A Blog from mototripsandtreats.com

The Crushery/Denver

mototripsandtreats — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 21:36:26 +0000

Monaco Blvd

Today was in the 60s and sunny-a perfect Fall day. In hopes of seeing fall colors, we decided to go to the historic areas of Denver and ride down the boulevards ( 6th, 18th and 17th are especially beautiful) where the trees (and homes) are huge and, of course, get a treat along the way. A friend of mine told me about The Crushery and I’ ve been anxious to go.

The Crushery (http://www.thecrushery.com/liquid-nitrogen-icecream.php) was everything, and more, than I expected. When I heard that you get to pick your flavors and watch while they freeze your concoction with liquid nitrogen, I knew it would be a place we’d want to go to often. How many combinations can you make? I’m fuzzy on math but we’ll have fun trying, that’s for sure! First you pick the liquid base (ice cream base, yogurt, or sugar-free), flavors such as vanilla, hazel nut, chocolate sauces then pick from a list of ingredients: nuts, fruits, spices, chocolate chips and extras like peanut butter, honey and salt. They had probably 50 different options. After staring at the list for several minutes and trying to visualize combinations, I finally decided on the ice cream base with chocolate syrup, peanuts and chocolate chips. Below is a picture showing the deep freeze!

The Deep Freeze!

After several minutes of watching the fog swirly around the mixer, they deliver your personalized ice cream to your table. The ice cream was worth the wait. It seemed colder and harder than regular ice cream but was still very creamy. My only suggestions would be that they need a chocolate ice cream base too.

The interior of the restaurant is fun too. The wall to the street was open and you can watch people walk by as you wait on your ice cream. They also had Panini sandwiches and other treats such as stuffed brownies. So much to try! We’ll definitely be back soon!

The Crushery

Later….

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Sedalia/Comadres then take 105 to Palmer Lake

mototripsandtreats — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 23:36:19 +0000

Pumpkin Pie icecream at Comadres

Before or after your ride on 105, stop at Comadres in Sedalia! They’re located at 5457 Manhart Street (next to Bud’s Bar.) Their sign out front that said “Homemade Ice Cream”, of course, caught our eye! And, the perfect start or end to a fall ride is their Pumpkin Pie ice cream. I love pumpkin pie so I couldn’t wait to try it-delicious! They also have homemade fudge, coffee drinks and Mexican food (that looked pretty good) if just a treat won’t do the trick.

We seldom get down to the southern side of town (since we live on the north side of Denver), but went last weekend and I’m glad we did. It’s difficult finding north to south roads (besides I-25) that run all the way through. And, I don’t like riding on I-25 (we take side roads instead). But, we really wanted to see the scrub oaks while they were still red and knew where to find them (on 105 between Sedalia and Palmer Lake)! Although it took us a long time, once we got to Sedalia, I felt relaxed in their small town atmosphere. (And, the pumpkin pie ice cream at Comadres got my mind right too!)

We were on 105 in September and saw green scrub oaks everywhere and knew we had to come back in a couple of weeks to see them bright red. The ride from Sedalia to Palmer Lake is only about 20 miles each way, but is so relaxing and scenic-especially in the fall.

While on 105, it seemed as though we stopped every mile so I could jump off the bike to take pictures of the yellows, reds, farm and ranch land (there is a lot of money down there!), pines and mountains in the distance. We made ”oooh”" and “aah” sounds the whole time! We were a little late seeing the scrub oaks at their peak (some had already started to turn brown), but it was still very colorful. Next year, we’ll remember to get there one week earlier.

View on 105 between Sedalia and Palmer lake

Later….

www.mototripsandtreats.com

Peak to Peak Highway in Fall

mototripsandtreats — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 18:12:45 +0000

Rollinsville

I think it’s the most beautiful ride in the Rocky Mountains-the Peak to Peak Highway in the Fall. http://www.estes-park.com/go/peakpeak.html

And, since it’s so close to Denver, you can make it a spur of the moment trip too.

