Christmas Adventures

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Christmas is just around the corner. Are you looking for a new Christmas adventure to take your family on this year? How about a scenic train ride through some of the most beautiful places in Colorado? Continue reading for everything you need to know about these unique Christmas adventures. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Christmas Adventures: Santa on The Train

This year you can live out your childhood dream to be on the Polar Express, now until December 24 with the Georgetown Looper. Enjoy the wonderful snowy vistas as you’re visited by Santa and his Elves. Also, they pass out presents and goodies to the little ones aboard the decorated and heated coaches. It is truly a magical experience for everyone in the family! Get your tickets now as their seats usually fill up quickly. If you miss out on this specific ride, don’t worry. Georgetown Looper also has a Victorian Holiday Celebration from December 26 to January 3. Your journey to this North Pole lasts approximately 50-60 minutes, round-trip. Guests may choose from the coach section, parlor car, or Presidential car.

Every wondered how the Georgetown Looper started? Here’s a quick history lesson. The Georgetown Loop Railroad was one of Colorado’s first visitor attractions. This spectacular stretch of 3 ft. narrow gauge railroad, built by the Georgetown, Breckenridge and Leadville Railway, was completed in 1884 and considered an engineering marvel for its time. The thriving mining towns of Georgetown and Silver Plume lie 2 miles apart in the steep, narrow canyon of Clear Creek in the Rocky Mountains west of Denver. Engineers designed a corkscrew route that traveled nearly twice that distance to connect them, slowly gaining more than 600 feet in elevation.

Ye Olde Chuckwagon

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Ever wondered where early Colorado Cowboys and settlers get there food? From the chuckwagon of course! The chuckwagon was historically a type of field kitchen in a covered wagon. They were once used for the storage and transportation of food and cooking equipment on the prairies. They would line up in a wagon train for feeding workers—an old version of food trucks today. Continue reading for everything you need to know about the history of the chuckwagon. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

History of the Chuckwagon

There were mobile kitchens before the chuckwagon, but weren’t as elaborate. Charles Goodnight invented the chuckwagon in 1866. Goodnight was a Texas rancher known as the father of the Texas Panhandle. Goodnight created the chuckwagon from a Studebaker covered-wagon, a durable Civil War army-surplus wagon. He wanted it to suit the needs of cowboys driving cattle from Texas to sell in New Mexico. What made the chuckwagon unique was the addition of the “chuck box.” This was a set of drawers and shelves for storage space with a hinged lid to provide a flat working surface.

Cook provided many different types of foods out of chuckwagons. The food typically included easy-to-preserve items like beans and salted meats, coffee, and sourdough biscuits. Workers gathered food on the wagon’s route to cook and serve later. However, not everything was available. There was no fresh fruit, vegetables, or eggs available and meat was not fresh unless an animal was injured during the run and therefore had to be killed. The meat they ate was greasy cloth-wrapped bacon, salt pork, and beef, usually dried, salted or smoked.

Country Christmas Gift Show

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With Christmas quickly approaching, the best time to start shopping for gifts is now. Do you need inspiration on what to get for your loved ones this year? The Country Christmas Gift Show is coming soon. This year the show will be held at the Colorado Springs Center from November 19-21. Continue reading for information about this great Colorado Tradition and how you can attend the festivities. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Gift Show Inspirations

The Country Christmas Gift Show is a very unique shopping experience that the entire family can enjoy. For parents, the show offers “gift ideas, original arts and crafts, sculpture, ceramics, specialty foods, home décor, clothing, furniture, floral designs, jewelry, skin care products, antiques, candles, toys and much more.” For the kids there will be a Santa Claus on the premises to listen to all of their Christmas wishes. You are  welcome to take your own picture with Santa, which is a great alternative to costly mall Santa’s.

The show is ran by Showcase Events Inc, which has successfully produced events and trade shows in Colorado since 1983. They always use modernized facilities with plenty of close in parking and the gift show will be no exception. The Colorado Springs location will provide access to concessions, restrooms, and spaces for exhibitors to showcase their products. Exhibitors have an opportunity to display and sell in well known facilities that accommodate easy access, move-in/out, public parking and a quality shopping environment. There will also be free WiFi and adequate parking for oversized vehicle and RVs.

