Author: Joy Meadows

The Golden Glass Orb Hunt is happening again this year and it is more difficult! During the month of October, Visit Golden will place an orb somewhere in the city each day for thirty-one days and two orbs a day on Saturdays and Sundays. A local artisan, Brad Bedillion, handcrafted these one-of-a-kind glass orbs to find and keep.

Each orb is marked with a special tag and instructions for entering to win the Grand Prize; a one-night stay at the Dove Inn, a $50 gift card to a Golden restaurant and a membership to Foothills Art Center.

THE HUNT TIME FRAME

October 1, 2018 – October 31, 2018

Starting on October 1, 2018, an orb will be placed somewhere in Golden city limits each day for thirty-one days and two orbs a day on Saturdays and Sundays. Placement will happen at random times each day. Visit Golden and Foothills Art Center will post clues on Twitter and Instagram Stories one day after an orb has been placed if it has not yet been found. Make sure you follow us on @visitgoldenco and @foothillsartcenter so you can keep up with the latest updates.

HUNT RULES

• Orbs can be found anywhere within golden city limits that is a public area, you can view the map here: http://maps.cityofgolden.net/ (the city is highlighted in purple). You won’t find them on private property, a driving range, in the creek, the middle of an established trail, and other places that would be unsafe for hunters.
• Orbs are free if you find them.
• One orb per person – if you have already found an orb during the hunt please leave the remainder of the orbs for others to find and enjoy.

TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL HUNT

• We want these orbs to be found so follow Visit Golden on Twitter and Instagram for possible clues on orb locations.
• Orbs are placed outdoors rain, snow or shine.
• We will not always know when orbs have been found since it is up to the "finder" to share that they have discovered it, so keep hunting!

SHARE PHOTOS OF YOUR FIND TO WIN THE GRAND PRIZE

If you find an orb be sure to show it off! Snap a picture of the treasure and where you found it and share it to Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #goldenglassorbhunt. This will also enter you to win the grand prize package. Or you can bring your orb into Foothills Art Center to enter to win as well. Foothills Art Center is open Mondays – Saturdays: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Sundays: 12:00 – 5:00 PM.  

THE 2018 GLASS ORB ARTIST

Brad Bedillion, Through the Looking Glass Studio – Firestone, CO

Known for his free-flowing, non-technical approach, Brad loves the collaboration between him and the glass.  He doesn’t fight it. It’s about the energy and the flow and that’s apparent in the work he produces. And not only does he enjoy the process he also enjoys sharing that process with others, working with charities and organizations that bring art to children. Because in the end, art is about the connection, the emotion it brings out in you.

The one thing that every major bike race in Colorado in recent times has in common is the hill climb up the Lariat Loop Trail from Golden, Colorado to the top of Lookout Mountain.  Both the US Pro Challenge and Colorado Classic included the hill climb and it's common to see more bikes on the road than cars.  Climbing the hill is a “rite of passage” for all serious cyclists in metro Denver.

The ride to the top is under five miles, but climbs 1,600 feet with grades of 5-6%.  There are more than a dozen hairpin turns, each with a view in a different direction, either west to the snowcapped peaks of the Front Range, or north to Boulder and the Flatirons, or east down into scenic Clear Creek Valley and the town of Golden.

Traditionally, the climb begins at two large stone pillars that were erected in 1917 as the start of the Lariat Loop.  It was William “Cement Bill” Williams who created the route from 1910 to 1914, originally as a footpath and later as a two lane paved road designed to promote, of course, “Cement Bill’s” cement business.   When Denver failed to pay some money they had promised to help build the road, “Cement Bill” set up a toll booth and made the road free to everyone in the world except people from Denver, who had to pay a toll.  The dispute was soon settled, and the road became part of Denver’s famed mountain park system.

It’s difficult today to understand the popularity of one of Colorado’s first scenic highways.  In 1917, some 70,000 cars drove to the top, 20,000 of them on one day when western scout and showman Buffalo Bill Cody was buried at the end of the route on top of Lookout Mountain.  The next year, 116,000 automobiles chugged and puffed their way to the summit.

