Where in the World is Cap’n Aux? TEX

Cap’n pickin’ away...

 Ask Cap’n Aux where in the world he would love to live, and he’ll tell you two places:  Interlaken, Switzerland, and Telluride, Colorado.

Why? you ask.  Well, several reasons:  Both are mountain valleys brimming with spectacular scenery.  Both host oodles of Cap’n Aux’s favorite outdoor activities, such as hiking, rock climbing, hangliding, paragliding, snow skiing and snowboarding.

One of many hiking trails overlooking Telluride, CO

Interlaken, Switzerland (simulated at www.simflight.com ;-)

Finally—and here’s the kicker—they’re both “East-West”-running valleys.

So what’s so special about E-W-running valleys? you ask.

Well, I’ve never met a mountain town I didn’t like, but they usually suffer from one thing:  the sun sets around 4pm.  This bizarre, premature twilight throws the body ‘s internal clock into a funk; by 7pm you’re ready for bed.

But with an East-West-running valley, the sun stays up till its proper bed time.

Cap’n Aux savors his mornin’ java at the famous Baked in Telluride.  But is he a rich, fat cat or a bohemian ski bum?

Crammed up against the western slope of a steep box canyon, Telluride doesn’t see the sun rise till 9am or so.  But who cares?  Being the rich fat, cat you are—or bohemian ski bum—you’re not past the coffee-sipping, headache-nursing stage till nearly noon anyway!

All points in Telly afford  equally spectacular views of Bridal Veil Falls.

And the waterfalls.  Oh, the waterfalls!  Overlooking all of downtown, the 365-foot (111 meter) Bridal Veil Falls dominates the scene from any vantage point.  Waiting for the morning sun to finally strike the frothy ribbon is a daily coffee-sippin’ ritual.

Camp mates and “Sustainable Festivarians” Dewey and Alex chillin’ in Warner Field.

At cocktail hour, the setting sun’s playful rays hilight the Fall’s prismatic strands.

Look closely, lower center:  can you see a gi-normous party a-ragin'?!

Telluride Festivarians absorbing the rays & notes.

And the festivals.  Oh, the festivals!  Each week in the summer, Telluride is host to myriad parties, including film, food, wine and music fests.

Fireman Scotty, Rasta Alex and "Where's" Waldo Festivate!

Telly sports so many fests, in fact, the locals have aptly dubbed their single week off the “Nothing Festival.”

Overlooking Telluride (and of course Bridal Veil Falls!), Pastor Art marries our good friends...

...as Cappy plucks out the traditional bluegrass tune, “Here Comes the Bride!”

 

FESTIVAL!!!

But Cap’n Aux’s Favorite is the Telluride Bluegrass Festival.  Each year, religiously, the Cap’n can be found celebrating his birthday and Father’s Day by jammin’ with his “banjer” or “git-tar” around Town Park and Warner field.

“Bluegrass icon” David Byrne—replete with tutu—rips up the stage.

As for the Festival itself, don’t let the name fool you: in Telluride, “Bluegrass” is only a suggestion.  Such international acts as Counting Crows, Elvis Costello, Talking Head David Byrne, Bare Naked Ladies, Alison Krauss and Mumford and Sons have all played the fest.

“President” Sam Bush and the Telluride House Band rock the sunset.

Five fabulous days of fun, sun (and occasional snow!), tunes, drinkin’ and gorgin’ and other summer activities...

be sure to put one of the festivals on your bucket list!

5 Days of summer fun ‘n sun.  But don’t forget your parka, just in case! (Last Day surprise dump, June, 2011!)

Had enough of waterfalls?  But wait, there’s more!  CapnAux hikes Bear Creek trail.

As for the airport, TEX is one of the most unique you’ll ever grease the wheels upon.

Perched atop a steep mesa, at an elevation of 9,070’, the 7,100-foot, V-shaped runway is not for the newly-soloed or faint-hearted. 

Moreover, sandwiched into the box canyon, there’s not much room for maneuvering during a botched approach.  

In fact, the lowest instrument approach still requires "Marginal VFR" rules:  you must descend visually from 2,300' above the airport—that's 11,300 feet MSL!

...and maybe that’s why Cappy drives!

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*Check out:
TELLURIDE, CO:
—http://www.visittelluride.com/festivals-events

—planetbluegrass.com
TEX AIRPORT:
 —http://www.tellurideairport.com/
—http://skyvector.com/airport/TEX/Telluride-Regional-Airport
INTERLAKEN, SWITZERLAND:
—http://www.myswitzerland.com/en/interlaken.html
 —http://wikitravel.org/en/Interlaken