How to Make Memorial Day Memorable!
Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial start of summer, and It’s also the weekend to remember those in the military who have so valiantly served our nation. Do something special for a veteran, and then get summer started with a celebration! Whether you are planning a classic backyard BBQ or looking for new, fun ways to spend the holiday, check out these ideas for making your Crystal Valley Memorial Day the most memorable!
BBQ For Beginners
If you avoid the grill for fear of the ultimate barbecue mishap—meat burnt on the outside and raw on the inside—try this surefire way to prepare a whole chicken: pre-cook the chicken in a crock pot!
Eight hours before dinner, Oh Sweet Basil instructs putting a whole fresh chicken in the crockpot, seasoned the way you like it. Cook the chicken for about eight hours on LOW. An hour before dinner, fire up the charcoal, and when the briquettes turn gray — 225 degrees for a gas grill — transfer the cooked chicken onto the grill and cover for a few minutes. Briquettes add a smoky taste, but either way the meat will be juicy and tender, with just minutes on the barbie!
Better Yet—Leave BBQ To the Pros!
Why not just take-out for your Memorial Day celebration? The Old West Bar-B-Q in Castle Rock is just six miles away from Crystal Valley and offers real home-style food (they even grind their own corn for the cornbread!) They will be taking the Monday holiday day off, but you can pick up an order of BBQ brisket, chicken, pork or a killer slab of ribs on Sunday to heat up at home, for a relaxing celebration, home-style!
Remember Frisbees?
For backyard fun for all ages, crack out the frisbees! You can build your own frisbee golf course using laundry baskets for the “holes.” Lowe’s at 1360 New Beale Street in Castle Rock can supply the laundry baskets—and you set up the course by placing the baskets strategically around the yard. Just like regular golf, you tally the number of times it takes to get the frisbee in each basket—and the player with the lowest score wins!
Other fun and competitive frisbee games include Ultimate Frisbee, a mash-up of football and soccer. Urban Outfitters offers official regulations as well as variations on the game. All you need are a couple of teams of five-to-seven players each, a big field, some markers for the end zones—and of course a frisbee!
Thank Some Veterans
Find a little quiet time in the day to sit down with your kids and help them write a letter to a veteran. Woman’s Day suggests you can make it a neighborhood activity and invite the kids over to compose thank-you cards to veterans all over the country—or even send a care package to active troops.
Ride a Bike!
May happens to be National Bike Month, which makes Memorial Day weekend the perfect time to take a ride! The town of Castle Rock has a large recreational trail system accessible from Crystal Valley, perfect for biking, and Map My Ride can help you find the perfect trail!
If you’re not yet a cyclist but would like to try, Memorial Day is the opening weekend of Castle Rock’s FreeCycle program! Register to become a member and then make a reservation to get your bike at one of three convenient locations in downtown Castle Rock, like Castle Rock Bike and Ski. While you’re there, you can pick up any accessories you might need, as well as some sage biking advice!
Day-Trip to a State Park
Take a day trip less than half an hour away from Crystal Valley, and be transported to a nature-lover’s haven! Castlewood Canyon State Park offers family-friendly trails along the winding Cherry Creek canyon with views of waterfalls, a natural amphitheater and the Bridge Canyon Overlook. PHOTO #2
Furry members of the family are allowed on leashes on most trails, and both entrances feature picnic areas for groups. You won’t want to miss the historic remnants of a frontier homestead and the ruins of the ill-fated Castlewood Dam, which burst in 1933.
Make Memories in Crystal Valley!
Whatever you find yourself doing this Memorial Day weekend, if Crystal Valley is your home base, you’ll be set! This amazing planned-community is a welcoming place to spend all of your holidays. Stop by to visit the beautiful new models offered by D.R. Horton, Kauffman Homes, and Richmond American Homes. Crystal Valley homes are available in ranch and two-story models and priced from the high $300s.
