Live and Experience Like a Local in Grand County, Colorado
There's a warm atmosphere in Grand County that makes every feel welcome, whether you've lived here for decades or are visiting for the first time. For those who are long-time locals, there are always a few favorite local haunts and activities. To spread the wealth of knowledge, we gathered four notable locals to share their favorite places and spaces.
GRANBY, Colo., Sept. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- There's a warm atmosphere in Grand County that makes every feel welcome, whether you've lived here for decades or are visiting for the first time. For those who are long-time locals, there are always a few favorite local haunts and activities. To spread the wealth of knowledge, we gathered four notable locals to share their favorite places and spaces.
Margaret Strom, owner of Mountain Moon Yoga in Winter Park
"My favorite part about living in Grand county is (being) able to step out the front door to endless recreation opportunities and places of breathtaking beauty," Strom said.
Strom moved to the county in 1988 to teach skiing. She opened Mountain Moon Yoga in 2002 and, after more than 25 years of yoga practice and teaching, she is still in awe of its transformative possibilities. Before starting the studio, Strom was involved in many industries in the county including teaching skiing, the Chamber of Commerce, hospitality, food service and land conservation.
During the winter, you'll find her snowboarding at Winter Park Resort or on the backside of Mary Jane; in the summer she enjoys whitewater rafting – a favorite spot is on the Colorado River below State Bridge. And to grab a bite? Sharkey's in downtown Fraser is her (and many locals') destination of choice.
Peggy Mann, singer/songwriter
"My favorite summer activity is playing pickleball," said Mann. "I have played in several tournaments in the last few years and have even medaled in some of them. We play at the Grand Lake outside tennis courts; we can have four courts during pickleball time!"
Mann, an award-winning singer/songwriter, moved to Grand County full time in 2007 but she began singing here in 1994. Her vocals have placed her 1st in the Colorado Composers Classic in the best vocalist category and 1st place for best country song. Mann has recorded seven CDs with her latest release recorded in Nashville. You'll often find her playing at various venues around the county, including at Grand Lake Lodge on various Sunday evenings.
During the winter, walking the canal in Grand Lake with her dog Buddy is one of her favorite activities but don't try to pin her down about her favorite restaurant: she loves the BBQ at the Sagebrush in Grand Lake, the Mexican food at Charlies Bar and Grille and the food at the Grand Lake Lodge, where the views are spectacular.
"My favorite part about living in Grand County is undoubtedly the people," Mann said. "Most people that come to live in Grand County are looking for the peace and quiet of the beautiful outdoors and a place where they can spread their wings without running into anyone!"
Liz McIntyre, Olympic skier and coach
Liz McIntyre joined the U.S. Ski Team at the age of 19 she spent twenty years on the team competing as a member of three Olympic Teams (1992, 1994 and 1998) before becoming one of the team's leading coaches. She won an Olympic silver medal in Lillehammer in 1994. As a moguls skier she won four World Cup events, all of them in Tignes, France (1987, 1992, 1996 and 1997). She finished in the top ten in 18 World Cup events.
"My first winter in the county was 1985 and I became a full-time resident in 1992," McIntyre said. "My introduction to Winter Park/Mary Jane was the 1984 National Freestyle Championships. Moguls were on Golden Spike (there was no road cut across it at that time). Having grown up skiing in New Hampshire, I thought I had died and gone to heaven."
It's no surprise that McIntyre enjoys skiing in the winter – her favorite run is Needles Eye on Mary Jane. And in the summer, mountain biking is her activity of choice. For sustenance, McIntyre recommends Pearl Dragon and Elevation Pizza during the current pandemic restrictions. Pre-pandemic? Dean Public House is another favorite.
David Craig, general manager of C Lazy U Ranch
Craig, a 30-year veteran of the hospitality industry, joined C Lazy U Ranch as the General Manager in 2013. His diverse background includes resort, luxury hotel and membership club experience in locations like Cape Cod, Aspen and Denver. When the opportunity came along to work at C Lazy U, a legacy property with a remarkable team of hospitality professionals, he said he jumped at the chance.
Ask him about his favorite places to eat and Craig has an extensive list. "Selfishly, how many people can say they love to eat where they work?" Craig said. "I feel grateful to dine at the C Lazy U Ranch where our inspired and innovative chef, Cory Untch, seems happiest hovering over a massive custom-made bar-b-que, while smells of coffee-rubbed whole pineapples with green chilis cook beside an entire hanging hind quarter of bison. We also love anything Deb and Cameron Fitch come up with – Cork's, Lulu City, Squeaky B's, Deb's Diner. For a local's atmosphere, we enjoy the Roadhouse – always a crowd of characters, food is consistently good."
Though he enjoys horseback riding in the winter – it conjures up images of Lewis and Clark exploring the western lands—Craig admitted that it's hard to choose just one favorite summer activity.
"I enjoy boating on Lake Granby," Craig said. "It's the lake I prefer most because it is large enough to explore and you can always find a secluded spot for a spontaneous picnic. After a busy day on the ranch, it's tough to beat a cocktail cruise when the sky turns orange and the water gets flat—it's ideal for wake boarding."
Other favorite summer activities include taking the dogs walking and hiking on the large number of dog friendly trails and riding his motorcycle around the county and beyond.
"My favorite part of living in Grand County has to be the seasonality," Craig said. "Our little log cabin has views of Shadow Mountain Lake and Mount Baldy beyond. Not only are each of the changing seasons magical in their own right, but the changing weather within each season always seems to bring a magnificent surprise party of beauty. Watching a storm roll in, or the changing color of the clouds and the wildlife that populate each season remind you that this is really God's country. When everywhere else in the world seems a little mad, Grand County provides a sense of peace, calm and escape."
Find your peace and calm—or wild adrenaline adventures—in Grand County. To learn more or to discover your own favorite spots and secrets, visit visitgrandcounty.com.
Grand County, Colo. (http://www.visitgrandcounty.com)
Located 67 miles west of Denver, Grand County is home to wide-open spaces, breathtaking mountain scenery and authentic old-west towns. Outdoor recreational activities include golf, boating, fishing, biking, hiking, fishing, hunting and horseback riding.
The area features more than 600 miles of mapped and marked trails, one national park, two national forests, four wilderness areas, two national scenic byways, two major ski resorts, four world-class dude ranches and four mountain golf courses. Grand County's extensive water network includes Colorado's largest natural lake, 1,000 miles of streams, 1,000 acres of high-mountain lakes and 11,000 acres of reservoirs.
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SOURCE Grand County
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