Day 17 | Summer Outdoor Concert in Heritage Park – Highlands Ranch

This evening, 7/29, is the last scheduled concert of the Highlands Ranch Summer Concert Series for 2010 in Heritage Park.

I have to admit that is seems much to early to be saying “…the last” when it comes to this summer.  Didn’t the summer just begin?

In any case, here we are at the last of the Thursday night concerts.  Many that live in Highlands Ranch attend these popular summer concerts, but it is not unusual to see folks from all over the Denver suburbs.

Tonight is featuring Blake Marvin Band. I can’t say that I have ever heard the Blake Marvin Band play, but according to their website they were a contestant on American Idol that made it through the initial eliminations.

The concert begins at 6:30 as always and generally wraps up around 8pm.  Bring a picnic (no glass though & leave the dogs at home) and the family and get out to this last Thursday night Highlands Ranch tradition of 2010.

Want To Find this page on Facebook to share with your friends & family? Click on over to the Face book page 365 Things to Do In South Denver Suburbs “Like” it and share!

Other Things to Do in the South Denver Suburbs you may like:

Day 13 Daniels Park – Douglas County CO

Day 14 Murdoch’s- Littleton / Highlands Ranch CO

Day 15 Cantina Laredo – Centennial Colorado

Day 16 Climb a Colorado 14er

Steve Scheer – Denver Realtor®
Denver Real Estate
Highlands Ranch Real Estate
Littleton Real Estate

Day 16 | Climb a Colorado 14er

On Day 16 of 365 Things To Do in South Denver Suburbs I suggest you take a ROADTRIP and then a hike – to a specific mountain – a 14er to be exact.

There are 58 14ers in Colorado and there are some that are easier than others.  Many folks throughout Colorado have made it a mission to hike 14ers and it is quite an accomplishment to keep track of.  Some hike and climb 1 a year, others more, some see how many they can do in a short amount of time.  Late July and August are prime 14er climbing months, but there are some that climb year round.

A 14er?

And if you are new to Colorado and are unsure of what a 14er is – it is a mountain peak that is at least 14,000 feet high  There are other qualifications as well, but that is the easiest explanation.

Where to begin?

There are some 14ers all over Colorado, but some are relatively short trips from the Denver metro area and can be made as day trips IF you get an early start.  So of the 14ers that people climb for their first ones include Torreys Peak, Grays Peak, Mount Massive, Mount Bierstadt, and Quandary Peak.

*Note – Many resources on line and guide books suggest arriving at Bierstadt by way of Georgetown off of I70 to Guanella Pass.  To my knowledge, part of the road of this pass is still closed and will remain so through the rest of this summer.  You must get there from the south part of this pass from 285.  The closed section of Guanella Pass is tentatively scheduled to open mid-September but check Clear Creek County resources for details.

Kids?

You certainly will see families with children and youth hiking groups, especially on the trails of the mountains listed above.  Climbing 14ers often becomes a treasured family summer activity.

Prepare & Stay Safe!

I am no 14er expert by any means. If you plan on climbing a  Colorado 14er you need to do your research.  Make sure you have completed thorough research on what  14ers is right for you.  There are many Climbing, Hiking and Alpine groups throughout the Denver area and beyond – seek them out.  A guide book that many recommend is “Colorado’s 14ers” by Roach.  Two good resources are: Colorado Mountain Club and American Alpine Club

Make sure you have all the equipment you need, water, food, clothing, headlamps, shoes, etc.  Prepare for the weather, prepare for the altitude, just prepare.  Many resources will tell you how important it is to get an early start – and when they say early they mean it.  Depending on where you plan to climb, it is not unusual for folks to start well before 4 am and it also is not unusual to hear stories from folks that had  to turn around for one reason or another.  The weather is likely to turn on you in Colorado, you must be prepared.

Have fun!

Climbing a 14er is a favorite pastime from folks that live in the Denver area.  If you have recently moved to Denver, there is definitely still time to take this up, specifically the “easier” ones.

Another route that doesn’t involve Climbing?

Climbing a 14er is not for everyone.  If you are determined to summit a 14er but time or other circumstance do not permit a climb, there are other ways.

Mount Evans, easily accessible from Denver, has the highest paved road in North America and is open through the summer months. You can drive right to the top of 14,240 feet.  It generally closes Labor Day, but check ahead before making the trip.

Pikes Peak is also drive-able (Colorado Springs area) and is open year round, weather permitting. or you can reserve seats on the famous Cogs Railway.  So there truly is something for everyone!

photo courtesy of  my son,  taken on his hike to Chasm Lake on the Long’s Peak trail last week.  He did not summit Long’s, nor did he intend to, this was a sunrise hike that began at 2 am. I was incredibly proud of him, and wowed by the photos that he brought home.

Want To Find this page on Facebook to share with your friends & family? Click on over to the Face book page 365 Things to Do In South Denver Suburbs “Like” it and share!

Other Things to Do in the South Denver Suburbs you may like:
Day 12 H2OBrien Pool – Parker, Colorado

Day 13 Daniels Park – Douglas County CO

Day 14 Murdochs- Littleton / Highlands Ranch CO

Day 15 Cantina Laredo – Centennial Colorado

Steve Scheer – Denver Realtor®
Denver Real Estate
Highlands Ranch Real Estate
Littleton Real Estate

The long running Denver Denver 2010 Parade of Homes won’t open to the public until August 15th, but you are definitely going to want to mark your calendar for this year’s event as they have changed things up a bit.