The road has been widened and improved, but still follows the original route that “Cement Bill” laid out, curving up the side of Mount Zion, past where the Colorado School of Mines placed their giant stone “M” in 1908 (considered to be the oldest and largest illuminated mountain monogram in the U.S.) before twisting and turning to Windy Saddle Park at the two-thirds mark.  For those who prefer to walk rather than bike, there are hiking trails from here that zig-zag up the mountain to Buffalo Bill’s Grave or to the beautiful Lookout Mountain Nature Center, which as exhibits on the wildlife of the area that includes bear, elk, mountain lion, racoons and deer.

From Windy Saddle, there are six more twists and turns before the parking lot, gift shop, snack bar and museum at Buffalo Bill’s Grave.  The view from the museum’s deck is one of the most panoramic in Colorado taking in an area much larger than the state of Connecticut. 

Today, most bikers begin and end their journey about a mile from the stone pillars in historic downtown Golden.  The town’s main street, Washington Ave., is lined with coffee shops, outdoor cafes, breweries, distilleries and one-of-a-kind shops, including bicycle shops, rock climbing shops (Golden is also a renowned world class center for rock climbing), kayak shops (Golden has a river flowing through it for kayaking and tubing), ski shops, and general outdoor sporting goods stores.  In addition to being a cycling center, Golden is home to the American Mountaineering Museum, the only museum in the U.S. dedicated to the history of Mountaineering.  There are six outdoor beer gardens for a victory celebration after summiting Lookout Mountain.

Golden also has a free seasonal Bike Library where you can check out a variety of bikes and pedal along the town’s many bike paths, particularly the paved Clear Creek Bike Trail that runs into the mountains to the west, and all the way down to Denver to the east.

There are 24 hours in the day, but only a few of them earn the designation, “happy” hours.  And there is no better place to spend these “happy” hours than in Golden, Colorado.  Many of the historic town’s bars, breweries, restaurants and distilleries offer special prices and deals that make it the perfect place to unwind and relax outdoors with a beverage and a mountain view.

Here are just a few of the Happy Hour specials in Golden:

WOODY’S WOOD-FIRED PIZZA — Did we say happy “hour?” There’s lots of happy “hours” at Woody’s, but it’s especially good from 3-6 pm daily for a happy hour featuring 16 local tap beers and a premium well, plus their famous Bloody Mary made with “Drunken Pig” bacon-infused vodka and candied bacon.   Another few happy hours are available for those sitting at the bar, Mon.-Fri., for a special that includes two slices of wood-fired pizza and an ice cold Coors for $5.99.  And Woody’s all-day, every-day buffet (11 am-11 pm) is just $13.29 for unlimited wood-fired pizza, the constantly restocked salad bar and scratch-made beer cheese soup.  Yum.

STATE 38 DISTILLERY — How’s free sound?  Come to Golden’s award-winning distillery, take a FREE tour to learn how they make five agave-based spirits (plus small batch whiskey) and then enjoy TWO free tastings.  Tues.-Sat., from 4-6 pm.

BRIDGEWATER GRILL — Here you can not only be outside, you can hear the pleasant sound of Clear Creek as a flows past the restaurant – all while you enjoy $3 domestic beers, $4 premium beers, $5 house wines, and tasty snacks like crispy Brussel Sprouts with Pancetta, or Rosa’s Pork Green Chili, 3-6 p.m. daily.

EL DORADO MEXICAN RESTAURANT — It’s always a fiesta here from 3-6 p.m., Sun.-Thurs. where you can enjoy two-for-one bottled beers and house margaritas, along with mountain views from the patio.

TABLE MOUNTAIN GRILL & CANTINA — These deals are so good; there are two daily happy hours, from 2-6 p.m., and from 9-11 p.m.   Enjoy a dollar off all microbrew tap and bottle beers, margarita specials, nachos, BBQ sliders, street tacos for $2.75, garlic Asiago fries, and the chef’s featured burger of the day.  Dine either on the flower decked patio, or in their amazingly colorful Southwestern bar.

