Monday, August 30, 2010

My new favorite fruit


http://pdam.plumtv.com/public/marketing_player/17807


I'm now working in advertising sales at 'Plum' TV- hence the new favorite fruit.  I love it!  Here is our Telluride Plum Daily show which has been so much fun working on since joining the team in July.  I know- it's been a while since I've posted!  Sorry friends (if anyone is still reading this)!  In this clip, they unfortunately didn't have enough footage so had to interview me too in the moments on the street with Telluride locals!  Plum has 7 other markets but I'm lucky enough to be in Telluride... maybe you've seen the resort network in Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, Vail, Aspen, Sun Valley, Miami or the Hampton's?  Enjoy!

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Clark in Telluride!

Clark is in Telluride for a month and we're very excited to have him with us through July 4th weekend.  He's here living it up and picking up some odds and ends jobs along the way.  It's been one week and already we've gone on a couple hikes, he's played golf, mountain biked and this morning we tried to go rafting but it started hailing and lightening :(  We'll try tomorrow! 

Full of Hot Air...

Perfect weather last weekend for the Hot Air Balloon festival.  The town woke up to the sound of inflating hot air balloons overhead and it was a sight to be seen (if you were up early).  Apparently, the festival hadn't taken place in years because if there is minimal wind, the balloons can't go up and Telluride regularly has gusty winds in the forecast.  Saturday night was particularly amazing to see 5-6 balloons on main street.  I had never thought about how the colors of the balloon are even more vibrant in the fire-y glow- it was beautiful.  (Check out the last photo of the balloon and para-glider up, overhead- all with the weekend's theme!)

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Telluride Mountainfilm: Celebrating Indomitable Spirit

It's hard to describe the Mountainfilm Festival but I think their tag line says it best above... celebrating Indomitable Spirit.  Never have I been so adamant about getting up early on the weekend to go stand in line for a small theater in Telluride.  Actually- this was my first time in many of the venues showing the films as I hadn't gone to see a movie in 7 months having lived here.  The Mountainfilm concept is simple and approachable... it doesn't preach but it educates and I appreciated the intelligence and creativity each documentary director envisioned and executed to perfection. This quote sums up the weekend... "Simultaneously inspiring, devastating, profound, hopeful." Here is the list of diverse films I saw and I hope you can find them.  I loved every minute. 

Our very own Telluride local production will get you thinking about plastic and you won't forget your reusable bag again when you go to the store: 
Bag It- Suzan Beraza
www.bagitmovie.com

Get out the Kleenex- inspiring story of young woman from Zimbabwe and her gift- she was here in Telluride to perform after viewing the film and we hung out with the director at the closing picnic: 
Music by Prudence- Roger Ross Williams
www.musicbyprudence.com

A fun and beautifully executed film by Telluride locals (described best as "fishing porn"):
Eastern Rises- Ben Knight & Travis Rummel
http://vimeo.com/11478378

A Hollywood director changes his life and asks why are we more prosperous today but apparently less happy than ever:
I am- Tom Shadyac

Brazilian artist Vik Muniz goes to the largest landfill in the world and profiles the pickers through film and art:
Wasteland- Lucy Walker

Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints escape or are expelled from their families but the challenges they face are enormous- we got to meet the young boys profiled in the documentary:
Sons of Perdition- Tyler Measom & Jennilyn Merten


Everyone should know about this horrible practice killing dolphins.  This movie also has Ocean's 11 excitement value: 
The Cove- Louie Psihoyos


Films I wanted to see at Mountainfilm but didn't get the chance:
The Fence- Rory Kennedy
Gasland- Josh Fox
Restrepo- Tim Hetherington & Sebastian Junger
Alone on the Wall- Peter Mortimer & Nick Rosen
Africa's Lost Eden- James Byrne
Fish out of Water- Charles Annenberg Weingarten

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Spring Break 2010!

SNOWMOBILING!  Mom went first... vroom, vroom!
Skiing with Clark in the trees... Clark skied everyday he was here!
Lunch outside... ski break after a big snow storm.  Clark & Mom brought the snow!
Mom & Carson
Clark doing some spring (break) skiing!
Mountain Village... on our way to watch the Duke game!

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Vegas... when in Rome... or Paris... or Venice?!

Paris in Springtime? 
Around the world in Vegas...
Excellent time with the wonderful company...
All of Carson's family in VEGAS together :)

Monday, March 1, 2010

36 Hours in Telluride

My Dad pointed out this recent article from the NY Times... enjoy :)

http://travel.nytimes.com/2010/02/28/travel/28hours.html

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Sunrise...

Good morning Telluride

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Stickers the Porcupine

Stickers the PorcupineFor the record... we do not know any of these people.  Headline news in Telluride- Stickers was "relocated" this past week because skiers were feeding him and he was biting!  Ummm- who's idea was it to get close to a porcupine anyway?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45FD_ezEpzg&feature=related

Restaurant Tour of Telluride


 
One of our favorites- Hongas recently celebrated their 20th anniversary with free mojitos.  Dangerous but absolutely delicious.  Who knew- innovative sushi roles thanks to their fresh fish delivered from Hawaii three times a week to Telluride?!
 
Carson describes it best- "fine saloon dining."  Really good food- maybe the best burger in town?!

 
An awesome casual mexican restaurant on main street... offers an awesome chips and salsa bar while you wait for your food.  They pride themselves on organic, local meats and menu items.  My favorite... the salad wrap with fried fish and ridiculously good dressing!

 
Carson's hands-down favorite restaurant (and thank goodness their BBQ is NC style!).  Where we've taken numerous guests on their first night to introduce them to the casual atmosphere of Telluride.  We can't pick a favorite item so we'll get your mouth watering with some good ones: pulled pork sandwich, fried chicken, chicken fried steak, ribs, catfish po-boy... and the sides are out of this world too... fried okra, sweet potato fries, steak fries (it's a competition how many times we can describe foods as fried).  Luckily we try to limit ourselves to once a week.  Sorry doctor!