Instead of a gate admission ticket, most of the event  to this year’s Denver Parade of Homes will be free!  There will be a one-time $5 admission to the luxury high-end “Dream Homes”.  This is the 23rd year for the event  and the first time that  The Home Builders Association of Metro Denver has announced most of the homes as free.

Like last year, the Parade of Homes will be in different Denver neighborhoods but this time around it is not just Denver luxury homes.  This years Parade of Homes will include home prices ranging from 188,900 to $6.3 million.  Some of the areas included are in the Denver suburbs such as Highlands Ranch, Castle Rock, Arvada, Broonfield and will run from Aug 14 through Labor Day 2010.  There is also a Parade of Homes Facebook page where you can follow info as well at the Parade’s website.  As I write this, the website is still having info added so the full list of areas and homes is not yet posted.

There was an article today in the Denver Business Journal announcing the changes, you can read that here: Parade of Homes to offer free admission

Click Here to Search All Denver Real Estate

Steve Scheer, REALTOR®
Denver Realty Partners –
For More Info on Denver & The Suburbs:

Highlands Ranch Real Estate
Greenwood Village Real Estate
Denver Real Estate
Lone Tree Real Estate

If you would like more information on the Denver area or more information on Highlands Ranch real estate, contact Steve at 720-849-6101.

Day 15 | Cantina Laredo, Streets at Southglenn, Centennial CO

On Day 15 of 365 Things to Do in South Denver Suburbs, I propose that you head over to the Streets at Southglenn in Centennial CO to the newly opened Cantina Laredo restaurant.

My wife and I visited Cantina Laredo this weekend for a short visit before a movie at the Southglenn Hollywood Theater.  We did not stay very long, by design – just popped in for a quick bite before needing to move on.

The atmosphere at the brand new Centennial restaurant was great, our waiter was extremely friendly and helpful in choosing our snack and service was prompt. We didn’t sit inside nor on the outdoor patio, instead we grabbed a table in between that was almost like a sunroom – enclosed but nearly outside.

Since we didn’t eat a full meal, I can’t comment extensively on the food but I can say that both salsas brought to our table were great and our nachos were not your typical chips in a mound on a plate where there is empty chips at the bottom.  In stead it was one layer of chips with each chip covered generously in toppings.   As I said, we split them, were not looking for a full meal, and it was the perfect amount for us.

I love patio dining and because of the great Denver weather almost all year round, its one of the things that those of us that live in Denver can enjoy frequently.  A restaurant with a great patio can do rather well on those warmer early spring days – that we all enjoy, not just in the summer months.

The patio at Cantina Laredo restaurant has great potential, the Streets at Southglenn is a very nice area and with the movie theater there as well, there is a great draw to pop in before or after a show.

Want To Find this page on Facebook to share with your friends & family? Click on over to the Face book page 365 Things to Do In South Denver Suburbs “Like” it and share!

Other Things to Do in the South Denver Suburbs you may like:
Day 8 South Platte Park – Littleton CO

Day 12 H2OBrien Pool – Parker, Colorado

Day 13 Daniels Park – Douglas County CO

Day 14 Murdochs- Littleton / Highlands Ranch CO

Steve Scheer – Denver Realtor®
Denver Real Estate
Highlands Ranch Real Estate
Littleton Real Estate

Day 14 | Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply in Littleton CO

On Day 14 of 365 Things To Do in The Denver Suburbs, I am heading over to Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply in Littleton, CO.

Murdoch’s is very close to my Highlands Ranch home, but it is on the other side of Santa Fe Drive, so technically it is in Littleton and not Highlands Ranch.  And while those that live on Denver horse property are probably very familiar with Murdoch’s, others may not be – but truly there is something for everyone at Murdoch’s.

Murdoch’s is a western wearer’s dream come true. If you have any occasion for some styling boots, cowboy hats, bandannas or any other western apparel, there is no doubt you will find it here.  And for those that have horse property or other ranch type land or livestock here in the Denver area, pretty much anything you may need is here at Murdochs.  And if you need jeans, for sure they have them.

One of my kid’s favorite time to visit Murdoch’s is in the spring when the chicks come in. They love to see the chick boxes (I am sure there is a proper word for that but I do not know what it is).  Of course every year they beg to bring home a chick, but its not happening here.

They also have a large selection of pet food that many of us that don’t live on acreage land in the Denver area, can still use. I have been known to shop here for both dog and cat food and doggy treats from time to time.  Tully loves them.

When I do bring my kids to Murdoch’s they make a bee-line right to the candy shelf. There are rows of candy lined up on bags and generally we will leave with a bag of gummy worms or something of the sort.

The best part of Murdoch’s is that the staff is very friendly and helpful but not over bearing. Everyone checking out has always been very friendly and personable.  Its a bit like a small town feel that you don’t see often enough anymore.  I think many Denver businesses could learn a lesson or two from the staff at Murdoch’s in Littleton.

If you have plans to attend the upcoming festivities for Littleton’s Western Welcome Week and plan on dressing the part, you should definitely head over to Murdoch’s – you will find exactly what you are looking for.  They are located on Santa Fe Drive at Highlands Ranch Parkway.

What fun things have you found at Murdochs?

Want To Find this page on Facebook to share with your friends & family? Click on over to the Face book page 365 Things to Do In South Denver Suburbs “Like” it and share!

Other Things to Do in the South Denver Suburbs you may like:

Day 8 South Platte Park – Littleton CO

Day 12 H2OBrien Pool – Parker, Colorado

Day 13 Daniels Park – Douglas County CO

Steve Scheer – Denver Realtor®
Denver Real Estate

Highlands Ranch Real Estate

Littleton Real Estate