Saturday, January 19, 2013



Alcatraz – Not just a Prison but a Sanctuary

When I think about Alcatraz it makes me think of negative things: prison, cold, dark, criminals and yet I had to see it. As we ferried the half hour to get to the island, my mind was racing with thoughts. The prisoners who tried to swim in these rushing eddies of water to escape, the fog surrounding the buildings and how painfully lonely it must have been, the dock for arriving prisoners who may never step foot on it again. I envisioned myself never getting off this island, sobering.

As I toured and learned more about this place my thoughts began to brighten. I learned about the waterbirds of Alcatraz. Long before this place became a prison it was a sanctuary for the birds. In fact, Alcatraz comes from the word, alcatraces, which means seabirds. After the prison was closed in 1963, without the human disturbance once again, the birds returned. The island is a safe place for over 5,000 nesting birds including Pigeon Guillemots, Brandt's Cormorants and Western Gulls. In the gardens near the parade grounds, a beautiful Anna's Hummingbird was flitting about, drinking from the plants nurtured by volunteers.
If you have the opportunity to see this National Historic Landmark in the bay of San Francisco, enjoy the rich history as well as the birds.

I did step on the dock again and as the island receded from my view, I was left with the happy memories of seeing those wonderful waterbirds of Alcatraz.

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Participate in the 16th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count on February 16th in Ft. Collins!


Here's your chance to count local and migrating birds on Saturday, Feb. 16th, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with expert naturalist Dee DeJong, Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) and founder of Guides-To-Go, Nature Where You Are. DeJong is conducting the bird count in your "backyard" (North Shields Pond Natural Area, 1333 North Shields Street, Fort Collins) in conjunction with the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC). The GBBC is an annual 4-day event that engages birdwatchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are.

You'll learn how to identify birds, why it's important to count birds, and much more in this fun and educational event. You'll take an easy, 1.5-mile walk to count the birds, so dress for the weather and bring your own binoculars and water. Afterward, you'll enjoy refreshments (and get warm) at Guides-To-Go headquarters while helping create a report to submit to the GBBC.

This event is free, but donations are welcome. Birdwatchers of all skill levels are invited. Children aged 6 and up must be accompanied by an adult. This event is limited to the first 12 participants, so RSVP to save your spot by Friday, Feb. 15th, by calling 720-838-3277 or emailing guidestogo2003@gmail.com.

The GBBC is a joint project of The Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Audubon Society. For more information, visit http://www.birdsource.org/gbb.





Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Happy New Year from Guides-To-Go!


This 2013 remember to get outdoors and get a breath of fresh air now and then. Here are some easy and free ways to take advantage of our wild places this year in Colorado. See you out there, GTG



U.S. National Parks: Fee Free Entrance Days in 2013 (Nationwide)
Every year, the National Park Service selects days to offer fee free entrance to over a hundred national parks that normally charge a fee to visit. There are so many different parks to choose from, I’m sure you will find one near you. Fee waiver includes: entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees.
The dates for 2013 include:
January 21 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
April 22-26 - National Park Week
August 25 - National Park Service Birthday
September 28 - National Public Lands Day
November 9-11 - Veterans Day weekend




Passport to the Natural Areas in Fort Collins, Colorado

Celebrate 20 years of natural areas with the new Passport to the Natural Areas! It is a checklist of natural areas to visit and free activities. Complete your passport for a prize and to be entered into a drawing for a backpack full of outdoor supplies. To learn more email naturalareas@fcgov.com or call the Natural Areas Department at 970-416-2815.



2013 SCFD Free Days Denver, Colorado
These organizations provide free admission to Colorado residents on select days of the year. 
Free Days 2013 is funded, in part, by the citizens of Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield,
Denver, Douglas and Jefferson counties via the SCFD 0.1% sales and use tax.

Denver Botanic Gardens:

January 21
February 18
March 27
April 22
July 9
August 27
October 7
November 2

Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield:

January 4
February 1
March 1
April 5
May 3
June 7
August 2
November 1


Denver Zoo:

January 11
January 12
January 23
February 3
February 4
February 21
November 4
November 15
November 21






WHAT IS THERE TO DO?

Amazing FREE Live Music all Weekend (two tents)
Coffin Racing
Costume Polar Plunging
Frozen T-shirt Contests
Ice Turkey Bowling
The Blue Ball (live band)
Dead Guy Tours
Brain Freeze Contests
Parade of Hearses
Frozen Salmon Toss
Snowy Beach Volleyball
Snow Ball Quick Draw- NEW this year!