by David Frey | Dec 5, 2011 | The West, Travel
AMERICAN PROFILE
Steve Borbas sits inside of a small shack at the top of Tenderfoot Mountain, waiting for a radio signal to flip the switch and light up a Christmas tradition that he and other volunteers have prepared for weeks and maintained for decades in Salida, Colo. (pop. 5,236).
On the Friday evening after Thanksgiving Day, a crowd of spectators has gathered below in downtown Salida to watch the city’s annual Christmas parade, capped off with a visit by Santa Claus and the lighting of Tenderfoot Mountain for the holidays.
“Ho ho ho!” Santa belts out before waving his arm to lead the crowd in counting, “One, two, three!”
As if by magic, the mountain suddenly glows with red, orange and white lights outlining a 750-foot-tall Christmas tree above the town. (more…)
by David Frey | Sep 23, 2011 | Essays, Travel
TALES TOLD FROM THE ROAD
When I remember the events of 9/11, I first remember the evening of 9/10. (more…)
by David Frey | Aug 25, 2011 | Food & Farm, The West, Travel
David Frey photo.
SUNSET MAGAZINE
Why go now: A recent organic farm boom has made this town (and the North Fork Valley in general) a major player on the locavore food and wine scene, and fall is the best time for a taste. (more…)
by David Frey | Mar 14, 2011 | Travel
Modern-day Japan seems more at pace with bullet trains than Buddhist meditation, but temples still linger here under gingko trees, and Shinto shrines still peak out from hillsides – reminders of the ancient heart that beats beneath a bustling culture. (more…)
by David Frey | Mar 4, 2011 | The West, Travel
Sunset magazine offers up its annual guide to spring hikes and day trips across the West, from Phoenix farms (yes, they exist) to skinny tires in Moab (yes, they exist, too). One of my favorite spring getaways (and my contribution to the top 20 list) is the sandhill crane homecoming (more…)
by David Frey | Nov 11, 2010 | The West, Travel
Montana adventurer and author Kevin Michael Connolly. Photo by Blair Thompson.
Born without legs, Montana author and photographer Kevin Michael Connolly is used to all eyes being on him. In his latest project, though, Connolly turns the focus on others around the world who have invented ingenious contraptions to get around.
Kevin Michael Connolly resists being called disabled. Born without legs, the Bozeman, Mont., photographer and author has traveled around the globe, is a competitive skier, has had his photos exhibited around the world, including the Smithsonian, and is at work on his second book.
He resists being called inspirational, too. Since he’s never had legs, he says, he’s never had to overcome losing them.
Still, his accomplishments are mind-blowing. Outside magazine, in its November edition, calls Connolly “the baddest 3-foot guy in the world.” For good reason. In his Rolling Exhibition, Connolly, 25, a former Montana State University photography and film student, traveled the world photographing the stares of people shocked to see him getting around on his skateboard. His memoir
Double Take chronicles his life and photography.
Now he’s at work on a new book and photo project taking him around the world, with a new means of transportation, a bouncy gadget he calls cheetah legs. We caught up with him in Glenwood Springs, Colo., where he was speaking to students at Colorado Mountain College. (more…)
