My list of contributions to yourhub.com is still pretty small but growing. Last week I traveled for work to a part of Colorado I have not spent much time in. I can't help but cringe a little when I think about letting the cat out of the bag about what it is I do.

For nearly six years I have been one of those guys that greet you in the grocery store and ask if the Denver Post or Rocky Mountain News hit your door step every morning. It's actually pretty rewarding in that I get to not only promote literacy but also do things like help the Children's Hospital when new subscribers start a paper through the in-store program. Plus I always have a few yourhubs to hand out - so if you are a fellow contributor know that I am trying to get your stuff out there also!

My trip to Salida over the last few days of November was a great excursion for many reasons. A lot of new households now get the paper there now and I discovered another place worthy of a road trip from Denver. Located 138 miles southwest of Denver, Salida is a great historic town and offers a ton of recreation year round. Of course I was stuck working in a store, but I learned a great deal about what it offers and plan to spend a few days snowshoeing in the area this winter. Monarch is close by and from what I hear a top notch ski destination.

As I left the store the first night I was amazed to see what would be a fan of Christmas light display's dream come true. The 'S' on the mountainside closest to town is surrounded by a set of red lights that form a tree and it has several of what have to be very huge lighted decorations. At the base of the mountain is a park and it had a double row of about 35 Christmas Trees decorated in traditional and funky themes. One had green lights and a green EXIT sign as a topper. It was a brisk stroll but if you are a Christmas tree fan this is an impressive showing. Several houses had stellar displays of their own in my short drive to my hotel on Highway 50.

Speaking of hotels - the Days Inn that I stayed at ended a search for a place to stay. Owner Mark Bryniarski was quick to try to end my frustration of not finding a hotel with a workout out room by suggesting I walk a block south and go for a hike.

The road lead up to a spot I could see all the city lights under the giant 'S' tree. Mark and his wife Anna moved from Chicago to attempt to give the town a comfortable place to stay for its visitors. In fact they decided to forego an annual vacation I n order to complete the lobby with an aspen tree décor to rival the top mountain lodges. Mark's wood working ability is pretty amazing. Learn more about his place at http://www.daysinnsalida.com.

The drive home after the snow storm was spectacular Thursday morning as the mountain ranges had these wisps of the dry light snow blowing off the tops of them like plumes from an industrial factory. Factories producing joy in knowing we live in a state that is hard to beat.