Participants in this year’s Iron Horse Classic aren’t just challenging their bodies for health or to meet personal goals: Many are pitching in to pedal for charity, too.



According to a recent report in the Durango Herald, folks from Team Livestrong are riding in this year’s Iron Horse to benefit the Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado to further support efforts for local cancer survivors. Event director Gaige Sippy told the paper the team could raise up to $50,00 for local efforts.

Other riders are contributing for charities including the Durango 100 Club and the Fort Lewis College Road Scholars, according to the report.

For more information about this year’s charity participants, see: Iron Horse kicks up for charities big and small

Most likely, you've never experienced a Southern Ute Pow Wow, so make plans to witness the spectacular spring event entitled "Bear Dance." Open your mind and envision a colorful and regal promenade with hundreds of face-painted elders + my personal favorite…women dancing in jingle dresses.  Head out from Durango to the Bear Dance Grounds in nearby Ingacio, Colorado...about 25 miles away. The Southern Ute Bear Dance is May 24 – 27, 2013. Enjoy this clip that I found from a 2010 jingle dress routine.


Below you will find information from the official site of the Southern Ute Bear Dance. It outlines the leadership and rules of this year's event. Check out this historic black & white image, and notice the lady on the right…jingle dress! 




Chief: Matthew Box
2nd Chiefs: Jake Ryder and John Chavarillo
Start: Bear Dancing starts at 10:30 am
Feast: Bear Dance Feast begins May 27th at Noon
Location: Bear Dance Grounds in Ignacio, Colorado
Rules: No short dresses or baggy pants while dancing. Phone photos or video and recording are not allowed except by members of the Ute Tribes. The Southern Ute Tribe will not be held responsible for accidents, injuries, or theft. The Pine River is restricted.
Information: call (970) 563-0100

Durango is the perfect centrally located town to discover more about the culture of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe. Durango has a vast array of lodging and things to do. Take a few extra days to raft through white water rapids, fish the local Animas River and Vallecito Lake. Tap into your southwestern spirit and enjoy a jeep tour with Outlaw Tours or zipline.

The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic is just around the corner: This year’s events are slated to take place May 24 through 27.

The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic combines Durango’s rich train legacy, the area’s breathtaking terrain and a little bit of brotherly competition. According to local legend, the Iron House started as a contest between brothers Tom and Jim Mayer. Jim, the older brother, was a train engineer on the Iron Horse that runs to Silverton. Each day, Jim’s train passed the Mayer house. In an effort to beat his brother, Tom would then jump on his 10 speed Schwinn and try to beat the train... Tom eventually started pedalling the entire 50-mile route, and finally, in 1971 Tom beat him.  The following year, almost 40 other cyclists joined Tom to race the train, and the annual Iron Horse Classic was born!

These days, the epic biking event draws thousands to Durango and the surrounding area. Though registration for the race is at capacity, there’s still tons for biking enthusiasts to do Memorial Day weekend in Durango. In fact, you’ll find nearly 2,000 miles of bike trails to enjoy and explore!

Durango Road Rides

No matter whether you’re a seasoned cycling pro or a casual weekend biker, there’s a ride for you on the roads around Durango!

Easy: Trimble Loop

This is a shortened version of Baker's Bridge, also referred to as "The Short Valley.” The total distance is about 15 miles. Begin at County Road 250, riding until you reach County Road 252. Turn left, riding past Dalton Ranch and across Highway 550. Turn left on County Road 203, which will take you back to Durango.

Intermediate: Elmore's Loop

Elmore’s Loop starts on Historical 3rd Avenue . Head north on 3rd Avenue, which will become Florida Road (County Road 240.) Once on Florida Road , there will be a steady 6-mile climb that ends at Edgemont Ranch. About a mile after Edgemont Ranch, at the bottom of the descent, take a right on County Road 234, at the fire station. CR 234 connects with Highway 160 after about 12 miles. Head west on Highway 160 back to Durango. This loop is approximately 26 miles.

Hard/Advanced: Wildcat Canyon Loop

Wildcat Canyon Loop begins on Highway 160 W, with a long 10-mile climb then a short descent to Hesperus Store. Turn left at the store on Hwy 140. The road has a gradual decline for a few miles. Take your first paved left onto County Road 141, which is Wildcat Canyon Road and is on a climb up from a bridge. County Road 141 has gently rolling hills that will take you back to Hwy 160 just west of Durango . The loop is about 35 miles long and can be taken in either direction.