MINERS SALOON — This modern day version of an old miner’s saloon would have been especially popular with grubstakers in the 1880s, because from 3-6 p.m. daily you can get $1 off all beers and $2 off all wines and cocktails.  With 24 tap beers and another 25 bottled beers, there’s plenty of choice.  The menu of small plates includes house made venison, boar and buffalo sausage.  The old saloon is a perfect place to sit by the huge open windows, breathe mountain air and relax at the end of the day.

TRAILHEAD TAPHOUSE & KITCHEN — Home-made gumbo, po boys, and jambalaya are the specialties here, matched every Mon.-Fri. from 3-6 p.m. with drink specials, 16 tap beers, and tasty treats.

Golden has plenty more happy hours to try! Check out VisitGolden.com for a complete listing of Golden restaurants.

Lynn Conrad, owner of Baby Doe’s in downtown Golden, has called Golden home for nearly two decades. She raised her children here and lovingly says, “Life in Golden has been a fabulous way to spend the last 21 years.”

Baby Doe’s has been a downtown Golden staple for 21 years, specializing in women’s clothing, artisan jewelry, and fine craft. Since taking ownership in April of 2017, Lynn has brought in many domestic clothing lines including A.N. Designs, Ava Rose Designs, and Hard Tail. Plus, Spinster Sisters has moved in, creating a shop within the shop.

One of Lynn’s favorite things about running Baby Doe’s is the overarching philosophy of a community of women. She has regular shoppers from all over the country who come to the store when they visit annually. Along with the locals who also love the shop, this creates a lovely community of women.

We sat down with Lynn to learn more about her perfect golden day.

My Perfect Golden Day

I start my day with a walk to work along Tucker's Gulch and up to the Clear Creek path. As I’m walking, I often act as tour guide for visitors—advising on where to go and what to do. My 15 minute walking commute to Baby Doe’s is the perfect way to start a day and really quite lovely.

I usually try to get an early start so that I can sit in Café 13 and enjoy coffee and breakfast. You can get a great diner breakfast there but not many people know that. I usually see so many people I know that my eggs are cold by the time I get around to eating them.

After a day of greeting customers at Baby Doe’s, my husband and I walk Washington Avenue and pop into Vital Outdoors for a new pair of shoes. Shoes are my weakness. Other shops I love are the Red Wagon, Golden Goods and Blue Moose Trading Company.

We make our way up the hill for dinner at the Sherpa House Restaurant and Cultural Center. This restaurant is such a treasure. There’s not another place like it in the state. We especially love taking visitors here.

On the walk home, we wander through the Golden History Park and enjoy the gardens with native plants and say hello to the chickens. This free park is another Golden gem. If the weather is just right, we sit and soak up the sunset from one of the benches or picnic tables. It truly is the perfect way to end a day in Golden.

Head to Golden for Buffalo Bill Days, Golden’s annual salute to William F. Cody, July 26 – 29, 2018. There is western fun all weekend long, including the Best of the West Parade, spectacular Western entertainment at Cody’s Wild West, Muttin Bustin’, a Pancake Breakfast, Car Show, arts and crafts, live music, kids’ games and more. Full list of events here.

So who was Buffalo Bill? Simply, he was the world’s first superstar. In his youth, he was the real deal – an army scout, Pony Express rider, buffalo hunter and pioneer. Then later in his life, from 1883 to 1913, he set out to re-create the romance and thrill of the rapidly changing Old West by staging the world’s first show business tour – a circus-like event that was called “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West.” There has never been anything else quite like it.

Buffalo Bill’s Wild West performed in more than 1,000 cities in a dozen nations with a cast of 640 cowboys, Indians, vaqueros and rough riders. It took a special train of 52 box cars to move his show, which included the third-largest buffalo herd on Earth. As a comparison, Beyonce’s recent world tour (considered by many to be the largest modern tour) had just 20 backup dancers and was staged in only 41 cities.

