Most foodies swoon over their obsession at home watching the Food Network and learning tips and secrets from their favorite chefs. Others say, “Why not go meet them?” Enter Aspen.

This weekend, we were lucky enough to attend the premier food and wine event of the year, the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen. Featuring dozens of the world’s best chefs and sommeliers, this event is truly every foodie’s dream. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Aspen’s rolling green hills, the three day event features speaking/instructional engagements from the likes of Mario Batali (featured above with DRY’s CEO Sharelle Klaus), Emeril Lagasse, Ming Tsai, Michael Chiarello and many more. In addition, the food, wine and DRY Soda were as bountiful as the conversation and camaraderie.

In fact, chef Cormac Mahoney, one of Food & Wine’s Top Chefs 2012, joined in letting foodgoers know all about DRY Soda.

With all of the amazing people, delicious food and unbeatable scenery, it’s no wonder the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen is one of the many things we love about Colorado.

(Photo credit: Glenn Oakley)

Colorado is famous for its skiing and snowboarding, but the action isn’t reserved solely for the snowy slopes.

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve offers winter’s downhill thrill with sandy summer warmth as thrillseekers can shred down one of the countless mountains of sand. Boasting the tallest dunes in North America, it was only a matter of time before somebody dreamt up this idea. As if that weren’t enough, nearby Medano Creek offers the perfect spot for a post-shred cooldown. Set all of this against a backdrop of rangy mountaintops and you’ve got a picture perfect way to spend a few hours or an entire day. Now, if we could only put some of this action near Seattle…

Learn more about Colorado’s sandy paradise here.