AvidLifestyle March 2020 issue

AvidLifestyle.com

MARCH 2020

And

Away

We Go! Set off on 4 epic

adventures

At sea with

AQUAZEAL and HH LUXURY LIFESTYLE MARCH 2020 | $8.95

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74470

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AvidLifestyle.com

CENTENNIAL AIRPORT, then and now

Boozy

BEVERAGES

made to move

THE

ALL-NEW 2020

LINCOLN CORSAIR

HAS

ARRIVED Lincoln Corsair Reserve model with optional features shown

LINCOLN CORSAIR FEATURES • LINCOLN CO-PILOT 360TM • AVAILABLE 24-WAY PERFECT POSITION SEATS • SYNC® 3 APPLINK® • AVAILABLE 14-SPEAKER REVEL® AUDIO SYSTEM • AVAILABLE PANORAMIC VISTA ROOF® ©2019 Harman International Industries, Incorporated. Revel is a trademark of Harman International Industries, Incorporated. All rights reserved.

Expressive from every angle, the all-new 2020 Lincoln Corsair combines spirited agility with responsive adaptability for an exciting ride. Within the airy 5-passenger interior, luxurious amenities and serene quietness await.

Chart an exhilarating course for your future in the Corsair

For more information or to check our current inventory scan the QR Code →

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Landmark Lincoln 5000 S Broadway Englewood, CO 80113

4204 MORNING STAR DRIVE THE VILLAGE AT CASTLE PINES 4 Bedrooms | 4 Bathrooms | 4,220 FSF | Listed at: $690,000

EVA BARKMAN 720-404-4462 ebarkman@livsothebysrealty.com LIV Sotheby’s International Realty ® is a registered trademark licensed to LIV Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LTD. Each Sotheby’s International Realty office is independently owned and operated. This information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All pricing pertaining to properties are subject to change. If you have a brokerage relationship with another real estate professional this is not meant as solicitation.

4360 CHATEAU RIDGE LANE THE VILLAGE AT CASTLE PINES 3 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | 3,208 FSF | Listed at: $789,000

WANDA FORD 720-320-8901 wford@livsothebysrealty.com wandaford.com LIV Sotheby’s International Realty ® is a registered trademark licensed to LIV Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LTD. Each Sotheby’s International Realty office is independently owned and operated. This information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All pricing pertaining to properties are subject to change. If you have a brokerage relationship with another real estate professional this is not meant as solicitation.

CONTENTS

// march 2020

departments

10

PHOTO: CHAD CHISHOLM, CUSTOM CREATIONS; LUGGAGE, HANDBAG & SCARF: THE VINTAGE LABEL; LOCATION: HALCYON, A HOTEL IN CHERRY CREEK

FEATURED

A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS My unexpected journey through a snowstorm ... in Texas. By Kendall Kostelic

12 16

ON THE AGENDA Russell Peters, spring break camps, trail racing and more.

REACH FOR THE SKY Half a century looks good on you, Centennial Airport.

By Lori Midson

local f lavors

18 20

WANDERING SPIRITS These concoctions are ready to go places—literally.

TEA-LICIOUS Lone Tree now has authentic boba tea.

By Laurel Thompson

dwelling well

22 26

SPRING (SKIING) FEVER Six reasons—and counting— to get the Ikon Pass.

By Karl Andersen

A LIFE AQUATIC Sara and Andy Haffenden know the best places to see by yacht.

By Jennie Nunn

ready to wear

50 54 57 60

VINTAGE VANTAGE POINT Meet your new favorite vintage fashion shop.

By Suzanne S. Brown A PLACE IN THE SUN Let’s talk resort wear.

32

influencers

Pack your bags: Prodigious itineraries through Africa, Kaua‘i, Sri Lanka and around an impressive lake in Georgia are all set.

ON THE COVER: Capt. Andy’s Sailing Adventures Nāpali Coast boat tour PHOTO: Capt. Andy’s Sailing Adventures

WRITING THE RANGE Corinne Joy Brown finds inspiration in the West.

By John Lehndorff

THE HILLS ARE ALIVE Debi Simons takes choral music to the next level.

By Claire Martin

wayfarers

64

6

march 2020 // AvidLifestyle

FULL HOUSE One family’s home-away from-home in Aspen.

By Ali Longwell

N EW

TOTAL BODY

STRETCH Introducing the

“It’s impossible to compete at this level if you aren’t taking care of your body, and assisted stretching is a big part of my training.”

- Justin Thomas

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Official Massage Sponsor of the PGA TOUR® DISCLAIMER: *Pricing is based on introductory rate available to first time guests. Prices subject to change. A 30-minute stretch session includes 25-minutes of hands-on time and 5-minutes of consultation, which occurs pre and post service. Stretching is generally known to help ease pain and tension and increase mobility. Stretch services are not intended to diagnose, prevent, or treat any medical condition, and you should consult your doctor if you are experiencing continual or severe pain in any area of your body. Individual results may vary. Rates and services may vary by franchised location and session. Additional local taxes and fees may apply. Not all Massage Envy locations offer all services. For a specific list of services available, check with the specific location or see MassageEnvy.com. Each Massage Envy franchised location is independently owned and operated. ©2017 Massage Envy Franchising, LLC.

THINKING ABOUT BUYING OR SELLING?

March 2020 // vol. 1 // no. 12 PRESIDENT/GROUP PUBLISHER Allen J. Walters PUBLISHER Chris Phillips EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Jon Rizzi sales, marketing & advertising SENIOR SALES DIRECTOR Craig Hitchcock SALES DIRECTOR Mike Carver

NANCY WALTERS

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Hillary Locke Mujica DIGITAL SPECIALIST Drew Kort

Professional, Trustworthy and Dedicated

BUSINESS MANAGER Cindy Palmer art & editorial EDITOR Kendall Kostelic CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jani Duncan Smith ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Chelsea Oglesby INTERN Lauren Karaba CONTRIBUTORS Brittany Anas, Karl Andersen, Suzanne Brown, E.J. Carr, Chad Chisholm, Kathy Hisey Baum, John Lehndorff, Ali Longwell, Claire Martin, Lori Midson, Jennie Nunn, Laurel Thompson PRINCIPALS Ray L. Baker, C. Don Baker, Dick B. Baker ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: chris@avidlifestyle.com EDITORIAL INQUIRIES AND LETTERS: kendall@avidlifestyle.com CUSTOMER SERVICE: 720.493.1729 MAILING ADDRESS: 7200 S. Alton Way #A-180 Centennial, CO 80112 AvidLifestyle (ISSN 2642-0562) is published twelve times a year by Baker-Colorado Publishing, LLC, and printed by Publication Printers Inc. volume 1, number twelve. 7200 S. Alton Way #A-180, Centennial, CO 80112. Order your personal subscription to AvidLifestyle by calling 720-493-1729. Subscriptions are available at the rate of $12 per year. Copyright © 2020 by Baker-Colorado Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Postmaster: Send address changes to AvidLifestyle, 7200 S. Alton Way #A-180 Centennial, CO 80112. The magazine welcomes editorial submissions but assumes no responsibility for the safekeeping or return of unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, artwork or other material.

720-220-5446

nwalters@kentwood.com nancydenverrealtor.com

8

march 2020 // AvidLifestyle

OP EN HO US E E XC LU S I V E C LU B M E M B E R S H I P SAT URDAY, M AY 2, 3:00P M – 6: 00PM | 3320 MESA ROA D We invite you to experience the wonderful lifestyle at Garden of the Gods Resort and Club. Discover your home away from home with Social, Sports, Golf, and Wellness memberships. Witness the draw your next event can provide for your guests or business needs. Join us for complimentary appetizers and wine while learning what Garden of the Gods Resort and Club has to offer to you, your family and/or business associates.

Please let us know to expect you by contacting Tracey Kalata at 719.520.4980 or tkalata@gardenofthegodsresort.com One lucky guest will be selected to become a Member for a Day!

INTEGRATED WELLNESS SPA AT GARDEN OF THE GODS RESORT AND CLUB

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SETTING THE STAGE

where you

LIVE

TALK OF THE TOWN

KNOW SOMEONE who should be featured in AvidLifestyle? Tell me about him or her at kendall@avidlifestyle.com.

Strategically connecting buyers and sellers with the best properties in Colorado.

A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS Believe it or not, no facts were exaggerated in the recitation of this mishap.

WHO WOULD BELIEVE that my most disastrous, cataclysmal travel experience centers around a blizzard in Texas? A big blizzard—the worst snowstorm this 20-year Colorado resident has ever faced—in the middle of the Texas Panhandle, a 25,610-square-mile stretch of dry, flat land that tortures road-trippers with its emptiness.

I have witnesses: four members of my immediate family and one spunky grandma.

Our group was about a work-day’s-worth of time into this Southern trek when we saw something we thought we had left at home: you guessed it, flurries. Like true Coloradans, we kept the cruise control going. We realized our mistake 60 minutes later, when a smooth 75 miles-per-hour halted to a slippery, swerving 20. All other traffic was heading in the opposite direction, including snowplows. Nevertheless, we made it to a hotel.

Our second mistake came the following morning, when we determined, because a weatherwoman declared the storm finished, we could efficiently make it to safe roads.

Twenty miles out, we were stopped on the interstate by gridlock. We waited. Two hours later when no one had shifted and zero radio stations mentioned a bizarre delay, a local police station told us the Texas Army National Guard was on its way. I am not kidding.

An 18-wheeler transporting cattle, the station said, had jackknifed at the interstate’s bridge and was blocking traffic. Machinery was being enlisted to rectify the truck.

EX P ERI EN CED, T RU S T E D A DV I S O R .

Four more hours pass. We call again: The machine was broken, a second cattle truck had jackknifed. So, we drove down an on-ramp looking for somewhere to wait it out: a church in the small town of Electra with up to 100 others.

LUXURY RE A L E S TATE BROKER WITH

The sun was out the next day, but the roads were covered in inches of ice—which we drove on for another nail-biting eight hours to, finally, get to our destination.

