offer.  You won’t believe what’s covered up with all that snow.  Underneath are carpets of beautiful rich grass, amazing wild flowers and an incredible amount of wild life.

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Aspen mountain biking allows you to enjoy it all, up close and personal.  There is no better way to really get out there and enjoy all that Mother Nature has to offer than to take a trip to Aspen in the summer.  Numerous hotels in the area cater to mountain bikers and it’s easy to find accommodations.  One of the best parts about Aspen mountain biking in the summer is that not many people are there so you can enjoy the quiet and peace.

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Although the town is geared towards winter activities there are also many festivals that take place during the spring and summer months.  People who travel for Aspen mountain biking are surprised to find that the town really doesn’t shut down during this off season.  There is plenty to do and the towns in this area have really been working on improving their summer activities.

You can also find several resorts that offer Aspen mountain biking combined with a luxurious stay.  There is nothing better after a hard day’s ride than to return to a resort for a massage and a soak in the hot tub.  You can bring the whole family with you on this type of vacation, simply because there is so much to do.

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If you’re not comfortable striking out on your own, you can take advantage of Aspen mountain biking tours that come complete with a guide.  You’ll be on a whole day trek through some of the most beautiful scenery in the West and you won’t have to worry about getting lost.  This is a popular option with travelers that are worried about getting up into the mountains and losing their way.

It’s a good idea to bring some supplies with you while you’re Aspen mountain biking.  Many people like to take a picnic lunch with them to enjoy in a mountain meadow during a break.  There really isn’t a better location if you enjoy biking.

Australia’s wineries and vineyard prowess may just be the worst kept secret in the culinary world. A relative newcomer to the scene, Oz has made an indelible mark, one well worth the trip to explore. But Australia is a big continent, and if you’re like most people, you’ll want to get the most of your vacation dollars. For wine connoisseurs and affectionados, the pleasure’s in the scenery and the palate, and the best way between those delectable dishes and vintages is on a motorcoach tour.

What can you see, where can you go? What CAN’T you see? There are scores of culinary tours and wine tour stops, with knowledgeable guides who will ensure that your excursion goes off without a hitch. You’ll take in Barossa Valley in Adelaide, and visit the oldest German settlement in Australia while you’re there. You can see Sydney, Perth, Melbourne and Hobart – all the richest soils and most breathtaking destinations are yours!

At each stop along the way, you’ll be invited to sample the local vineyard’s wares. Most wine tours will include a stop for lunch, some for breakfast tea as well. All the character and charm of these farms will be yours to taste and savor as well! Your visit is chauffeured, so you’ll be entirely free to enjoy yourself ! Purchase a bottle or case of your favorites to enjoy or share with friends when you get back home!

Exquisite as it may be to visit these vineyards, there’s a lot more to Australia than that. You’re in for a world of culinary delights and wondrous sights! The countryside most never see will be yours as well, taken in from the comfort of a luxury motorcoach. Check out the aboriginals, hear their rich, unique music. The painstaking art that these people produce is worth the journey by itself!

You may remember that Olivia Newton John is Australian. There’s a Xanadu waiting for you in Oz, the oldest winery in the region! On that same tour, you’ll visit the Eagle’s Heritage Raptor Center, where you’ll see unique birds of prey, perhaps even see a prized white goshawk. Tour Mammoth Cave and stroll along the seascape at Cape Leeuwin Light House, where the Southern and Indian Oceans blend! Does it sound exotic? It is!

Experience all that Australia has to offer, from the Great Barrier Reef to the Outback. Do it in comfort and relax in the competent care of your driver and guide. Motorcoach tours are by far the best way to see and visit Oz!

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Whitewater adrenalin junkies of the world, unite!  Colorado is calling!  Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned veteran, into rafting, kayaking or duckies (inflatable kayaks,) Colorado is THE place for whitewater action!  The Colorado River offers good beginner and intermediate tours, while the Arkansas really roars!  There’s nothing else quite like shooting through the rapids, popping on out the other side!

Whitewater rivers can be an incredible lot of fun for the entire family when done properly, but before we get into that, a word of caution is in order: ANY water activity or sport can be dangerous, so appropriate education, training, and equipment are essential.  You can have a great time, but PLEASE don’t throw good sense to the wind and go out there with your $29.95 inflatable kayak (read: pool toy) and try to challenge the rapids without appropriate guidance.  Rivers that seem placid at one place can be raging a short ways further down, so it pays to have a guide along to advise and show you the way.

