Colorado Family Summer Vacation in Summit County

Driving in out of Denver to Summit County, Colorado is an amazing experience. From the flats of Denver, you reach foothills, which lead to the pass at the tunnel, and then all of the sudden you've transitioned from Kansas to the Rocky Mountains in all of their power and splendor. There's something timeless about these mountains, and unforgettable.

I lived in Breckenridge and Frisco, between Copper Mountain and Keystone, for a few seasons. That was over 25 years ago, and still remember every detail of the places I explored and discovered as though it were only yesterday. The monumental rock faces, the mountains themselves, immovable, unperturbed, entirely unconcerned as to whether we exist or not... The wildlife, dense everywhere! Mountain lions, bears, deer, elk, porcupines, eagles and hawks... The rivers, creeks, streams and mountain lakes, dynamic, flowing, ever-changing and yet somehow themselves a constant within that motion.

It has been a long time since i lived in the Rockies, but I visit often. Each time, it's like returning to an old friend. We know each other well, but there's much to do and see together, new secrets to discover, old ones to relive. There are always more things I want to do than hours in a day to do them in. Start planning your Summit County Activities here.

I enjoy riding on horseback, going off into the “real” mountains, away from the highways and blacktops, until there's nothing artificial anywhere in sight. (Copper Mountain Stables offers up worthy mounts.) Sometimes I'll take a pole with me and try my hand at fishing in the streams found along the way. Other times, I'll make fishing the reason itself. Then it's fly fishing for me. (Blue River Anglers and Mountain Angler\ are some good folk who know where to take you to, and teach ya a thing or two about it along the way, if you've a mind to learn something new!)

Another good time I've added over the years was with taking a Duckie (an inflatable kayak) down the Colorado River. The equipment and tours provided by Colorado River Guides was top-notch; I can't recommend them highly enough! Find Summit County Whitewater Rafting trips.

The music scene in the mountains is always top notch, too. It seems quality musicians love living in the Rockies, and so you'll find outstanding pickers and players make their homes there and often play out in some of the most unlikely little pubs and hotel lounges.

Another thing I really enjoy is just taking in the scenery. All summer long, the trees are green and the skies are clear. Come fall, the leaves are changing and the tapestry they weave and lay across the steep mountain slopes is exquisite! Greens, yellows, oranges, reds and browns, all afire in the sunlight, set against a backdrop of deep mountain-blue skies – there's nothing else quite like it anywhere on earth!

Last time, I thought I'd try something different, so I got ahold of Continental Divide ATV Tours, took a quad up into the mountains around Vail. I've gotta admit, it was a lot of fun, and really made the getting there go quickly! Turquoise Lake was breathtaking, and I can't imagine a nicer group of people who make sure you're having a good time while staying mindful of safety.

The last night of last year's vacation, I got talked into something touristy. To be honest, I didn't expect much at all when I was informed that we were going to Happy Trails Chuckwagon, but I was pleasantly surprised by the experience. The food was really good, were the show and music! I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the place, and am kinda looking forward to going there again.

Driving back east on I-70, you're eased back into the “real” world. There were many times, back when I lived there when I'd need to buy expensive gear. I knew it would be cheaper in Denver, so I'd start out to drive into the City to save some money. When I'd get to the plateau spot on the interstate where you can see you're leaving the mountains and the whole flatlands is spread out before you, I'd almost end up turning the car back around and driving back home. I'd stop at a local shop along the way instead and gladly pay (what really didn't amount to all that much) more to not have to leave.

Even now, Summit County's hard to put in the rear-view mirror. The only way I do it is knowing that I'll be back again soon. I guess Summit County really is just like a good old friend. The visits are never long enough, I find I miss it often, and can't wait to return. Every time I come, I find something new to appreciate and enjoy, even twenty-five years later.

Start planning a vacation to Aspen or Snowmass, Colorado - Aspen Lodging

Office Cubicles, Ergonomics and your Environment

The care and attention that must be dedicated to the choice of the proper cubicle environment for your employees must exceed that spent on any other aspect of the office milieu. There is no other furnishing choice that will have such a drastic effect on your employees' well-being, morale and job satisfaction (and thus your bottom line) than the cubicle.

Depending on the choices you make, your employees will see their cubicle as a valid tool to assist their professional efforts, keep them organized, alert and comfortable, or they will see it as a dank, dark, cramped dungeon where they have to suffer the agonies of the damned. The proper cubicle is a balance between privacy and preservation of acoustics vs. the need to be in contact with the rest of the team.

Find more information on the growing trend of Going Green for business.

Cubicles must never be set so high that employees can't see over the tops, neither should they be set so low that the entire office is given the resemblance of a cafeteria. The open section of the cubicle should be large enough to allow a person to enter, even when carrying a large box or piece of electronic equipment. The best cubicles are the ones that to some degree face a source of natural light, whether it be a skylight or a window. Is your business going green?

Ergonomics are first and foremost in the list of features to look for in a cubicle, and the various work surfaces must be fully adjustable. A desktop that forces a keyboard or mouse into an unnatural position can be a carpal tunnel syndrome claim waiting to happen. Since employees come in all shapes and sizes, then the cubicle's ergonomic features must be fully adjustable to suit them all, tall and short, thin and portly. Since no one size can possbily fit all, the adjustability must include desktop altitude, separate keyboard tray with in/out and up/down movement, a separate mouse surface which must also be adjustable, and an overhead or side mounted monitor arm which allows the LCD panel to be easily moved to where it is most comfortably viewed.

All cubicles must contain an L shape and the PC must always be placed in the center of the L, allowing the employee to have access to working surface on both sides at a 90 degree angle. The chair is also a critical feature. It must be almost infinitely adjustable, including the lumbar support, seat angle and backrest height. With care, you will select a cubicle which will be beneficial to your employees and their productivity!