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Boulder Beach Palooza

It’s hard to say what drew me in more to the Boulder Beach Palooza; the pineapple hat or the series of obstacles lining the course. Good thing you can have both if you decide to become a paloozer. This race was held at the Boulder Reservoir June 11th.

Here you can break the bounds for 3.1 miles as you crawl up walls, across ladders and hop over makeshift wooden lily pads. Not enough? No problem. There’s also a noodle forest made from those bendable fluorescent noodles we used to stay afloat on as kids, and heck even as adults.

My favorite obstacle was the bigger than life pit of beach blow up balls that must have taken an army to inflate. Then get ready to take a running start and maneuver through the stacked pile and you soon separate yourself into the paloozer category. Well, almost. I think the true test comes when and if you decide dive into the water wit and finish by army crawling under the ropes. With that you can sprint with whatever energy you can muster up to get the pineapple medallion.

And I would roll the dice and say most people were ready to keep paloozing right on into the better part of the afternoon. Participants and friends from the race joined in the sand for awards, costume contests and a great band that had everyone jamming. Combine a race, obstacles, good cheer, music and what better way is there to spend the afternoon that all this with a spiffy pineapple hat on your head.

Do at the Zoo

The highly anticipated Asian Tropics at the Denver Zoo becomes closer to opening every day. The exhibit gives a home to endangered Asian Animals such as the one-horned rhinos and Malyan tapirs. One goal is to educate the public on a global effort to save these endangered species.

The progress is helped by fundraising events such as Do at the Zoo. Already raising 3.5 million dollars for the exhibit since 2006 is only part of the fun. 60 restaurants set up shop passing out tastes from Denver's Top Restaurants.

This event showcases an array of restaurants, entertainment and drinks right to your senses. Sun dried tomato gnocchi, peaches and pound cake, grilled tenderloin, and crostinis with sweet pea are yours from restaurants like Black Pearl, D Dar and Duo Restaurant.

Local bands play in the background and animals roam from zebras, hawks and the occasional peacock. It's a cocktail affair for some with fancy animal print dresses and for others it's a little more casual with safari shirts and khaki shorts.

Film on the Rocks

There is nothing that sings a summer night like Film on the Rocks. This is the 12th season and each year it becomes more popular. Some shows completely sell out the entire amphitheater which seats 9,450 people. And if it’s not sold out, it’s always a packed house. This year 13 films will be screened through August 22nd.

Crowds take the theme of the movie seriously and often times dress for the occasion. Foot Loose played on June 6th and you betcha leg warmers stacked up against each other as people stretched their legs out along the over sized bleachers and had already kicked off their Sunday shoes. Or in this case, Tuesday shoes. You know this is an audience favorite by the hooting and hollering of the crowd when Kevin Bacon takes off for his dance solo in an old warehouse. Funny comments are belted throughout the show and it seems like everyone watching is a big group of friends.

Show nights vary but before every movie there is a chance for more entertainment. Concerts and comedians kick off the show shorty after doors open at 6:30. At dusk it’s time to tuck into the blanket or soak up the breeze. Food is welcome inside, just no glass containers. Tickets for the movie only are twelve dollars. If you have some extra dollars sitting aside you can take a party bus there for 50 dollars, or pay 30 dollars and that includes a pre-party complete with cocktails and dinner at the Trading Post.

Louisville Half Marathon

There is a half marathon that makes you feel right at home. The Taste of Louisville Half Marathon and 5k saw over 500 finishers this year for the second annual run. There was enough people to feel the spirit but not so many you are overwhelmed.
Both races start by running through the Main Street of old town Louisville. You too may be taken by the rustic wooden buildings that are current mom and pop shops in this frontier feeling town. You realize this is not just about running, it’s about the destination. And of course the friendly locals on their cozy patios to cheer you on, and run you through the hose if you are lucky!

The volunteers are beaming with smiles, which makes it a little hard to run. I just wanted to stop and chat it up with everyone. Is there something in the water here that everyone is happier than any clam? It becomes seemingly apparent why this town was ranked as the number place to live by CNN at one point.