Kings, queens and presidents attended Buffalo Bill’s Wild West shows and it’s estimated that more than 25 million words were written about the famous scout during his lifetime, making his silver goatee, buckskin jacket and wide Stetson hat more recognizable and famous than anyone in the world at the time. 

He died in 1917, while visiting his sister in Denver and was buried on Lookout Mountain, where he has long enjoyed the remarkable view from the top.  Legend has it that while alive, he often commented that he could see all the way to Kansas from this Golden vantage point.

If you enjoy Buffalo Bill Days, be sure to visit the Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave. Located on top of Lookout Mountain, just a short walk from his gravesite, the museum has many of his costumes, guns, hats and posters from the show, as well other artifacts from the many people who appeared in his shows, including his close friend, gunfighter Wild Bill Hickock, and Chief Sitting Bull, who wiped out Custer at the Little Big Horn. Kids (and adults) can try on Western outfits for Facebook photos, and the view from the museum is perhaps the best in all of Denver, taking in both snowcapped mountains and the Great Plains. 

The experts at Golden River Sports tout fly fishing as the most renowned method for catching trout and salmon. And although Golden’s Clear Creek is in short supply of salmon (read: “there are no salmon”), the “Golden Mile” that begins in town and extends up Clear Creek Canyon is home to brook, cutthroat, brown and rainbow trout, which make it perfect for the sport.

Offering 20 miles of access, this section of water fishes well throughout each season. Clear Creek Canyon boasts everything from pools for risers to runs for nymphing. Plus, there are a variety of pull-offs on public land, including two new parking lots, so it’s fairly easy to access. 

We sat down with Kyle from Golden River Sports to get a few more pointers on getting the most from your day fishing Clear Creek Canyon. Here’s what he had to say:

1. Golden River Sports does half and full day guide trips from the shop. Beginners should schedule at least a half day out with these seasoned guides who will teach them to read the water, tie knots, cast and more.
2. Three- or four-weight rods are perfect for Clear Creek as most of the fish are seven to eight inches long. 
3. Size 16 caddis flies are doing really well right now along with hoppers and terrestrial patterns. 
4. Tunnels 2 and 5 are really fishing well right now, and the guides have even seen a few huge stocked fish (16-18 inches) in those areas. 
5. Call the shop (303.215.9386) for daily updates including water flows and temperatures. With low snowpack this year, it’s important to check water temperatures before casting so as not to harm the fish. 
6. A couple of safety tips: wear boots and waders to stay dry and always be aware of your surroundings. 

Plus, Golden River Sports teams up with Mountain Toad Brewing every third Wednesday of the month for a fly fishing night where their experienced guides provide instruction on how to tie flies. These fly-tying events are free, open to the public and the flies you tie are yours to keep. No experience is necessary. Guests are welcome to bring tying equipment. 

So grab your gear (or snag some at Golden River Sports) and come earn some smiles on Golden’s Golden Mile. 

Summertime mountain escapes are the best, especially when you don’t have to drive too far to feel like you’re a world away. 

Golden Gate Canyon State Park is located only 14 miles from downtown Golden, but offers lush forests, alpine meadows and rocky outcrops. Enjoy daytime adventure or overnight excursions in this pristine Rocky Mountain wilderness only a half-hour drive from Golden. 

This 11,998-acre park established in 1960 has campgrounds, picnic areas, and 36 miles of hiking trails for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and offers ample opportunities for outdoor recreation year round.

For daytime visitors, Golden Gate Canyon boasts more than 35 miles of hiking trails. Two of our favorite hikes include:

• For families: Raccoon Loop is a 2.5-mile loop that begins next to the parking area at popular Panorama Point. The elevation gain is minimal but the views outstanding, making it a popular family hike.
• Moderate hike: Beaver Loop is a 2.8-mile loop that climbs 1,050 feet into the Rockies. Access the trail near the visitor center and wander through aspens and meadowlands while taking in views of the Continental Divide and the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. 