It was the perfect day-the sky was cloudless and the air was warm. We started in Estes Park and rode south to Mount Evans stopping to take pictures every few minutes-so it took us all day! But, normally it’ll only take a couple of hours.

The pictures say it all-but I will too-beautiful!

Later…

mototripsandtreats.com

Near Mt. Evans

Lyons Soda Fountain and Bakery

mototripsandtreats — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 15:31:40 +0000

After seeing that the Lyons Soda Fountain and Bakery had new owners after sitting empty for so long, we’ve been wanting to try it out all summer but just made it there yesterday. Have you heard the saying, “Busier than a 1 legged butt kicker”? Well, that’s been us lately. So, when we had the opportunity yesterday for a long ride, we took it.

We took advantage of the “picture perfect” day by taking the long, long way to Lyons. We actually started down south in Deer Creek Canyon-the opposite direction of Lyons. We had hoped to take pictures of golden aspen clumps but soon discovered we were too early-the aspens have barely started to change. But, we were relieved to see as we rode north toward Lyons that the fire near Gold Hill appeared to be contained-we didn’t see smoke anyway.

When we finally arrived in Lyons at the Lyons Soda Fountain and Bakery (400 Main Street) it was almost dinner time and we were starving! But, not too hungry to take in the old-time charm and ambiance of the place. Old time music was playing from the vintage syle juke box and the decorations in the shop-from the tables to the soda fountain counter- felt so authentic (and probably are from the sign out front that says it was established in 1921)!

We sat down at the counter and looked over the huge menu of soda fountain options-from Suicides (coke with every flavor in it) to numerous flavors of malts, shakes, floats and sodas. But, we were not feeling very adventurous (too hungry and tired to think I guess) and ordered ice cream cones. Don’t get me wrong-their Dreyer’s ice cream ones were extremely generous and tasty-but we can get Dreyer’s ice cream at the grocery store. So, next time we’ll be much more adventurous and order one of their soda fountain treats instead. Afterall, that’s what a soda fountain is all about-mixing it up! But, our lack of adventure gives an excuse to go back soon. Besides the treats, the old-time atmosphere makes it fun to go to as its own destination or on the way to or from Estes Park!

Later….

www.mototripsandtreats.com

Glen Haven/Glen Haven General Store

mototripsandtreats — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 21:20:09 +0000

: Glen Haven General Store

: Cinnamon roll at Glen Haven General Store

: View from Glen Haven approaching Estes Park

I’ve lived in Colorado almost 30 years and have never been to Glen Haven. I’ve been to Estes Park many times but never took the short trip over to Glen Haven. But, now that I’ve been there, and to the Glen Haven General Store (http://www.glenhavengeneralstore.com/), I look forward to going again as soon as the aspens change. (And, that will be soon. I noticed the aspens were just starting to turn.)

My little parakeet is dying and I’m feeling sad and nostalgic about how fast time goes and losing my little buddy. So, to get my mind off of things, we took a nice ride past Carter Lake (my happy place), then north along the Boulder County back roads to Hwy 34 and west through the Thompson Canyon. But, instead of heading into Estes Park as usual we went north on 43 toward Glen Haven. The road winds along the Thompson River and is very scenic with rustic cabins along the way. After several miles we got to Glen Haven and I was totally surprised to see how cute the little town was. In addition to the Glen Haven General Store, the town also has a bed and breakfast and a couple gift shops.

The Glen Haven General Store is very inviting with a big front porch, picnic bench and flowers. Inside, was even more inviting. The smell of cinnamon rolls in the oven was wonderful! When we asked that the store owner about the smell, he said his wife makes the best cinnamon rolls in the area-even better than Vern’s! So, we had to have one. And, he was right, they were definitely delicious. I don’t know if they tasted any better than Vern’s, because when two things are that good, it’s hard to compare. But, the beauty and “vacationy” feel of the area, makes Glen Haven a great treat and destination spot.

To my buddy Skyler,

Love you!

