The 3-mile (4.8 km) segment opened on March 10, 1984 and is a restored segment at the upper end of the historic Colorado Central main line up Clear Creek Canyon west of Golden. It climbs approximately 640 feet (195 m) between the 2 towns. The longer main line up the canyon was constructed in the wake of the Colorado Gold Rush and was used extensively during the silver boom of the 1880s to haul silver ore from the mines at Silver Plume. The Loop portion of the line was the crowning segment of the line at the top of the gorge and features a 95-foot (29 m) high trestle. The entire line, including the Loop, was dismantled in 1939, but interest in restoration of the Loop segment as a tourist attraction in the 1970s led to the construction of a new high bridge and the refurbishment of the segment, which reopened in 1984.

The train ride includes an optional walking tour of the Lebanon Silver Mine, located at the halfway point on the railroad. Visitors walk 500 feet (152 m) into a mine tunnel bored in the 1870s while guides point out the rich veins of silver and relate the history of the mine.

Passengers board the train at depots located in Silver Plume and Georgetown.  Visit www.georgetownlooprr.com for more information.

For a costly project like reroofing your home, the pressure to choose the right roofing contractor can be intense. Everyone has heard stories of fly-by-night companies who disappear once they’ve received their first payment, or, even worse, who disappear leaving your home covered by only a tarp! In order to avoid disreputable roofers, here are the three main things to consider.

• Location: Using a local roofer with a list of happy, local clients is a good sign that the roofing company is legitimate. BBB in Denver can also verify the roofing company is locally registered.
• Reputability: Highly trained roofing contractors who work with quality materials will be happy to share references. Look for both references from within the last 30 days and the past 3 years.
• Warranty: Every Denver roofing company should be able to offer a guarantee on their product. This is typically offered by the manufacturer. Not all roofing companies warranty their own labor. Excel Roofing does.

Click for more information on how to choose a Denver roofing company.

Radiation therapy, also referred to as radiotherapy, is a non-invasive procedure that uses radiation to kill brain, lung, spine, prostate, liver, pancreas and kidney cancer cells. Five-year survival rates for early stage primary lung cancer patients undergoing this type of treatment have been reported in the range of 10-30%, which is lower than the survival rates of patients treated with surgery.

Conventional radiation therapy, called external beam radiation therapy, typically involves delivery of wide beams of radiation that encompass both the tumor and a significant amount of surrounding healthy tissue. These wide beams of radiation are necessary because tumors move as patients breathe. During this treatment, the radiation dose is limited to decrease the toxicity to the patient that can result from injuring healthy lung tissue. Therefore, conventional external beam radiation therapy is usually delivered in small doses of 30 to 40 sessions over four to six weeks. Rates of toxicity range widely in published studies, with short-term severe toxicity ranging from 10-30% and long-term severe toxicity (radiation pneumonitis) reported as 18%; attempts to increase the dose of radiation being delivered using conventional radiation therapy methods have resulted in even greater toxicity.

Because tumors with the chest can move large amounts as the patient breathes, it is necessary to irradiate with wide fields that include a large amount of normal surrounding tissue during this treatment. However, several techniques – such as respiratory gating, breath holding and the use of frames – have been developed to better compensate for this tumor motion and allow for smaller radiation fields to be used.

Visit www.denverck.com to learn more.

Diamond Color also has it grading schedule and you should be familiar with it when you are shopping for her diamond engagement ring.  GIA has reestablished a new diamond color grading scale from the one that had been used for years.  There had been much confusion in the Diamond Color Scale because or the many variations and how gemologists were interpreting the various Diamond Color Scales.  The new GIA Scale starts from the letter ‘D’ and goes all the way to ‘Z’. A  Diamond Color D is considered to be colorless while a diamond Color Z will be yellowish brown.  The further along in the alphabet in the diamond color chart the more color it will have and thus less expensive.

You can Sonny’s Rocks for guidelines on the value of various grades of diamonds including diamond color cut clarity and carat.

• Diamond Color D, E, F : are colorless and are of highest value

• Diamond Color G, H, I, J :  are near colorless. The near colorlessness of G, H, and diamond color I are  not noticeable to the untrained eye

• Diamond Color K, L, M :  are considered faint yellow. at this grade you can start to notice the coloring when compared side by side with a colorless or near colorless diamond.

• N, O, P, Q, R: are referred to as very light yellow. I would like to remind you that light getting through the walls of the diamond is critical to the beauty factor. Therefore I would not recommend going beyond this diamond color.  If you need to go into or past this diamond color grade for budget reasons make sure you choose a setting that allows for a lot of light to pass through it (i.e. Solitaire setting) or look into buying her favorite gemstone.

Visit www.sonnysrocks.com to learn more about Denver engagement rings.

• Colorado Lawyer
• Green Mountain Auto
• Platte River Kitchens
• Tomorrow’s Body
• Roper Insurance
• Carpet Care by George

• Denver Ear, Nose & Throat Doctors – Allergy Consultants
• Denver Ear, Nose & Throat Allergy Specialists – Associates of Otolaryngology
• Denver Sinus Doctors – Colorado Sinus Institue
• Denver Hearing Loss Doctors – Harvard Park Hearing
• Plastic Surgeons – Faces First Cosmetic Surgery

Please feel free to contact any of our Denver, Colorado top doctors for more information about their ENT or cosmetic surgery services.

I fell in love with Frisco a couple of years ago when we stayed just a stone’s throw away from the network of bike paths that wind around crystalline Dillon Reservoir. My very best day ever was when I biked with my young kids around the reservoir and stumbled upon the town of Dillon’s charming farmer’s market (Fridays 9 a.m.-2 p.m. through September 2011).

My husband Jamie’s very worst day ever was hauling them in their bike trailer the next day 20 miles round-trip from Frisco to Breckenridge where he attested it was somehow uphill. Both ways.

We all have our moments.

10 Fabulous Staycation Things to Do in Frisco when Traveling

1. The Frisco BBQ Challenge

Last weekend, we hit the Frisco BBQ Challenge. Sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, this meat-lover’s paradise draws top chefs from all over the country. Little Bode devoured a chicken leg as big as his head, Hadley inhaled chocolate-covered bacon and mini-doughnuts and Mama and Papa ate everything else (smoked brisket and pulled pork were the favorites. ) Unique offerings included mac ‘n cheese pulled pork sandwiches, barbecue nachos, a mechanical bull and pig races (our pick Lindsey Lo-HAM was a winner). If you love barbecue and a great time, start planning now for your Frisco, Colorado 2012 staycation plans.  It is perfect for Father’s Day!

2. Biking

My very favorite network of paved, non-motorized paths in Colorado originates in Frisco. With more than 80 miles of trails connecting Summit County resorts like Breckenridge, Dillon, Keystone, Copper Mountain and Vail, your family will love exploring by bike. If you need to rent, Rebel Sports offers 24-hour bike rentals.  Some of the best mountain biking in Colorado.

On Friday evening, we biked a portion of the 10-mile trail from Frisco to Breckenridge. It was my 7-year-old daughter’s first adventure on her new mountain bike and she squealed with glee as we crossed bridges over the raging Blue River and wound along the serpentine trail. Once in Breckenridge, we nestled up to the firepit as we ate Crepes a la Carte and later leisurely strolled along the popular Riverwalk. The next day, we parked our car at the Frisco Adventure Park and rode to the Frisco Marina where we were thrilled to discover a futuristic playground.

Tip: If your family is up for a mountain biking challenge, the Peaks Trail will take your breath away (literally) with a 1,200-foot elevation gain that winds that the forest over bridges and stumps.

3. Frisco Adventure Park

The Frisco Adventure Park opened December 2010 and adventures are, indeed in abundance. During the summer months, there are loads of hiking and biking trails, the Peak One Disc Golf Course, a free skate park, the Frisco Fun Club (a daycamp for kids 5-12) at the Day Lodge, baseball fields, horse stables for dinner rides, picnic facilities, camping via the forest serves and a free BMX bike park that will have a soft opening on July 4. The Park is located 1/2-mile south of Frisco on Highway 9 overlooking Dillon Reservoir.

4. Frisco Bay Marina

Add mountains and the highest marina in the state (9,091 feet) with over 330 acres to explore by sail, motor or paddle, and you have a recipe for Colorado staycation travel adventure. The Frisco Bay Marina offers rentals, sales and services for everything from sailboats to kayaks to boats. Grab some coconut shrimp or blackened fish tacos on the patio of The Island Grill or cool down with an ice cream sandwich after playing on the Marina’s futuristic playground. Open seven days a week, all summer long.

5. Fantastic Playground

If the futuristic playground at the Frisco Marina (see above) doesn’t float your kids’ boat, Frisco’s Funtastic Funground will. Located on the grounds of Frisco Elementary School (800 E 8th Ave, Frisco), this playground ranked up there as one of my kids’ all-time favorites. A castle in the wilderness, this massive grey structure offers umpteen secret hideouts, climbing walls, monkey bars, tires, swings, slides and so much more.

6. Live Music

Grab a blanket and head over to the FREE Concert in the Park series at Frisco’s Historic Park. The sunset show is held every Thursday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. through August 18 and features tunes the family will love—from folk to rock to bluegrass.

7. Frisco Kayak Park

Whether you’re a kayak pro and want to practice your rolls and rodeos or spectators like us, be sure to check-out the Frisco Kayak Park. Located on the west end of Main Street, you’ll get the best view of the action from the walking bridge.

8. Fourth of July

On Sunday the 4th, start the day with the Kids Fishing Derby, cheer on the Main Street parade, listen to the pre- and post-parade concerts in the park, and end with the grand finale of Fabulous Fireworks over Frisco Bay Marina, all encompassed by the beauty of the Rocky Mountains. Check-out Frisco’s Web site for additional information and times. Photo

9. Art on Main Street to the Rockies

On August 13 and 14, this fine art show attracts the region’s best artists who display their treasures on several blocks of Main Street. Open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

10. Fabulous Food

Butterhorn Bakery is a must for breakfast lovers and favorites included the popular Eggie Bread (a unique twist on French toast), the Butterhorn Benedict or Frisco Skillet. Also check-out The Lost Cajun, a new restaurant that opened after its Louisiana owners’ popular fishing lodge was temporarily closed due to the oil spill on the Gulf of Mexico. Instead of making lemonade out of lemons, they opted for delicious gumbo, jambalaya, étouffée and beignets. Yes, please. Go here for a full list of Frisco dining options.

Getting to Frisco for your mountain staycation in Colorado: Frisco is located just 70 miles west of Denver on Interstate 70.  Visit www.townoffrisco.com for more information.