Colorado Trip Report
Oct 18th, 2006, 07:23 AM
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Colorado Trip Report
We are just back from a great trip to Colorado. This was the DW's first trip to CO, and I have been several times before and loved it.
- We left out of Atlanta at 0535 on a Saturday morning. I was using USAirways FF miles for my ticket, so we had to connect through Phoenix on the way out. As tough as it was getting up at 0230, the early flight was nice because it took all of 2 minutes to get through security at Atlanta. One other note, whenever possible use the kiosks to check in at the airport. When we arrived at the ticket counter there were about 25 people in line ahead of us waiting for the counter to open. No one was at the kiosks, however. We checked in, and then when the counter opened we were the first to be called. Needless to say we got some dirty looks, but the agent told everyone that customers using the kiosks will be handled first. The flight to Phoenix was fine and on time, as well as the flight from Phoenix to Denver.
- We spent the first night in Breckenridge. I wanted DW to get the feel of a ski town. Breckenridge was very nice, with a little better shopping than I had expected. We stayed at the Marriott Mountain Valley, overlooking Maggie Pond. We had a good dinner at My Thai restaurant. DW found some good bargains at several shops too.
- Day two had us going to Pagosa Springs. We traveled through Minturn, Leadville, Buena Vista, etc. Unfortunately it was raining that day so we weren't able to see the great views along that stretch. We stopped in Salida for lunch at the Laughing Ladies. What a neat town! We would like to go back sometime. While crossing Wolf Creek Pass we ran through some snow - how beautiful. We also stopped to hike up to Treasure Falls, which was well worth the stop.
- We spent 3 nights in Pagosa Springs at the Fairfield Resort. This is a nice area, but we really liked Durango better than Pagosa. We made day trips to the 4 corners( it was raining some that day so we decided not to go to Mesa Verde). The next day we drove to Santa Fe. That is a very beautiful drive. Santa Fe was stressful initially, as parking is quite an issue. All the city lots were full, and I didn't want to keep running to the car to fill up the meter, which is 15 minutes for 25 cents. Once we got settled though, we had a nice visit. It was pretty crowded, but that was probably due to the Balloon Fiesta. The DW had a great margarita at the Blue Corn cafe, and the food wasn't bad either.
I'll finish the rest of the trip soon. Thanks to all who provided information and input when I was planning this trip.
- We left out of Atlanta at 0535 on a Saturday morning. I was using USAirways FF miles for my ticket, so we had to connect through Phoenix on the way out. As tough as it was getting up at 0230, the early flight was nice because it took all of 2 minutes to get through security at Atlanta. One other note, whenever possible use the kiosks to check in at the airport. When we arrived at the ticket counter there were about 25 people in line ahead of us waiting for the counter to open. No one was at the kiosks, however. We checked in, and then when the counter opened we were the first to be called. Needless to say we got some dirty looks, but the agent told everyone that customers using the kiosks will be handled first. The flight to Phoenix was fine and on time, as well as the flight from Phoenix to Denver.
- We spent the first night in Breckenridge. I wanted DW to get the feel of a ski town. Breckenridge was very nice, with a little better shopping than I had expected. We stayed at the Marriott Mountain Valley, overlooking Maggie Pond. We had a good dinner at My Thai restaurant. DW found some good bargains at several shops too.
- Day two had us going to Pagosa Springs. We traveled through Minturn, Leadville, Buena Vista, etc. Unfortunately it was raining that day so we weren't able to see the great views along that stretch. We stopped in Salida for lunch at the Laughing Ladies. What a neat town! We would like to go back sometime. While crossing Wolf Creek Pass we ran through some snow - how beautiful. We also stopped to hike up to Treasure Falls, which was well worth the stop.
- We spent 3 nights in Pagosa Springs at the Fairfield Resort. This is a nice area, but we really liked Durango better than Pagosa. We made day trips to the 4 corners( it was raining some that day so we decided not to go to Mesa Verde). The next day we drove to Santa Fe. That is a very beautiful drive. Santa Fe was stressful initially, as parking is quite an issue. All the city lots were full, and I didn't want to keep running to the car to fill up the meter, which is 15 minutes for 25 cents. Once we got settled though, we had a nice visit. It was pretty crowded, but that was probably due to the Balloon Fiesta. The DW had a great margarita at the Blue Corn cafe, and the food wasn't bad either.
I'll finish the rest of the trip soon. Thanks to all who provided information and input when I was planning this trip.