After passing the main street you head through local trials and open spaces that are peaceful and serene making it a cinch to zone out. Volunteers zone you back in jingling water in your face to remind you this is a temporary dream. I nestled an orange slice in my mouth and headed back on the luscious trails.

You almost don’t want the finish to come! But running right through the finish takes you to the next party. TheTaste Of Lousiville! Vendors blanket the streets with all sorts of tasty food. Plus many of the local businesses are waiting to rub their charm on you.

The race might be over for the year, but seeing the success of the run put on by Human Movement, there will be another one around the bend. And I suspect you might want to experience something that seems almost too good to be true!

There is a half marathon that makes you feel right at home. The Taste of Louisville Half Marathon and 5k saw over 500 finishers this year for the second annual run. There was enough people to feel the spirit but not so many you are overwhelmed.

Both races start by running through the Main Street of old town Louisville. You too may be taken by the rustic wooden buildings that are current mom and pop shops in this frontier feeling town. You realize this is not just about running, it’s about the destination. And of course the friendly locals on their cozy patios to cheer you on, and run you through the hose if you are lucky!

The volunteers are beaming with smiles, which makes it a little hard to run. I just wanted to stop and chat it up with everyone. Is there something in the water here that everyone is happier than any clam? It becomes seemingly apparent why this town was ranked as the number place to live by CNN at one point.

After passing the main street you head through local trials and open spaces that are peaceful and serene making it a cinch to zone out. Volunteers zone you back in jingling water in your face to remind you this is a temporary dream. I nestled an orange slice in my mouth and headed back on the luscious trails.

You almost don’t want the finish to come! But running right through the finish takes you to the next party. The Taste Of Louisville! Vendors blanket the streets with all sorts of tasty food. Plus many of the local businesses are waiting to rub their charm on you.

The race might be over for the year, but seeing the success of the run put on by Human Movement, there will be another one around the bend. And I suspect you might want to experience something that seems almost too good to be true!

Kemah, TX

Kemah is a town so small that many locals trade in their cars for golf carts. No interstates or busy intersections to cross so why not downsize into something so luxurious? Located on Galveston Bay the waterfront attracts many tourists and of course is a big draw for the people living here. The name translates to "wind in my face." Usually that would drive me a lot crazy but in a town so charming they can get away with anything here. The population of Kemah is just over 3,000 and the city hall looks like a beach house. There may not be a place to layout on the sand but you are still on waterfront property. Water sports, boating local shops and the boardwalk keep these residents happy.

The boardwalk, owned by Landry's Restaurants, is composed of eateries and carnival type rides to thrill. Choose either an unlimited ride pass or pay for single pass. Either way, the boardwalk bullet is the ride I would say is a must. Middle school children were crowding the lines but we still nestled our way into the top cart. Good thing you are limited by height and not age!

Hands in the air and our stomachs dropped with the first 92 foot drop. The coaster flies up to 51 miles per hour, but it felt faster than the interstate.

The coaster sits on one acre which makes it the most compact wooden coaster in the world.

If you are looking to break the chain restaurants

there are plenty of local spots on the South End. I put Tequila Mia's to the test. The patio brings out the best seats in the house. Palm trees spring through the wooden floowing toframe the stage on the many nights theire is live music. The menu is simple, the portions are perfect and the atmophere will make you feel right at home.

Waterwall Houston, TX

After strolling in the nearly 400 shops and five wings of the Galleria it was time to cool the jets. Even the air condition was starting to loose its effect. Houston's heat combined with the crowds and enticing store fronts really have led people to shop to the point off exhaustion. (learned from a security guard.) You can shop till you drop but I bet the Water Wall has allowed some people to rescue themselves. ..that and the indoor ice skating rink inside the Galleria. A fountain in the shape of a semi-circle will draw your eyes and eventually your body over to see the rushing water racing down the walls. You can get close enough to let the water mist on your face. This wall doesn't take many breaks pumping 78,500 gallons of recycled water about every three hours.Texas Oak, green fields and kids playing in the background surround the water feature. Standing 64 feet tall it's a perfect backdrop for the city.