LIV SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY

303.921.2964 csanders@livsothebysrealty.com

For surviving this, we jest, someone should make honorary T-shirts.

The travel spots in this issue (pg. 32) have nothing to do with untimely occurrences.

Rather, they have everything to do with euphoric environments and activities for which someone will do their very best to ensure the fun goes according to plan. But, do keep an eye on weather reports and road conditions. Forecasts save sanities, folks.

Here’s to living well,

Kendall Kostelic 10

march 2020 // AvidLifestyle

PHOTO: CHAD CHISHOLM, CUSTOM CREATIONS

LOVE

// editor’s letter

CLOSE TO HOME,

A WORLD AWAY.

The Ranch at Emerald Valley

Cloud Camp

Fly Fishing Camp

Find Your Colorado adventure out where the West begins at one of our three Broadmoor Wilderness all-inclusive mountain enclaves of The Ranch at Emerald Valley, Cloud Camp and the Orvis-Endorsed Fly Fishing Camp. From breathtaking scenery to hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fly fishing and zip lining, to the rustic luxury of well-appointed accommodations and The Broadmoor’s legendary dining and service, it’s all about creating unforgettable experiences. Just three more reasons why The Broadmoor is called “The Most Unique Resort in the World.”

Visit broadmoor.com and plan your one-of-a-kind adventure today.

844.209.6878

BROADMOOR.COM

1 L AKE AVENUE, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80906

ON THE AGENDA

// can’t-miss events

March 7 RIDE FOR A REASON CENTENNIAL Supporting the missions behind St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Life Time Foundation (a nonprofit dedicated to creating healthy changes in school food) is as easy as riding a bike—an indoor bike, for a four-hour cycling relay fundraiser. Grab your cycling comrades and form a team, join a team or tackle the ride on your own.

LIFE TIME FITNESS stjude.org

PHOTO: RUSSELL PETERS VIA FACEBOOK

PHOTO: COURTESY TOPGOLF

MARCH

March 12-14

March 16-18, March 30-April 1 March 13 WHISKY AND SCOTCH TASTING The Blackthorn Sessions Celtic band and Scotland-trained bagpiper Scott Beach want to wish you a happy St. Patrick’s Day in the setting of Cherokee Ranch’s Scottish citadel.

For the main event, Beach will present several whisky and whiskey tastings that deserve a big Sláinte. CHEROKEEE RANCH AND CASTLE cherokeeranch.org

RUSSELL PETERS You’ll laugh. You’ll cry (from the laughing).

You’ll likely hear satire on cultural quirks and racism. Comedian, producer, actor and author Russell Peters performs on the biggest stages in the world. This show is just down the street. COMEDY WORKS SOUTH comedyworks.com

Spring into Never Pay Retail!

TOPGOLF SPRING ACADEMY The “entertainment destination” is putting on a school designed to teach the minors in the house a winning golf swing. In other words, junior golfers now have spring break plans. TOPGOLF CENTENNIAL topgolf.com/us/centennial

March 16-20 CAMP DCL In other spring break news, the Douglas County Libraries in Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch and Parker have new weeklong camps for kids ages 5-10. At Lone Tree’s branch, half-day activities consist of either learning about superfoods and practicing basic kitchen techniques or picking up a plethora of pencils in a fantasy art class; full-day campers partake in both.

DOUGLAS COUNTY LIBRARIES dcl.org there’s more ➼

Never Pay Retail Samples is a women’s boutique filled with quality name brand samples priced at wholesale or below.

Owner, Ann Fulton, travels to clothing markets across the country finding clothing and accessories that are stylish and well made. The NPR staff is knowledgeable, supportive and will help you make great clothing selections. Stop in and visit us today! Never Pay Retail Samples is open Mon-Sat 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

303.695.9596 | nprsamples.com 5042 E. Hampden Ave, | Denver, CO 80222 12

march 2020 // AvidLifestyle

With miles of trails and thousands of acres of open space, it’s easy to unplug and recharge in Aurora.

Aurora Reservoir

GoAurora.org

March 22

// can’t-miss events

CANTATA INSIGHTS SERIES Bring Bach back to life—in a way, that is the goal behind Colorado Bach Ensemble, a chorale dedicated to performing the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and his compeers. Tonight, the series focuses on Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis in meinem Herzen, BWV 21 (or I had much sorrow within my heart). Artistic director James Kim will take admirers on a “guided tour” of the cantata before the group presents the full piece. BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH coloradobach.org

FOLLOW THE LINK

March 26, 29 and April 2 WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY There are two takeaways to this three-part class. One, hobbyist shutterbugs will learn important techniques for capturing animals.

Two, class attendees get a private tour of the Denver Zoo to put those instructions into practice. Things finish on April 2 with an instore exhibit and critique. MIKE’S CAMERA PARK MEADOWS mikescamera.com

LADIES NIGHT: TRAIL TALK AND BRA DONATION Life’s 2 Short Fitness is bringing everything there is to know about summer trail racing together for one night. Sit in on shoe- and sports-bra-fitting demonstrations with Brooks Running and a Q&A on gear and preparing for spring training and racing season; contribute to the bra drive for Free the Girls, a nonprofit working to raise women and girls out of sex trafficking through entrepreneurship (get a raffle ticket for every new or gently used bra donated); go on a “social fun run;” and more. ROAD RUNNER SPORTS facebook.com/ lifes2shortfitness

PHOTO: L BARNWELL, SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

March 25

March 28 CAFFEINE AND CHROME Car enthusiasts of all kinds, meet your last-Saturday-of-the-month plan.

Gateway Classic Cars hosts anyone with a vehicle to show off (collectible or not) at its lot each month almost all year long. Your fuel while conversing with the local car community: donuts and coffee. GATEWAY CLASSIC CARS, Englewood gatewayclassiccars.com

alpinebank.com | Member FDIC

// what’s online

PHOTO: COURTESY SNÖBAHN

ON THE AGENDA

TRICKS AT SNÖBAHN HAVE REALLY RAMPED UP TWO YEARS AGO, Snöbahn, Centennial’s indoor ski and snowboard center, unleashed a new course in its training-for-every-skilllevel facility. The main element of this new track measures 16 feet in height, 8 feet in width and 60 feet in length. Professional athletes have taken a liking to practicing on it, which has redefined the feature among center visitors to a spot in the gym that puts on a pretty impressive show. avidlifestyle.com

INDEPENDENCE • COMMUNITIES • COMPASSION • INTEGRITY • LOYALTY 40 LOCATIONS IN COLORADO 14

march 2020 // AvidLifestyle

AND YOUR KIDS DAY!

303.876.1021 | clubgreenwood.com membership@clubgreenwood.com 5801 S. Quebec Street, Greenwood Village, CO

BE OUR GUEST

3-DAY PASS GREENWOODPASS.COM

THE REST IS HISTORY

// how it all started

PHOTOS: COURTESY CENTENNIAL AIRPORT

Reach for the Sky

But the airport is more than a transportation hub, as regulars of The Perfect Landing, Centennial’s on-site piano bar and restaurant, know. And in 2018, notes Doubek, another “great place for airplane nuts and just about everyone else” checked in on the south side of the airport with the unveiling of the Wings Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight Boeing Blue Sky Aviation Gallery, two high-ceilinged hangars showcasing aerospace experiences and exhibits. There are pilot-quality flight simulators, weather exhibits, an enclosed room to practice drone skills, an area where flight nerds can listen to live chatter from Centennial Tower and—take note budding pilots—even opportunities to fly over the Front Range with the Aspen Flying Club and, for the kids, with youth-focused programs.

Things were basically looking good for CENTENNIAL AIRPORT when opening-day excitement and attendance backed up area traffic for miles.

By Lori Midson

Day in 1968. More than 20,000 people attended the opening ceremony to witness the late aerobatic pilot Dick Rutt snip the first ceremonial ribbon with the wing tip of his plane. The airport had just one runway and housed 98 aircrafts; the landscape was little more than prairie land.

Centennial Airport, originally the Arapahoe County Airport, officially opened on Mother’s

By the end of 2020, there will be even more changes with the addition of an administration “hangar,” currently under construction. “I’ve loved watching the evolution of Centennial Airport over the decades,” Doubek says.

With the team growing, newer heights are undoubtedly next.

PHOTO: LORI MIDSON

Residing in unincorporated Arapahoe County and Douglas County, Centennial Airport— its official name since 1984—doesn’t service commercial jets, but it’s grown by leaps and bounds nonetheless. “We now have three runways and we service everything from singleengine planes to private helicopters,” says 92-year-old Bob Doubek, Centennial Airport Foundation director and Arapahoe County Board of County Commissioners treasurer.

There are 840 airplanes based at Centennial: 569 single-engine aircrafts, 104 multi-engine aircraft, 147 jet aircraft and 20 private helicopters, to be specific. On average, there are about 340,000 takeoffs and landings each year—or roughly 1,000 flights a day.

Sullenberger landed at the airfield a few times during his years at the United States Air Force Academy.

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march 2020 // AvidLifestyle

PHOTO: LORI MIDSON

IN MAY 2018, Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, the pilot who miraculously saved the lives of 155 passengers in 2009 when he and his crew safely landed a US Airways plane in the Hudson River, was a keynote speaker at Centennial Airport’s 50th birthday celebration. Who better to blow out the candles for the second-busiest general aviation airport in the nation?

TAKE FLIGHT

Centennial Airport 303.790.0598 www.centennialairport.com/ index.php

5280 TOP DENTIST FOR 11 YEARS RUNNING

Transcend Traditional Dentistry We strive to provide an exceptional experience so unique to dentistry that our guests will feel inspired to invite their friends and family.

Our holistic approach offers the best there is in dentistry combined with our patients personal health goals.