 
As the sign says- Telluride's 'Authentic Cuisine from Thailand' is found at SIAM!  It's a intimate restaurant with limited seating but a delicious menu of favorites including the green curry with shrimp and wide noodle dish ... lots of great spices and flavor.  
 
 
Save the nicest for last... Telluride's best place for an elegant meal and great service, The Sheridan Chop House.  Carson took me here for Valentine's last year and to show you how the "courtship" has changed, we went to Fat Alley this year (and to the Comedy Fest!)  It's always special coming here and people watching.

Take your picks for your visit! 

Book Nerd

 
The Telluride Library is remarkable considering our population- its definitely impressive..  It's a great lunch break- I love to go check out travel books, magazines, books on tape, DVDs.  It's a regular 'townie' hang out... When in Rome!

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Skiing time!

January never disappoints... some of the best snow, temps and conditions have been great this January.  Still a lot more to come!  Come visit!

Monday, January 18, 2010

Telluride Vacation Planner/Guide

Our friends Amy and McCann are coming for a visit this weekend- we can't wait!  This sparked my interest in writing a "Vacation Planner/Guide" for friends and family planning a visit.  (Not that I wouldn't want to personalize and write out one for everyone coming) but here are more general things to know before you visit.  I hope this helps with packing (I'll try to remember to update in the Spring/Summer!)   It also reminds me of Jennifer Griggs' amazing detail she shared with us before we came to Telluride for the first time with Catherine for a long ski weekend... ahh, the memories!

Before you come: drink lots of water.  When you arrive into Telluride, you'll be at 8,700 feet above sea level so its important to hydrate before to avoid headaches.  Try not to think about it too much... we've got plenty of remedies if you do feel dehydrated including bars to help dehydrate you some more!

If you are flying into Montrose, prepare for an hour drive (depending on weather and "traffic") into Telluride.  If you got a sweet deal into Telluride, prepare for a 10 minute drive.  Telluride airport fun fact: it is the highest airport in North America and gorgeous to fly into.  Montrose is where we stock up on lots of groceries and Walmart/Target "stuff" so we love to go there and hope to be able to pick anyone who comes up (at least drive one way).  If we can't get off work to do so, you can also take the Telluride Express shuttle which is better than renting a car (not a lot of parking or need for a car once you are here!)

Telluride is super casual... even at the nicest restaurants, jeans are totally acceptable.  Just make sure to bring plenty of warm layers.  Any retro ski gear is welcome in Telluride... especially for closing day but anything goes on the slopes.  If you make a local laugh with the neon bibs, it's a good day!  Temps can get into the 40's during the day but dip below zero at night.  It's a dry cold and there isn't a lot of wind, but still hats, gloves, scarves are recommended!  Oh- and as I've written about before... it is super sunny here so bring sunscreen for all exposed skiing areas.

We're pretty well stocked on everything you can imagine.  Also- we've got plenty of items you might not be able to carry on the plane (no- not guns) but more than 2 ounces of toothpaste and bathroom stuff!  Make sure to bring a swimsuit for the hot-tub - always a welcome apres-ski activity.  If you forget anything, no worries!  We'll survive without it or be able to get it here!

Can't wait to see you!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Our new used-car!

Our new addition is here... all the way from Iowa.  Carson bought an '02 Toyota 4 Runner which is in great shape and will allow for many adventures!  We're so excited!  Here are a couple photos of the outside...

 

Girls night at the hotsprings!


It was my second time going out with fun girl friends to dinner in Ridgway and the Orvis hotsprings this week.  I never noticed what healing powers an hour in the hotsprings can provide... so relaxing!  Clothing is optional but luckily we've only been at night where there is only the stars and moonlight.  :) 

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Our Telluride Home!

 
Living space
 
Kitchen
 
Dining area
 
 
 
Our bedroom
 
Guest Bedroom



Saturday, January 9, 2010

Our exciting New Year's eve!


New Year's Eve (before we fell asleep on Beth and John's couch before midnight!)  Who is that guy on TV?
 
We rallied after this and went out to Main Street to celebrate 2010!

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from Telluride!  We've had a great holiday with family and friends from near and far.  I think Marybeth's e-card explained my lack of holiday cards this year in the most funny way when it said "Happy Holidays to someone who uses environmental causes as an excuse for being too lazy and cheap to send holiday cards!"  That cracked me up... in the case this year, things were just too busy but it was so wonderful to get so many holiday cards from all of you!  I hope you had a wonderful holiday and new year.  Thank you for sharing photos and updates of your beautiful families.  We miss you and hope the new year will bring us together either in Telluride or your neck of the woods.  We're sending best wishes to everyone for the next decade.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Christmas in NC

A very merry Christmas with Mom, Dad and Clark in Durham!  This was taken on Christmas dinner at the McClays!


Monday, December 14, 2009

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree...


 
 
 
 
 
 
If you don't count the blow up tree (a Witzleben hand-me-down!) I haven't had a real Christmas tree in 7 years. On top of that- this first Christmas tree with Carson is very special.  From the prior post, you can see where we cut it down "ourselves" at the ranch- it has a couple more branches than the famous Charlie Brown tree.  It only took 100 lights and has a very minimal collection of ornaments (I counted 9 not including the filler disco balls) but we love it.  We also had extra garland for the mantle and Carson braved the snow last night to take some photos of the outside of our place.  I'm looking forward to a holiday gathering with friends later this week and of course home for the holidays in NC with my family.  Happy Holidays everyone!