 Colorado's Most Famous Scenic Byway For those who have visited the beautiful Colorado Rockies, it will be no surprise to learn that the famed Trail Ridge Road is a bone fide designated Byway that graces the huge expanse of Rocky Mountain National Park. Built primarily during the depression (1929-1939), Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous auto road in the country—and is even on the National Register of Historic Places. The Road's nearly 50 miles are bookended by Estes Park (East entrance) and Grand Lake, Colorado (West Entrance; both hugely popular family & tourist destinations in and of themselves). During your trip you'll travel at least 8 miles above timberline to 12,183 ft. and across the Continental Divide. Most people have no idea what an "arctic" experience it's like being above timberline. Be very careful of the tundra; some flowers take over 2 years to form a bloom at this altitude. From Estes Park and Forever Resort's Rocky Mountain Park Inn you'll drive by several noteworthy overlooks. Plan to stop at Many Parks Curve, Rainbow Curve and Forest Canyon Overlook before reaching the Divide. At Rainbow Curve you might see black bears, moose, bobcats, coyotes, deer, weasels, marmots, or muskrats and, if you stop at the Visitor Center up top, you're guaranteed to see frisky chipmunks that will steal your heart away and any peanuts you may have available. |
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 Happy 100th Birthday ARIZONA The state of Arizona will be celebrating 100 years of Statehood on Feb. 14, 2012. There are community celebrations state wide in honor of this milestone. As part of the festivities the Arizona Centennial Indian Village will be constructed in downtown Phoenix, showcasing Navajo, Apache, O'odham, Hopi, Maricopa, Zuni, River and Pai tribes and their dwellings, foods, art, jewelry and culture. The Arizona Best Fest takes place the weekend of Feb 11-12. Besure to come by and see us at the Forever Resorts booth in the Village. |
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| Houseboating: Getting Down to Affordable
It's winter and already time to start planning where to go on the family vacation? Increasingly vacation travels are becoming a generational adventure. People are not only getting away with kids and grandparents, but serious extended-family get-togethers (like family reunions) include aunts, uncles, cousins and family friends. While considering travel options and destinations, the cost—to a certain extent— frames the decision. Beyond transportation, meals, fuel, taxis and hotel costs, admission fees, parking fees and entertainment guesstimates should be factored in as well. This is when Forever Resorts houseboating vacations should pop to the top of the list for a number of reasons. Many boats sleep up to 12 people comfortably, so the nightly cost per person is delightfully low when compared to land-based hotel options. Here's a true story: At many Forever Resorts marinas there is an odyssey that takes place every summer. Here's how it works: two, sometimes three, "pieces" of an extended family "puzzle" converge at a marina to share a houseboat vacation. They board 2 or 3 houseboats (depending on the size of the their group) that they've had reserved for months in advance. Naturally, the well-organized family reunion planners have already mapped out the sleeping, dining and kitchen arrangements for the collective, complete with planned menus, groceries and task assignments. Everyone meets in the marina parking lot on the designated departure date/time (or the night before if they have opted for the "early board" alternative) and begins the check-in process. The Forever staff helps unload provisions and luggage and gets you going as quickly as possible. Naturally, it's free to park your cars at the marina while on your trip. All passengers go through mandatory houseboat orientation and, within a short amount of time, the familial convoy is on its way to the secluded beach they'll call home for a week. Here the boats are "beached", tied up, and the "best vacation ever!" commences. The clan elders enjoy comfortable living cabins where they can sit and catch up; the foodies head for fully outfitted kitchens to grab snacks; the kids pop to the top deck to see the water slide and play. Most family groups have arranged to pull shared "boy toys" behind two of the houseboats. There's a speed boat for the avid skiers and wake boarders, a fishing boat so grand dad can enjoy the lake's bounty and, often, there's a personal water craft too—just for the fun of it! Houseboats come in several sizes and are outfitted with different amenities depending on the style. Luxury houseboats even feature a hot tub and a Captain's Fly Bridge on the top deck. All boats have sleeping salons, bathrooms, modern kitchens, climate controls for year-around comfort, and grills for outdoor barbecuing. Cooking and dining on board is easier that you would think. Planning group meals in advance helps control costs and also easily accommodates specific food allergies and diets. The group has a week to really enjoy one another; a week where they won't have to navigate freeways, pack and unpack suitcases, stand in lines to eat in restaurants or pay outrageous fees to get into amusement parks. There's hiking, boating, swimming, fishing, visiting, reading, photography and bird watching to be enjoyed. It's wonderful to be sequestered away from your home and office; to be relaxing on a beautiful lake where you can let your hair down—and keep it down for a while! Houseboating vacations are an adventure of a lifetime AND they fit the bill when asking "What can our family do this summer that's new and exciting and affordable?" Let Forever Resorts help you secure your preferred dates and plan your trip, your route, and your water safety. We're on fabulous lakes including Powell, Mead, Mohave, Lake of the Ozarks and more! Visit us online or call 1-800-255-5561 today to speak directly with a reservationist. You could be enjoying sensational starry nights from a top-deck hot tub by June if you're lucky!
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