VIBRANCE COMPREHENSIVE DENTISTRY 7400 E. CRESTLINE CIRCLE, SUITE 230 GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO 80111

www.vibrancedentistry.com

303-770-1116

LOCAL FLAVORS

// good cheers

Wandering

SPIRITS

Cocktail mixers, growlers and bottles of special spirits or wine belong on the bar cart at home—not rattling around in the trunk on the way to the mountains, weighing down your picnic basket en route to the park or even in already full hands heading to the neighbor’s potluck. This is the stance you’ll take, at least, after ditching travel-cumbersome full-size bottles for these quality boozy beverages made for going places. PORTABILITY NEVER TASTED SO GOOD.

WANDER + IVY What started as a quest to find a solid single-glass bottle of wine for founder Dana Spaulding, in 2017, turned into a mission to deliver the best single-serve option on the shelves. Spaulding’s 6.3-ounce, twist-top glass bottles are filled with varietals made from organic grapes at family-owned, noteworthy wineries worldwide—she became a sommelier to really taste the difference.

GET IT at Lone Tree’s Lukas Liquor Superstore and more than a dozen other area liquor stores, and at wanderandivy.com.

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march 2020 // AvidLifestyle

LOCAL FLAVORS

// good cheers

CRAFTHOUSE COCKTAILS What’s better than an award-winning premixed cocktail? Crafthouse founders Charles Joly and Matt Lindner, a Cherry Hills Village resident, know the answer: an awardwinning premixed cocktail stored in a new durable, aluminum, two-serving canteen.

GET IT at Centennial’s Total Wine and More, Englewood’s Liquor Depot and Greenwood Village’s Bouzy Wine and Spirits. crafthousecocktails.com

CRAFT BREWS Centennial’s Halfpenny Brewing Company, Lone Tree’s Rare by Grist and Centennial’s Resolute Brewing Company have a better carry-out option than growlers (in which beer can start to lose carbonation and freshness after just three days). For the first two, that option would be a Crowler, a 32-ounce can that can keep brews fresh for roughly a month. At Resolute, the answer includes Crowlers, but also the new 8-ounce stubby, 16-ounce tall boy and, available across Colorado, 12-ounce six-pack cans.

GET IT Halfpenny, Arapahoe Village Center Shopping Center, 720.583.0580 halfpennybrewing.com

TO GET PACKING IN A TOTE DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR A GOOD DRINK,

Rare by Grist, Park Meadows Drive, 303.728.9394 gristbrewingcompany.com Resolute, South Yosemite Street, 720.722.1238 resolutebrewingco.com

head to corkcicle.com. left to right: Lucy Handbag cooler, $149.95; Virginia Tote cooler, $129.95; and Ivanhoe Duffle 24, $174.95

PHOTOS: CHAD CHISHOLM, CUSTOM CREATIONS

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march 2020 // AvidLifestyle

Tea// tea party

Licious

➼

drink plug

➼

How to enjoy your

By Laurel Thompson

In contrast, Huang’s menu follows genuine recipes from Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao. Known for an expansive menu of diverse and unique flavor combinations, most medleys you’ll order at Like Tea are made entirely in-house using tea leaves, fresh fruit and evaporated milk and cream. Drink options range from traditional boba teas, also known as bubble and pearl milk tea, to fruit teas, slushes and cheese tea (more on that later).

“I wanted to provide a way for people here to be part of this cultural experience,” he says.

“We pride ourselves on using the unique teh tarik technique, known as ‘pull tea,’ to craft all of our brews,” Huang continues. Teh tarik mixes (traditionally grade-B) tea with evaporated or condensed milk by pouring it from one cup

LIKE TEA CAP STEP 1: Remove the red, heart-shaped drink plug from the sipping aperture.

STEP 2: Secure the plug in the plug rest on the back of the lid.

STEP3: Taste each layer of flavor.

Like Tea Lone Tree 720.605.0932 lonetreebobatea.com

TEH TARIK TECHNIQUE

into another—pouring from as high a point as possible—for a smooth, frothy texture. The practice is used by most tea shops and mamak stalls (or openair booths) in Singapore and Malaysia for hot milk-tea drinks, and has since been adopted and improved upon in Hong Kong: “The Chinese combined teh tarik with their original idea of milk tea and called it ‘silk stocking milk tea’ or ‘Hong Kong-style milk tea,’” Huang explains. “It creates a silky-smooth blend that is distinctive to that part of Asia.”

Clockwise from top: PEACH SWEET CHEESE SLUSH, THAI MILK TEA, SUPER FRUIT TEA

The phrase “cheese tea,” known as cheese caps at Like Tea, is also pretty distinguishing. The unusual-to-Americans tea topping reportedly originated in Taiwan. Huang considers himself an early adopter of cheese caps in Colorado: “It’s really something you can’t get anywhere else. It’s a creamy topping that floats on tea drinks, creating a smooth, creamy combination of sweetness and saltiness. Cheese caps add a great texture and flavor that kind of explodes in your mouth.”

Like China’s Hi Tea, which made the “cap” famous, Huang uses real cheese. “Our cap series is mostly based on cream cheese and sea salt flavors,” he adds. “Some customers are afraid to order the cheese caps because it sounds odd to have cheese in a tea drink, but I think everyone should try it.” And you should start, Huang says, with these eight items.

From left to right: BLACK MILK TEA BRÛLÉE CAP, JASMINE MILK TEA CHEESE CAP, YING YANG MILK TEA TIRAMISU CAP, MANGO JASMINE TEA VERY BERRY YOGURT CAP

DRINK UP

JASMINE MILK TEA CHEESE CAP: a refreshing green tea packed with antioxidants and floral flavors, finished with a sea-salt cheese cap.

Huang’s personal favorite.

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YING YANG MILK TEA TIRAMISU CAP: a blend of coffee and traditional milk tea with cocoa powder dusted over a combination coffee-andcream-cheese cap. This is a customer favorite.

MANGO JASMINE TEA VERY BERRY YOGURT CAP: a fruity herbal tea topped with a blend of strawberry yogurt and cream cheese.

BLACK MILK TEA BRÛLÉE CAP: a traditional black tea topped with sweet custard and torched sugar. Try this if you aren’t a fan of cream cheese.

THAI MILK TEA: a traditional Thai milk tea with herbal tea, cream and “brown cane” tapioca balls.

SUPER FRUIT TEA: a jasmine tea base with passion fruit notes, topped with fresh-cut strawberries, oranges and watermelon.

PEACH SWEET CHEESE SLUSH: fresh peaches and peach juice blended with sweet cheese and ice. Cheese slushes are also a popular pick.

MANGO MOUSSE: a delicate dessert mousse topped with real mango chunks.

PHOTOS: E.J. CARR

“I was inspired by people like me who were craving a good cup of boba tea,” Huang says. “Until we opened, there were only a few boba tea shops in the state that served the real thing. Most of the drinks I tried tasted artificial and used powdered flavors.”

plug rest

sipping aperture

LONE TREE HASN’T SEEN BREWS LIKE THIS BEFORE THE FARTHEST Adam Huang has traveled for an authentic cup of boba tea is more than 7,000 miles to Hong Kong—a far, far cry from Park Meadows in Lone Tree. You see, when he moved to Colorado from Southeast China in 2000, he had trouble finding a good representation of the drink (now more popular than coffee in some parts of Asia). After 19 years of trekking, he decided it was about time to share what the tasty sip had to offer. This month marks the one-year anniversary of the opening of Huang’s Like Tea, an authentic boba tea shop in The Vistas at Park Meadows.

➼

LOCAL FLAVORS

DWELLING WELL

// in season

Spring

Skiing

Fever

WITH THE IKON PASS, EXPLORING COLORADO’S SLOPES—AND TRAILS BEYOND STATE LINES— FEELS EASY.

By Karl Andersen

ARAPAHOE BASIN

I’VE OWNED DOZENS of Colorado season passes over the years, and spring planning was always a simple, yet limited, exercise: Get in the lion’s share of days at your season pass area, and then try to squeeze in a longer trip where you can buy day tickets at another resort.

Plotting peaks has changed dramatically with the arrival of the Ikon Pass—launched in 2018 to counter the industry-leading Epic Pass from Vail Resorts, whose mountains tend to have the same corporate feel.

BASE/SUMMIT ELEVATION IN FEET: 10,520/13,050 SKIABLE AREA: 1,428 acres AVERAGE ANNUAL SNOWFALL: 350 inches EXPECTED CLOSING DAY: June 7 A-Basin is North America’s sweetheart for late-season skiing (lifts spun until July 4 last year). The resort opened a game-changing lift serving The Beavers and The Steep Gullies last season, accessing 468 acres of terrain … but the best stuff is still in the trees. The Basin’s spring docket is full of live music and events, but DIY remains the preferred approach: secure an early, front-row parking spot at The Beach and bring the grill, cooler and party tent.

What trails am I headed to? With Ikon Pass unlocking six diverse in-state ski destinations—it has 41 worldwide with access to open slopes nearly yearround—and extending the Colorado season into June with Arapahoe Basin, I’ll just say a slew of them.

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march 2020 // AvidLifestyle

DWELLING WELL

// in season

ASPEN SNOWMASS

(ASPEN HIGHLANDS, ASPEN MOUNTAIN, BUTTERMILK and SNOWMASS)

WINTER PARK

BASE/SUMMIT ELEVATION IN FEET: 9,000/12,060

BASE/SUMMIT ELEVATIONS IN FEET: all four resorts have bases at roughly 8,000 feet; Snowmass’ 12,510-foot summit is the highest

SKIABLE AREA: 3,081 acres AVERAGE ANNUAL SNOWFALL: more than 313 inches

SKIABLE AREA: 5,527 total acres AVERAGE ANNUAL SNOWFALL: about 300 inches for all but Buttermilk, which averages 200 inches

EXPECTED CLOSING DAY: Winter Park side, April 26; Mary Jane side, to be determined

EXPECTED CLOSING DAYS: Buttermilk, April 5; Highlands, April 12; Aspen Mountain and Snowmass, April 19

Winter Park, hidden in the Fraser Valley and well removed from I-70, is the closest major ski resort to Denver—literally: It’s owned by the City and County of Denver. The seven distinct territories in its vast skiable acreage offer plenty of trails to explore. The bump-laden Mary Jane Mountain is a spring destination in itself for those seeking signature soft, Volkswagen-sized bumps and tree skiing on a more advanced course. The resort has retired its poky three-person Sunnyside chair and replaced it with a high-speed six-pack, which means quick access to the base of Parsenn Bowl Territory. Also new: a gondola at the base of Winter Park that stops at Sunspot Mountaintop Lodge, and resort guides for hire who’ll lead guests past boundary ropes to partake in another spring ritual, backcountry skiing in powder or corn snow.

