Iberostar Resort – Cozumel

August 31, 2009 By

Iberostar Cozumel MexicoThere are many reasons I love the Iberostar Resort in Cozumel, Mexico.  As scuba divers, we love the amazing reefs and fish that cannot be beat in the Caribbean.

Here are some reasons you should give the Iberostar a try:

  • Great dive operation through Dressel Divers on site dive shop
  • Located on the south side of the island so close to the reefs!
  • Reasonable prices
  • Cute bungalows – not a big hotel look and feel
  • All inclusive
  • If you don’t want to go to town to shop or party – this place is the place!
  • Beautiful gardens

SCUBA Diving in Cozumel Mexico

We love to go diving in Cozumel because, for us, it’s  about  a 4 hour flight out of Denver and we are there!  You can catch flights in the morning and enjoy a beverage on  the beach at sunset that same day!

We have found the diving in Cozumel to be incomparable.  Even as we talk to people that dive all over the world, Cozumel is compared only to The Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Red Sea in Egypt as some of the most spectacular reefs and variety and size of sea life.

Hotel

The Iberostar is our choice because it is a great value for the money.  We are hooked on all-inclusive resorts and this meets our needs every time.  It’s close to the reefs so you don’t have 1 hour +/- boat rides to and from the dive sites.  Some are as close as 5 minutes straight out from the dock.  Their on-site dive shop – Dressel Divers  does a great job.  They have a very professional staff, nice boats, good equipment and are a joy to converse with as they are from all over the world.

The food is pretty good.  We tend to go there in either April or November just before or after peak season, when the resort is not full.  This means that not all restarurants are open at all times and the variety of food is not as great as when they are filled to capacity.  Is this a big deal?  Certainly not!  We don’t go there for the food – we go for the diving!

The rooms are also nice.  These little 4-plex bungalow type units give the place a smaller resort feel.  No need for elevators as they are only 2 story.  The beds are comfortable, the rooms are clean and there are plenty of units with a nice view of the water.  Always ask about the location and if there is a view of the ocean.  If they aren’t full they might just move you to a better view!

Iberostar Cozumel Mexico

The grounds are very tropical.  After getting nearly wiped out a few years ago due to a major hurricane hovering over the island for 3 days there wasn’t much left for flora and fauna.  I want to give the Iberostar 5 stars for a very quick rebuild of the buildings and gardens.  We were there 6 months after it being nearly destroyed and we were touched that this Iberostar chose to *not* wait for insurance  money to arrive.  They fronted the money, kept their staff employed and were up and running in just a few months – way ahead of most of the other resorts.

We’ve stayed at other places in Cozumel – but his is our place.  So

Around the island of Cozumel

much so, that when we retook our wedding vows a few years ago.

we chose the Iberostar for this event.  We brought our son who was about 24 at the time and he loved this place, too. Check out the Iberostar in Cozumel.  If you love to dive and love a casual atmosphere, this could just be your place!!!

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Wildflower & Friendship Conservation Project

August 18, 2009 By

This is a story about Darby and Cyndar –  out collecting wildflower seeds to regenerate the beauty of the wilderness areas of Colorado, a little closer to home…

Darby and Cyndar have many things in common – that’s what makes them friends.  They also differ in many ways – that’s what makes for interesting conversation.  They are different and they are alike.  One thing is certain.  They are not boring or dull.  Whenever they are together there is always a debate about “things”.  Things like, “is there such a thing as too much butter in a recipe”, or chocolate being its own food group, or is it worth it to drive all the way over to ‘here’ or ‘there’ to get a certain item or to do without.  Child rearing, money, travel, exercise, work, fruit and vegetables, reading vs audio books, love the kids no matter what or is this a weed or a flower…

They may differ on any or all of these things, but weed vs flower is yet again, another debate that they may never solve.  Ying vs Yang. Trash or treasure?

Darby and Cyndar love to garden.  They love wildflowers in all colors and varieties.  They love to cook with fresh herbs.  They both garden with love and enthusiasm.  While Cyndar talks to her plants and flowers to help them grow, Darby is dilligent and methodic about soil and fertilizer.  They share plants – one has too many of one thing, it is given to the other, back and forth, all summer long.  “Here you can have this.” and “Would you like to have some of this?” and “I grew this for you” and “This might look good there”.  It is sharing.  It is communication.  It is a shared love of nature.  It is a bond on multiple levels.

So, if you should see Darby and Cyndar out somewhere in an opesn field or each other’s yard, collecting seeds, just let them be.  They love and appreciate this bond with nature. They love and appreciate this gift of flowers and friendship.  The “seeds” they take are always regenerated.  Cultivated.  Nurished.  Loved.  Appreciated.

They are blessed.

Disclaimer:  Be sure to check with authorities before you take seeds.  Different national forests may rules and/or permits to take seeds.  Always ask your neighbor first!!!

 

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Marble, Colorado

August 18, 2009 By

Marble and Redstone ColoradoMarble Colorado is certainly off the beaten track.    But, its certainly worth the drive if you’re even close.  There’s fishing, hiking, camping, off-roading and the scenery is beautiful.

Just know, that the marble from this quarry went to build the Lincoln Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  That alone is worth the trip.  Just think about the journey from the quarry to Washington,  DC that all this marble made to be part of history and to be viewed by millions upon millions of people from all over the world.

When you come to Marble, Colorado its hard to imagine that from this out of the way place came memorials of people that dedicated their lives for this country.

Marble and Redstone ColoradoMarble Colorado is about a 50 mile drive west from Aspen.  It’s not only an easy drive, its a beautiful drive.  Along the way there’s a lovely waterfall, clearly marked as Hays Falls.  The mountains, Crystal River, the farmland all lend itself to a beautiful drive.

As you enter Marble you’ll notice that it is very small – now.  Back in the day it was a thriving mining community and it is still an active mine. There is still life and beauty in this little Colorado treasure.  Don’t miss the opportunity to take this in.

Back in the day this was Ute Indian country.  In the 1870′s it became gold and silver country.  The gold and silver didn’t amount to much but the discovery of marble around 1882 in this area certainly did.

Over time marble became commercialized and demand grew.  A finishing mill was constructed and jobs were created.  This little community grew to about 1,500 residents in the early 1900′s.  The hills of Marble had the world’s largest marble deposit and as the mill thrived, so did the town.  The demand for marble fell during WWI and the population dwindled to about 50 residents.

Marble and Redstone ColoradoThis town has gone through times of growth and constriction.  What remains is an active quarry and an eerie, yet magnificent set of ruins.  It’s a glimpse of Colorado history, like non other.  It’s setting is as majestic and anything you’ll ever see in Colorado.

Bring a picnic lunch and a fishing rod.  It’s worth the drive.  It’s worth your time to see this little gem.

Summer events regularly include an art festival, piano recitals, the marble/marble sculpting symposium, as well as the opportunity to visit with artisans and fine artists in their studios, galleries and shops.

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