Chicken Wings & Chocolate

Checking In on the High Country

Howdy, neighbors. Buck Timber here.

It is a crisp morning on this 5th of February. We are moving into a weekend that seems to be pulling folks in two very different directions. On one hand, you have the Wine and Chocolate Festival, where people get dressed up to discuss the "notes" in a glass of grape juice. On the other hand, you have the Super Bowl this Sunday, where people shout at the television while eating dip that is mostly cheese and regret.

I told Moe Pass he should try to combine the two to save time. I suggested he try pairing a fine dark cocoa with a lukewarm light beer while wearing a football jersey over his Sunday best. He did not think it was funny. He is currently trying to figure out if he can dip a chicken wing into a chocolate fountain without getting escorted out of the Event Center. I told him that out here, we call that an "Illegal Use of Hands."

Which famous Colorado "Fourteener" is the only one located entirely within the boundaries of Rocky Mountain National Park?

Golfers and local residents are about to welcome an exciting new dining venue at the Estes Park 18-Hole Golf Course. Fire Dragon, LLC, known for the refined Outlaws and Legends Steakhouse, will bring an elevated culinary concept to the club’s restaurant starting this spring.

The Estes Valley Recreation and Park District board recently approved Fire Dragon’s proposal, with the grand opening anticipated in March, pending final negotiations. The restaurant aims to become a premier community gathering spot, blending top-notch cuisine, service, and hospitality.

Brett Daugherty and Abby Sweeney of Fire Dragon plan to operate the main restaurant, manage on-course food carts, and offer exceptional catering for tournaments and local events.

The menu will appeal to a wide range of tastes, serving everything from quick breakfast fare to evening chef specials. The new venue looks to set a higher standard than previous options at the Hangar, becoming a celebrated spot for residents and visitors alike.

Alpenglow Beauty: Skincare That Handles Winter and Whatever February Throws At It.

Winter doesn’t let up just because the calendar flips to February.
Cold air, wind, and dry mountain conditions tend to linger, and skin feels it.

Alpenglow Beauty is made for life at elevation, where winter isn’t a season. It’s just part of the routine. Their clean, nourishing formulas help keep skin balanced without overcomplicating things.

 

If winter has left your skin feeling tight, dry, or irritated, their Whipped Tallow Balm is especially worth a look. Simple. Effective. Made to hold up out here.

Explore the collection at AlpenglowBeauty.com and enjoy 20% off with code WINDY20.

Save the date: Saturday, February 7, 2026, when the Wine & Chocolate Festival returns to the Estes Park Events Complex from 12 PM to 6 PM.

This year’s event welcomes guests of all ages and unveils a host of new vendors, broadening its appeal beyond wine and chocolate lovers.

Enjoy local breweries, bakeries, and specialty food artisans, all showcasing their best treats alongside beloved chocolate pairings.

Full-price ticket holders receive 10 chocolate samples, complimentary beverage pours, a souvenir wine glass, and a tote bag for their finds.

Designated Driver tickets are available for those who want to enjoy the fun without the drinks.

Sample from lauded names like Evergood Wines, Bookcliff Vineyards, Lumpy Ridge Brewing Company, Colorado Cocoa Pod, and more.

Festivities also include live music, Glow Golf, and caricature art for a full day of entertainment in scenic Estes Park.

As Super Bowl Sunday nears, Bogey’s Sports Bar in Estes Park is set to host its lively Souper Bowl Cook-Off on February 8, 2026.

Football fans and foodies can gather at 4:30 PM to catch the game on giant screens, enjoy ice-cold drinks, and soak up the energetic crowd.

For only $5, guests are treated to an all-you-can-eat soup lineup, featuring comforting recipes prepared by local chefs and neighbors.

Located at 281 W. Riverside Dr., Bogey’s Sports Bar is a favorite destination for Estes Park sports lovers, known for its friendly vibe and fun community events.

It’s the ideal spot to experience the game-day excitement while diving into homemade soups.

Save the date and join the celebration this February 8th.

Things to Do: This Weekend & Next Week

This Weekend (February 6 – February 8)

• 🖼️ First Friday Art Groove (Feb 6): Local galleries stay open late tomorrow evening. It is a fine time to see new work without the summer crowds.

• 🍷 Wine & Chocolate Festival (Feb 7): This is the main event at the Estes Park Events Center this Saturday. It features samples from regional wineries and chocolatiers. It is a good place to find a gift or hide from the wind

• • 🏈 The Big Game (Feb 8): Do not forget the Super Bowl is this Sunday afternoon. If you are not a fan, it is the best time to have the hiking trails all to yourself.

  • 🦅 Raptor Protection: Starting February 15, certain cliffs in the park will close to protect nesting Golden Eagles and Falcons. Get your climbing in now.

  • 🧊 Frozen Dead Guy Days Prep: The festival is coming to Estes Park next month. Now is the time to start building your coffin if you plan on racing.

DID YOU KNOW? 

• The Great Oxen Trade Joel Estes discovered this valley in 1859 and moved his family of thirteen children here a year later. They built a life here, but the high country has a way of testing a person’s resolve. By 1866, they decided the winters were simply too brutal to endure any longer. They traded their entire claim—the very heart of what we now call Estes Park—for a single pair of oxen and left the valley. I reckon Moe Pass would have held out for at least a goat, but then again, he has never had to feed thirteen children in a blizzard.

Buck's Joke Of The Day

What pronouns does the chocolate at the Estes Park festival use?

Her/She.

Moe Pass asked if that meant the dark chocolate was "self-identified" as bitter. I told him he should not worry about the chocolate’s identity and worry more about the identity of the man who forgot to bring a coat to the mountains.

Longs Peak. Standing at 14,259 feet, it is the highest point in the park..