There’s a reason SKI magazine has named Aspen Snowmass the West’s No. 1 ski-resort destination for two years running. The signature town comes alive in spring when you can leisurely stroll its vibrant, highend shops (Gucci, Prada, Kemo Sabe) and world-class restaurants (Matsuhisa, Bosq and Meat and Cheese are worth mentioning), or rub elbows with the locals at Red Onion or J-Bar. This can often be accomplished in short sleeves thanks to Aspen’s relatively low elevation, while skiers and riders shred Ajax above town. Snowmass is a favorite family pick. With 4,406 feet of vertical rise, it has more skiable and rideable acreage than the other three areas combined.

PHOTO: WINTER PARK CORDUROY BLUES, COURTESY ALTERRA

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DWELLING WELL

// in season

GOOD NEWS

ELDORA

travels fast

BASE/SUMMIT ELEVATION IN FEET: 9,200/10,600 SKIABLE AREA: 680 acres

If you harbor spring travel plans that go beyond state and international borders, Ikon Pass accommodates.

AVERAGE ANNUAL SNOWFALL: 300 inches EXPECTED CLOSING DAY: April 12 New ownership has been improving the experience at Eldora since 2016. The impressive rejuvenation started with the installation of the first high-speed lift—the six-person Alpenglow—in 2017. But the Eldora vibe is still different, as demonstrated by nearby Nederland’s signature event: Frozen Dead Guy Days, a three-day frosty festival running March 13-15.

It will get you on the lifts at five resorts adjacent to Salt Lake City, including the Ritz-like Deer Valley, the legendary areas of Little Cottonwood Canyon (Alta and Snowbird) and the hidden gems of Brighton and Solitude in Big Cottonwood Canyon.

ELDORA

Be prepared for next season: Ikon Pass for the 20/21 season goes on sale early this month. Last year’s prices for adults (ages 23 and up) started at $649 for the Ikon Base Pass and $949 for the Ikon Pass. ikonpass.com

TIP

TAKE NOTE of black-out dates on the Ikon Base Pass (which are the major ski holidays). And, for destinations with five- or sevenday access, keep track of your visits using the new Ikon Pass App. The app also tracks weather, trail status and your stats, like vertical feet and max speeds.

COPPER MOUNTAIN

BASE/SUMMIT ELEVATION IN FEET: 9,712/12,441 SKIABLE AREA: 2,490 acres AVERAGE ANNUAL SNOWFALL: 305 inches EXPECTED CLOSING DAY: April 19 For years, Copper Mountain has been the irreverent alternative to the four Vail Resorts-owned mountains that surround it. Ownership has recently invested $100 million, funding numerous upgrades, including two new replacement lifts out of the main base area.

This season’s addition of the Three Bears lift finally opens 12,337-foot Tucker Mountain and its 273 acres of steep terrain. Mark your calendar: Copper will close the season in style with Copper Live: 10 Barrel Snow Beach (April 11), Red Bull Slopesoakers (April 18) and Sunsation (April 18-19).

COPPER MOUNTAIN

STEAMBOAT

STEAMBOAT

BASE/SUMMIT ELEVATION IN FEET: 6,900/10,568 SKIABLE AREA: 2,965 acres AVERAGE ANNUAL SNOWFALL: 314 inches EXPECTED CLOSING DAY: April 12 Steamboat is home to the finest tree skiing in the state and “champagne powder,” to ubiquitous 1964 Olympic medalist Billy Kidd and to a unique ranching spirit that separates it from the state’s largely Victorian flavored ski towns (this isn’t Breckenridge; visit F.M. Light and Sons—established 1905—on the main drag for proof). This season, the resort spent $15 million to replace its gondola and shorten the commute to its six peaks and 169 trails. For après activities, set your watch to 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays through April, when free live music of varying genres brings the Steamboat Stage in Gondola Square to life.

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PHOTOS: COURTESY ALTERRA

DON’T HAVE A PASS?

The Ikon Pass “bucket list” also offers the drivable options of New Mexico’s Taos Ski Valley and the revered Jackson Hole in Wyoming.

You probably want to fly to Bozeman to ski Montana’s Big Sky, currently the “it resort” among the sport’s cognoscenti— chiefly due to the magnetism of Lone Peak, relatively uncrowded slopes and a $1 billion long-term spending plan highlighted by the country’s first eight-seat chairlift. The Ramcharger 8 has ergonomically shaped and heated seats; each chair reportedly cost roughly the price of a Porsche.

California offers a pair of twofers: To access snow-clogged Mammoth (you can also visit nearby June Mountain), direct Denver flights to the tiny Mammoth Lakes airport are now available. North Lake Tahoe’s Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows are about a 45-minute drive from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport.

A flight to Calgary and a roughly two-hour drive will get you into Banff National Park and on to the uncrowded slopes of the SkiBig3: funky Mt. Norquay, mountain goat-themed Sunshine Village and Lake Louise, which, rather amazingly, boasts higherrated scenery than our home state.

Farther afield, how about the Matterhorn? Ikon Pass welcomed Zermatt Matterhorn, bordering Switzerland and Italy, into the fold this season. There is also the mega-resort of Niseko United in Japan, and summer options in Australia, New Zealand and Chile.

THE COUNTRY CLUB AT CASTLE PINES APPROVES $17.1 MILLION EXPANSION OF CLUB AMENITIES The Country Club at Castle Pines is a private, member owned Club in Castle Pines, Colorado. The extensive multimillion-dollar reinvention project will bring stylish new dining and social features to the clubhouse, as well as cliffside amenities to include pools, fitness, paddle tennis, pickleball, tennis and the addition of an indoor/outdoor golf performance center to its already expansive 20 acre practice facility. One of the most iconic Clubs in all of Colorado, The Country Club at Castle Pines already boasts a world class championship Jack Nicklaus Signature course and award-winning Pro Shop including the 2019 Colorado PGA Private Merchandiser of the Year.

CURRENT MEMBER BENEFITS:

APPROVED EXPANSION OF AMENITIES:

- Spectacular Nicklaus Signature Golf Course has breathtaking views, mountain terrain and our spectacular 18-hole greens renovation completed in spring 2017.

Clubhouse Expansion

- Game Improvement Facilities include two chipping greens with greenside bunkers, a short-game area with small target greens, and a 20-acre driving range with Titleist NXT practice balls.

- New expanded fine dining, chef’s table, wine room, bar and outside terraces with unrivaled views of Pikes Peak, Devils Head and the Front Range - Complete kitchen renovation and expansion

New Amenities

- Golf Pro Shop was awarded the 2019 “Best of the Best” honoring the top 5 private club winners in the nation.

- Adult and family cliffside pools with cabanas, dining and drink service overlooking Pikes Peak

- Iconic, award winning Clubhouse at 6,800 feet with endless mountain views from our outdoor terrace. It’s the ideal place to simply sit outside with friends to enjoy a glass of wine or beer, and watch the sunset over the mountains.

- Warming hut including dining, bar and social space in addition to a club fitness center, movement studio, and deck

- Casual and Formal Dining experiences with exquisite food and exceptional service in a relaxed environment.

- An indoor / outdoor golf teaching center on the range

- Strong Sense of Community because the Club is the perfect place to enjoy Club traditions and events, family dinners, wine tastings, live music, holiday festivities and more year-round.

Categories Available

- Exceptional Service from a well-trained and friendly staff.

Corporate Golf – 2 or 3 Designees

- The Taste: don’t miss our annual food and wine festival with live music each June.

Social Plus – All amenities but golf

- Tennis, pickleball and four year-round heated paddle tennis courts

Regular Golf Junior Golf (38 and under)

Tours and previews are by appointment only. Pre-Construction opportunities will be the most advantageous time to consider applying.

For more information, please contact Mark Lewicki:

303.660.6807

| mlewicki@ccofcastlepines.com | www.ccatcastlepines.com

DWELLING WELL

// out to sea

MILFORD SOUND, NEW ZEALAND

A Life Aquatic

BUCKET LIST, meet the Haffendens, a husband-and-wife team creating once-in-a-lifetime-type custom vacations.

Their specialty: LUXURY YACHT AND PRIVATE CHARTER VOYAGES.

By Jennie Nunn

and moving on,” says Sara. “As a former chief stewardess, I was closely involved with clients’ travel logistics, reservations and any detail in between, so it was hard for me to understand why those brokers couldn’t provide the same fullcircle service.” After experiencing a Haffenden one-of-a-kind trip itinerary, lucky locals from Cherry Hills Village, Lone Tree and beyond will SARA HAFFENDEN IN THAILAND PHOTOS: COURTESY SARA AND ANDY HAFFENDEN

SARA AND ANDY HAFFENDEN, founding partners of Aurora-based full-service travel concierge company HH Luxury Lifestyle and its marine specific division, Aquazeal, have spent the better part of their lives at sea. Andy grew up in Shoreham-by-Sea, England and started a technology company providing services to the luxury yacht and commercial shipping sector.

Sara, a Fort Lauderdale, Fla. native and former competitive gymnast, worked for larger yachting companies.

The two serendipitously met in 2015 at a superyacht show in Monaco and decided to join forces, and oceangoing smarts, the following year. “It was our dream to create the ultimate service and luxury experience, something I felt was missing with every other yachting company, where it’s just about signing a contract THE EXUMAS

HVAR, CROATIA

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DWELLING WELL

// out to sea

ST. LUCIA’S PITONS

likely have a hard time comprehending such a lapse too.