For more information about biking in and around Durango, check out Boure Bicycle Clothing. The pros there have accumulated lists of some of Durango's favorite rides and other resources for area bicyclists.

There’s ton to do in Durango and the surrounding area. One of my favorite ways to spend a late spring or early summer day, though, is to load up my day pack, lace up my sneakers, and hit some trails around Mesa Verde.

Before you Go: Need to Know

To me, there’s nothing like going out and experiencing nature. It’s almost spiritual for me: I feel most at peace when I’m with my thoughts in the mountains.

Here’s what you’ll need to know before you embark on your Mesa Verde hike:

• According to the National Park Service, almost all trails in Mesa Verde are strenuous. That means that if you’re like me, you might be a sore the next day. You’ll experience steep elevation changes, but it will be a great workout with rewarding views.
• Don’t forget to hydrate. Bring water to sip along the trail, especially if you’re heading out in the summer.
• Pets aren’t allowed in any U.S. national park. While your pup might love nature as much as you do, leave Fido at home.

Planning ahead will make your hiking experience even more pleasant. Review maps before heading out, and be sure to inform others of your plan.

Heading Out: Mesa Verde Hiking Trails

There are three major trailheads in the Mesa Verde Park: Morefield, Chapin Mesa and Wetherill Mesa.

Morefield Trailhead is home to Knife Edge Tail, Point Lookout Trail and Prater Ridge Trail. These hikes cover the Montezuma Valley. The Prater Ridge Trail is known for changes in elevation; Point Lookout showcases Montezuma and Mancos Valleys; and Knifes Edge Trail is a 2 mile jaunt.

Chapin Mesa Trailhead boasts four unique hikes, ranging from the half-mile Farming Terrace Trail to the 2.4 mile Petroglyph Point Trail. If you’re a hiking newbie or looking for an easy walk, be sure to check out the Soda Canyon Overlook Trail. This 1.2 mile path is an easy walk to the canyon edge and offers views of Balcony House and other archeological sites.

The Wetherill Mesa Trailhead is only open Memorial Day through Labor Day and is home to the Nordenskiold Site No. 16 Trail. There is no shade on this path, so remember to bring plenty of water if it’s on your agenda!

Nature’s Oasis is a Durango landmark. This year, the community’s most distinguished market celebrates 20 years in business.

For the past two decades, owners Sherri and Jeff Watkins have embrace Durango’s rich culture and heritage through their business.

More than just a supermarket, Nature’s Oasis is conscientious member of the community by offering high quality products, buying locally and giving back.

Learn more about this great local resource by visiting them online at www.naturesoasismarket.com

Food and wine lovers will rejoice while on vacation in Durango: The entire Southwest Colorado region is filled with some of the tastiest, juiciest eats in the area. Foodies will love embracing the region’s rich opportunities to taste the entire food chain, from farmer’s fields to the dinner plate.



Durango agritourism is a big deal. This unique experience combines Durango’s agricultural background with it’s distinctive tourism options, creating a special kind of retreat that will tickle the taste buds in an entirely new capacity. In fact, agritourism is one of the fastest-growing pieces in the travel industry puzzles, in Durango and around the globe. Visitors are welcome on many of Durango’s farms, ranches and wineries, and this creates a variety of options for once-in-a-lifetime education, entertainment, relaxation, shopping and dining experiences.

Here’s a “taste” of some of what you’ll find on menu in Durango:

• Animas Chocolate Company: Hand-crafted truffles and chocolate bars are just a taste of the sweet treats you’ll find at the Animas Chocolate Company. Tour their facility by appointment, or find their goods at a handful of local retailers. Either way, you’ll love the sweet taste and simple ingredients you’ll find in each bite. Animas Chocolate Company is a premier maker of regional sweets, and has taken home top honors from the 2012 and 2013 Chocolate Fantasia awards and the 2012 Ouray Wine, Chocolate and Cheese Festival. Call (970) 317-5761 or visit www.animaschocolatecompany.com
  
  
• Fox Fire Farms: Located in nearby Ignacio, Fox Fire Farms has proven itself as a master of many trades: As an advocate of sustainable agriculture, as a bastion of gourmand taste, and perhaps, most importantly, as a maker of some of the Southwest’s most sought after wines. The tasting room is open daily in the summer months, allowing you to sip some best wines the Durango region has to offer. Call (970) 563-4675 or visit www.foxfirefarms.com for information.
  
