The other day, I asked my niece how she was doing. Her response? Just …living the dream. I love it! I actualy use this phrase all the time, but this time… it got me thinking. Why not share how some folks here are living thier dream?

 

My BFF Linda , relocated from Long Island NY, after she acquired her 154 acres for the Love of Horses. Now she is certainly living her dream. In her spare time, ( and I use this term very loosely as she has 15 horses to feed and clean up after, two ranches to maintain, and a real estate career!), makes gorgeous, absolutely stunning, and beautiful one of a kind jewelry. You know the kind that when you wear it you feel like you are super rich, and I am not talking money-wise.

 

“I fell in love with the west and took that love and created my jewelry designs and western home accents. There was such a demand for my creations that I created Rockin’ L Designs”   http://www.rockinldesigns.com/index.html

Below is sampling of her creations!

 

There there is Mark who recently stated ” I started looking at all aspects of my life and I decided life is to short to waste it away just trying to pay the bills. I was going to start sampling everything life offered and start making old dreams come true” He certainly did just that! Purchased his “final frontier” and started doing this!

 

 

The finished piece is called No Posse in Sight In his own words >> “Well Diablo, looks like there’s no posse in sight. I think climbing this pass gave them the slip, but we need to keep moving like we always do. I didn’t think they would keep up this chase this long or this far, maybe they will just give up now and go back. Good thing you’re a strong mount, I knew that when I got ya 3 years ago. Most horses wouldn’t have lasted this long, being pushed so hard. Wish that man wouldn’t have tried to steal ya, then I wouldn’t had to shot him. We wouldn’t be running like this, if he wasn’t that sheriff’s boy.”

Email markjsacco@hotmail.com  Contact Mark directly for info regarding his new found passion at Mark Sacco ; Phone 972-723-1186

 

This place is amazing, and busy as all get out. This very successful business is located at 303 CR 3A, just south of US 50 on the Royal Gorge Blvd. Contact Bart for more info like current prices and such at 719-275-1421 or meail him at flybart22@wildblue.net

 

The above folks have grit and determination, and they also were willing to follow thier dream! If you are reading this, then perhaps you have given a great deal of thought to it too. So, how are you different? And are you ready to make that leap and follow your dream?

 

Come on over and start enjoying your own Happy Trails!

 

Well…that may be an old saying for the month of March …but for us, it was completely opposite!!

There was plenty of moisture dropped on us here in Colorado and we are looking forward to a nice green summer! While that wild weather ride may have cause you to postpone any plans to visit, we are most assuredly enjoying sunshine these days! The daffodils, crocus and other bulbs are going into full bloom, so now may be a good time to schedule that trip.

 

While you are here to look for property you will find there is much to do! Just in Pueblo alone, the PBR is hosting the Wild Wild West Fest May 12-16, 2010. The Arkansas River in the spring attracts kayakers, boaters, and even river surfers! The Colorado River Surfing Association is planning another International Surfing Day celebration at the Pueblo Whitewater Park.

And after years and years of Lake Minnequa sitting un- utilized, with the support of the Denver Broncos..a sports center is staking it’s claim at Lake Minnequa!  Almost 320 acres are being turned into a recreation and open space area, with playground and picnic shelter. The lake is slated to be stocked with fish, and a trail is already being constructed to allow folks to walk or hike around it.

In Canon City area, the 72nd Annual Music and Blossom Festival is Aril 30 to May2nd. It boasts food and craft booths, a big parade, carnival and of course..music! And you don’t need to be a kid to enjoy the chocolate walk, and other entertainers that will be delighting folks throughout the Park.

And for us Moms…Mothers get in free to the Royal Gorge on Mothers Day.

Westcliffe once again hosts the Springtime in Rockies on May 29. Kick off your day with a pancake breakfast, then peruse the booths at a 2 day annual yard sale, follow it up by enjoying the Wet Mt Community Parade and finish the afternoon by attending the live theatre performance of Route 66.

Of course this is just a small sampling of what is happening around this neck of the woods, and there is sure to be something to appeal to all age groups and tastes. Visit the appropriate county’s chamber of commerce, or call me if there is some specific activities you are into and would like to have links or information about.

In closing, just remember with interest rates still at historic lows, the stock market increasing daily, the home sales market improving….it is increasingly proving that there is no time like the present to find that dream property! And frankly, it will be a long time coming before the bargains, the wheeling and dealing, the steals of the deals, that we are seeing now will happen again.

So…saddle up…and head on out to pursue that dream…before it gets out of reach again.  