What kind of getaways do two natural concierges who prefer to be at sea construct?

For one yacht charter client’s 70th birthday, the result was a surprise champagne toast and party, which family was flown in for, in St. Thomas. For another, an extravagant charter in Antarctica was the great escape. “This was an expedition-style yacht, so the group could helicopter in-and-out on excursions to ski or have champagne and caviar on a

glacier,” says Sara. “We even flew in a band by seaplane to play for a birthday. Every detail was an adventure.” Planning takes place at headquarters here and in offices in London, Dubai, Greece, Spain and, a new locale, the Philippines.

Thailand and Malaysia: “The culture in these countries is incredible. I found the floating villages fascinating: It’s the nature of how they quite literally float in some cases, and the people in those villages live on the water in some creative ways.”

For adventures of their own, the Haffendens— whose one-year-old son logged 16 flights and approximately 50 nautical miles before his first birthday—do have favorite destinations. Here, their list.

ANDY’S GO-TO TRAVEL SPOTS South Island in New Zealand, specifically Milford Sound: “The majesty of the fjords is breathtaking and only appreciated completely when viewed from the sea. There are countless stunning waterfalls spilling over from the mountain peak that tumble to the ocean, creating a rainbow spray.”

SARA’S GO-TO TRAVEL SPOTS Exuma: “The Exumas have the most postcardperfect blue water you’ll ever see. The cays are secluded (most destinations are only reachable by boat) and easy to get to from most of America. If you want to have the only footprints in the sand, this is the place to go.”

Croatia and Montenegro: “Both are a great mix of cultural history and ancient town infrastructure built within everyday city walls. The details of the past are endless and so untouched.”

St. Lucia and the Grenadines: “One of the most stunning things about St. Lucia is the Pitons. Pictures don’t do them as much justice as seeing them in person.”

PHOTOS: COURTESY SARA AND ANDY HAFFENDEN

GO TO THE PROS

French Riviera: “The coastline around this region is great. There is a real mix of activities, and the French wine and cuisine really make any trip you take to the south of France.”

ANDY HAFFENDEN

HH Luxury Lifestyle and Aquazeal Aurora 720.316.6385 hhluxurylifestyle.com, aquazealcharter.com

MONACO, FRENCH RIVIERA

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Choose Your There is an idyllic destination for every globetrotter and a fitting globe-trotter for every destination. We’re just here to play matchmaker.

The contenders: an African voyage with a good group, a tried-and-true romantic island stay, an active South Asian expedition and a sporty experience at a Georgia lake resort—three of which involve memorable encounters with wildlife. We’ll let you get to know each other.

Adven PHOTO: COURTESY CUVÉE

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e

Own

nture 33

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Meet You in

Africa THERE’S A LOT TO LIKE ABOUT EXPLORING THE WILD AND URBAN CHARM OF SOUTH AFRICA WITH A GROUP OF 50.

By Candy Bhappu as told to Kathy Hisey Baum

PHOTOS: COURTESY CUVÉE

PERHAPS THE TELLTALE SIGN that my family’s 2018 South African adventure was not a typical vacation was this: One morning, I woke to a text from our friends in the neighboring room that read, “Stay inside. Don’t go out!” I peeked out the window and saw a leopard slinking across the dirt just beyond our patio.

Although I travel frequently, I didn’t know what to expect on my trip to the southernmost region of the African continent. But the minute we started to explore, I knew I was in for a oncein-a-lifetime experience.

My family was part of a larger group of 50 people wayfaring with Cuvée, a luxury travel company that curates unique journeys. Once a year, the team invites patrons and investors (including myself and my husband) to go on a distinct getaway that encapsulates what their services are about, typically surrounding a global event.

This itinerary began in Cape Town. I love to study history and want to learn as much about a place as I can before and during my visits. A significant stop in Cape Town was Robben Is34

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land, the prison where Nelson Mandela was held—now a museum. Our tour guide shared his profound experience as a prisoner during the apartheid era. (Later, we also dropped off supplies my daughter had gathered to a gleeful group of young kids at a village school near the Sabi Sands Game Reserve.)

Cape Town is full of excitement, too. Case in point: We rode in World War II motorcycle sidecars throughout the southern part of the cape, driving past beautiful beaches full of waddling penguins, and traveled to the region’s wineries by car and helicopter. I’ll never forget being serenaded by a musician in an enclosed bubble-like structure while entering the Constantia Glen winery. The notes of her electric cello floated through the air like carbonation up the sides of a champagne flute.

Next, we went on safari in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and Kruger National Park, home to a diverse array of plant and animal species (including the “Big Five”—lion, elephant, Cape or African buffalo, leopard and rhino).

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Each day in the bush started with an early wake-up call and an armed escort to the main lodge (while our Singita lodge amenities were luxurious, we were definitely in the middle of the wild kingdom). Then, we split into groups for morning game drives in an open-air Land Rover with tiered seats ensuring unobstructed views for everyone.

PHOTOS: COURTESY CUVÉE

We were lucky to have the only female guide at the lodge. She has a degree in wildlife biology and educated us on everything there was to know about the area’s native animals and plants and the interconnectedness of the ecosystem: I can now, for instance, tell you the difference between lion dung and elephant dung. The rest of the lessons were diverse. One minute our group was in the middle of a family of elephants, the mama peacefully feeding her baby, and the next we witnessed a lion feasting on a recent water buffalo kill.

Preparing for

Evening game drives featured a “sundowner,” where we stopped to admire the sweeping sun-

CAPE TOWN from a visitor’s perspective

THE CROWD: More than 4 million people call the legislative capital of South Africa home.

Will I need a jacket? Cape Town has a warm Mediterranean-like climate.

Temperatures in winter (May-August) can range from 52-72 degrees F. Summer (November-February) is warm and dry with regular highs of 84 degrees F. THE MUST-VISITS: Go to UNESCO World Heritage site Robben Island, which visitors can access via a boat service that runs three times daily from the V&A Waterfront.

Hike or take a cable car to the top of Table Mountain for spectacular views of the city.

Say yes to a day trip to the towns of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek for sightseeing and wine tasting.

HOTEL TO BE EXCITED ABOUT: The Silo towers above the V&A Waterfront, occupying six floors above the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA), which houses Africa’s largest collection of contemporary African art.

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set with a cocktail (one evening, in particular, not too far from a rhino). The scenery was so picturesque it almost felt like a Disney set.

Meals included everything from five-star restaurants to more casual fare. But our most memorable meal was a Boma, a traditional dinner held outdoors under the stars. Chefs cooked local cuisine over crackling wood flames and traditional song and dance entertained guests late into the evening.

I’ve never seen a more spectacular, vast landscape—there’s something special about South Africa that I can’t explain. It’s like you are connecting with something bigger. Usually, what I expect going into a trip is not what happens at all: You learn so much about other cultures through our different experiences, but also find similarities as human beings. We’re all people, after all (except for the leopards).

Cuvée, Denver 720.833.4533, cuvee.com

JUST BEFORE DUSK on a stretch of Kaua‘i’s Poipu shore, the choppy, rising tide brought a green sea turtle close to the sand. The reptile splayed out about 30 feet from a scenic beach, camouflaged among small volcanic rocks. It knew what it was there for—dinner, a main course of seaweed and algae. What it didn’t know was that my husband and I also sat near the same rocks—a safe and considerate 20 feet away—getting more enjoyment out of watching the sea-dwelling creature eat its meal than it could have possibly felt munching on it.

And there we stayed—no other passersby the wiser—until our own dinner reservations called our name.

Hawaiians and the lucky transplants who live

PHOTO: COURTESY CAPT. ANDY’S SAILING ADVENTURES

By Kendall Kostelic

PHOTO: COURTESY KAUA‘I VISITORS BUREAU

TO BE “A CLASSIC” MEANS TO BE THE HIGHEST QUALITY, OR MOST OUTSTANDING, OF SOMETHING—WHEN IT COMES TO VACATION SPOTS, KAUA‘I STILL REALLY DESERVES THAT DISTINCTION.

as Lydgate Farms. Its sustainable, small-scale farming practices have produced award-winning vanilla and honey and high-quality chocolates; so our witty tour guide explained while she thwacked open a cacao pod from the grove.

among them call this a sign: They say the green sea turtle, or honu, is a symbol of good luck. As we admired it, effectively missing our second-tolast sunset on the Garden Island, I was dubious as to how much more fortunate things could get.

On day one away from the mainland, we devoted the morning to sampling craft chocolate and as many tropical fruits as are in season on Kaua‘i land that has been with the same family for more than 150 years—now known 38

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Capt. Andy’s Sailing Adventures brought us within yards of the Nāpali Coast’s gargantuan cliffs on a catamaran sunset dinner sail, a distance only possible if Mother Nature really calms the seas. While dolphins welcomed the boat to the area, the crew brought us cocktails and a steak entrée without, impressively, gripping a single handrail.

Then there was the door-offs helicopter outing that showed off a bird’s-eye view of the same

PHOTO: COURTESY KAUA‘I VISITORS BUREAU

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Our

KAUA‘I CUISINE, by the numbers

3 number of authentic shave ices we shared At least

a dozen amount of shave ice stands and shops on the island

∞

times we nearly called the treat shaved ice instead of shave ice

1 bowl of fresh poke ordered at Pono Market, one of many popular convenience-store-style fresh-fish shops on the isle

4

mornings breakfast came with an ocean view PHOTO: COURTESY CAPT. ANDY’S SAILING ADVENTURES PHOTO: COURTESY KAUA‘I SAFARIS

Restaurant. Neither of us could overlook, either, the chance private tour of National Tropical Botanical Garden’s Allerton Garden, equal parts sculpture display and flourishing tropical oasis.

By night, we hid in resort comforts. Evenings felt particularly secluded driving through Kaua‘i’s eucalyptus Tree Tunnel to get to the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa, a South Shore destination some prefer to the North Shore’s Princeville Resort.