  
• Durango Brewing Company: This microbrewery is built on a legacy of tradition, dating back all the way to 1886 when Durango Beer and Ice Company morphed into the Durango Brewing Company. Offerings here range from the lightest lagers to the darkest ales: Current brews include Durango Amber Ale, Durango Dark Lager, Durango Wheat Beer and Durango Golden Ale. Each bottle you open or draught you sip was hand crafted with fresh, local ingredients. Barley, hops, yeast and water used in production are all fresh from the hills of the San Juan Mountains. Visit www.durangobrewing.com or phone (970) 247-3396.
  
  
• Honeyville: Family owned for at least three generations, Honeyville is Colorado’s most bee-licious spot for honey-infused sweets. Mountain honey, whipped honeys, jams and jellies, syrups and toppings, and other sweet, bee-related treats are buzzing about Durango thanks to Honeyville. Phone (800) 676-7690 or visit www.honeyvillecolorado.com
  
  
• Nature’s Oasis: Dubbed “Durango’s Natural Market,” Nature’s Oasis is a conscientious member of the community by offering high quality products, buying locally and giving back. The market sells everything from farm-fresh local produce to holistic vitamins, supplements and beauty products, and has been a Durango landmark for 20 years. Call (970) 247-1988 or visit www.naturesoasismarket.com.

Now is the perfect time to explore Durango's rich agritourism scene.  The iconic Durango weather and magnificent alpine terrain will have you coming back for more!  If you desire to live in our welcoming community, there is some fantastic Real Estate in Durango, Colorado. You're certain to find your dream home here.  What are you waiting for?  Check out the Spring and Summer Planning Guide or look at some suggested Itineraries.

Fox Fire Farms in nearby Ignacio has proven itself as a master of many trades: As an advocate of sustainable agriculture, as a bastion of gourmand taste, and perhaps, most importantly, as a maker of some of the Southwest’s most sought after wines.



Much like the vineyards in Europe and parts of Argentina, Fox Fire Farms is perched more than 5,500 feet above sea level. While this creates some challenges for growers, it also helps produce some truly impressive wines. As a certified organic producer, many wine lovers find that Fox Fire Farms wine has brighter flavors and fewer sulfates than non-organic competitors.

Available wines include:

• Fox Fire Chardonnay - With a rich golden clarity, this wine has a creamy-buttery flavor, with overtones of apples, pears with a lovely aromatic hint of oak and spices. It is a well-balanced, full-bodied Chardonnay with a long finish. Aged in oak casks.
• Fox Fire Pinot Noir - This Pinot Noir is a well-balanced wine with a fruity flavor and a light aroma of cherry and plums with a hint of lemon and licorice. This wine is a favorite for out door cooking enthusiasts. It has a well-balanced, medium bodied wine, with a medium finish. Aged in oak casks.
• Fox Fire Cabernet Sauvignon - This wine is everything you’d expect from Cabernet Sauvignon, and so much more . It is a full-bodied wine, dark brick-red in color, with a complex oaky flavor that includes, plums, coconut, and spices. It is a tasting experience you will thoroughly enjoy. Aged in oak casks.
• Fox Fire Riesling 2007 - This pale golden wine has a semi-sweet, fruity taste that includes pears and apples — much like the traditional German Rieslings.
• Fox Fire Red - This dessert wine is like a day at the fair. It has the aroma of cotton candy and merlot grapes. It is a light-bodied sweet wine with a short finish. A favorite wine for celebrations.

While the Fox Fire Farms tasting room is open daily from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., the vineyard is also home to a variety of special events. Upcoming happenings include:

• May 18-19 - Taste of Spring 2013
• July 12 - Cocoa Amore: A Wine and Chocolate Love Affair
• August 23-24 - Mesa Verde County Wine Festival
• August 31 - Salida Mountain Wine Festival
• September 14 - Annual Run of the Wine 10K
• Find more Durango and area events at Durango.com's events calendar
  

Fox Fire Farms is located at 5733 County Road 321 in Ignacio, Colorado, just 30 miles away from Downtown Durango. For more information, call the winery at (970) 563-4675 or visit www.foxfirefarms.com.