Later…

www.mototripsandtreats.com

Look Out Mountain Buffalo Bill’s Grave

mototripsandtreats — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:19:51 +0000

: View from Look Out Mountain

Ok-I know it’s corny and hokey. But, it’s one of those touristy things you have to do when you live in Colorado. (It’s like going to Casa Bonita every now and then.) Take Lookout Mountain Road to Buffalo Bill’s Grave and get homemade fudge at the Pahaska Tepee Gift Shop (http://www.buffalobill.org/Gift%20Shop%20at%20the%20Buffalo%20Bill%20Museum/index.html.)

Where else can you see hang gliders, bicyclists, cars, motorcycles, Golden, Boulder and DIA all at one time! And, seeing the grave site and the huge gift shop filled with western souvenirs is fun too! Kids must go nuts in there- know I would have as a kid! While you’re in there, try the homemade chocolate/walnut fudge-it’s very creamy and fresh!

Later…

www.mototripsandtreats.com

Hwy 73 from Evergreen to Conifer then to Deer Creek Canyon

mototripsandtreats — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:05:21 +0000

This post is all about the ride-no treats (we’re getting pretty porky!). And, Hwy 73 south from Evergreen to Conifer is quite the ride! The valley is very picturesque-exactly how you picture Colorado- pines, ranches, horses-you can picture it, huh! It’s only about 10 miles long but you can continue the ride if you want (another 15 miles or so) by going through the tunnel under Hwy 285 on Pleasant Park and eventually spilling out into Deer Creek Canyon.

Later….

www.mototripsandtreats.com

Morrison/The Blue Cow Eatery

mototripsandtreats — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 19:45:08 +0000

On our way back from a ride last weekend, hungry and thirsty we drove through Morrison and spotted The Blue Cow Eatery. We’ve driven by The Blue Cow Eatery (http://bluecoweatery.com/) at 316 Bear Creek Avenue a dozen times and although meaning to, never stopped.

But, once we saw their sign of a cute blue cow with an ice cream cone in his hand, we knew we had to pull in. It was Saturday at lunch time and the place was packed. But, we still got excellent service!

The Blue Cow Eatery has a seating area and a window outside for ordering ice cream plus inside eating and a patio in the back for ordering sandwiches. It was smoking hot so we ate inside and split a barbecue beef sandwich with fries (it was a generous serving!) and had a chocolate milkshake. And, the chocolate milkshake was to die for-the person making it must have liked chocolate! It was made with a lot of Hershey’s syrup and I enjoyed every drop.

The Blue Cow Eatery is a fun place with great food and ice cream treats. We’ll definitely be back!

Later…

www.mototripsandtreats.com

Estes Park Pie Co Inc.

mototripsandtreats — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 23:51:31 +0000

It can be stressful having company. As much as you enjoy them, all the cooking, cleaning and entertaining can be draining. So, after having company on and off this summer, we needed a mini-getaway. So, off to Estes Park we went.

It was a beautiful August day and we had a coupon for a free cookie-can you think of a better excuse for visiting the Estes Park Pie Co Inc. again! And, since it was a Friday, the crowd wasn’t bad either.

We chose the molasses cookie that was as large as a salad plate and it didn’t disappoint. It was at least a 1/2 thick”, soft without being hard and had just the right amount of spice.

We hope to get to Lyons next week. On our way to Estes Park, we saw that the old soda fountain in Lyons opened again under new owners.

We’ll keep you posted.

Later…

www.mototripsandtreats.com

Woodland Park/The Donut Mill

mototripsandtreats — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 14:37:01 +0000

Chocolate iced donut at 2:00 p.m.? You bet! The huge, puffy raised donut with chocolate icing and sprinkles was just one of the treats available at The Donut Mill in Woodland Park. For those not into donuts (who’s not into donuts!), they also had Blue Bell ice cream and other baked goods and sandwiches at their quaint little store.

After a beautiful ride past Deckers on 67, we arrived in Woodland Park just in time for their art fair in the park. It’s a good thing we didn’t have any room in our pack or I would have been tempted to buy something. But instead we went over to The Donut Mill for a treat. Delicious, satisfying and a whole lot cheaper!

Later….