Anara Spa’s open-air garden rooms and the resort’s saltwater lagoon, overlooking where our honu dined, certainly gives it a fighting chance.

Can a week away sound any more exotic?

coastline, Waimea Canyon (also known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific) and more. We got so close to the falls on Mount Waialeale—one of the wettest places on Earth—that water splashed on my face.

Our pilot from Jack Harter Helicopters shared insightful details on the legacy of the island and the canyon itself. After a second ride, when I’m not utterly diverted by the views, I could probably recount what he says.

And later, a rum safari with Kaua‘i Safaris on Kilohana, a plantation estate, made 104 acres feel like a multilocation expedition. Every stop was paired with a vacation-worthy cocktail. After sauntering off the open-air tour truck, we had a vacation-worthy dinner at the manor’s award-winning Gaylord’s

Maybe. With the green sea turtle being one of the most commonly sighted turtle species in Hawai‘i, there is surely enough fortuity to find out.

Lydgate Farms 808.821.1857, lydgatefarms.com Capt. Andy’s Sailing Adventures 808.335.6833, napali.com Jack Harter Helicopters 888.245.2001, helicopters-kauai.com Kaua‘i Safaris 808.652.4707, kauaisafaris.com National Tropical Botanical Garden 808.332.7324, ntbg.org Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa 808.742.1234, hyatt.com 40

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55 different types of seasonal preserves ready at Monkeypod Jam, a favorite island bistro and artisan company through which the owner works with more than 25 Kaua‘i farmers to create jams, curds and more

0

to-go boxes needed after trying loco moco, a Hawaiian comfort-food dish featuring a hamburger steak-type patty over steamed rice, topped with a fried egg and brown gravy

On the Move in

South Asia PHOTOS: COURTESY REI ADVENTURES

THE MOTIVE BEHIND THIS ODYSSEY: EXPLORE AS MUCH OF SRI LANKA AS POSSIBLE.

By Brittany Anas IT’S THE GOLDEN hour in Sri Lanka’s Yala National Park. And as the sun is about to set, the monkeys become frenetic, scurrying in the treetops and letting out howls. It’s their alarm system as they signal to one another that a predator is nearby—but it also tips off our safari group that a leopard is on the cusp of making a

cameo. A moment later, the regal cat crosses a path not too far in the distance, commanding our attention.

This is just one of the terrains my travel group and I have come to know during our time in Sri Lanka. Speaking of time, there is an abundance of it. I’m here, in the Southeast Asia island country known as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean,” with REI Adventures on a 1242

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day “Discover Sri Lanka: Temples, Tea Trails and Safari” tour. So often when choosing a vacation, you have to decide between the beach or a big city; a safari or a hiking trip. But REI’s well-curated itinerary (for four to 12 explorers) ticks off all of the above, providing the ultimate geographic sampler.

Early the next morning, we head toward the national park in a 4x4 for Round Two of stalking leopards, elephants and water buffalo.

Then there’s the bike ride through a jungle one day and, on another, an early-morning hike up to the top of Sigiriya (or Lion Rock), where the reward isn’t just sweeping views—but also a tour of the ancient fortress built for kings,

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See the

CICERONE

with paintings on the rock walls to discover as you make the steep ascent.

REI Adventures is the travel arm of the outdoor retailer, offering more than 175 active trips around the world. Trips range in skill level from 1 (light adventure, like easy hikes) to 5 (which require a good deal of skill and athleticism— enough to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro). My Sri Lanka excursion, among the newest itineraries to be added to REI’s roster, is considered a level 2, as it strikes a just-right balance between active and relaxing.

A stay at the luxury Madulkelle Tea and Eco Lodge, for instance, frames panoramic views of green valleys with the door of my glamping-style tent, where I could take it all in from a plush bed.

The overnight includes a morning hike through the verdant tea plantations into which the lodge was built. Afterwards, a dip in the infinity pool

The bungalows at the Gal Oya Lodge cater to the more adventurous side of things. The off-the-grid jungle ecolodge is made with local materials— like illuk, a blady grass—and features private outdoor showers ideal for bathing in moonlight.

In the morning, I spy elephants lumbering about, submerging themselves in the water and splashing with their trunks, from a boat in Gal Oya National Park. And still, other evenings I find myself in a cottage on a spice plantation and in a traditional hotel in Kandy after visiting the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, where Buddha’s tooth remnant is preserved.

My adventure concludes at a beachfront hotel in Galle, where a tuk-tuk zipped me to the Dream Cabana on Dalawella Beach. For five rupees (that’s less than an American dollar), you can swing on a rope that launches you from a palm tree out over the ocean and feel a bit like a kid again. How’s that for a proper send-off?

REI Adventures Departures through December 866.411.1209, rei.com/adventures/ trips/asia/discover-sri-lanka 44

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Lettering in Sri Lanka is uniquely circular because the script is easier to write on leaves.

Egg hoppers are like a Sri Lankan pancake, but are made with rice flour and coconut milk. The crispy delicacies take the form of a bowl and come with an egg.

Worldwide, Sri Lanka is the largest producer of orthodox tea and the fourth-largest producer of tea overall.

The Sri Lankan elephants you’ll see on safaris are the largest and darkest of Asian elephants.

They weigh up to 12,000 pounds and roam in herds of 12 to 20.

PHOTOS: COURTESY REI ADVENTURES

and a massage in the open-air spa is definitely in order.

A trained guide—who has gone through years of certification and can answer anything and everything about Sri Lankan culture, landscape, animals and landmarks—accompanies groups on every trip. They are a gold mine for interesting tidbits. Here, some of the things I gleaned.

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Lake Life

By Jennie Nunn I LIKE TO consider myself somewhat of a vehicular daredevil, someone who can handle a good challenge. I’ve learned, for instance, to drive a Formula One car; cruised crowded city streets behind the wheel of a Hummer; driven a snowmobile at high speeds in Durango; and driven cross-country twice, with my dog in tow, through major windstorms and blizzards. But, I never imagined taking on an off-road driving course in the comfort of a James Bond-like luxury vehicle.

The hub of outdoor activity spans 100 woodsy acres, with a 20-station clay shooting range; an archery range; a five-stand shooting range; a sporting clays instructional and games area; and an air rifle range.

At The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, located about 80 miles from the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, driving trails are now a bucket list-type offering at Sandy Creek Sporting Grounds, a nearby venue that is part of the resort’s programming.

The technical off-roading trail, which feels more like the real-life version of an Indiana Jones film set, is part of the course series that has been designed for novice and intermediate drivers by renowned Land Rover driving expert and course architect Bob Burns. It features strategically46

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placed horizontal logs that just barely clear the top of the car, trees that don’t feel wide enough to pass, hairpin bends and steep inclines through thickets and dry riverbeds. “Essentially, the natural landscape and vast amount of land made the sporting grounds the ideal spot for the course,” explains Justin Jones, director of Sandy Creek Sporting Grounds.

As three friends and I load the car—a Fuji White 2019 Land Rover Discovery Si6, 340-horsepower, V6, 3.0-liter, 8-speed automatic, 7-seater SUV— with our guide, I admit I’m a little nervous. But as a passenger, it feels like we dip and wind along the path effortlessly. Still, at one point I look out the window to my right and realize I’m almost smack up against a tree. We glide safely

PHOTOS: COURTESY THE RITZ-CARLTON REYNOLDS, LAKE OCONEE

THE ONE-OF-A-KIND DRIVING COURSES REEL YOU IN; THE REST OF THE FUN AT THE RITZ-CARLTON REYNOLDS, LAKE OCONEE MAKES IT A NO-BRAINER TO STAY.

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past it, and I turn to look at the steep riverbed we just crossed that felt more like a small hill.

As we take turns driving and testing our own capabilities, I pull in at the end of the course and truly feel like a more confident driver.

I scheme the rest of my day as we head back to the resort. After all, the 251-room property— with revamped rooms and suites, plus lakeside cottages, awash in calming color palettes and layered with modern, water-inspired prints and woven mirrors—boasts five championship golf courses totaling 99 holes; kayaking; boat rides; canoes; stand-up paddleboarding; complimentary bike rentals; fishing; a nearly 30,000-square-foot spa; and an outdoor swimming pool and private beach. And then there’s marveling at the lake itself, the second

I start with a run through the resort’s paved path, lined with pine trees and dotted with wooden bridges, followed by beach time and a swim out to a floating dock. Next, I make my way to the spa for the Four Elements treatment, a 110-minute experience replete with dry brushing, exfoliation, a warm stone massage and a scalp treatment. I emerge in a “spa coma,” which leads me to the sauna and indoor whirlpool before dinner.

At Linger Longer Steakhouse, one of the on-site resort restaurants, my friends and I settle in with handcrafted cocktails—the La Bonita Sangria and Two Trick Pony (a Código 1530 Rosa tequila, agave and Kenwood sparkling wine concoction).

We share the day’s highlights over king crab with mango mustard; a 10-ounce barrel-cut filet; and grilled lobster with cauliflower purée, confit potatoes, wild mushrooms and brown butter— all prepared by chef Casey Burchfield. One thing is for sure: I can definitely get used to lake life.

The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee Georgia 706.467.0600, ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/ georgia/reynolds 48

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unleashed

CAR TALK: The Land Rover Discovery features Hill Descent Control to maintain a constant speed by monitoring each wheel; it’s designed to help drivers navigate difficult slopes. The SUV also features safety and driver assistance technologies, such as Electronic Traction Control, for traction and electronic brakeforce distribution.

THE PRICE TAG: The 2020 Discovery starts at $52,300.

COURSE DISTANCE: The latest off-road course, The Creek Course, is 3 miles long. Total distance of The Homestead, The Lake, The Creek and the Technical Course combined is approximately 10 miles.

STEEPEST INCLINE: 30 degrees.

PHOTOS: COURTESY THE RITZ-CARLTON REYNOLDS, LAKE OCONEE

largest in Georgia, with an expansive 19,000 acres of calm water.

