Major Western Anniversaries

Visit the wildlife refuge and classi amusement park at 100, renowned resort at 90, tribal park at 50, Asian teahouse at 10

I'm tired of writing about the miserable state of air travel these days, the diving American dollar and the increasing abuses inflicted on travelers by the Transportation Security Administration, and if you are a regular visitor, you're probably tired of reading about them. So here is an anniversary tribute to a quintet of very different places in the Rocky Mountain region and the Southwest that I've enjoyed and hope that you will too.

Centennial - National Bison Range, Moise, MT

If it weren't for the National Bison Range, the great shaggy beast that once dominated the Plains by the millions might exist today only on the nickel. In fact, the range's Bill West declared, "The whole concept of saving an endangered species sort of begin with the American Bison Society 100 years ago. It started the idea of philanthropy in the wildlife realm and also the idea of buying land specficially for wildlife."

With the support of President Theodore Roosevelt, Congress established the National Bison Range in 1908, when the national census of bison (commonly referred to as "buffalo") had dwindled to a few hundred head in private ownership, including some under the protection of the Pend Oreille peoples, and a federally protected herd in Yellowstone National Park.

Today, the 18,500-acre National Bison Range is a federal wildlife refuge whose 340- to 500-head herd is carefully managed to maintain health and diversity. If you go, stop at the visitor center before embarking on one of three self-drive vehicle tours. In addition to bison, you might see elk, deer, pronghorn, black bear, coyote and ground squirrels, and birds, birds birds. Among the more 200 species of birds that call the home are eagles, hawks, meadowlarks, bluebirds, ducks and geese.

National Bison Range, 58355 Bison Range Road, Moiese, MT 59824; 406-644-2211.

Centennial - Lakeside Amusement Park, Denver

Long before there was Disneyland and all the corporate-owned destination theme parks that have followed, there were local "amusement parks" with rides, entertainment and gardens. Denver had at least two, the original Elitch's in northwest Denver and Lakeside Amusement Park, which opened on Memorial Day 1908 on the city's western fringes. The current Elitch's bears no resemblance to the original, having been relocated to the Platte River Valley, acquired and divested by Six Flags. Through it all, Lakeside has remained a friendly old-style park.

When it opened, it was called the “Coney Island of the West,” because it was ablaze with 100,000 electric lights. No one was concerned about leaving a big carbon footprint in those days! It was so popular that a trolley line was laid to drop visitors right at the illuminated Tower of Jewels, then Colorado’s tallest building and still a local landmark. Today, the 40 major rides include spinning rides, upside-down rides, flying rides and a new drop tower. Don’t miss the classic wooden Cyclone Coaster, the original merry-go-round, and two tiny trains pulled by the country’s last two miniature steam locomotives from the 1904 World’s Fair. Family-owned Lakeside welcomes today’s families with a charming Kiddies’ Playland and affordable pricing.

Starting next week, Lakeside will be open daily through August 17, and then weekends through Labor Day. Gate admission (no rides) is just $2.50 (single ride tickets are available); unlimited rides $13.75 weekdays, $19.75, Friday through Sunday through Labor Day. Through sounds and images, the nostalgia-rich website evokes the feeling of a century ago.

Lakeside Amusement Park; 4601 Sheridan Boulevard, Denver; 303-477-1621.

90 Years - The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs

Next month the Broadmoor celebrates its 90th anniversary. I was kind of hoping that this magnificent resort hotel, which has been honored with more AAA Diamonds, Mobil Stars and assorted wine and hospital official accolades than any other, would make a big production of this noteworthy annivesary. But either they are saving their firepower for the centennial, only 10 years from now, or are so busy with the upcoming US Senior Open Golf Championship coming up on July 28-August 3 that there's no time to throw a birthday party worthy of Broadmoor standards.

The hotel opened with three buildings, 111 guest rooms, one golf course and lofty ambitions to match the finest European hotels in terms of architecture, cuisine and most of all, service. It is now the grandest resort in Colorado, and one of the grandest in North America. Set on 3,000 acres, it now includes 593 hotel rooms, 107 suites, 40 new "cottage" accommodations, 14 dining facilities from the fine-dining Penrose Room to the casual snackbar-style Cafe Julie, four lounges, magnifident public spaces, three golf courses, a tennis center, pools, a luxurious health club, a private lake, a movie theater, meeting and thousands of square feet of convention space, plus, plus, plus.

There's no better place Colorado, and few in the country, for a sybaritic vacation or romantic getaway, a wonderful special occasion dinner or Sunday brunch (right), an opulent 70-item feast in the Lake Terrace Dining Room (adults, $38). But even if you are on a tight budget, you can come into the hotel, walk the main-floor corridors whose walls are hung with historic photos and memorabilia, stroll around the lake, park yourself on a lakeside bench or sink into a comfortable chair in the grand lobby. It doesn't cost a king's ransom to dine in The Tavern (lunch, $9.50-$28; dinner $16-$48). Any way that your budget and time permit, this would be the year to come and share the anniversary spirit of this landmark resort.

The Broadmoor, 1 Lake Avenue, Colorado Springs; 719-577-5775 or 866-837-9520 (hotel reservations), or 719-634-7711.

50 Years - Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, AZ/UT

Monument Valley's spectacular sandstone towers, arches and fins are ancient formations that have served as backdrops for numerous Western films, but the official Navajo Nation tribal park designation is "only" 50 years old this year. Earlier this month, the anniversary was celebrated with two days of races -- a marathon, half-marathon, 10K relay and 5K fun run. Monument Valley Celebration Day Coming up on July 11 are the Drums of Summer and Outdoor Concert Series with live entertainment. The golden-anniversary year culiminates in the Monument Valley Hot Air Balloon Rally, December 12-14, with balloons entered by invitation only. Also scheduled for completion later this year is the new View Hotel & Spa. Otherwise, all you need to do is drive or ride through the park. General admission is $5. Guided tours, camping and hiking are also available. Inquire about permit procedures and fees.

Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, P.O. Box 360289, Monument Valley, UT 84536; 435-727-5870. The visitor center is at the junction of Highway 89 and Highway 64 in Cameron, AZ.

10 Years - Dushanbe Teahouse, Boulder

Dushanbe, Tajikistan, is one of Boulder's sister cities. As a token of friendship, that central Asian city donated a classic teahouse, tiled inside and out, to the City of Boulder. It took some time for Boulder to decide where to erect it and more time for Tajik artisans to assemble it here. It opened in 1998, and in just a decade, it has become such a Boulder fixture that it seems to have been in place forever.

Within the intricate and colorful walls, the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse is a popular place to come for a meal or a spot of tea -- an oasis of Asian tranquility. It is neither strictly vegetarian nor vegan but offers many dishes to meet these dietary needs. Breakfast and brunch entrees, $5.95-$11; breakfast scones and pastries, $1.50-$2.25; dinner entrees, $13-$18.

The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse is at 1770 13th Street (that's the Boulder Country Farmers' Market block), Boulder; 303-442-4993.