The Animas River flows right through the city of Durango, and public access to the Animas River within the city of Durango is plentiful. Visitors to downtown Durango get to experience 7 miles of river from the 32nd Street Bridge to the Rivera Bridge south of town. Our friends at Duranglers report that the Animas River is “one of the last free-flowing rivers in the state of Colorado.”  The Duranglers website Animas River section provides a plethora of information about this bountiful fishing destination.



Clearly, a vacation to Durango can quickly evolve into a fishing vacation. Whether you experience the Animas River or nearby Vallecito Lake, you will be amazed. One of Durangoans’ favorite things to do is take a scenic drive around beautiful Vallecito Lake and stop to view each of the carvings created by local artist Chad Haspels in memory of the Missionary Ridge Fire of 2002. Vallecito Lake opens for boating on April 27th, and the Forest Service Campgrounds plan to open on May 10th! Also be sure to consider campgrounds and RV parks near Durango.

Two popular events are coming soon:

• May 11th Vallecito Service League Plant & Garage Sale - 9:00am - 1:00pm at the beautiful Vallecito Lake Community Event Center
  
  
• June 7 - 9th Animas River Days in downtown Durango, Colorado.

Whether you are a river or lake person, be sure build an extra day or three into your vacation to spend time on the on or near the water.

Durango attractions range from breathtaking mountain adventures to five-star dining and big-city-style entertainment. With so much to do, packing the right clothing and accessories is a must.

Look your best whether you’re hitting the hiking trails or painting the town red with the handy packing tips below:

• The temperature in Durango can fluctuate more than 30 degrees on a spring or summer day in Durango. Layers are essential! Even if you’re traveling in the dog days of summer, you’ll want to bring a sweatshirt or light jacket. Mornings and evenings can be chilly in Durango.

• If hiking or outdoor activities are on your agenda (and we hope they are!), you’ll likely be most comfortable in lightweight pants or shorts and a breathable knit or woven top. Don’t forget sunscreen or your rain gear -- summer thunderstorms and showers are common, but the sun quickly returns to dry your clothes out! You’ll also want to bring hiking boots or sturdy outdoor-style athletic shoes. If horseback riding is on your agenda, you’ll be most comfortable in jeans or long pants -- there’s a reason cowboys wear Wranglers!

• If you plan on a rafting adventure, be sure to bring waterproof shoes. Outdoor enthusiasts swear by sandals/shoes by Keen.

• Most Durango restaurants are “Colorado Casual.” Men will blend in just fine while sporting khakis and a sport shirt; ladies might want to wear slacks/trousers and a simple top or a casual dress. It can get chilly (especially if your table is near the A/C vent), so remember a cardigan or lightweight blazer/jacket. You can pull out your casual chic outfit again for any concert or other event on your agenda!
  

• Still struggling with what to pack? Some of the web’s fashion and style bloggers have sage advice for travellers. Blogger and author Jessica Quirk, of What I Wore, advises that you make sure everything you bring on vacation mixes and matches. LadyLightTravel.com has accumulated packing lists for women en route for a quick summer break, and blogger Sally McGraw of AlreadyPretty.com recommends something called a capsule wardrobe.

• No matter what kind of clothing you settle on, it’s important to remember your water bottle: Dehydration can make altitude sickness worse. You’ll also want to bring a backpack for day hiking trips, a camera, GPS device or smartphone, and a bird or wildlife guide to help you identify the fauna you encounter in Durango.

Make the most of your Durango, Colorado, vacation by packing like a pro! Do you have any advice about packing for a trip to Durango? Leave your tips and tricks in the comments below!

Ever image what your life would be like as a cowboy...or cowgirl? One of the top springtime activities in Durango is horseback riding. Increasingly, visitors are booking dude ranch vacations. Guest ranch connoisseurs might wonder what the horses and wranglers have been doing throughout the winter off-season months when very few people are around. This interesting blog post by Colorado Trails Ranch provides great information for those of us with horses on our minds. A horseback ride opens your world up to scenery that the average person will never get to experience.

Outdoor enthusiasts flock to Durango for a variety of reasons: Miles and miles of trails to hike, unmatched landscape, breathtaking bike paths and river rafting offer tons of opportunities to enjoy nature and soak in the great outdoors.

