Call of the Wild – Colorado Style

Nested on the eastern plains of Colorado, less than an hour’s drive from Denver, is a special rescue organization like no other. The Wild Animal Sanctuary houses lions, leopards, tigers, bears, wolves, and even a pair of African Porcupines, among other animals. The sprawling 720-acre reserve acts as a permanent home for nearly 300 carnivores that have been rescued from a variety of places in the United States and abroad. The Wild Animal Sanctuary was founded in 1980 as a state and federally licensed zoological facility and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization by executive director Pat Craig. Since its inception, the sanctuary has responded to upwards of 1,000 rescue requests from the U.S. Department of Agriculture; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; local, state, national, and international law enforcement agencies; and even private citizens. Although there are approximately 70 accredited sanctuaries in the United States, only 15 of those facilities house big cats or bears.

To get to the Keenesburg, Colorado compound, one travels through small rural towns and down long country roads that seem to lead to nowhere. Down a windy side road one notices the “Mile into the Wild” raised walkway jetting into the air. Upon entering the facility’s gift shop, visitors receive a brief overview of the sanctuary. A free audio tour for each area in which animals are housed, narrated by Pat Craig, provides greater insight into the background of the animals and the habitat in which they currently live. Once on the walkway, the Wild Animal Sanctuary offers outstanding views of the distant Rocky Mountains. Looking down below, visitors receive unobstructed views of the animals in natural habitats as they lounge, sleep, play, and eat.

Each of these animals has a heart-wrenching story about their time in captivity, the conditions in which they lived, and how they were rescued. Working in conjunction with the Ohio Department of Agriculture, four African Lions (Zoya, Zinna, Leo, and Leon) and four black bears were recently rescued from Zanesville, Ohio. They had been originally owned by Terry Thompson, who released more than 50 captive exotic animals into the streets of Zanesville before killing himself in 2011. While some animals are rescued from private homes, others are saved from fly-by-night circus acts or other entertainment organizations where the animals are mistreated, abused, or worse.

In order to keep The Wild Animal Sanctuary operating, the facility relies heavily on donations. It costs the sanctuary an estimated $500,000 annually to feed the animals, which consists of a variety of top-quality meats, vitamins, and other nutrients. In addition to meat, the bears also receive fruit, vegetables, and hotel and cafeteria food (Donuts are a most welcome treat!). The sanctuary spends an additional $100,000 annually for transportation and cold storage. Most of the animals’ health care needs are taken care of by the on-site veterinary hospital; however, for more complicated procedures animals may need to be sedated and transported to Colorado State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital, which is about 1 ½ hours away from the sanctuary. Since the sanctuary does not support breeding, male animals are neutered (Male African lions would lose their manes if neutered, therefore female African lions receive birth control implants.) Most of these operations are done on site shortly after the animals arrive at the facility.

The Wild Animal Sanctuary offers the Captive Wildlife Education Program to help educate others about the global crisis of keeping captive wild animals as pets and the inhumane conditions in which they live, as well as killing them and using their skin in the fur trade. The sanctuary’s Education Center offers posters, videos, and other information about the rescued animals, the facility, and the Captive Wildlife Crisis. The Wild Animal Sanctuary receives 100,000 visitors each year and offers group tours to students, Scout troops, organizations, and businesses. Group tours must be scheduled in advance by contacting the sanctuary. In addition to offering on-site educational programs, the Sanctuary Speakers Bureau presents to businesses, service clubs, organizations, universities, and participates in town fairs and public gatherings along the Front Range of Colorado. For more information, visit the Wild Animal Sanctuary's website or call 303.536.0118.

Have you visited the Wild Animal Sanctuary? Tell us about your experience.

Do you recommend another favorite animal rescue organization? Brag about them here!

Hot and Steamy at Lake Steam Bath - a Review

Not far from downtown Denver, situated near the corner of West Colfax Avenue and Lowell Boulevard, in a quaint early 1900s-looking brick building you’ll find Lake Steam Baths. In operation since 1927, this family-run business offers a unique relaxation experience near the heart of the city. For a daily fee of $17 (check for current pricing and package discounts), one can enjoy a clothing-optional European-esque spa experience that includes a locker, small hand towel, showers, steam room, hot rock room, and a whirlpool/Jacuzzi.

Lake Steam Baths provides gender-specific days, so make sure you visit on the correct day. Currently, women’s days are Mondays from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. – 10 p.m., and one Sunday per month from 4 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. October through April. Men’s days are every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. and Sundays from 6 a.m. – 3 p.m. Special “couples” days are also offered; however, guests must wear appropriate attire during these times.

