New West Network

My Page: Tonya Poole

DUDE, WHERE'S MY... VACATION?

As this year's State of the Rockies conference reminded us – ranchers across the Rockies are facing big challenges as climate, environmental and financial pressures but the squeeze on an industry that, until recent years, was fundamentally locked into the backbone of western culture. But rather than go down (even if fighting), a growing number of ranchers are turning to diversification to keep themselves in the game. The results? Working dude ranches across the region that give ranchers an extra hand, some extra income, and vacationers a whole lot of fun.

Colleen Hudson, executive director at the Dude Rancher's Association in Cody, Wyoming, says that, for the second year in a row, dude ranch reservations are up – as much as 30% from last year, and substantially higher than previous years. Hudson recommends that vacationers take time to find what they're looking for, as the association's more than 100 member ranches offer everything from cattle round-ups to overnight pack trips to spa experiences to youth activities and then some.

But don't take too long, she says. Ranches are filling up fast for '06, and last minute travelers may find themselves out of luck. Member ranches can be browsed and compared at the association's website at www.duderanch.org. To whet your appetite, here are a few of our favs: [more]

AFTER THE SNOW

If you think legendary Jackson Hole, Wyoming is only for powder heads - wipe off your goggles: you've got a lot to catch up on.

Summer visitors enjoy the town – rife with teeming timber lodges, elk antlers, leather chaps and cowboy hats – for its wild flavor, award-winning restaurants and fantastic outdoor recreation. But for one weekend each May, they come for the wild western trio of events that draws crowds from around the Rockies and around the world to come enjoy a little Jackson Hole under the warm, spring sun. [more]

GET TO KNOW YOU

I read it, so I'm considering myself tagged. A fun diversion, and a great way to get to know the New West editors and contributors we read every day (at least I hope you're reading every day!). Thanks for throwing your hat in the ring, Emily, Courtney. I'd love to hear from Ken and the other Four Corners contributors - and some citizen bloggers too. [more]

WILD WEST TRAVEL

If spring has you itchin' to get out and enjoy the warm, dusty sunshine this week, saddle up and hit the road for southern Utah to catch this year's Cowboys Ain't Dead Yet Festival in Panguitch April 24th-29th. The event gives festival-goers a chance to immerse themselves in real cowboy culture, complete with cowboy poetry, barrel races, dutch-oven dinners, a genuine rodeo and more. Held in conjunction with a National Senior Pro Rodeo, the festival will be held at the Triple C Arena on Highway 89 in colorful Bryce Canyon country. Come as an observer, or a participant! While you're there, be sure to take in some of southern Utah's other treasures. [more]

CULINAR-EASE

When we think about regional foods, we can come up with examples-a-plenty of dishes strongly connected with a spot we've lived, visited, remembered. Southwestern chile dishes, fresh, organic California cuisine, New England chowders, Midwestern casseroles, Louisiana Cajun. But when it comes to Colorado, we can perhaps lay some claim to the microbrew bar and grill culture, but I'm afraid beyond that our regional palate is a little non-descript.

Instead of lamenting that, however, let's reframe it and spin our lack of fashionable foodie unity into a beacon of delectable diversity! Our state is full of culinary treats – from fresh, organic farmer's markets to roadside fruit stands to sizzling food festivals, gourmet grill cuisine, and fun, out of the way restaurants for every ethnic taste under the sun. [more]

URBAN ESCAPES

The southwest is no stranger to red rock – Moab and Sedona, especially, have crafted tourism sub-industries out of the stuff. But when clusters of it poke up solo out of alpine foothills on the edges of a semi-urban landscape? I needed to go have a look.

Many a first-time visitor has mistaken the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs as a state or national park, after all, it tends to evoke a similar awe and fragility found in many of the incredible landscapes that our state and federal agencies seek to protect. But despite its natural grandeur it remains a city park, free to the public, donated by the family of land owner Charles Perkins on the condition that it forever remain exactly that. And for just shy of 100 years since its dedication, it has. [more]

DIGESTIBLE FAMILY TRAVEL

Two adults. Two kids. Two dogs. Two cats. Need I say more? Our family road trips have walked (or ridden) the line of strange and beautiful chaos that results when you put eight restless, living things in a < 100 square-foot, rolling space for many thousands of miles. Forget the grating “are we there yet” syndrome... by the time you're done with that trip it's you who can't stop asking.

But in the circle of desperate and traveling parents, brilliance abounds. Homeschooling guru Diane Flynn Keith offers up a little relief with her indispensable book and website devoted to turning travel into opportunities for learning on the road. [more]

STATE OF THE ROCKIES

Thursday's panel discussion on climate change brought together scientists, environmental advocates and policy specialists to combine data and commentary on the hot (literally) topic of climate change. Not to be interchanged with global warming, climate change refers to both cyclical and provoked changes in temperature, moisture and other climactic factors on the earth's surface and in the atmosphere. Moderator Matthew Reuer of the Colorado College environmental science program led the discussion, which ranged from light-hearted commentary to heavy-duty data analysis in exploration of what the Rockies can expect from above and below over the next several decades.

Panel members included student researcher Gregory Zimmerman, Colorado State Climatologist Roger Pielke Sr., UC Boulder Professor of Environmental Studies Roger Pielke Jr., and Aspen Skiing Company's Director of Environmental Affairs, Auden Schendler. [more]

STATE OF THE ROCKIES

As Westerners, most of us have a passionate relationship with our natural environment – whether we’re using it for our own subsistence, to earn a living, to find solace or opportunities for recreation, or to appreciate the aesthetic beauty it offers. But in our efforts to appreciate and protect it, we’re often overlooking another victim of environmental changes and dangers: ourselves.

Yesterday Colorado College Professor of Sociology Wade Roberts led an important discussion on the equities of environmental hazards in our region, followed by contributions from student researcher Angela Banfill, EPA specialist Jean Belille, environmental lawyer William Snape III, University of Colorado Professor of Sociology Liam Downey, University of Colorado Research Associate Kathryn Mutz and University of Wyoming Professor of Religious Studies and The Environment Sally Palmer. [more]

STATE OF THE ROCKIES

There’s a saying in farming and ranching circles that asphalt is the last crop. That paints a dim picture, but Tuesday’s panelists chose instead to focus not on lamenting the issue, but on showing through example how modifying traditional ranching lands and practices to meet new challenges has renewed the definition of success for ranchers and habitat alike throughout the Rockies.

Moderator Jack Wold, president of Wold Oil and Gas and a rancher himself, led the discussion on the threats and signs of hope in Rockies ranching, with student researcher Andrew Yarbrough, author and environmentalist Dan Dagget, ranchers and leaders of the Country Natural Beef co-op Doc and Connie Hatfield, rancher Dale Lasater, New Seasons Market CEO Brian Rohter and rancher and Wyoming State Senator John Schiffer. [more]