My family and I spend quite a bit of time up in the mountains of Colorado – especially in the Frisco/Copper Mountain areas.  One of the things that has been sorely lacking up there is a really, really good Mexican restaurant.

Of course, there are a number of “C – plus” places (as my dad would put it) that will fill you up in a pinch, and acually might taste ok after a few Margaritas.

BUT – this past weekend, we discovered a new place that is about as good as any place we have ever been – it’s called EL TOREO FAMILY MEXICAN RESTAURANT – and it is simply superb.  It’s owned and managed by Andres and Miguel Estrella.   The theme is bullfighting, as the Estrellas have a long history of bullfighting in their family.   The place is decorated with authentic, personal family photos.  The music was also authentic.

This restaurant used to be something else – another Mexican place that was so-so, but left a lot to be desired.   We came here last Saturday evening, and even though it was the off-season, they had everything on the menu (which, for being between skiing and summer seasons, is impressive – I know, as I used to be the head honcho of a restuarant in Vail many years ago.  That’s another story.

Miguel was waiting on us, and he was charming, and offered many stories about his family heritage, and bullfighting (we asked).   I was impressed that my parents are fairly knowledgeable about it, and could swap their knowledge with Miguel about “El Cordobes” the famous Spanish bullfighter.   My wife and I just sat back and looked a little ignorant, but it was fascinating and truly enjoyable to listen to.

Miguel suggested a few items that were “specialties” of the house – and since I am a Chili Relleno glutton, I tried that with a cheese enchilada.   It was….extraordinary…especially for being a middle-of-nowhere mountain-town Mexican place.  As anyone who has spent a few days skiing in Colorado, mountain Mexican food usually consits of bagged chips, canned salsa, and a pile of gloopy nachos as big as K2.

I am from Arizona, and spent a number of years in Tucson..just an hour from the border.  My parents lived in El Paso Texas for many, many years, and have traveled Mexico and Spain extensively.  We know good Mexican Food, and EL Toreo was authentic and absolutely delicious.

Opening a new restaurant, especially in this economy, and in an expensive ski-town can be a gamble, but it is our suspicion, and hope that El Toreo is here to stay.

Here’s what my mom wrote about it:

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I have to remind myself that many people might be renting for the first time. Or, in this economy, many people are probably renting their homes, or a room in their house for the first time for the extra income, so naturally, these types of people wouldn’t be tuned in to the world of scammers.

Thankfully, my friend Dave, who just launched his new site Pickrent, has developed a great tool that will help you identify a scam. His Scam Tool
is very accurate, and quite helpful for anyone who may have received a questionable e-mail regarding renting, or a rental.

The Stearn’s Lake area (Carolyn Holmberg Preserve) is a beautiful area, and would make great nesting grounds for any predatory bird due to the large number of prairie dogs and other rodents in the area.

The lake itself is not huge but I have seen some of the fish pulled out of there – some of which are nothing short of huge.

I was running back there again this week, and was glad to see that the eagles are back.  It is really a sight to behold.  They are not afraid of humans, and really seem to take command of their surroundings.

So now that I work for myself, it really registers less than ever.   However, now that I have a kid in pre-school, they take Veteran’s day off.

A few weeks ago, my kid’s school said that they would be closed on Veteran’s day, and to make sure and mark it on our calendars.  I just assumed it would be the Monday after the weekend of the 10th of November – like any other normal holiday so people can take a long weekend.   So, I kept my kid out of school on Monday.

His friends and teachers were wondering where he was!  Ooops!   My wife took the day off to watch our son, and to help me so I could get some work done.   She even told her work that she was taking Veteran’s day off.

The funniest thing is – she didn’t catch it either, and she is a Veteran!   She was in the military back in the 90’s.   So, I don’t feel so stupid, but I just hate making mistakes like that.

Veteran’s day is supposed to be a day of rememberance.  The only “rememberance” I have is that I have to remember to pay for childcare for today, since today – Tuesday the 11th is the actual day his school is closed…..not the 10th.

Duh.

But, we took the opportunity to do it and went out to dinner on “the company” – something we never do.  The company paid for it, and we talked about our business.   We went to Old Chicago pizza in Superior, which is just outside of Denver.

We talked about how the business has done over the past year, and it seems to be in a growth phase.  Good news since the economy is in the dumps.   For the rental market,  I don’t think it is all that bad.  Since most people can’t sell their home right now, they opt to rent it.  So, for all of my rental listing sites, business is good.

We also talked about the best way to direct my time and energy, and to what sites and projects.  We decided that my newest site is the best one in terms of potential (a site that deals with senior housing).   My rental sites are in good shape, so I will be focusing less on them this year.

My wife says that she wants to transition to part time at her ‘real job’ to be able to spend more time working for our ‘company.’  We think we are at the point to where she can do this.

As far as equipment needs, we both agreed that the ‘company’ needs a new computer and a new laptop.

That was really the extent of our meeting.  I had a Calzone with artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes and mushrooms, and a few beers.   Joelle had a spinach Calozone and a beer.

It was a succesful meeting all around.  Thank you to our wonderful company!

I came home yesterday and witnessed him in the middle of the day raking all of his leaves into the street.   He was trying to do is during the day when nobody is home, but he doesn’t know that I work from home, so I was able to witness his shenanigans.

There’s a pile of leaves in the street large enough that you have to drive around it.    He quickly finished and then scurried inside.

At first I was taken aback, and tried to imagine that this was standard procedure in other parts of the country, and he was just bringing his technique with him.

Not until that evening when a number of other neighbors were out in the street commenting on his “jackassed-ness” that I knew that this was just not Kosher.

It was an amazing thing to see.  Unfortunately, this person has young kids, and no doubt they will learn his tricks of laziness.

This is a great area full of trails, a lake, and lots of wildlife and critters.   I love running in this area.

Rock Creek Farm has a website here

The pumpkins look specatcular.  Running by them, I am amazed at how quickly they grew and how large they have become.   I wonder how much water it takes to bring a pumkin to maturity – not to mention thousands of pumpkins.

I guess now we have to figure out what to dress our little guy in for halloween!

However, based on what I know, and based on location, I would have to say that the Dakota Lofts are way up there on my list.   I don’t really like living in the heart of downtown anywhere, much less Denver (as much as I like Denver).  Downtown is too “hurried” and noisy for me – I like my peace and quiet.  But – I do like downtown on my terms, as long as I can leave when I am done with it.   The Dakota Lofts are perched right outside of downtown Denver, across the street from the flagship REI, and the Platte river.  There’s a great pedestrian bridge that takes you across I-25, and it’s just a short bikeride or a moderate walk to get to downtown.   And, from the Dakota Lofts, you get a view of downtown that is unparalleled.

These are beautiful and very modern lofts, in a funky little neighborhood with lots of coffee shops and great eateries nearby…..and downtown Denver is just a chip-shot away – but not in your lap!