Colorado Chronicles: Christmas at the Zoo and FREE Fishin' Tips

'Tis the season to be jolly and locations all over the USA are getting into the swing of things. One place that's really swingin' is the Pueblo Zoo in Southern Colorado. Each year, the Pueblo Zoo puts on a light show of a different stripe. It's called ElectriCritters. To see exactly what I'm talking about, click here and look at the animated wolves (or coyotes). Can you imagine lots of displays like this one and more than a quarter million other lights, too? Top that off with a great Pueblo Zoo experience observing over 140 species of animals and Christmas music playing in the background, and you've got yourself some memories that'll last a lifetime.You can get more information on dates, times and admission prices on the Pueblo Zoo's web site.

I would be remiss if I didn't include this information. If Santa is bringing you a new rod and reel for Christmas and you'll be in the Pueblo area, follow the road running beside the Arkansas River going west of town to a small town called Texas Creek. Find a safe place to park on the side of the road and get ready for some real good trout fishing. Be sure to use light line (6lb test at the most) and an in-line spinner bait like Panther-Martin or Mepps. Chunk your bait upstream into an eddy and retrieve it just a little bit faster than the flow of the river and hang on. There are some large brown trout in there. An added bonus: the last time I was there I was just across the river from a family of mountain goats stopping by for a sip of water. Don't be like me and not have a camera at the ready. You can thank me later.