Oct 18th, 2006, 06:01 PM
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CO Trip Report continued:
- After 3 nights in Pagosa Springs, we headed up the Million Dollar Highway to Grand Junction. What an incredible ride! It is hard to describe the beauty of the CO mountains and do them any justice. We stopped in Ouray for lunch and a little browsing in the shops. Then on to Grand Junction for 2 nights.
- We stayed at the Hawtorn Suites in Grand Junction. Nice hotel and the staff was very friendly. The breakfast buffets were good too. This hotel is on Main St. so you are very close to shopping and restaurants. We had a birthday dinner for DW at Dolce Vita on Main St. our first night. Very good meal, and the weather was nice so we were able to sit outside. The next day we went to the Arches NP in Utah. This was an interesting drive, as you will feel that you are truly in the middle of nowhere. But it is a beautiful Drive, especially when we started following the CO River. The park itself is incredible. This was probably one of the best days on our trip. On the way back we stopped at the tasting room for the Castle Creek Winery at the Red Cliffs Resort. The wines we tasted were not bad, so I bought a couple of bottles to bring home.
- After 2 nights in Grand Junction, we headed east on I-70 toward Denver for our last night. We stopped for lunch and shopping in Vail. When we started our trip, DW said that she would really like to find some Cowboy (Cowgirl?) boots to take home. Well, after having looked in Santa Fe and Durango, she ran across a great deal in Vail (believe it or not), so we bought her boots. The trip was complete at this point!
- We spent our last night at The Westin Tabor Center in Denver. It was a very nice hotel, and just off the 16th St. Mall. We weren't overly impressed with the shopping there, but there was a good assortment of retsaurants. I did find a pair of boots for myself, though, so I guess I can't complain too much about the shopping.
- We flew out of Denver on Saturday. Our connection this time went through Charlotte. Our flight looked to be pretty full, so we decided to splurge and purchase the GoUpgrade to first class. What a great decision that was!The only problem is now I'm spoiled, so we'll have to save up more money before our next trip. Both flights home were fine, arriving on time with no problems.
All in all it was a great trip. We put over 1700 miles on the rental car (thank goodness for unlimited miles!). Having grown up in the south, it is always such an incredible experience to go back to Colorado, seeing such a different landscape. I think DW has fallen in love with it too.
- After 3 nights in Pagosa Springs, we headed up the Million Dollar Highway to Grand Junction. What an incredible ride! It is hard to describe the beauty of the CO mountains and do them any justice. We stopped in Ouray for lunch and a little browsing in the shops. Then on to Grand Junction for 2 nights.
- We stayed at the Hawtorn Suites in Grand Junction. Nice hotel and the staff was very friendly. The breakfast buffets were good too. This hotel is on Main St. so you are very close to shopping and restaurants. We had a birthday dinner for DW at Dolce Vita on Main St. our first night. Very good meal, and the weather was nice so we were able to sit outside. The next day we went to the Arches NP in Utah. This was an interesting drive, as you will feel that you are truly in the middle of nowhere. But it is a beautiful Drive, especially when we started following the CO River. The park itself is incredible. This was probably one of the best days on our trip. On the way back we stopped at the tasting room for the Castle Creek Winery at the Red Cliffs Resort. The wines we tasted were not bad, so I bought a couple of bottles to bring home.
- After 2 nights in Grand Junction, we headed east on I-70 toward Denver for our last night. We stopped for lunch and shopping in Vail. When we started our trip, DW said that she would really like to find some Cowboy (Cowgirl?) boots to take home. Well, after having looked in Santa Fe and Durango, she ran across a great deal in Vail (believe it or not), so we bought her boots. The trip was complete at this point!
- We spent our last night at The Westin Tabor Center in Denver. It was a very nice hotel, and just off the 16th St. Mall. We weren't overly impressed with the shopping there, but there was a good assortment of retsaurants. I did find a pair of boots for myself, though, so I guess I can't complain too much about the shopping.
- We flew out of Denver on Saturday. Our connection this time went through Charlotte. Our flight looked to be pretty full, so we decided to splurge and purchase the GoUpgrade to first class. What a great decision that was!The only problem is now I'm spoiled, so we'll have to save up more money before our next trip. Both flights home were fine, arriving on time with no problems.
All in all it was a great trip. We put over 1700 miles on the rental car (thank goodness for unlimited miles!). Having grown up in the south, it is always such an incredible experience to go back to Colorado, seeing such a different landscape. I think DW has fallen in love with it too.
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