Five Star Rated Window and Door Companies in Colorado

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Are you doing any home renovation this season on your horse property? Windows and doors are a great start. Replacing old windows and doors can instantly change the exterior look of your horse property in Colorado. Continue reading for the most popular window and door companies in Colorado. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Top Window and Door Companies in Colorado

First on our list is Renewal by Andersen. This is a proactive company that takes matters in their own hands. If you own an older home, you’ve probably found one of their flyers on your door. They even leave personally written notes on how they think they can help you. Anderson, “gives homeowners one accountable company to handle the entire project. We do it all. We consult, sell, build, install, and warrant our windows and patio doors.” Renewal by Andersen have reported over 53 thousand homeowners served and boast an impressive 275 employees. Another one of the most popular window and door companies in Colorado is Lifetime Windows & Siding.

Lifetime Windows & Siding is one of Denver’s most trusted window and siding companies. Lifetime uses only the best brands in windows, like Infinity and Marvin. Their products resist Colorado’s extreme weather conditions and are energy star certified. All Lifetime products and services are backed by a lifetime guarantee that will transfer to the next owner of the home.” Also, a great thing about Lifetime Windows & Siding is that they can give you a free estimate over the phone. So if you’re getting ready to do some home renovation you can easily find out what your budget needs to be with one call.

Buffalo Bill Cody

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Colorado was the home of many cowboys and is the birthplace of a ton of western heritage. For example, have you ever heard of Buffalo Bill? Unless you’ve done your homework, you probably don’t know much about him. Continue reading for everything you need to know about this legendary cowboy. Did you know that you can tour Colorado as a Cowboy? Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Who was Buffalo Bill?

William Frederick Cody, nicknamed Buffalo Bill, lived from 1846 to 1917 in the American West. He was an American soldier, bison hunter, and wildly popular showman. He was actually born in Le Claire, Iowa, but he lived for several years in his father’s hometown in modern-day Mississauga in Canada. The Cody family returned to the Midwest and settled in Kansas. Buffalo Bill started working at the age of eleven, after his father’s death, and became a rider for the Pony Express at age 15.

Buffalo Bill was also an American patriot. During the American Civil War, he served the Union from 1863 to 1865. Also, he served as a civilian scout for the US Army during the Indian Wars. Bill even received the Medal of Honor in 1872. One of the most famous and well-known figures of the American Old West, Buffalo Bill’s legend began to spread when he was only 23! Shortly thereafter he started performing in western shows depicting the frontier and Indian Wars. He founded Buffalo Bill’s Wild West in 1883, taking his large company on tours in the United States. His career brought him all over the states, including Colorado.

2021 Colorado Corn Mazes

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Corn mazes have become wildly popular tourist attractions in Colorado. They are a way for farmers to generate tourist income. Tourism is a big commodity in Colorado. Visitors to Colorado spent $24.2 billion in 2019. Also, the state welcomed 86.9 million visitors in 2019. This is great for Coloradans because it supports more than 180,000 jobs. Continue reading for some of the top corn mazes in Colorado. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Top Corn Mazes in Colorado

One of the most popular corn mazes in Colorado is at The Botanic Gardens. This 7-acre corn maze is very family friendly. If you get stranded or separated from your group have no fear. This maze has two 15-foot tall illuminated bridges, making finding your party a breeze. For kids 10 and under, there is a separate, smaller maze. The 2021 corn maze is a space-themed maze with hidden objects for visitors to discover. The Botanic Gardens corn maze is open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in Littleton.

There’s also the Cottonwood Farms in Lafayette. Cottonwood Farms is a family-owned farm that sells pumpkins, produce, and organic winter squash. At this location you’ll be able to ick your own pumpkins and see farm animals. Aside from their corn maze they will also have a straw bale maze. This 4-acre corn maze is cut by hand and not by tractors every year. The straw bale maze is great for children, where their parents can watch them play without being afraid they’ll get lost. Admission will be completely free for kids 5 and under and the elderly 65 and over. This maze is already active and will be until October 31st.

Five Star Rated Roofers in Colorado

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Need to repair to roof of your horse stalls or barn before winter? Though many repairs on your outbuildings can be done yourself, roofing is a bit more tricky. Unless you have experience working with roofing, hire a professional to do the work. Here is a list of some of the five star rated roofers in Colorado. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Five Star Rated Roofers in Colorado

At the top of our list of five star rated roofers in Colorado is K&H Home Solutions. K&H has been around since 1956, so you know that have the experience it takes to get the job done right. “K&H has been creating happy and delighted customers, just like you, for over 60 years throughout Denver and along the Front Range. Our vision is to deliver the best home improvement experience possible before, during, and after our client’s remodeling project. Our entire foundation is built on a legacy of providing a deeply satisfying experience to ensure that you know you made the right choice with K&H Home Solutions.”

