As a Denver-based writer, for much of my career I've published magazine and newspaper articles about nature, the arts, and Colorado. Years ago, for Sunset Magazine, I reported on Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Vail, Colorado. Named in honor of the former first lady, wife of President Gerald Ford, the alpine garden bills itself as “the world’s highest botanical garden.” From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the alpine garden showcases high country plants, rocks, and water features. Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is over the top lovely during the mountains' short growing season.
Yet in the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of 8,200 feet above sea level, the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens close, naturally, through the winter season. Attentions turn to snow sports, most notably alpine skiing.
Blankets of snow cover Vail Village's beautiful display beds and containers these January days. But in Vail Village throughout the long, cold, dark winter, you can enjoy a breath of fresh and light garden air at Alpine Treasures, the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens Gift Shop open year round. In this charming gift shop, you’ll find a gardener’s delights—everything from pragmatic tools to decorative treasures adorned with flowers, leaves, and other elements of design inspired by the garden.
President Gerald Ford and Betty Ford brought international attention to Colorado because of their vacation homes in the Vail Valley. President Ford was an avid alpine skier. Betty Ford championed a wide variety of causes, including the arts, women's rights and recovering alcoholics/addicts.
I'm honored to report that the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens Gift Shop also shelves books, including my new book “Laid-Back Skier," now for sale in Alpine Treasures. Created in Denver, Colorado, and published by Friday Jones Publishing, “Laid-Back Skier” celebrates the joys of alpine skiing.
The book’s charming original illustrations by Denver artist Patty Leidy include Colorado blue spruce, aspen, and also an edelweiss—the alpine flower immortalized by the song in the movie “The Sound of Music.” Click here to see a gallery of images from "Laid-Back Skier."
In addition to alpine trees, gardeners and nature-lovers will enjoy the detailed snowflakes included in “Laid-Back Skier.” The snowflake images artistically adapt intricate snowflakes magnified and photographed by W. A. Bentley. The snowflakes’ beautiful patterns resemble delicate flowers.
Ski Examiner Kevin Jordan gave "Laid-Back Skier" a glowing review. Click here to read the review. To enjoy "Laid-Back Skier's" brief book trailer click here.
If you’re up in the Vail Valley this ski season, drop in to shop the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens Gift Store to boost your gardening spirit even while gardens rest beneath snow.
If you’re in Vail during the growing season, plan a refreshing visit to the actual gardens, a horticultural highlight in the high country. At the public gardens, you’ll find perennial beds, rock gardens, waterfalls, and a collection of amazing plants that thrive in the challenging conditions at high elevations.
One of my favorite spots is the Mountain Meditation Garden, an ideal spot to contemplate nature’s alpine beauty. Click here for a video tour of Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Vail.
Check out Betty Ford Alpine Gardens' mountain hikes, docent-led tours, classes and exhibits for adults and children, too.
Alpine Treasures, the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens Gift Shop is open year round in Vail Village at 183 Gore Creek Drive, Suite 7. All proceeds from both gift stores benefit the gardens, so your purchase of “Laid-Back Skier” at Betty Ford Alpine Gardens Gift Shop in Vail, helps keep this high caliber alpine gardens growing.
••• Cultivate your corner of the world: You grow your garden; your garden grows you.
Colleen Smith gardens in and writes from a historic neighborhood in central Denver. Her second book, "Laid-Back Skier," was released in September 2011 and is available through FridayJonesPublishing.com or Amazon.com and in bookstores and boutiques.
Colleen Smith's first novel, "Glass Halo," was a finalist for the 2010 Santa Fe Literary Prize.
• Facebook: Thank you for finding Friday Jones Publishing and also Laid-Back Skier on Facebook: "Like" our pages for regular posts on plants, animals, art, alpine skiing, yoga, Denver and the random.
• Follow FridayPublisher on Twitter. Wag your tale!
Comments