January 26, 2016 - Tanya's Ski Trip to Vail & Breckenridge, Colorado - Day 12

Tanya's Daily Scoop
CURRENTLY TRAVELING IN: BRECKENRIDGE, COLORADO

I like feeling my fingers and toes

Heya Folks!

GREETINGS from Breckenridge, Colorado!
​
BRECKENRIDGE or BRECKINRIDGE
Stories relay that Breckenridge was named after President James Buchanan’s vice-president, John Cabell Breckinridge (1857-1861). Other accounts claim the town was named for Thomas E. Breckenridge, a renowned prospector and member of the historic Fremont Expedition of 1848 and 1849.

​It is FREEZING this morning!!!

Feels like say WHAT?!?!

Yesterday was COLD, and today was suppose to warm up ever so slightly...But I'm not seeing that!

I let the kiddos and Dave C. sleep late yesterday and we skipped the slopes deciding that it was a good day to hit the town.

Taking a shuttle down to Main Street.

We strolled up and down Main street. Going into store after store.
While you may think I'm little miss goody too shoes - Don't drink, Don't smoke - what do I do?
Well as you should already know. My vice is - TRAVEL! ​

Anyhow, what I'm getting at is since we are traveling in Colorado - one of the first states to legalize marijuana for recreational use. Even the non-selling vendors have plenty of merchandise to show it off!

Who wears this stuff???

While browsing, we also found these most adorably tiny wee little gloves and mittens (that appear) so much bigger in the picture. They were really sooooo small!

Continuing on our stroll, we wandered into the Breckenridge Welcome Center, which is attached to a Historical Museum. 

Did you know:  Breckenridge has one of the largest historic districts in the state of Colorado, with more than 200 structures on the National Register of Historic Places.

Did you know: The three most-visited ski resorts in America are: No. 1 Vail Mountain, No. 2 Breckenridge Ski Resort, No. 3 Keystone Resort.

From Gold miners to Powder seekers...

Did someone say GOLD?
“Tom’s Baby” was found by Tom Graves and Harry Lytton. It is the largest crystallized gold nugget unearthed in Colorados’ history. It was discovered in 1887 and weighed 13lbs and 7 oz when it left Breckenridge, but by the time it made it to Denver it shrunk to 9 lbs. Legend has it that everyone who they showed the nugget to chiseled a piece off. 

Up and down Main Street we went, and after a while my fingers and toes were froze! Boy how I hate that feeling.

And if my toes are froze here, then what am I to expect in Quebec next week?!?!
​How will I be able to enjoy myself if I am absolutely FREEZING?!
I think these winter/snow boots of mine have seen their day, and that it's time to find a nice new WARM pair!

Eventually we made our way back to the comforts of our resort, relaxed for a bit, had some dinner and then went to the theater to catch a flick.
​The kids wanted to see 'We're The Millers', and I was the only one who had already seen it - finding it quite funny, I agreed to watch it again.

Oh and btw, while I was unpacking yesterday I realized that there was a missing outfit of Dominic's. I telephoned the last place we stayed (in Dillon) and low and behold not only did they find Dominic's outfit, but Cosette had left an outfit behind as well! UGH

Although Dillon isn't all that far away, I'm having them ship the clothes back to me in SoCal, so that it doesn't mess up our schedule while we are out here and so I have them by the time we return (I'm sure that I'll need to pack at least an item or two for the Quebec trip). 

Now, I hope it starts to warm up out there - I'm itching to hit the slopes. But ANYTHING with the feels like temp below zero is WAAAAY too uncomfortable and takes the fun right out of it. So instead of getting out there for the first lift of the day - we'll wait until 9:30-10am (it's suppose to go up to 11 degrees by then) before hitting the snow!

I'm gonna sign off now.

Hope you keep warm, but not too warm. Just right sounds good to me!
​-T

Elisa's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 54 DAYS

​February Stay-cation in New York

A Big Good-TUESDAY-Morning to ya!!

Are you just lovin' Tanya's daily account of her Colorado Ski Trip??  I know I am totally living vicariously through her as she romps around the ski resort towns!!

Check out Tanya's Scoop to find out the Top 3 most visited Ski Resorts in the United States.
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I am getting very pumped for the coming weeks and months and the many "stay-cation" plans I have around the New York City region!!
 
Today, since it's Travelin' Tuesday and these events are part of my "Winter Stay-cation," I've detailed FOUR FUN NYC local destinations I'll be hitting throughout February and March.

