Fall Comes to Summit County, Colorado

So there are still quite a few flowers blooming in the county.

 

However the Aspens are beginning to turn to bright yellow and many of the wildflowers have gone to seed.

The willows are becoming all colors of the spectrum from green through various yellows into red. Above all the meadows of grasses are coming into their splendor. I often think that a meadow with high grasses is just as attractive as a wildflower meadow, with as much variety of color, and a plethora of different seed heads.

The sunlight on some clumps of grass makes the seeds appear like sparklers on a July 4th evening.

The sage brush insterspersed in the grasses gives a dusty blue contrast to the shades of the grasses.

Go out in a meadow of grass after a rain or a frost and the contrasts of textures and hues is magnified.

I am lucky to live in Frisco, Colorado next to the Summit County bike path and Lake Dillon.

My daily walk with my dog Sawyer, takes me into the wetlands on Lake Dillon and I am able to see the changes in the grasses and the undergrowth in the forest on a daily basis.

Another favorite wetlands meadow for me is at Farmer's Corner & Swan Mountain Road, at the southern tip of Lake Dillon. In winter this area is transformed into an area for snow kiting http://bit.ly/b8zZ4a, but in the Fall it offers a myriad of colors for any passers by on Highway 9. Stop at the parking spot next to the lake some time and enjoy this assault on your visual senses.

After looking through this photo montage of  Summit County, when you are out and about in the county, open your eyes to the beauty of grasses, especially this year when our late Spring moisture has led to a bumper crop.

All pictures were taken with my Blackberry as I walked or drove in my neck of the woods.



Holiday Shopping in Summit County

ChristKindlMart - Silverthorne

Holday Arts Market - Breckenridge

Snowflake Challenge

Frisco Wassail Days

The Outlets at Silverthorne

 

Another great article below by Caddie Nath in today's Summit Daily. I was thinking of writing about the same thing, but Caddie seems to be on my wave length about sharing what is going on in Summit County. Not only is there great shopping right now, but there is also a lot happening in the entertainment world, particularly with music. Check out www.summitdaily.com in the events and entertainment sections for all the details.

 

What I like about many of the activities currently in Summit County is that they are benefitting a number of worthy causes in the county - and after all is that not what the holidays should really be about? High Country Activities just wishes there were more hours in the day to attend all these fun events, but there are mounds of fresh powder out there to be skied as well. I am not sure it is ever going to stop snowing this winter. I must also rush to Walmart to Adopt an Angel and buy a toy for a needy child to be distributed by Summit County's various police forces - what a great program.

 

If you do need to still do some of your holiday shopping why not check out some of the following options?

 

Summit Stop: Holiday Shopping Extravaganza

It is Sunday and somewhere someone, in their fresh-powder skiing or snowboarding bliss, momentarily forgot that it is nearly halfway through the month of December. With less than two weeks left before Christmas, some shoppers have already geared up into panic mode. But in Summit County, even as the holidays creep ever-closer, there is no need to panic. Because just beyond the slopes lies a winter wonderland of shopping options. So if you have made your turns in for the weekend, take Sunday afternoon and join the hustle and bustle for a few hours. With glowing snow-capped shops, twinkling with lights and set against a breath-taking mountain backdrop, shopping in Summit County is a world away from the average holiday mall madness. In fact, you might really enjoy it.

Find something one-of-a-kind Holiday Markets

Summit County becomes a hot bed for the little temporary villages overflowing with unique gifts around this time of year. Today, there are holiday markets in both Silverthorne and Breckenridge, offering hand crafted goods as well as seasonal food and refreshments. The Summit County Christkindlmart, at the Outlets at Silverthorne, offers a European shopping experience. Camped out in tents, vendors offer everything from jewelry, scarves and hats to artwork, mead and bees wax candles and soaps. Pick up some hot apple cider or German beer and stop in to the central tent to enjoy the live music. Over in Breckenridge, the third annual Holiday Arts Market is the place to find ceramics, photography, textiles and paintings. Both markets also offer the opportunity to spread a little extra holiday cheer. Sales at the Breckenridge Holiday Arts Market, open in the Fuqua Livery Stable from 12 to 5 p.m., will support the Arts District. The Silverthorne Christkindlmart, open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., will benefit Breckenridge's Christ Lutheran Church preschool and early childhood program.

Find variety Downtown Breckenridge and Frisco

Shopping on Main Street in Breckenridge or Frisco is a bit like stepping back in time. The pace is a little slower and the holiday atmosphere unmistakable. Both of the little towns offer a wide variety of shopping options that house countless gift ideas. Most of the stores are independently owned and operated, presenting an opportunity to meet locals as you browse their wares. Both Frisco and Breckenridge boast adorable toy stores, book shops and mom-and-pop clothing and winter wear businesses. In Breckenridge, as you stroll Main Street enjoy creative window displays (a competition among the merchants) and snow sculptures, art crafted by teams vying for first place in the Snowflake Challenge. In Frisco, take advantage of the last day of Wassail Days by stopping in to one of the participating stores or restaurants for a steaming mug of the traditional European cider. And again, an afternoon shopping in downtown Frisco or Breckenridge spreads a little extra holiday cheer to the local community. Shopping locally owned businesses returns more money to the local economy than shopping at chain stores. Plus, when you're hungry and ready for a break, both towns offer a great selection of excellent (and warm) restaurants.

Find an excellent price The Outlets at Silverthorne

The Outlets at Silverthorne bring together big-name stores and surprising prices in one unique shopping location. With over 50 well known outlet stores, most offering lower prices than their main location counterparts and many, special holiday season sales, it's a great place to pick up gifts without breaking the bank. The outlet stores are divided into green, red and blue color-coded villages and a free shuttle transports shoppers between the villages.

Welcome to High Country Activities Blog!

Welcome to our first blog post for High Country Activities!

We hope that this blog can share our Summit County experience and expertise and help you plan the vacation of a lifetime for you and your family.

High Country Activities is your full-service concierge for the towns of Frisco, Dillon and Silverthorne, Colorado and the surrounding area.  We offer complete custom vacation planning, activity bookings and guest services during either winter or summer for your Summit County vacation -- at no additional charge to you.

Book your Frisco, Dillon or Silverthorne airport shuttle transfers, activities, rentals and services, as well as your dining reservations with one simple call. Our vacation experts have years of local knowledge and insider tips to help make your vacation a one of a kind, custom experience.

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