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Truly knowledgeable guides are wonderful!  They see to everyone’s safety while making sure everybody’s having a good time as well.  Tour companies can provide such guides and often include quality safety equipment as part of the package, so you can just focus on enjoying the whitewater experience.  There are a few outstanding and exemplary choices:

Raft Masters’ motto is that they strive to be “the best rafting company in Colorado.” They’re willing to work for the title by offering an extraordinary experience at a competitive price with NO SURPRISES.  In a time when it seems everyone’s trying to tack on a bit here and there to inflate the bill, it’s nice to see a company that prides itself on that sort of integrity.

Bill Dvorak Expeditions is another quality firm.  Established in 1969, this venerable company’s people were pioneers in the field!  With rafting and kayaking tours fro the whole family that include some truly diverse choices, you can count on them to be a one-stop solution when you want to ride the rapids of the Southwestern Rocky Mountains’ rivers.

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Embracing the more poetic side of the Colorado Rockies, Colorado River Guides invites you to tour Colorado from the unique perspective of the state’s many rivers.  They can take you on a casual float through pacific flows, or exhilarate you with a whitewater rush like no other!  Family oriented, CRG runs tours out of Breckenridge, Buena Vista and Royal Gorge.

Another quality family-owned company which boasts an impeccable safety record while guiding folks on through the mighty Arkansas River over the past 20 years is Independent Whitewater, Inc. They’re near Salida, Colorado, and adrenalin rushes are their specialty.

Last, but certainly not least, is River Runners.  Their well trained guides provide a safe and exciting adventure tours, as they’ve done for more than thirty years!  The tenure alone speaks volumes for the quality of their instruction and abilities.  Priding themselves on having safely guided more guests than any other outfitter in Colorado, River Runners is amongst the fine, quality extablishments available.

With so many miles of rivers to experience, you may find yourself busy for a few summers just getting to know them all.  It’s certain you’ll find yourself attached to some specific places, spots that become your “favorite” runs, sections of the rapids that challenge you, that you repeat time and time again.  Do extend out, though, and enjoy ALL of the whitewater experiences Colorado has to offer.  It really is a great state for a whitewater river rafting or kayaking adventure!

Thinking of a summer vacation to the Roaring Fork Valley?  Find the best deals on Aspen Lodging

Fossil fuels are the product of plants and animals that have died and have been reduced to hydrocarbons over the span of millions of years as a result of the pressure created by the earth.  Although it is a simplification, many people remember being taught in school about the dinosaurs dying, and somehow turning into gasoline when buried under the earth, and this gasoline heating our home and fueling our car.  For millions upon millions of years, the Earth has been bristling with new life, and all kinds of organisms.  This life has been comprised of both animals and plants, and was largely carbon based throughout time.  Dead and decaying life on earth was buried under the ground, and the tremendous pressure of the earth has managed to break it down, leaving hydrocarbons like coal, natural gas and oil behind.  All of these substances contain within them a great deal of potential energy that can be released in a host of different ways in order to produce both heat and power.  The modern industrial world was largely shaped by the discovery that this type of energy could be harnessed from these substances.

 The world is Going Green instead of burning fossil fuels - think about it…

Most of our power was derived from water-driven mill plants, and the burning of both peat and wood produced heat before the use of fossil fuels became widespread.  When petroleum was first discovered, it led to the development of combustion engines, and coal became the first major source for mass-produced energy for electricity.  Fossil fuels have been largely taken for granted over time, and they have also gone on to cause several major concerns which now must be addressed.  One of the largest concerns is that the source of fossil fuels is ultimately finite, so despite the fact that the current quantity is quite massive, the demand for fossil fuels will eventually exceed the supply that we have.  There is also a very real possibility that fossil fuels may be gone all together at some point in the future.  Another serious concern surrounding fossil fuels is the fact that fossil fuels are a very major source of carbon dioxide, which is one of the greenhouse gases that is being regularly accused of causing global warming and altering our climate.