Durango.com and local partners have teamed up to bring outdoors-oriented travelers the trip of a lifetime,  the all-new Adrenaline Package. Customize this package to suit your interests...whether it involves heart-pumping action of riding through downtown Durango on a Segway scooter, you will find yourself pumped up with adrenaline and rapidly checking activities off of your bucket list. Decompress from your adrenaline high with pampering spa treatments. This vacation package is best value for people who crave action and choosing from a variety of activities. Play hard and relax even harder by taking advantage of this exciting opportunity to experience everything Durango has to offer!

There's always something to do in Durango. Here's what's on the agenda this weekend!



Today, Friday, April 19:

• Sugar Creek - Bluegrass/American folk band performs in the Courtyard of the Rochester Hotel 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm
• The Bluegrass Express Train – Enjoy great music on “The Bluegrass Express!” Ride in the comfort of one of the premium-class cars of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad while listening to live bluegrass music! 
• Pub Science – for age 21 and up - First and third Fridays at “the Pow” (The Powerhouse Theater at Durango Discovery Museum) A special night out for citizen scientists, moms, dads, grandmothers, grandfathers, and anyone who needs a few, well-earned happy hours of fun—adult style. Pub Science is scheduled the first and third Fridays of every month, 5:30-7:30pm, in 2013. There's food and affordable drinks; it's casual and creative, and there's always a science-y twist. No RSVP or tickets required.
• Durango Bluegrass Meltdown - A special time of year when bluegrass music flows from venues throughout downtown Durango. The lineup includes Charlie Sizemore, Chatham County Line, Cahalen Morrison, Eli West, and many many others!

Saturday, April 20:

• Earth Day 5K and Family Fun Run – 10:00am – 1:00 pm. Select from a variety of running and walking choices. This is an event of Durango Nature Studies. All runs are followed by fun activities, food and music at Rotary Park. Fun for the whole family!
•  Bike Polo Tournament - An all-day event in Buckley Park in Durango. Visit the beer garden.
• Bach and Beatlemania! - The season finale and big party for this brilliant and brassy orchestra. 7:30 pm at Fort Lewis College Community Concert Hall.
• Four Corners Green Living Expo – 10:00am – 5:00 pm on Saturday and 10:00am – 3:00 pm on Sunday at La Plata County Fairgrounds.
  
• Durango Bluegrass Meltdown - A special time of year when bluegrass music flows from venues throughout downtown Durango. The lineup includes Charlie Sizemore, Chatham County Line, Cahalen Morrison, Eli West, and many many others!

Sunday, April 21:

• Four Corners Green Living Expo – 10:00am – 5:00 pm on Saturday and 10:00am – 3:00 pm on Sunday at La Plata County Fairgrounds.
  
• Durango Bluegrass Meltdown - A special time of year when bluegrass music flows from venues throughout downtown Durango. The lineup includes Charlie Sizemore, Chatham County Line, Cahalen Morrison, Eli West, and many many others!
  

Look for more upcoming Durango events? Get a big picture of all the things going on at the Durango.com events calendar!

The 28th annual bicycling event entitled “Ride the Rockies” begins in the picturesque town of Telluride. Cyclists are scheduled to be in Durango on June 10, 2013. See the official schedule of stops below...

• June 8: Registration in Telluride.
• June 9: Telluride to Cortez, 75 miles, including over Lizard Head Pass (10,222 feet in elevation).
• June 10: Cortez to Durango, 64 miles.
• June 11: Durango to Pagosa Springs, 86 miles.
• June 12: Pagosa Springs to Alamosa, 91 miles, including over Wolf Creek Pass (10,850 in feet elevation).
• June 13: Alamosa to Salida, 84 miles, including over Poncha Pass (9,019 feet in elevation).
• June 14: Salida to Canon City, 67 miles, including over the Royal Gorge Bridge (956 feet high).
• June 15: Canon City to Colorado Springs, 46 miles.

Spring and summer are perfect times to visit Durango. Outdoor enthusiasts will love taking advantage of the area's unmatched terrain. Durango has so much to offer: Whitewater rafting, skiing, biking, horseback riding, fishing and more!

At this moment, spring has sprung in Durango. However, many folks are making plans and booking lodging in preparation for The Durango Heritage Celebration October 10 – 13, 2013. There is nothing quite as beautiful as autumn in Durango, Colorado, and the events surrounding The Durango Heritage Celebration are selling out quickly. If there was ever a time to get on the ball, it is now.