Check with the helpful rangers at the Visitor’s Center for hiking ideas specifically suited for your ability.

Overnight visitors have plenty of options in Golden Gate Canyon State Park which boasts 152 primitive and electric camp six cabins, two yurts, group camping and one horse-friendly guest house. 

For RV campers, Golden’s Colorado Camper Rental, which has been in business since 2009, offers these Golden Gate State Canyon tips:

• B and E Loops in Reverend's Ridge campground are among our favorites, especially campsites 14, 16, 18 and 51 of the B loop.
• At the Kelly Dahl campground , we recommend campsites 26 and 38.
• If you’re looking for a smaller campground, try the Cold Springs campground, which offers 31 sites available for campers. 
• If you are bringing your ATV, Columbine Campground features several ATV trails nearby.

Colorado Camper Rental has a great selection of campers for rent in Colorado with six models of pop up campers, five hybrid/expandable trailer models, and 15 travel trailer models. 

No matter if you visit Golden Gate Canyon State Park for a few hours – or a few days, you won’t have to go far from Golden to enjoy the serenity of the Rocky Mountain wilderness. 

Photos from Colo. Parks & Wildlife

Golden, Colorado was at one time as large as nearby Denver.  And it was more important.  Because it was closer to the gold fields, Golden was selected as the first capital of the Colorado Territory.  Civil War generals Grant and Sherman stayed in Golden, and many historic figures of the time visited the town.  But when Denver got the railroad, it boomed and became a big city.  Golden remained a small town, but one with a big history!  Now, you can discover that history on the Golden History Walking Tour.  Put together by the Golden History Museum, the free, downloadable tour directs you to 16 historic spots in Golden as it winds  one-and-a-half miles past beautiful homes, stone buildings, gardens, a re-created historic farm and school yard, and – most popular with kids – a historic chicken coop filled with heritage chickens you can feed for a quarter. 

And don’t worry – there are plenty of restaurants, outdoor cafes and beer gardens along the way to add to your history tour. A few suggestions history lovers will enjoy: Old Capitol Grill &  Smokehouse, which is housed in the former Capitol building, and offers delicious entrees and craft cocktails or Café 13, located in the historic Armory Building, where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch or a coffee break.  Beer lovers will enjoy Golden City Brewery, a charming beer garden and tap room located in backyard of the founder’s historic home.  For more suggestions on dining in Golden, check out the dining section of visitgolden.com.

To access the free tour, go to: https://www.goldenhistory.org/learn-do/walkingtour/ Get a printout there of the various stops, or navigate using your smartphone and the customized Google map available at the link. 

And don’t forget!  There are free horse-drawn carriage rides through the backstreets of historic downtown Golden on Friday and Sat. evenings, from 5  to 8 p.m., June-August!

Free Carriage Rides, Evening Shopping, Street Musicians, Beer Gardens, Free Parking & More

Want a weekend in the mountains but don’t have the time?  Then spend a summer evening in Golden.  Located just 12 miles from downtown Denver, Historic Golden has all the amenities, views and feel of a mountain town, without the drive or traffic. From the hanging flower baskets and public gardens to the historic Old West architecture and welcome arch, Golden feels like the mountain west.

And summer weekends in Golden are the best time to visit.  On Friday and Saturday evenings, most of the downtown shops stay open until 8 p.m., there are free horse-drawn carriage rides, live music, free parking and more than a dozen pet-friendly outdoor cafes and beer gardens.

Here are the deets:

LATE EVENING SHOPPING.   On Fridays and Saturdays from June 1^st to Aug. 31st, most of the shops on and near Washington Ave (Golden’s main street) will stay open until 8 p.m.  You can shop in clothing boutiques, art galleries, jewelry stores, toy stores, fly fishing shops, outdoor gear stores, pet stores, and furnishing shops, all in a small-town-America atmosphere. 

FREE PARKING.   Golden offers hundreds of free two-hour parking spots at any time, but all parking in Golden is free after 5:00 p.m.