There are many alternate power fuels that are currently being explored, including mineral-laden hydrocarbon tar sands.  These differ greatly from the normal fossil fuels because their origin is different, but they are also just as limited and as non-renewable as fossil fuels tend to be.  Fossil fuels have created the world that we are used to, but they clearly are not going to be a permanent answer for all of our heat and energy related problems.  The future of fossil fuels is simply that they will need to be replaced by alternative energy and fuels with a more renewable quality.

Hiking in the Roaring Fork Valley around Aspen and Snowmass, Colorado is a true wonder as it is located in the middle of the White River National Forest and just adjacent to the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area and there are a large number of hiking guides available in town that can assist you with detailed descriptions of hikes and directions to the various trailheads.

Whenever you’re hiking in the area make sure that you have a map, sunscreen, much more food and water than you think you’d normally need, and the right kind of clothing since you can certainly expect drastic and sudden changes in the temperature.  The area is subject to afternoon thunderstorms, so ensure that your hiking day is either over by then, or that you have located proper shelter.

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One of the more popular hikes is Buckskin Pass Trail which is close to the Maroon Bells, and is a steep but well-used trail.  The trail begins at Maroon Lake and merges with the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Lake Trail.  From here you stay on this trail all the way to Crater Lake where you take the right fork, and then you will find yourself on a long steady climb through dense woodland all the way up to Minnehaha Gulch.

Keep on going for about a mile until the trail opens up into an expansive and gorgeous alpine meadow, and Buckskin Pass will be directly in front of you.  When you see the sign for the Willow Lake trail junction, take the left fork, pass through another stunning meadow and then start your steep and rocky climb to Buckskin Pass.  Take a while to truly savor the majestic views of the Elk Mountains and then get back on the trail by taking the right fork up and over Willow Pass to Willow Lake.

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The East Maroon Trail nearby is almost twice as long as Buckskin at nearly 21 miles.  This marvelous wilderness trail which is also located quite near the Maroon Bells allows grand sweeping panoramas of Pyramid Peak.  The trail begins by crossing a bridge, then turn to the right when you will reach a fork.Stay left to keep on the East Maroon Trail.  About a mile farther on, you’ll see two charming old cabins, and then just past a huge avalanche area, you will have to undertake two stream crossings.  Be aware that during spring runoff, these stream crossings can be extremely dangerous as the water can be swift.

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Canada is such a vast nation that most people just fly from point to point and can never truly understand the soul and the spirit of this great land. Motor coach tours are the best way to truly experience Canada travel destinations and revel in the grandeur of this continent-straddling majestic land which borders on three oceans.

To relive the history of this country, you should start from the far eastern coasts, the misty harbors of St. John’s, Newfoundland, home to hardy, crusty people who live from the sea and still speak a version of 17th century English. Your romantic ferry ride takes you to Cape Breton, a chunk of the Scottish countryside dropped into the gray and moody Atlantic.

Then proceed onto Halifax, the metropolitan harbour town which is Canada’s Boston. The phenomenal highway wends its way inland through the rolling verdant hills of New Brunswick and across the continent-cleaving St. Lawrence River, where you may see albino-white beluga whales play. Your next stop is Quebec City, which represents the greatest culture shock you can experience in North America: An ancient Burgundian French city where the narrow streets pass grand cathedrals of stone and tiny bistros.

Quebec is a completely French city and you might want to brush up on your bonjour’s and adieus, as you will need them. The spectacular highway continues along the great river to the huge metropolis of Montreal, still French but with a 21st century flair. A city that never sleeps and parties with true joie de vivre. Onto astounding Toronto, a half-scale lakefront Manhattan which you can enjoy from the top of the world’s tallest freestanding tower.

North to the stunning, isolated wilderness of Lake Superior where bears and moose frolic along the roadsides as you speed by. As you pass the greatest of the Great Lakes the scenery flattens out onto the great prairie, a sea of wheat under infinite skies that will be your companion for the next 1,200 miles.

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Just as the snow caps of the Rockies come to view on the horizon, the booming oil metropolis of Calgary awaits to entertain you. Home to the world’s biggest rodeo and as many oil millionaires as Dallas, this is one cowtown that can really show you a good time. You ascend the heavenly mountains to Banff, a world-class winter sports destination among the finest on Earth, then wind your way through hundreds of miles of completely indescribable verdant snowy mountain magnificence and even some Nevada-desert valleys, to the city continually voted the World’s Most Livable, the staggering Vancouver jutting out into the indigo Georgia Strait on a backdrop of snowcaps.