The center of downtown Durango is rich in Victorian and Old West History. The Durango Heritage Celebration honors this Victorian heyday with a grand celebration and a variety of unique activities and events. Everyone gets into the act. The costumes and the atmosphere throughout downtown shopping zones and galleries makes you feel as though you have been transported back in time.

At this time, there are only 20 spaces remaining at the event entitled “Her Majesty’s Ball” and only 12 spaces left at the “Buffalo Bill Meets Queen Victoria Dinner Banquet.”
Reservations are required for most of the events during the Durango Heritage Celebration.  Another big part of the Heritage Celebration is the Durango Heritage Train.  Be sure to book your lodging and secure your space in Queen Victoria’s court.

Below are just a few highlights of the major events:

October 11
"Guest Victorians & Edwardians on Parade" Tea & Fashion Show
Those who attend our event do so in some pretty amazing historic outfits, so it seems only reasonable to turn over our annual fashion show to them for 2013!  Therefore, the 2013 show will be an opportunity for the ladies AND GENTS to strut their stuff in anything that truly represents either Victorian/Edwardian attire or that of the Old West, including military.

"Buffalo Bill Meets Queen Victoria" Banquet (only 12 spaces remaining)
6:30pm - 8:30pm. (Doors open at 6pm.)
at The Pullman Room of the Historic Strater Hotel.

October 12
"Her Majesty’s Ball" (only 20 spaces remaining)
The Grandview Victorian Orchestra will again provide the music for the evening, as they have each year. If you have never attended a Victorian Ball, you have a wonderful experience awaiting you! The dances are fun and Miss Tabitha will guide all of us through each one.

October 13
Durango Heritage Train

Don’t Forget
Everyone in Durango adores and supports their beloved Animas Museum. The museum offers some of the most interesting presentations and programming.

A Cemetery Tour? Really?
Yes, I realize it sounds a bit macabre, but the Greenmount Cemetery Tour is not to be missed! Go on the tour, and find out for yourself. It is a fun and meaningful part of The Durango Heritage Celebration.

Author Angela Jangula loves Durango. In fact, she’s chosen our city as a backdrop for her book, Vallecito Knight. Jangula’s debut novel is a sensual paranormal romance (think Christine Feehan, Sherrilyn Kenyon or J.R. Ward) that will take readers across the Southwest and around the world. Learn more about Jangula’s favorite city and more in the interview below:

Durango.com: Why did you choose Durango as your book's backdrop?

Angela Jangula: Durango, to me, is the “bigger town” around my favorite “little towns.” It’s the happenin’ place to meet. Whether I am in the Silverton, Vallecito, or Pagosa area, I always meet my friends and family in Durango to start our day.

In my book, Vallecito Knight, Durango serves the same purpose. The town is the main gateway to Vallecito Reservoir where the paranormal misfits have congregated to survive in their own small town community ... I am sure as you read, if you are familiar with the area, you will recognize many of the places mentioned. If you don’t know the area, the descriptions are enough to make any outdoor enthusiast drool!

DC: Do you find the area inspiring? If so, are there any places that seem to foster creativity for you?

AJ: I have to admit that I love Middle Mountain Road by Vallecito Reservoir. The drive starts off at the lake and takes you high up into the mountains. The views are amazing and the forest appears foreboding. The moss is thick on the trees and there are points while hiking when you almost feel suffocated by the dense forest. When you come to a clearing with the sunlight and wild flowers, you can breathe in the fresh air and feel safe again. At this point, I like to turn around and look at the black forest I just walked out of and smirk at it like I just escaped death.

The Pine River and Vallecito River are both inspiring to me. I actually thought of my main story line while fishing the Pine River (I’m pretty sure I didn’t catch any fish that dayJ). I wanted to make an action packed adventure of all paranormal breeds including vampires, witches, werewolves, shifters, mixed breeds, and even…fairies. From there, I decided to make the idea a reality. I typed on my laptop at the Rocky Mountain General Store every morning and wrote about half the book in a week.




DC: What's your favorite thing about the Durango area?

AJ: My most favorite thing about Durango is all the jeep trails to go play on. All you need is to pack a lunch and you can get lost on any old dirt road.

I also love to rent a bike for the day and tool around by the Animas River. It's fun to watch the rafters float down it and spend the day relaxing on a nice bike ride.

