A Cake Odyssey

The Aspen Santa Fe Ballet not only preserves the tradition of dance but the world-renowned organization also prides itself in giving back to the community. With over ten years behind them, the ballet company now begins its second decade of awe-inspiring performances that it is known for. But in addition to offering entertainment and excellent stage productions like Kiss Me Goodnight and Stamping Ground, the organization places education at the top of its list of priorities. To that end, the Ballet provides a Mexican folklore youth program, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Folklorico, to not only celebrate but preserve some of the area's most vital and time-honored cultural traditions.

The Santa Fe National Forest is situated on a staggering 1.6 million acres at an altitude of 13,000 feet. Nature lovers find that there is plenty to admire about this outdoor oasis, not the least of which are the diverse ecosystems that give life to a large variety of fish, animals, and various species of birds. This particular site is one of five national forests in New Mexico and features some of the finest mountain scenery in the country, if not the world!

Shidoni Arts creates art while being a work of art in and of itself. This stunning sculpture gallery is worth the ten-minute drive north on Bishop's Lodge Road to Tesuque Valley where the Shidoni Gallery is located. The expertly manicured grounds of the gallery are something truly amazing to behold, and you can stroll around to take in the amazing sculptures displayed there that lead to a calming, babbling brook. Depending on the time of your visit, you can actually see sculptures being poured in the working foundry.

Santa Fe's highly appealing outdoor amenities are celebrated year-round at Hyde Memorial State Park. You'll find several excellent spots to enjoy a picnic or just relax as you toss the frisbee around with the kids and enjoy the scenery. There's also more fun to be had on the hiking trails that offer still another chance to get closer to the amazing natural beauty of the park. Camping is another attraction, as the park offers 350 acres of woods and meadows. Plus, the park is located just three miles south of the Santa Fe Ski area which makes it a great stop during ski season.