FREE CARRIAGE RIDES.  Free horse-drawn carriage rides will be offered from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings, from June 1^st to August 31st.  Two gorgeous horse-drawn carriages will clip-clop down the historic backstreets of Golden, passing by quaint Victorian homes and gardens with gorgeous views of Lookout Mountain and North and South Table Mountains in the distance.

BROWSE THE GALLERIES. Stores and galleries will feature wine and art events and meet and greets with local and national artists.

CREEKSIDE WALKS.  The two-mile paved walking path beside Clear Creek through the heart of downtown Golden has been called the most beautiful trail in Metro Denver.  The nearly level trail follows the creek up into the foothills and is easily accessible for handicapped and baby carriage visitors and is pet-friendly for dogs on a leash.  In the afternoon and early evening, the creek is packed with kayakers and tubers, while overhead, hang-gliders fill the sky circling down on air drafts from the top of Mount Zion.  The Clear Creek path is a lively and colorful place, but so quiet, you can always hear the river rushing beside you. 

FREE LIVE MUSIC.  Buskers and musicians can be found on Golden street corners on Friday and Saturday evenings, playing for tips and adding music to the air.

BEER GARDENS.  Golden brews more beer than any town in America.  Much of that is due to Coors (the largest single brewing site in the world) but Golden also has numerous beer gardens, breweries and distilleries.  The people in Golden love to live outside, and all the beer gardens and many of the restaurants are pet friendly and welcome your four-legged friends with water and treats.

OUTDOOR CAFES.  Outdoor cafes offer a wide choice of specialties. Start your morning sitting creekside at Sassafras  for a Cajun Bloody Mary and Elvis French Toast. For lunch, grab a to-go sandwich from D’Deli (known for their Colorado Buffalo Ruben or cold elk meat subs) and have a picnic along Clear Creek. Or head to Colorado’s first state capitol building, the Old Capitol Grill & Smokehouse, where the patio is now ground central on Washington St. for people watching. For dinner, families love Woody’s Wood-Fired Pizza is a longtime Golden tradition. You can get a taste of the Southwest at Table Mountain Inn & Cantina’s flower-covered outdoor patio, or a taste of Nepal at The Sherpa House, where their amazing tiered, tree-shaded outdoor patio has views of South Table Mountain.

HISTORIC WALKING TRAILS.  Golden was the first capital of the Colorado Territory and one of the state’s earliest towns.  You can download a historic walking tour at www.goldenhistory.org/learn-do/walkingtour/ and follow the exciting days of Golden when it was a gold rush boom town.  Generals Grant and Sherman once stayed here, and you’ll be amazed at some of the rich historic buildings within a few blocks of main street.  Bring some quarters and on the south side of the Clear Creek, you can feed the exotic, rare chickens kept in the historic chicken coop as part of the Golden History Museum.

MOUNTAIN VIEWS.  Golden is where the plains meet the mountains, but because of two huge 70-million-year-old volcanic buttes, Golden lies in Clear Creek Valley, surrounded on all sides by towering peaks.  It’s a short (but steep) hike up South Table Mountain at twilight to watch the lights come on in the village below.  You can drive up Lookout Mountain for incredible views of the entire eastern plains and all of Metro Denver (but be careful driving up and down on this unlighted stretch of twisting road).  Trails also lead up Mount Zion, North Table Mountain and Mount Galbraith, all of which offer spectacular views over the town at twilight and are perfect for a late afternoon summer walk before stopping at a downtown beer garden or café for dinner.

RED ROCKS CONCERTS AND FILMS.  Golden is just a few minutes’ drive from Red Rocks Amphitheatre and is the location of the new Origin Hotel, the “official hotel of Red Rocks.” Nothing can compliment a concert or film at Red Rocks more than an early dinner and walk in Golden, where you can dine outside with nearly the same mountain view that Red Rocks offers and be in the concert parking lot in just a few minutes.

All year long, Golden is your go-to mountain town without the drive. For more information, head to visitgolden.com.