There’s also Thiessen Construction & Roofing. A family owned business that’s been around since 2002. And being a family business, Thiessen Construction & Roofing provides very personalized service. They use the same installation crews for all of their work. Theissen offers 5-year warranties, which is great when it comes to the harsh Colorado climate. Also, Theissen doesn’t ask for any money up front. They make sure you’re completely satisfied before paying.

Tour Colorado as A Cowboy

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The culture of the old American West has many people from Colorado wanting to immerse themselves in the past. If you aspire to be a Colorado Cowboy, Colorado Springs has a long list of unique events and fun attractions themed around western heritage. Here are a few things you can do for your cowboy-inspired trip in the Colorado Springs area. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Cowboy Adventures in Colorado

Start your Colorado Cowboy adventure with breakfast at The Cliff House at Pikes Peak. The Cliff House is the second oldest operating hotel in Colorado, where famed Buffalo Bill Cody once stayed. Buffalo Bill Cody was an American soldier, bison hunter, and showman. Then you should visit the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame & Museum of the American Cowboy. This venue has tributes to cowboys who triumphed in the sport of rodeo. The museum often has live rodeo animals and special exhibits fun for the entire family.

What better way to experience Colorado as a Cowboy than via horseback? Plan your next stop with the Academy Riding Stables. Academy has a wonderful tour through Garden of the Gods Park on horseback. They have great trainers that can work with any rider with any skill level. The best way to end your adventure is with dinner in Old Colorado City. Colorado City was the first capitol of the Colorado Territory in 1861. This venue has refurbished architecture, unique boutiques and dining that are sure to bring you back to the era.

Colorado Donkey Facts

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Many people associate donkeys with horses, but they are very different. For example, donkeys have long ears and can hear the call of another donkey up to sixty miles away. They can also use them as a fan, cooling them down and keeping bugs away from their face. Continue reading for more donkey facts. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Interesting Donkey Facts

Did you know that the digestive tract of the donkey is also different than a horse? Though they are anatomically similar, a donkey’s digestive tract can do a lot more. Donkeys evolved in the desert. Since food is more scarce in the desert, donkeys evolved to utilize ninety-five percent of the nutrients in what they eat. Their digestive system can break down vegetation that a horse’s tract can’t. They can also extract moisture from food much more efficiently than a horse. However, this doesn’t mean that donkeys can eat whatever a horse eats.

Horses eat a lot of grains. It is very common to find things like alfalfa and other grains mixed into store bought horse feed. Donkeys should never eat alfalfa that is found in carbohydrate, protein, or sugar feeds. Unless your donkey is experiencing weight problems, they don’t need any grains. Like some horses, most donkeys can become overweight very easily. They can even develop fat pads along their crest, back, and croup, which is very bad for their mobility.

Colorado Bed and Breakfasts

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Going on vacation or looking for a place to stay over a long weekend? Getting connected with nature is a great way to refocus and recharge after months of grueling work. Colorado has a ton of great bed and breakfasts that can connect you to nature. Continue reading for some great Colorado bed and breakfasts. Or check out this article on the best AirBNBs in Colorado. Also, if you are looking for a horse property for sale in Colorado, contact Colorado Horse Property today and speak with one of our horse-person realtors.

Colorado Bed and Breakfasts Connected to Nature

What better way to experience the Colorado Rockies than in a yurt? There’s a bed and breakfast yurt in Unaweep Canyon that has great accommodations. It can sleep up to six and includes Wi-Fi, heating/AC, microwave, and mini fridge. The canyon is unique because two creeks, East Creek and West Creek, flow out of opposite ends of the gorge. It is a breathtaking view! Search AirBNB for Unaweep Yurt.

Or what about a trip down to Fairplay? Fairplay is famous for being the inspiration to the TV show South Park. Not only is there a South Park City museum you can visit, there are also opportunities to go hiking and fishing up in the nearby mountains. Mosquito Range is in the area, featuring several 14ers and 13ers to check out. The tiny house can sleep three and includes heating, AC, Wi-Fi, community hot tubs, a full bath, and a kitchen with a cooktop and fridge. Search AirBNB for Fairplay Tiny House.