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PHOTO: CHAD CHISHOLM, CUSTOM CREATIONS; MODEL: KATIE HUCK, DONNA BALDWIN AGENCY; HAIR: VALERIE WARD; MAKEUP: ERROLL PERKINS; LOCATION: HALCYON, A HOTEL IN CHERRY CREEK, PRESIDENTIAL SUITE

READY TO WEAR

// boutique to watch

Vintage Vantage Point FASHIONS THAT HAVE STOOD THE TEST OF TIME ARE VERY OF-THE-MOMENT AT THE VINTAGE LABEL.

By Suzanne S. Brown IT ALL STARTED with a scarf. But not just any scarf. The silk Hermès design Carolyn Carrington’s mother gave her as a child was meant as a lesson in quality and style.

“It was so beautiful,” Carrington recalls of the leaf-patterned 1968 creation. “She explained the signature, the label, the design; what hand-rolled, hand-sewn edges looked like; and why one day, this scarf would be of importance.”

Carrington, co-founder and CEO of The Vintage Label, LLC (TVL), also recounts that her mother always accessorized with such a scarf, whether it was tied around her shoulders, her hair or on the handle of her purse. “I remember understanding while still very young and at a very visceral

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READY TO WEAR

// boutique to watch

VINTAGE ON KATIE (left): Geoffrey Beene couture geometric gown with matching bolero-style jacket; Judith Leiber belt; Butler and Wilson earrings; Ciner gilt gold bracelet VINTAGE ON CAROLYN: 1970s Yves Saint Laurent duster/coat; Chanel pendent necklace; Christian Dior gilt gold earrings with Swarovski crystals

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READY TO WEAR

shoppers’ homes and/or offices with items they are interested in,” Carrington says. The showroom can be visited by appointment. And when epicures purchase items via TVL’s online platforms, like Instagram or Facebook, the styles are personally delivered. You’ll also find Carrington at pop-ups and specialty markets, and she conducts in-home trunk shows.

Thea Porter, Teal Traina, Lanvin, Balmain, Dominic Rompollo and Ossie Clark. Patrons, she says, can’t get enough of 1960s and ’70s influences right now. TVL also sells jewelry and accessories, men’s hats and ties from labels like Hermés and Gucci, Beck Bags (TVL is currently the only Beck Bags retailer in Colorado) and a line of signature scented, hand-poured candles.

TVL specializes in designs from the late 1950s through the early ’90s. While she’s always on the lookout for such on-demand favorites as Chanel (both clothing and accessories), Carrington “looks for that magic … piece that will become the center of a wardrobe,” by designers like

Carrington is a curator on a mission—to help style enthusiasts find transformational pieces that bring the enchantment she felt with that first Hermès scarf into their own wardrobes: “In fashion, everything old is new again.”

LEFT: Mignon gown; Robert Goossens Paris 1960s earrings RIGHT: 1970s Dolce & Gabbana washed denim jean; Cesar Galindo copper renaissance-style blouse; saffron coat with frog closures; Louis Vuitton Alma bag; Hermès scarf

CAROLYN CARRINGTON

“I remember understanding ... at a very visceral level, what something as

level, what something as simple as a beautiful scarf could do to transform the plain or everyday into a stylish, memorable outfit.”

Growing up in the Midwest, Carrington accompanied her mother on trips to such upscale department stores as Bonwit Teller, as well as specialty boutiques. She soaked up each experience, chatting with the salesladies about what they were wearing and what the mannequins wore.

The love of fashion that was stoked in Carrington led to a career in both the retail and wholesale sides of the business, but designs of the past were what sustained her interest.

This is why, for the past year, South Suburban connoisseurs have been privy to special wears.

Carrington founded TVL in Houston in 2016; she and Rebecca, her sister and TVL co-founder and chief data officer, moved headquarters to a showroom in Parker in August 2019. “Many of my earliest and most loyal customers have ties to Denver,” Carrington says. Smart shoppers.

The first pieces Carrington sold were from her own collection. She started acquiring vintage finds in her late teens and early 20s, attending auctions and estate sales. Rather than keep the rarities private, at the urging of Rebecca to “follow your passion, live your dream,” Carrington began putting items up for sale.

Service-wise, Carrington’s concierge-style approach has gone like gangbusters. “I go to

simple as a beautiful scarf could do to transform the plain or everyday into a stylish, memorable outfit.”

Richilene rare hand-sewn jacket; Cesar Galindo copper renaissance-style blouse; 1970s Dolce & Gabbana washed denim jean; multicolor stone earrings; Louis Vuitton Alma bag and Cruiser luggage SHOP The Vintage Label at a FREE MARKET POP-UP through May 10: 1801 Blake St., Denver.

LET’S GO SHOPPING The Vintage Label, LLC 713.299.5961 thevintagelabel.com

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PHOTOS: CHAD CHISHOLM, CUSTOM CREATIONS; MODEL: KATIE HUCK, DONNA BALDWIN AGENCY; HAIR: VALERIE WARD; MAKEUP: ERROLL PERKINS; LOCATION: HALCYON, A HOTEL IN CHERRY CREEK

// boutique to watch

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Tickets will go on sale March 18.

Promotional support provided by Colorado AvidGolfer.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JIM MANDEVILLE/NICKLAUS COMPANIES

READY TO WEAR

// resort-bound

A Place in the Sun THINGS ARE WARMING UP—not outside necessarily, but in the valise. Between the lightweight fabrics, vivid patterns and readyfor-any-outfit sunglasses in THIS YEAR’S RESORT WEAR COLLECTIONS, packing conditions are downright balmy.

PHOTOS: CHAD CHISHOLM, CUSTOM CREATIONS

Halston Heritage women’s Keyhole jumpsuit, $189; Kurt Geiger London Kensington multicolor shoulder bag, $265; and PRADA quarterstrap platform sandal, $690, all at Nordstrom, Park Meadows, 303.799.3400, and Cherry Creek Shopping Center, 720.746.2424, nordstrom.com

Alice + Olivia women’s Maura handkerchief skirt, $485; Quay Australia Run Around cat-eye sunglasses, $55; and Nordstrom Joni raffia tote, $79, all at Nordstrom; Bleu Rod Beattie Twist and Shout one-piece swimsuit, $119, at Dillard’s, Park Meadows, 303.790.0100, dillards.com; André Assous Nadenka slide sandals, $110, at Tommy Bahama, Park Meadows, 720.889.6400, tommybahama.com

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READY TO WEAR

// resort-bound

Perry Ellis men’s linen suit jacket, $175, and Polo Ralph Lauren Hibiscus Floral polo shirt, $98.50, both at Dillard’s; AG Everett slim, straight jeans, $178, and GREATS Royale knit sneaker, $119, both at Nordstrom

Crocheted raffia hat, $89.50; Baja Tiki Bar men’s board shorts, $89.50; and Cove Park sunglasses by Maui Jim, $399.99, all at Tommy Bahama; Goodlife scallop crewneck T-shirt, $60, at Nordstrom; Born Weiser leather slides, $89.99, at Dillard’s

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W

MEN ’S

Leadership Summit

United States Air Force Academy Friday, July 1O, 2O2O Visit ColoradoJuniorGolf.org or ColoradoPGA.com for more information

Trajectory to Greatness – “Aim High!”

What happens when the Wow of Girls meets the Wisdom of Women?

Dr. Janet Kavandi - Stellar Speaker Dr. Kavandi is a three-time space shuttle astronaut – taking part in the last mission to the Space Station MIR, mapping the Earth on the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission, and installing the Quest airlock on the International Space Station. She served as Director of Flight Crew Operations at NASA Johnson and as the Deputy Director of Health and Human Performance. She is now the Senior Vice President for Programs at Sierra Nevada Corporations’ Space Systems headquarters in Louisville, Colorado.

Donna Orender - Stellar Speaker A nationally-recognized business leader, Donna Orender is the founder of Generation W, Generation WOW, and CEO of Orender Unlimited. She is a women’s professional basketball pioneer and former WNBA president and is deeply passionate about elevating the voices of girls and women.

presented in part by The Colorado Springs Toyota Dealers Association, Larry H. Miller Liberty Toyota and Larry H. Miller Toyota Colorado Springs

INFLUENCERS

// writer to watch

For CORINNE JOY BROWN, the compass always points true West.

By John Lehndorff

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PHOTO: E.J. CARR

Writing the Range

INFLUENCERS

// writer to watch

PHOTOS: E.J. CARR

CORINNE JOY BROWN did not have to fall in love with the West. She arrived that way: “I was born and raised in Denver and I spent my childhood around horses. I grew up during the age of TV Westerns (from Roy Rogers to Hopalong Cassidy) and I thought I would marry a cowboy … or be one.”

Being the daughter of European parents who fled the continent during the Holocaust gave the Cherry Hills Village resident a different perspective on the Colorado lifestyle. “People still come here seeking that dream they read about and saw on the screen. The West represents freedom and justice to them, the good guys in the white hats,” she says.

You can almost hear the clip-clop and smell the hay reading Finding Home, Brown’s newest book with illustrator Ginny McDonald. The independently published trade paperback is aimed at middle school readers. The inspiration was McDonald’s adoption of a wild horse of the American Curly breed, which sprouts an adorable French poodle-like coat come winter.

“There are now more than 70,000 wild horses being held in pens in the West, mostly in Nevada,” Brown says. “By the end of the decade there may be none left.”

This zest for all things Western has more than informed Brown’s career as an award-winning Western writer and author. Her first novel, MacGregor’s Lantern, depicted Colorado cattle barons in the late 1800s. A later novel, Sanctuary Ranch, is about love and ambition in the country music and rodeo worlds, and is co-written with cowboy Junior Michael Ray. The message of her equine children’s book,

Wishful Watoosi: The Horse That Wished He Wasn’t, is simply “accept yourself just the way you are,” she says.

When she’s not on the frontier, the author and her husband, Avi Brown, work in interior design and sell contemporary home furnishings.

“I have an ultra-contemporary home, but it is also a Western museum. I can’t let go of anything,” Corinne Joy Brown says with a laugh.