A Slice of Brooklyn Pizza Tour
This tour is one I’ve wanted to do for a very long time!!!  How cool does this sound?! Now, I grant you, it’s not cheap at $80 per person for adults and $70 for kids.  But, it certainly has all the right elements to see and taste!

Some of the highlights of this  4-1/2 hour bus tour experience include:
- Movie locations from Saturday Night Fever, Goodfellas, The French Connection, Scent of a Woman, Annie Hall and more!
- A visit to Brooklyn Bridge Park for spectacular views of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge.
- A walk around Coney Island’s world-famous amusement park and boardwalk.
- Great views of the world famous Brooklyn, Manhattan, Williamsburg and Verrazano-Narrows Bridges.
- The Brooklyn Army Terminal where Elvis shipped off to Germany in 1958.
- Drive on Shore Road in Bay Ridge, including the famous “Gingerbread House.”
- Learn about your favorite Brooklyn-born celebrities!
- The tour includes 2 slices of pizza & a soft drink at each of the two pizzerias.​
This visit is scheduled for early February.
Cost: $80/adult and $70/child

(credit: nytix.com)

 Museum of the City of New York
1220 Fifth Avenue New York, NY  10029 
I have a bunch planned for my visit.  It all starts off with a "Bagel & Coffee Breakfast" and a screening of Timescapes, a 22-minute  multimedia experience, traces the growth of New York City from a settlement of a few hundred Europeans, Africans, and Native Americans to its present status as one of the world’s great cities.

Narrated by actor Stanley Tucci, this film features animated maps and archival photographs, prints and paintings from the Museum's collection. 

Next, I'll enjoy a guided tour and make my way through the various exhibits.

Of particular interest to me is Picturing Prestige: New York Portraits 1700-1860.
Before photography, there were portraits, and beginning in the 18th century, New York City’s wealthy commissioned paintings of themselves and their loved ones to display in their homes as indicators of prestige.

Portraits were often created to commemorate a significant moment in the sitter’s life—a marriage, acquiring an inheritance, or assuming an important position—and they offered an opportunity for the subject to present a carefully crafted image to the world. This exhibit features portraits by many of the top artists of the day. 

This visit is it is scheduled for the last weekend in February.
Admission to the Museum is $14 

The Brooklyn Queens Experience Tours
This tour company offers a number of terrific  ways to see the cultural and historical character of vibrant neighborhoods in the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens.

The various "experiences" offered provide encounters with local artists, "makers," and entrepreneurs, and stops to sample neighborhood food and drink.  

Well, folks, wherever there is food, you know I'm in!!

Nothing against Brooklyn, but as a Queens native, I was most interested in the Long Island City Tour: Queens Cool Uncovered.  Just one subway stop out of Manhattan, Long Island City is a flourishing neighborhood with a thriving art scene.

The 3-hour Long Island City walking tour, covering 2 miles, include:

• Sweeping views of Midtown Manhattan from the East River; neighborhood exploration; and commentary on Long Island City, its history, arts scene, DIY (do-it-yourself) manufacturing movement, breweries, and relevance in the big picture of Queens and NYC at large
• Dedicated services of a  licensed, native NYC guide and small group settings (12 people maximum per tour)
• Access to an artist’s studio and gallery
• Visits with local “makers” and standout neighborhood establishments, including the seasonal LIC Flea & Food
• Stop for complimentary beer tasting and glass of prosecco
• Samplings of sweets and light bites from select local vendors, including Italian treats and a visit to a rooftop lounge (weather dependent)

This visit is scheduled (unfortunately) for early March, since it is currently sold out till then.
Cost: $65/person

Bronx Historical Tours
Well, my stay-cation includes something in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens during the months of February and March -- last but not least, I'm going to be hitting the Bronx as well!

Introduction to the Bronx: Grand Concourse/Historical District is one of the Bronx tours offered by Bronx Historical Tours.

The Grand Concourse was once considered to be one of the most affluent neighborhoods in The Bronx.  There are still strong ties to the past in this area and it is home to the largest collection of Art Deco and Art Modern style buildings in America. 
​
This 3-hour walking tour includes the following sights:
* The Bronx Walk of Fame, dedicated to famous Bronx residents
* Historic District Art Deco Grand Concourse, the Grand Boulevard of The Bronx
* New Deal era murals at the General Post Place  
* The Bronx Museum of The Arts
* Bronx Borough Hall
* Yankee Stadium
This visit is scheduled for early March 
Cost: $25/person (Fridays only) 

Wow - I cannot wait to make my way around the boroughs throughout the next two months!!

Hope this is a super day for you!!

-E
xoxo