Photo Credit: Frank Novotny
Hello Friends,
We’re still here! Who knew 2020 could be so jacked up? From the out of control pandemic, killer bees,businesses closing, people out of work, kids out of school indefinitely and social unrest can it get any more stressful? Oh, yes it can because we have upcoming the most controversial and important elections of the last century in November!
Truthfully, you deserve a break and luckily your favorite (at least we HOPE) Hotelier’s are here waiting to greet you with masked faces, gloved hands, and socially distanced fist bumps. But you probably have some questions so we’re here to answer them. Questions Like:
Is it even worth it to GO to Fort Collins right now?
Yes it is! As states go, Colorado has actually done a great job (thanks Gov Polis) of managing the pandemic. Our cases are, and have been declining and in Larimer county (population 356,899) our total cases are less than 1600. People are masked up and have done a great job of social distancing and the result is that with a few exceptions, and with some restrictions, all of the fun things to do in Northern Colorado are still happening.
To help you plan, dream, imagine or otherwise contemplate what a FoCo Getaway might look like right now we’ve prepared this handy dandy list :
Picnic at CSU Annual Flower Trial Garden or Botanic Gardens on Spring Creek
These are two of the amazing areas that many Locals took for granted pre-covid. Now, as we seek out ordinary things to do outside of our homes that are safe and fun, and that refuel our souls, the Annual Trial Gardens or botanical butterfly gardens at Spring Creek have become a place for families to gather, couples to have a romantic date and everyone to relax and enjoy the smells and sounds of summer while maintaining a safe distance from others. The best part, the Trial Gardens are only two blocks from Remington Flats and we’ll happily supply you with lawn-chairs and coolers for a picnic! The Botanical Gardens are an easy 1.5 mile walk or bike-ride away. And as always, we’ll give you the coolest bikes in town to ride!
Spend the Day at Horsetooth Reservoir
Photo Credit Frank Novotny
Horsetooth Reservoir and it’s surrounding area is one of Colorado’s most beautiful outdoor mask free places and it is located just 10 minutes from Remington Flats. The reservoir is a staple of Locals for activities such as fishing, swimming, boating, paddle boarding, sailing, water skiing, hiking and camping. There are literally miles of hiking trails surrounding the reservoir for all skill levels as well as trails for mountain biking and horseback riding. The east side of the reservoir also serves as one of the best spots in Colorado for bouldering.
Enjoy Dinner & Drinks on aN Expanded Outdoor Patio in Old Town
Photo Credit Pintrest
Virtually every Old Town Restaurant and bar have survived (support small business) and all are open with limited indoor seating and expanded outdoor patio’s. (One big change is nearly every spot requires reservations as most are participating in contract tracing) Or, if you’re still unsure about going to a bar or restaurant how about ordering take-out INCLUDING DRINKS and bringing them back to your flat and enjoying them on your private balcony or patio. One thing our great Governor did to help small bars and restaurants early on was to allow them to sell drinks to go. Oh! Did you know that every Remington Flats Studio now has a outdoor table and chairs on it’s patio?
See a Live Concert or Movie at the Holiday Twin
Photo Credit Holiday Twin Drive-In
If you’ve missed seeing movies on the BIG SCREEN or going to summer concerts, then a trip to FoCo should DEFINITELY be in your near future. The Holiday Twin Drive-In streamed several live concerts from Garth Brooks, Keith Urban and Metallica with more planned. Oh, and they have movies too!
Take a Walk, or Hike. Climb a Boulder. Ride a Bike or a Horse
Photo Credit Visit Fort Collins
Stroll through Old Town and explore the boutique shops, art gallery’s or museums. Or how about a leisurely walk through the Campus of Colorado State University and explore the deep history of the Oval. Both are a stones throw away from Remington Flats and a great way to take in the urban or nature scenery. CSU students will be back in August for on campus classes and so we’ll be welcoming former and new parents and their kids soon.
Nearby hiking and bouldering include Horsetooth, Arthur’s Rock, and Grey Rock to name a few. Check out this awesome resource, All Trails for the 411 on all the hiking trails to explore. If bouldering really is your jam, take an hour drive south to Boulder and climb to your hearts content on the Flatirons. Start at Chautauqua Park. But before you go please check out this Insider’s Guide as these are not to be climbed by a novice.
If a hike or a climb sounds like a little “much”, try your hand at horseback riding or biking. Visit Sundance Trail Guest Ranch, a dude ranch in Red Feather Lakes for an authentic horseback riding experience. Around an hour drive from Fort Collins, this guest ranch offers day horseback riding adventures with experienced wranglers. Or just hop on one of our nine cruiser bikes and just ride around Fort Collins on any of our numerous bike trails. You might also enjoy checking out Soapstone Prairie Natural Area, Cache La Poudre’ River Area, Rocky Mountain National Park (reservation needed) or Red Feather Lakes for a day of fishing.
Golf at any of the EIGHT Nearby Courses (just to name a few!)
So we saved the best for last! We’ve been blessed to have guests who have stayed with us this summer for weeks and sometimes months at a time. One thing they’ve discovered is that Northern Colorado has some of the best golf you’ll find anywhere in the country. For serious!
In Fort Collins we have City Park Nine, FoCo’s oldest and shortest course. Totally flat so it’s a great course to walk. Doug’s favorite is Collindale Golf Course which is also flat but is the longest of the FoCo courses. Long, narrow, tree-lined fairways make those with a hook or slice rue the day they ever took up the sport. Southridge Golf Course is the most interesting and scenic because of it’s often steep uphill holes and super fast greens.
Annie’s Favorite course,The Olde Course is in nearby Loveland Colorado. Don’t let the long wide fairways fool you, the fast greens and straightforward golf holes makes this course deceptively challenging. Don’t forget your camera at what is arguably the most scenic course in all of Colorado. Loveland’s Marianna Buttes course is located at the base of the Big Thompson Canyon (see also fishing/hiking). This course is tricky tricky tricky. It’s not uncommon to see deer, elk, and all manor of wild-life on this course. For the die-hard golfers try your hand at the Loveland Double Double. You’ll play the Olde Course in the morning and Marianna in the afternoon for an incredible $90 per person INCLUDING CART!
We also have The Golf Club at Fox Acres located in Red Feather. This formerly member only course is now open to the public. At 8,300 ft. above sea level and just shy of 6,500 yards from the tips, there's enough peace and quiet around to allow for a good think. It’s never in the kind of conditions as our foothills courses because of the harsh winters, but it IS a beauty and definitely worth the price of admission.
Speaking of pricey but worth it; the newest course in Colorado is the PGA Tour TPC Colorado course in nearby Berthoud. You better play it now because it will soon be closed to the public! Annie and Doug both love playing this challenging course and it’s our top pick for his and her golf.
Finally, we want to extend to you our heartfelt thanks for your business and support. It is because of our loyal guests that we have weathered the last seven months. We will have some special offers and discounts coming soon which we will only offer to repeat guests.
If you’re one of the 99% of folks who graciously worked with us in March, April, and May we are forever in your debt. Your flexibility and understanding gave us the runway we needed to keep this plane aloft.
Meanwhile, we do know that many of you have or are suffering your own losses; some financial, some of you, like us, have lost friends or loved ones to Covid. These times have been extraordinarily difficult on everyone with a conscience, a heart, and a brain. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Until we meet again, stay safe, stay healthy, and may you be blessed with the abundance and the relief you so deserve for the remainder of 2020.
With Gratitude,
Annie (and DUG)