Colorado Destinations - Burt Rashbaum and the Carousel of Happiness

A motorcycle road can take you somewhere beautiful, but every so often it takes you somewhere Truly Amazing.  We point our ride toward Nederland, Colorado, tucked along the Peak to Peak Highway, to visit a place I can’t stop talking about: the Carousel of Happiness. It’s a must-stop for a Colorado motorcycle ride, but it’s also good for your Soul.

I’m joined by Burt Rashbaum, a poet, musician, novelist and Carousel Operator who sometimes dances in it’s center with a clown nose on. Burt shares how a kid from Brooklyn fell in love with the Rockies, why Nederland feels like a haven for outsiders and artists, and what he’s learned from meeting people from around the world one conversation at a time. If you’re hungry for things to do in Nederland, Colorado that aren’t touristy and still feel personal, you’ll want to hear what he describes.

We also dig into the origin story that gives the carousel its weight. Scott Harrison, a Vietnam veteran, began carving as a way to heal and to honor friends he lost. That grief turned into something public, musical, and stubbornly hopeful. Burt tells stories of veterans being seen, older riders weeping without warning, disabled kids lighting up with pure joy, and why the motto “Don’t Delay Joy” is more than a nice slogan.

If you’ve been feeling worn down by the world, this ride is a reminder that real connection still exists and it can change you. 

Resources:

https://carouselofhappiness.org/

From Where We Came

Of the Carousel (Poems)

Becoming an American

Tears for My Mother

A Century of Love

Tags:  Mindfulness, Motorcycle riding, mindful motorcycling, motorcycle therapy, nature connection, peace on two wheels, Rocky Mountain tours, rider self-discovery, spiritual journey, motorcycle community, open road philosophy.