2013 marks the 19th Anniversary of Kyle Petty’s Ride Across America. The entourage is scheduled to stop in Durango on May 2nd!  During a weeklong event this spring, former NASCAR driver and racing analyst Kyle Petty will lead more than 175 motorcycle riders on a cross-country motorcycle trek to benefit Victory Junction.



The 19th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America begins on April 27 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and extends 2,100 miles before finishing in Tempe, Arizona on May 3. The Charity Ride raises funds and awareness for Victory Junction, a camp created to enrich the lives of children with chronic medical illnesses.

The 2013 Schedule includes overnight stops in:
•    Coeur d'Alene, Idaho to Boise, Idaho (April 27)
•    Boise, Idaho to Jackson, Wyo. (April 28)
•    Jackson, Wyo. to Green River, Wyo. (April 29)
•    Green River, Wyo. to Grand Junction, Colo. (April 30)
•    Grand Junction, Colo. to Durango, Colo. (May 1)
•    Durango, Colo. to Show Low, Ariz. (May 2)
•    Show Low, Ariz. to Tempe, Ariz. (May 3)



The mission of Victory Junction is to provide life-changing camp experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering - in a safe and medically sound environment, always free of charge. As a not-for-profit organization, the camp operates solely through the support of generous individuals, groups and corporations to provide this experience at no charge to children and their families.

Make your work week fly by planning ahead for the weekend! Take advantage of gentle spring weather by getting out and enjoying these Durango events:

Friday, April 5:

• Los Lonely Boys concert at Fort Lewis College Community Concert Hall - Grammy award winning brothers from Austin, Texas. Often described as Los Texican rock ‘n roll. For more information, call (970)247-7657.
• Pub Science at the Pow - First and third Fridays at “the Pow” (The Powerhouse Theater at Durango Discovery Museum) A special night out for citizen scientists, moms, dads, grandmothers, grandfathers, and anyone who needs a few, well-earned happy hours of fun—adult style. There's food and affordable drinks; it's casual and creative, and there's always a science-y twist. No RSVP or tickets required.

Saturday, April 6:

• Comedy Nights at the Henry Strater Theater - Locals refer to this beloved theater as "The Hank." Comedian Wayne Francis headlines, and the opener is Will White. Show starts at 8:00 pm (doors open at 7:15 pm) Advance tickets $10. Tickets at the door are $12. For more information, call (970) 375-7160.
  

Check out the Durango.com events calendar for even more happenings.

These events not your scene? Remember, there's always more in Durango. Check out our lists of things to do in Durango for outdoor adventures, museums and more!

The Iron Horse Bicycle Classic is less than two months away. If you’re planning to pedal through this year’s road event, it’s time to get serious about your training. Whether you consider yourself an athlete in prime shape or a beginner, consider these five bicycle training tips when getting ready for the road race:

1. Have a plan.
The Iron Horse track is a tough one: Riders will climb 6,700 feet as they pedal the 50 mile mission. It takes dedication and training to be able to cruise through to the finish line. Conquer the race by working on a training plan and sticking to it.

2. Be flexible.
Even though it’s crucial to have a training plan to prepare for the race, it’s also important to have a bit of flexibility, too. Injuries and illnesses can occur, soreness will hit. Be prepared to spin through one training day and hit it hard the next.

3. Make yourself miserable.
Hate pedaling up hills? Do it anyway. These things are often miserable because they’re hard, but doing them will make them easier and more enjoyable in the long run.

4. Set goals.
Make the most of your training program by breaking your big goal -- the Iron Horse Classic -- into smaller goals. Don’t just log the miles, aim for improvement. Consider interval training and cadences to help you reach the end.

5. Think positive.
Don’t just train your body for the race, train your brain, too! Visualize yourself crossing the finish line and think about how good you’ll feel. Celebrate each time you reach a goal in your training.You’ll be surprised what you can accomplish if your attitude is on your side!



No matter whether you're training for the race in Durango or at home, be sure to slow down and enjoy the scenery around you!

Durango Mountain Resort is reporting “fantastic spring conditions with some stashes of powder left over from last weeks’ 5-inches of new snow.” Durango folks typically enjoy the slopes throughout March and into the first weeks of April. Durango is the best location to capture the springtime snow and enjoy great skiing and riding! It is one of the few places in the U.S. where you can do some spring snowmobiling.  Outlaw Tours in downtown Durango can set you up with the snowmobile experience of a lifetime. The scenes below were provided by Outlaw Tours.