One spacious room in the house is devoted to sharing her curated Western popular-history collection and artifacts from the trail she blazed. Eventually, she hopes to place every58

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CORINNE JOY BROWN corinnejoybrown.com

INFLUENCERS

// writer to watch

thing (mainly pieces from her 450-piece Western dinnerware collection) in a permanent Western museum.

To those with a desire to get a taste of the West in Colorado, Brown has a few suggestions. First, get out to Pawnee National Grassland and the South Park valley, which look a lot like Colorado in the cowboy days. For something more immersive, she recommends staying at either Colorado Cattle Company and Guest Ranch in New Raymer or T-Lazy-7 Ranch in Aspen. One easy, tasty approach is to dine at The Buckhorn Exchange, Denver’s historic restaurant and Western culture icon.

VACATION READING, Western-style

“You don’t have to go very far to get a taste of the West,” she says. Brown herself still loves to ride and does so whenever she can.

Corinne Joy Brown’s all-time favorite volumes about the West and horses:

1. Lonesome Dove, by Larry McMurtry: A Pulitzer Prize-winning classic about love and adventure.

2. Centennial, by James A. Michener: Commemorating the 1976 Bicentennial, this saga focuses on the people who defined the West.

4. Black Beauty, by Anna Sewell: The novel, which tackles the humane treatment of animals from the viewpoint of a horse, ranks among the best-selling books of all time.

5. The Spanish Peaks: A Novel of Frontier Colorado, by Jon Chandler: A tale of revenge in which the protagonist—a father who lost a daughter—travels across the Centennial State.

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PHOTOS: E.J. CARR

3. Smoky the Cowhorse, by Will James: When wild horse and cowboy meet, told from the perspective of the horse.

INFLUENCERS

// tuned in

The Hills are Alive

… WITH THE INTERPRETATION OF MUSIC

By Claire Martin WITH A SONG on her lips and a keyboard at her fingertips, DEBI SIMONS spends hours plumbing lyrics to fathom the meaning behind the words of composers whose works she’ll soon be performing.

A Facebook message from legendary choral composer John Rutter is one of her most relished pieces of inquiry.

PHOTO: E.J. CARR

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Field is Limited.

REGISTER TODAY!

“This two-day tournament is truly spectacular!

Experiencing the event is memorable; not to mention all the great prizes and player gifts. I look forward to participating every year!” –Marc Steron

View more of the amazing host club at

ccatcastlepines.com

Turn the page for more information

INFLUENCERS

// tuned in

PHOTOS: E.J. CARR

MENTAL NOTES Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, a masterful 1930s arrangement of 24 songs from a 13th century collection of songs and poems, became one of today’s most-performed works and one of Simons’ biggest challenges— and one of her self-published books. Here, an excerpt from her tome, Carmina Burana: A resource for singers and listeners:

For her first-tenor position in the Cherry Hills Village-based Cherry Creek Chorale—which celebrates its 40th season this year—time spent on the exacting discipline is completely voluntary. But after seven years of watching verses come to life before her very (wellresearched) eyes, Simons can’t imagine a concert without the background information.

“It always helps the chorale to understand the words,” Artistic Director and Conductor Brian Patrick Leatherman says. “Otherwise, there’s no emotion. Take the liturgical prayer, the Kyrie. It’s pretty, but you need to understand the context of ‘Lord have mercy.’ Is it confident like Mozart’s composition, which is cheery? He knows the Lord will have mercy. But a Kyrie in a minor key means something very different: Lord, I hope you will have mercy.”

Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi O Fortuna, velut luna statu variabilis semper crescis, aut decrescis; vita detestabilis nunc obdurat, et tunc curat ludo mentis aciem, ...

What TV show’s title is referenced in “O Fortuna”?

“And the answer is Wheel of Fortune.

Whether the producers of that show realized it or not, they named it after a very popular idea from ancient times.

Our first Carmina selection is addressed to a mythical person named ‘Fortuna.’

Today, we’d use the word ‘fate.’ If you know your Latin grammar, you will notice that Fortuna is the feminine form of the word. Ever heard of ‘Lady Luck?’

That’s who this is, giving out both the good and the bad. The author of our selection seems to think that this lady has treated him pretty badly. Boy! Kind of depressing, isn’t it? ... ”

Petite and carefully coiffed, Simons formerly taught English at the now-defunct Silver State Baptist High School. She was accepted into the Cherry Creek Chorale in 2012, after she and her husband attended a concert and Simons, enamored with the music, decided to audition.

“And toward the end of 2013, we sang A Dream of a Blessed Spirit by William Butler Yeats,” she remembers. “I was very puzzled by the line ‘With the feet laid side by side.’”

So, she looked up the poem online. And found Yeats wrote it in memory of Irish revolutionary and feminist Maud Gonne. The line referred to Gonne in her coffin, with her feet placed 62

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Fortune, Empress of the World O Fate, you are changeable like the moon.

Always waxing and waning.

Life is hateful, Now hard, then caring, as your mind plays pointed, sharp games ...

together. “And when I knew that, I could sing with more meaning,” she says.

That planted the insuppressible seed for Behind The Music, Simons’ essays on the chorale’s songs, posted on the chorale’s website and on Simons’ Behind-The-Music.com. “My ‘Aha!’ moment came when we did Carmina Burana the next season,” she says. “The lyrics are in Latin, Old German and Old French. I wondered how many choral groups actually understood the meaning of those words.”

Formally, this makes Simons something of a dramaturge—a word whose likely Greek origin, dramatourgos, means someone who researches the historical, political, cultural and overall contextual aspects of a production.

Two of her latest posts are about slave traderturned-minister John Newton, author of Amazing Grace, from the chorale’s March program (mark your calendar for the group’s ninth Celtic Festival, March 6 and 7 at Bethany Lutheran Church). She delves into the nuances of Newton’s conversion to Christianity, including the flogging he took for deserting the British navy.

A writer at heart—Simons has self-published books and pens her thoughts about food on a second blog—she hopes to market her published articles to other ensembles throughout the U.S.: “I want to continue this work forever.”

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for an Exclusive Golf Tournament held at

The Country Club at Castle Pines featuring Two Days of Golf

Pairings Party at Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille before the Event Cocktail Hour and Dinner Party after Day 1 On-Course Food, Cocktail Stations, Player Gift Bags and much more A Chance to Win a Two-Year Lease on a BMW

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Colorado Section

// traveler’s choice

PHOTO: MEGHAN KIRK VIA FACEBOOK

WAYFARERS

PHOTO: OSCITY/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

MEAT AND CHEESE RESTAURANT

The 15-member Cherry Hills Village clan that rusticates together, stays together.

Inspirato Denver 888.625.7525 inspirato.com

As told to Ali Longwell

THE RITZ-CARLTON CLUB, ASPEN HIGHLANDS

MY HUSBAND and I knew it was time to find a way to regularly get away from it all about five years ago—once getting together as a whole family started feeling tough. My three daughters had gotten older and had started having kids of their own.

ROLLICK You just can’t run out of things to do.

But my husband and I knew the vacation spot that could bring our clan together. Until recently, our family would frequent my parents’ vacation home in Aspen. Everyone loved everything about it. My mom has since sold that domicile, but the tradition, my husband and I determined, would continue with our grandchildren.

REST The trick to locating an Aspen home base: We have 15 people in our family spanning three generations, from ages 18 months to 65.

PHOTOS: COURTESY INSPIRATO

GET PLANNING

Inspirato, a luxury hospitality and travel clubbased company that got started by specializing in retreats for big families, ended the search for a comfortable house with its Steinway home.

Frankly, this house is huge. You can get in all of your steps just walking through its 6,458 square feet, which includes five bedrooms and six-and-a-half bathrooms. Not only does the house have a plethora of amenities—a pool table, bar, grill, board games, a hot tub, multiple fireplaces and a Peloton bike—but the location is everything. You could throw a ball to The Ritz-Carlton Club, Aspen Highlands, for instance, where club amenities are open to anyone staying at Steinway.

One of the coolest things about the setup is Inspirato’s Aspen concierge. She stocks the house with groceries before we arrive and helps us make arrangements for activities. We have visited Aspen for four consecutive years; Steinway is the only place we stay.

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PHOTO: COURTESY THE RITZ-CARLTON

Full House

In the summer, we have a blast going up around the Fourth of July for the parade, carnival and a patriotic concert that gets everybody dancing.

For hikes, we pushed ourselves two years ago with the West Maroon Creek trek from Crested Butte to Aspen—which is when I discovered the oxygen lounge at The St. Regis Aspen Resort’s Remède Spa. Usually, we’re on trails like Hunter Creek and the classic, scenic Maroon Lake path.

We don’t plan a stay at Steinway in warm weather without doing some fly fishing. With Aspen Trout Guides, we get to experience area rivers in new ways. aspentroutguides.com The bucket list activity during our winter trip in 2019 was dog sledding. We mushed (with an experienced musher, of course) through backcountry with Krabloonik. krabloonik.com REFUEL Our “must-visit” restaurant list: For breakfast, you’ll see us at one of The Little Nell’s eateries and Poppycocks Café. For dinner, we like L’Hostaria Ristorante, Acquolina, Betula Aspen and Campo de Fiori. Meat and Cheese Restaurant and Farm Shop and Brunelleschi’s Aspen (where the kids can make their own pizzas) are open for both lunch and dinner.

CASTLE PINES VILLAGE LET THE LUXURY OF LIFESTYLE BE YOURS IN CASTLE PINES VILLAGE!

ANNZO PHELPS 303.570.3429 Annzo@Kentwood.com

PHELPS BLAIR 720.837.9054 PBlair@Kentwood.com

The last remaining lots in Castle Pines Village are now for sale. Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to design your future with Denver’s finest custom home builders.

Castle Pines Village is Colorado’s premier gated, master planned community, offering an array of world-class amenities, stunning views and magical home settings.

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All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) nor Kentwood Real Estate shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless.