Category: Things to do
Things to do in the Winter!Things to do in the Winter!
Beautiful February weather! Low 40’s! Let’s get outside and play!
Hesperus Ski Area
- Hesperus Ski area has skiing, snowboarding, and tubing. It is a great space to teach your kids how to ski. Night Skiing-Thursday through Saturday until 9pm. Located in between Mancos and Durango. .ski-hesperus.com/
Chapman Hill Ice Rink & Ski Hill
- Chapman Hill offers skiing and ice skating just 2 miles from downtown Durango. durangogov.org/1488/Ice-Rink-Roller-Rink
Mancos Chicken Creek Cross Country Ski Area
- Groomed trails are perfect for beginners and advanced. Just 10 minutes from downtown Mancos. facebook.com/ChickenCreekNordic/
Phil’s World
- -Over 27 single track bike trails wind through Pinon and Juniper trees. Perfect for beginners and advanced. Located between Mancos and Cortez.
Durango Hot Springs
- – Newly renovated and located 8 miles north of downtown Durango and 15 miles south of Purgatory Ski Resort, Durango Hot Springs helps you unwind. Surrounded by mountain views, these natural mineral hot springs are the only natural hot springs in the world to infuse nano-meter and micro-meter oxygen bubbles, increasing the health benefits and purity of the natural waters. www.durangohotspringsresortandspa.com
Christmas Season is in full swing!Christmas Season is in full swing!
Last weekend in Mancos was the Rudolph Run and then Saturday in Cortez was the Parade of Lights. Everyone is happy with snow expected tonight! 8 inches! Been super dry so we need it. Shops are staying open longer and it is definitely the season to shop local. The Chamber Christmas Party will be next Thursday the 16th at 5 to 7pm at Mancos Brewery. Hope you will come as we will announce Citizen of the Year for Mancos, Business of the Year, and Cowboy of the Year. We will be having live music, food and dancing!
Losing a loved oneLosing a loved one
Losing a loved one is difficult. Overloaded with emotions, here’s a checklist to help things go smoother.
-Contact family members, and employer.
-Secure home, provide care for pets, dependents, and forward mail.
-Honor end of life requests (if known) This might include organ donating, celebration of life, funeral.
-Work with funeral home for cremation and burial. Take a friend or family member for support.
-Call cemetery to arrange burial. (Best practice is to buy a plot prior to death)
-Publish obituary in local paper
-Locate a copy of their will or trust. (Check in safe deposit box, safe, or desk.)
-Get 5 copies of death certificate.
-Close out all social media accounts, i.e., Facebook, Instagram.
Grief is a roller coaster and its very easy to get submerged into what needs to be done. Take time to grieve, and self-care. Reach out to friends and family for support.
Helping OthersHelping Others
Join me in helping others!
The Piñon Project
The Piñon Project Family Resource Center helps over 3,000 families and their children in SW Colorado every year.
Piñon Project programs include an Early Learning Center, early childhood education and parenting programs, youth services programs (Mentoring and Sources of Strength), Emergency Assistance Coalition (homelessness prevention), Access to Health programs (Eating Smart Being Active) and Family Programs (Successful Families).
Mancos Giving Tree
Christmas trees displayed around town have ornaments to choose from. Ornaments provide the option to buy gifts, food, or help pay utilities for families in need. Drop off gifts or checks at my office, Colorado Ranch & Home Realty 145 Grand Ave in Mancos.
Salvation Army
Have you put money in the red kettles? The money raised here in Montezuma County stays here and helps with food, utilities, clothing and emergency shelter. 970-564-4228.
Good Samaritan Center
Can you put together a nonperishable food box? The Good Samaritan Center food pantry is located in the “pink building” at 30 N Beech Street Unit C, in Cortez, CO. They are open 12pm-2pm Monday-Thursday each week for curbside pickup of food boxes. For more information go to goodsamscortez.org
Turning Our Hearts Toward Home MancosHomes.com
Hiking above MancosHiking above Mancos
Just above the town of Mancos, there are endless hiking trails where you can explore and seldom see anyone. This past weekend I hiked on some old closed off mining roads and never saw a soul! At 10 am it was 56 degrees and after hiking 6 miles it had warmed up to 67! Pretty sweet when Phoenix and Albuquerque areas are having record breaking heat this summer.
I am always looking for a hiking buddy! Come explore with me and find out why Mancos is a great place to call home!!
Fresh FruitFresh Fruit
One of the best things about summer is fresh fruit. Even though we had very little snow over the winter, several apricot trees are loaded throughout Mancos. Yum! Also Oalthe Sweet Corn is now $8 for a $1! Woo Hoo! Don’t miss the Farmer’s Market on Thursdays next to my office from 4 to 7pm for your veggies and live music. Yes, I love living in Mancos. If you are looking for a small town with a big heart come fall in love. Just recently Mancos helped a family that was down on their luck to find a place to live, get it furnished and even do landscaping for them.
I’m here to help! MancosHomes.com
Mountain Bike TrailsMountain Bike Trails
This winter is unusual with very little snow, so it’s time to forget about waiting for skiing to be good and get on our bikes. Southwest Colorado offers a plethora of options.
Phil’s World located between Mancos and Cortez off of Hwy 160, offers well defined single tracks over high desert terrain. There are several options of short loops with 8 miles or a full 15 mile loop. Terrain is mostly easy to moderate however there are several great jumps that my boys love. https://www.mtbproject.com/trail/621788
Carpenter and Geer Natural Areas offers 170 acres on the North and West side of Cortez. For the beginner rider there is a broad paved 1.5 mile trail. For the intermediate rider there are many dirt paths that veer off. Views are amazing. This is a perfect place to take a ride during your lunch or on the weekend with the kids. It can be assessed from two locations. On the East side, it begins as the sidewalk on the northwest corner of Mildred Road and Empire Street and heads north. On the West end, the trail may be accessed on Lebanon Road north of Highway 491.
Sand Canyon Trail located down McElmo Canyon southeast of Cortez offers intermediate riding thru canyons with ancient Puebloan sites. During the winter this is a nice warm ride over slickrock and on single tract. One way is about 6.5 miles. To reach the McElmo Canyon trailhead, head south of Cortez on Highway 491. Turn right (west) on County Road G at the signs for the airport and/or Hovenweep National Monument. Go 12 miles, and trailhead is on the right.
Time to get outside!
Olio Restaurant- MancosOlio Restaurant- Mancos
Mancos is fortunate to have great restaurants and Olio’s is one of them. A delicious blend of food, wine and art. Last weekend I went to a gallery opening for Jan Goldman, a pastel artist from Durango. Wow! The landscape drawings were incredible. Jason Blankenship the chef/owner of Olio’s did a phenomenal job on the appetizers. I had helped out with Adaptive Sports all day, and it was a treat. The choice of wine is extensive. I had a glass of Muscato. Hope you have a chance to check out Jan’s exhibit. Olio’s is located in downtown Mancos – 114 W. Grand Avenue. Be sure and call for reservations 970-533-1381. Here’s a copy of their menu!
Absolute BakeryAbsolute Bakery
Absolute Bakery November 13, 2015
We are very fortunate to have the Absolute Bakery in downtown Mancos. If you want to feel connected, just come to the bakery. You will find locals who meet regularly and if you happen to be alone will invite you to their table. You will have instant friends!
The food is delicious! Prepared from scratch and using locally grown veggies make it amazing. My breakfast favorite is “the stack”. Yum!!
The bakery is located in an old 100 year old bank building decorated with all kinds of art from local artists. Debbie Doty who paints lovely scenery and wood carvings by Dave Sipe are my favorites!
Don’t forget to grab a cookie, or homemade bread before you leave! It’s a must stop for visitors and locals.