Your last ferry ride takes you directly on a downtown Victoria sightseeing tour, after a life-changing 5,000 mile and six time zone journey, where you can ride a double decker bus and swear you’re on the English Seacoast. Canada is not just a destination. It is a journey. Experience it all by Motor Coach.

At any time of the year, the Arizona Grand Canyon is one of the most awe inspiring sights you’ll ever see.  If you go in the Winter months, you will reap the benefit of un-crowded solitude thanks to the lack of tourist crowds.  Here is scenic splendor that is only heightened by the addition of winter snows to the vista before you.  Be forewarned and dress warmly at this time of the year because it can be cold.

The size and scope of the Grand Canyon is almost incomprehensible if you stand at the top and peer into the depths.  It’s virtually impossible to describe in word or picture; you have to be there to fully understand.  The South Rim has an elevation of nearly 7,000 feet above sea level.  It can be snowy in winter and is quite cool even in the summer.  Below the rim, where superb hiking trails are available, is a different story.  At the canyon floor where the Colorado River flows, the elevation is only about 2,560 feet above sea level.  It’s delightfully warm in winter although summer hikers and river rafters can face temperatures as high as 120 degrees F. on a regular basis.  The North Rim, on the other hand, where the rustic Grand Canyon Lodge is located, has an elevation exceeding 8,800 feet, is closed in winter due to snow and not available to the public until after the spring thaw clears the road.

 Sightseeing from the comfort of a motorcoach - Grand Canyon Tours

If your taste runs to hiking, you won’t need a permit unless you plan to stay in the Canyon overnight.  If you do, you can apply for the necessary permit in advance at the Back Country Reservation Office.  Short or long hikes can be had via the trails and paths running from the Yavapai Museum to Hermit’s Rest, a distance just over 9 miles.  Also keep in mind that camping in the Grand Canyon is only permitted at official campsites and well-marked maps are available to point out the campsite locations..

Helicopter tours of the Grand Canyon are regular events but mostly in summer.  Mule trips can be had year-round.  You can also take side trips to other scenic spots like the red rock country of beautiful Sedona and other picturesque areas in nearby Utah.

What a splendid way to spend a winter vacation that will prove truly unforgettable.  Be sure to bring your camera.  You’ll take home lots of wonderful memories.  For more information on Grand Canyon Vacation Discounts.

In the middle of the “big sky” country - the wide and exposed open country in the middle of the United States which leads up to the beginning of the Rocky Mountains, Montana is one of the premier destinations for winter tourism in the country and has a large number of resort areas where you can ski, snowboard, and try all kinds of other winter sports.

In addition to downhill skiing, Montana with its wide fields and rustic beauty is one of the best places in the country to go if you want to enjoy cross country skiing or snowmobiling.  Whitefish Mountain, Bear Paw, Lookout, Breton Pass, Great Divide, Showdown, Snowbowl, Discovery, Bridger, Red Lodge, Moonlight, Big Sky and more are all names of ski resort areas where you can go if you are interested in downhill skiing.  At any of these places you can learn to Ski Montana with good prices on introductory lessons.

It is easy to learn about the wide range of ski resorts in Montana online and get the latest weather reports which will allow you to plan a good winter vacation to Montana.  Whether you are an advanced skier / snowboarder or a beginner in either of these sports you will be able to have a good time with slopes that are tailored to your skill level so that you can learn and have fun at the same time.

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When it comes to cross country skiing, Montana is filled with great resorts that provide over ten km each of groomed trails - trails which are relatively well maintained and easy to navigate, and which give you excellent views of the surrounding environment so you can enjoy a picturesque day as you travel from one end of the trail to the other.

If you decide to strike out a little on your own there is plenty of wilderness space in Montana for you to explore, and there are numerous cross country trails provided by the various National Forests that dot the landscape of Montana as well.

With all of these attractions to choose from, Montana is a skier’s paradise, and this state can provide you with some of the best skiing that you have ever enjoyed in your life.  Not only that, but you can get prices for accommodations and everything that you need for a ski holiday for a lower price than other major resorts.  A short hop by plane to Montana can save you money with a resort getaway that gives you all the time you need on the snow!