See you on the Happy Trails~

 

 

Whomever, came up with the term the Lazy Days of Summer did not have any kids! Summer is always such a high energy time with familial obligations and get togethers, folks wanting to look at land during thier vacations, and owners wanting to get their land on the market for those folks on vacation.  I realized recently that I did not get a chance to do any of the fun things that those folks visiting Colorado get to do

Well, summer is not quite over and it is never too late. Think I will venture out and enjoy a day trip or too.  Where to start is the hard part. I can go stroll through the Garden of the Gods, or enjoy fresh and local grown produce at the Farmer’s markets, both in Canon City and Pueblo, and I always have loved the feel of the

Hard to choose when right here in Pueblo, just about every weekend there is something going on at the Riverwalk usually involving food and music http://www.puebloharp.com/ Or the Greenway and Nature Center it’s a bit more low key http://www.natureandraptor.org/ 

I have a list of local history museums too…and I am sure there is something new going on at Art Center in Pueblo http://www.sdc-arts.org/

 

Or maybe just head into Westcliffe and enjoy some of our States most captivating views of the Sangre De Cristos which at this writing are already snow capped peaks!

Better hurry though cause soon enough it will be time for a our annual journey to see the aspen change. Just need to decide between the Gold Belt tour or the Frontier Pathways http://www.goldbeltbyway.com  http://www.frontierpathways.org 

 

Happy Trails ~

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When driving in the winter: 98% OF AMERICANS SCREAM BEFORE GOING IN THE DITCH ON A SLIPPERY ROAD. THE OTHER 2% ARE FROM COLORADO AND THEY SAY, ‘HOLD MY SODA AND WATCH THIS.

You’ll eat ice cream in the winter.
When the weather report says it’s going to be 65 degrees, you shave your legs and wear a skirt.
It snows 5 inches and you don’t expect school to be cancelled.

You’ll wear flip flops every day of the year, regardless of temperature.
You have no accent at all, but can hear other people’s. And then you make fun of them.
‘Humid’ is over 25%.

You say ‘the interstate’ and everybody knows which one.
You think that May is a totally normal month for a blizzard.
You buy your flowers to set out on Mother’s day, but try and hold off planting them until just before Father’s day.

You grew up planning your Halloween costumes around your coat.
You know what the Continental Divide is.
You don’t think Coors beer is that big a deal.

You’ve gone off-roading in a vehicle that was never intended for such activities.
You always know the elevation of where you are.
You wake up to a beautiful, 80 degree day and you wonder if it’s going to snow tomorrow.

And the ultimate true test: Your sense of direction is: Toward the mountains and Away from the mountains.

Happy Trails to you!

Might as well get used to it. Colorado is cattle country! And with that.. comes the “Cowboy Way” of doing things. But don’t take the term as being negative.  It’s actually more a statement to be proud of.  Like not wasting time, putting in a hard days work, respecting the law, being polite and friendy to strangers, performing a task right the first time, and never, ever going to bed with your spurs on

Below are some thoughts from the cowboys of yesteryear, excerpts are from the Oct 07 issue of Cowboys and Indians. Pass em along if you feel so inspired…and Happy Trails to you!

Hopalong Cassidy: “The highest badge of honor a person can wear is Honesty.” “Be mindful at all times.” “If you want respect, respect others.”

Wild Bill Hickock: “Be kind to animals.” “Be polite and courteous.” “Be brave, but not careless.”

Gene Autry: “Never shoot first, hit a smaller man or take unfair advantage.” “Help those in distress.” “Do not advocate or possess racially or religiously intolerant ideas.”

The Lone Ranger: “To have a friend a man must be one.” “All men are created equal and everyone has~ within himself~the power to make this a better world.” “God put the firewood there, but it is up to man to gather and light it.” “Sooner or later, somewhere..somehow..we must settle with the world and make payment for what we have taken.”

And the Roy Rogers Prayer:

Lord, I reckon I’m not much just by myself,  I fail to do a lot of things I ought to do.

But Lord, when trails are steep and passes high, Help me ride it straight the whole way through.

And when in the falling dusk I get that final call, I do not care how many flowers they send,

Above all else, the happiest trail would be For you to say to me

“Let’s Ride, My Friend.”    ~~Amen.

 

 

One of the (many) things I love about where I live, is how Colorado experiences four very distinct seasons. This time of year is just amazing! Still cool in the am, then bright and sunny in the day. While just yesterday we were blessed with a softly falling snow shower, whose flakes were the size of the palm , of my daughters hand.  The prairie looks like a big brown carpet with a green hue eminating from the undergrowth coming alive after lying dormant all winter. The decidious trees’ branches are bedecked in random patterns of tiny little bumps showing the promise of producing tender buds. And I swear one could burn thier retinas  if they stare too long at the dazzling illumination off the still snow-capped mountain peaks.  Although I love and appreciate winter, I am ready to head to the home improvement centers. Stroll the aisles and start planning the spring clean up and planting projects.  But for now, repairs and improvements can wait I need to get to the Riverwalk, and see how the expansion is going, check out the wares in any newly discovered shops along the way, and sip a latte while the boats and ducks float by.