Once guests enter through the front door and up the steps, they are greeted by a friendly receptionist (who will gladly give newbies a tour of the facility). There is a small dining room in which guests can purchase a fresh meal or bring their own food to enjoy with friends. Throughout the common areas of the facility, patrons clad in crisp white sheets sit and mingle while they rest in the restaurant area or relaxation room. Once guests step inside the bath area, they are greeted by one of the friendly attendants who provide a brief overview of the ins and outs of the bath house. This is where one will find the open showers, whirlpool, and clothing-optional lounging area. After guests have showered off, they are directed into either the steam room or hot rock room to partake in a relaxing, detoxifying experience.

The steam room offers a respiratory workout as eucalyptus oil lingers in the air to open one’s pores, ease breathing, excrete toxins, and moisturize one’s skin. The hot rock room provides the driest of dry heat that penetrates the body to aid in detoxifying the lymphatic system, releasing tension, and relieving aches, pains, and sore muscles. This is achieved using large ovens filled with “cherry red” rocks that are sprayed with water, which results in room temperatures between 140-160 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, take a dip in the whirlpool for some hydrotherapy to edge out any remaining stress or tension. Lake Steam Baths recommends enjoying each area for approximately 20 to 30 minutes in order to gain the most benefit.

In addition to the bath options, Lake Steam Baths also offers reasonably priced massage ($32), detox ($15), reflexology ($30/hour), soap and scrub or salt scrub for ladies ($10), and a men’s rub ($10 and up).

I had first heard about Lake Steam Baths from a friend who occasionally visits the location. I was interested, but a little skeptical at wearing my birthday suit in front of a bunch of strangers…who I may possible know or run into again some day. Awkward! So when a LivingSocial deal came up for Lake Steam Baths, I decided, “what do I have to lose when I can try this place out for half price?" So I hit the purchase button and a few months later away I went.

I brought my bathing suit fully intending to wear it, but when I got there no one else had one on, so I figured that would draw an eye to my already self-conscious self even more. Once I entered the bath area the atmosphere was actually quite respectful. Old and young alike lounged around and went back and forth between the rooms. I found myself saying, “Don’t look, don’t look,” afraid someone would think I was staring. Once I settled in, I was able to unwind and let my knots, sore muscles, and tired body relax and revitalize.

Towards the end of my visit, I opted to try the salt scrub with Mercy, the attendant. It was a little strange for a newbie to get a scrub down by a naked stranger in front of the other patrons in the bath area, but after watching a couple other women try it I figured, why not. I must say I felt very exfoliated after the treatment and I was able to further detoxify my pores in the steam room while slathered from head to toe in Epson salt.

Overall, the facility was clean and well maintained. I felt like I definitely got my money’s worth and slept like a log that night. It’s a great place to enjoy some R&R when you’re on a budget and want that day spa feeling without the day spa price. I would recommend checking them out to see for yourself how invigorating the Lake Steam Bath experience can be.

What's Your Passion?

You may be wondering why I am (finally) starting a blog. There are several reasons, but mainly to have a platform to express my deepest thoughts and desires. Ok, not exactly. 

For the past several months I have been contemplating a career "rewind" back into the world of public relations and marketing. Finally, I'm taking that plunge after a jarring wake-up call that public education isn't exactly my forte', despite being a successful special education teacher and a summer vacation superstar. 

I've really missed writing journalistic and creative copy. I get excited when I think about the days of old, working with a team of enthusiastic thinkers to devise the perfect marketing plan, a terrific PR pitch, or a riveting story that pulls at the heart strings of those who read it. I guess you could say communications is my passion -- or one of them at least.

Although I've been actively writing since I transitioned into education, report writing isn't exactly exciting. And it's often frowned upon when one tries to make a document describing a student's disability sound entertaining and enlightening. Parents and principals don't take kindly to those types of reports and seem to overlook my creative talents. So here I am.

I have many ideas floating around my head like little fluffy thought bubbles ready to burst onto the page. Pop! Boing! Bong! Kerplop! Apparently there are some lead balloons hanging out that just couldn't wait to splatter out of my head. Now it's time to buckle down, sort through my lengthy "to do" list, and get the ballpoint pen (i.e. typing fingers) rolling. 

But before I do so, I must provide a heartfelt "thank you" to those who have made this dream possible...like my parents who provided me with life, God or whoever that higher being is that created Earth and hence my parents, my furry four-legged "kids" who bring me daily happiness and joy, and most importantly my loving husband who inspires me daily and bestows me with unconditional (financial) support. Without him none of this would be possible. Seriously. It wouldn't. I'd be drudging into work, putting on my "happy face," and pretending that teaching was the end-all, be-all of my life. Well, it's not. Luckily I figured that out before investing 20 years into the profession, and then realizing it wasn't my passion. So I'll end this post here before I start ranting about the state of our public education system. I'll save that blog for a rainy, or snowy, day.

Until next time...I hope you have enjoyed this blog. Thank you for your readership!