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Grand Teton National Park is home to an astounding variety of wildlife, but you might want to bring your flashlight as some of the more amazing animals are nocturnal thus are well hidden in the daytime. 

The top predators of the Grand Teton Food Chain are the Black and Grizzly bears, which you may see in abundance.  It is usually a good idea to keep your distance from these bears as they are unpredictable, especially in the presence of cubs.  You may also be provided with a very rare sighting of a mountain lion, an incredibly strong predator which can take down nearly every other animal in the park, with the possible exception of the bears. 

 Visit Mary Roberson, wildlife artist that paints the wildlife of Wyoming.

More common cats in the park are the Bobcat and the Lynx which you may see several of.  The Canidae family is well represented at Grand Teton by the presence of Coyotes, Gray Wolves and Red Foxes.  The wolves are much larger than the other two and hunt in extremely efficient and fearsome packs.  The Park is the range of amazing animals such as the Mountain Goat, the Bighorn Sheep, Mule Deer, White Tailed Deer, Elk and Moose. 

You will also see herds of American Bison moving through the meadows and fields, a nostalgic reminiscence of when their sheer number could blacken an entire prairie.  On a smaller scale, you will delight to the dexterity of the Park’s Raccoons, and also witness Wolverines, River Otters, Minks, Weasels, Martens and Badgers. 

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Watch out for the Striped Skunk as if you get sprayed by one, you’ll be weeks getting rid of the pungent and overwhelming stench.  You will also see White Tailed Jackrabbits, Snowshoe Hares, and a great number of tiny rodents such as Chipmunks, Pocket Gophers, Voles, Muskrats, Jumping Mice, Porcupine, Beavers, Woodrats, Squirrels and even the remarkable Northern Flying Squirrel with large membranes which they can use as wings as they soar from tree to tree. 

It is very important to keep your distance from any large animal in the Park such as Bison, Elk, Moose or Bears as they are deceptively fast and overwhelmingly powerful, thus they can easily maim or kill a human.  Never feed any of the wildlife, even the tiny cute ones.  Not only is the disruption to their normal feeding processes undesireable but you might have a very nasty bite to remind you of your actions.  With just a few precautions, you can truly enjoy the wildlife of Grand Teton National Park.

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Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park seem to have been specially crafted for vacationers who want more from their winter Colorado travel than just downhill skiing and lift rides back up a mountain. Here you’ll find hundreds of miles trails ideal for cross country skiing, snowmobiling, sledding, hiking or snowshoeing on trails that are protected because they lie within the boundaries of Rocky Mountain National Park. However if you want all this and still yearn for the downhill ski experience, you can drive an hour south along the ridge road to the Eldora Ski Resort. At Estes Park, you can have your cake and eat it too.

Colorado’s Rocky Mountains have something for everyone and Estes Park is no exception. If you’re into seeing all the mountain splendor in winter be sure to bring along your camera to record the splendor before you Then too, there’s always the possibility that you’ll get to see and photograph some of the local wildlife which includes golden eagles, big horn sheep, mule deer elk and even an occasional peregrine falcon, the world’s fastest bird. Take in all this beauty at the pace you prefer. All the crowds are at the ski resorts, not here. Hiking in the national park is attainable even in winter as the park rangers keep trails at he lower elevations open unless heavy snows prevent it.

Estes Park lies at an elevation of 7,522 feet above sea level. The highest point in the area, however, is Long’s Peak on the Continental Divide at over 14,250 feet. Many guided tours are available or you can drive your own car and set your own direction and timetable.

In town, you will see and enjoy some unique artists’ galleries where you can enjoy the paintings and perhaps purchase a future masterpiece. People are warm and friendly since you are a long way from the crowded ski resort scene. Town folk will make an extra effort to welcome you and make you feel comfortable. This seems to be the standard ambiance in most Colorado mountain communities all year long.

Expect a full range of lodging and eateries in Estes Park. Choose from bed & breakfasts, condos, chalets, cabins and hotel rooms. They’re all here. Simply contact the Estes Park Visitor’s Center at 1-800-44-ESTES for all the help you’ll need to plan an unforgettable winter vacation.

If you are planning to visit this season, visit Estes Park Lodging for discounts and savings.