Colorado

The inspiration for this book is “Papa Jack” Weil, Colorado’s Rockmount Ranch Wear founder and creator of the snap front cowboy shirt. The shirt has become extremely famous, and has been a favorite of Ronald Reagan, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Robert Redford, Elvis Presley, and was the featured attire for the cast of Brokeback Mountain. The book is full of heartwarming and down-to-earth anecdotes, stories, and “Papa-isms,” that are at once encouraging, honest, and insightful—about a man who worked everyday of his life until he died at the age of 107.

Preview this book:
click here to view a sample pdf.

Listen to author and grandson, Steven Weil, discuss his inspiration for this book about Papa Jack Weil---an incredible man and visionary.







Read the Denver Post's article on Papa Jack:
http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_11954255

Perhaps the most romantic idea in the world is a castle, along with all its baggage. There is hardly a children's fairy tale lacking this high-on-the-hill destination wherein the occupants are living happily ever after. Unlike the original goal of a castle as fortification, Colorado castles were erected as the solidification of a dream as well as a declaration of power—the home of a monarch. It was the crow of the cock. And many a cock ran the henhouse by his own set of rules, often making for maverick—but nevertheless interesting—personages. This book examines twenty of the most extravagant castles to be found in Colorado.

Appealing to everyone's own streak of curiosity, included are some of the scandalous activity found in researching the book. Not all chapters contain scandal, but power can beget some strange bedfellows. Additionally, some castles have former occupants who just haven't left. This too has been noted, for those interested in the paranormal. Also included are castles no longer standing but still of historic interest. Structures, even of stone, can eventually decay or lose their form—or be demolished in the name of progress.

Click here to see photos from the book and listen to author Ann Westerberg talk about the stories behind them.

Fourteener mania, the phenomena characterized by a seemingly obsessive drive to summit The List of all fiftyfour of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks, is an older tradition than many may realize. Along with intensely positive experiences in climbing is the possibility of the opposite extreme—to become stranded, severely injured, or even killed, in disturbingly easy ways. This book explores this dark side of climbing. When an accident happens on a 14er, the victim is far from help and in an environment where rescue is difficult at best. The book is full of hair-raising stories of these disasters and rescue attempts, and also aids in avoiding such disasters.

Preview this book:
click here to view a sample pdf.

Check out Lou Dawson's review of Colorado 14er Disasters here.

Listen to the Colorado Matters interview with author Mark Scott-Nash.

Fly fishing in Colorado is huge. As one would expect, there are no shortage of fly fishing guides. But whereas other guides focus on particular waters, Colorado Home Bases, Fishing Places is organized by region, centering on locations out of which fly fishers can “home base.” In other words, this book is organized the same way that people organize their fly fishing trips.

Authors and fishing buddies Mark and “Mac” take us on a whirlwind summer tour of Colorado’s prime fly fishing grounds, imparting wit and insight to the journey and the sport. They share with us what fishing Colorado means to them, and they also share where to find the best fishing and amenities in the state. Features luminous full color photography.

Although aimed at kids aged six to twelve, this fun activity book can be used by the whole family while traveling or at home. It offers fascinating facts about Colorado's historic explorers, trappers, traders, miners, famers, ranchers, railroaders, and Native Americans., It also includes present day industries, sports teams, and ski resorts, as well as Colorado's mountains, rivers, plants, wildlife, and parks. Activities are presented in a bright and colorful format that include mazes, crosswords, word searches, science experiments, codes, writing activities, and arts and crafts galore. Many activities require only a pencil or crayons, while others use simple materials found around the house.