Oh Gretchen, I like The Fort. I just looked at the website and menu. It gets good reviews. It's a real possibility. I like all these suggestions because even if I don't make it to these places with my friend, I have until mid September in Colorado. I have a nice little list compiled.

sanderskn, I think you get me. Case Bonita is silly, that's for sure but even though I'm at ripe old retirement age I still like silliness. I've been reading the funniest articles about this place (cat food cans in the kitchen stories?? I think they are kidding) that have made me howl with laughter. I saw it just received historical landmark status in March. This place is a bona fide tourist mecca. The Molly Brown House neighborhood looks very promising too. So much to do, so little time.

I have been busy making restaurant lists. Santa Fe is driving me crazy, there are so many good possibilities. wtm004, The Pantry's menu is especially enticing. I keep changing my mind about what I will eat there. That is one I especially want to try.

Travelkitty, I looked up the USOTC tours. I hadn't really thought of that. I am extremely interested. It will have to be before Garden of The Gods but it said it takes only about an hour or two. I have known two Olympians, one a figure skater who grew up not far from me. I think we will just drive into the Air Force Academy, not take a tour. Again so much to do, so little time. My friend is not going to know what hit her.

I have really good news about my time in Colorado after my friend leaves. I will stay with my kids until July 6 when I will have a furnished apartment on a lake in Loveland until the end of August. I will be about 10 minutes away from my kids but not on top of them, nor they on top of me. I think it will save everyone's sanity. There is a 2.5 mile walking path around the lake. I am hoping to take a pottery class in Fort Collins, we'll see if I get in. I will probably be looking for other things to do around this area for the summer so keep the ideas flowing. I will be doing the Celestial Seasonings tour sometime for sure.

Again thank you to everyone posting on this thread. It has been fun. I am anxious to be done with work now. I am a pediatric nurse and in the past 2 weeks we have had really sad cases to care for. I am ready for the great Southwest.

oops, question I meant to ask.

When I was at RMNP the end of March it was winter jacket weather there (shorts weather in Fort Collins the same day). Do I tell my friend to bring a heavier jacket for Breckenridge and RMNP? We will be in Breck on June 8, RMNP probably June 10. She is flying back Southwest so she can check two bags for free. She would probably have room in her suitcase for a ski jacket if it sounds like she needs it.

Thanks.

Weather is difficult to plan. This year, for example, we had a very warm March/April, then the mountains (including Breck) were pummeled with lots of snow in the last few weeks. Keep an eye on the weather reports. Basic answer, bring layers, and maybe a warmer coat would be needed.

In Breck, all of the summer places will be open by the beginning of June. You could rent bikes there, and ride to Frisco and back. There's usually a bunch of activities at Peak 8, mini-golf, Alpine slide, bungee jump, maze, etc (that's where the gondola goes to). All sorts of hikes, though the higher altitudes will still probably have snow. There are historic walks through town, too.

For food, we mostly eat in, but I really like Park + Main; Mi Casa (nothing better on a warm sunny day than to sit on their back deck with a margarita); Empire Burger; Daylight Donut (I've only ever had their donuts, but they serve a full breakfast). I don't know anything about dining at the Lodge at Breckenridge, but it's probably the usual tourist-town food and prices.

Keep in mind the location of the Lodge; it's on a beautiful cliff above town. Not within walking distance from town at all. But I think there are some good hikes accessible from there.

I've never been to the Santa Cafe in Santa Fe. We've been to The Shed several times, and like it. Geronimo was good, but probably more expensive than Santa Cafe. On the more casual side, there's Maria's New Mexican Kitchen.

You should always plans on a long sleeve, light sweater, and a jacket preferably a rain jacket even on the the 4th of July. Mid day can be very nice, short sleeves but by late pm and evening it can get chilly. Most flatlanders under estimate how cool it can get in the mountains in the evening in the summer time. With the thin air, low humidity, it can cool off quickly.

If you want to go upscale in Breckenridge, we like Hearthstone & Relish. Also agree with Mi Casa & Empire Burgers. Both of the latter can be very busy so go early. The other two take reservations.

Don't overlook Frisco for some good restaurants and shopping nearby Breck.

I'm coming late to this discussion but DH and I have gone to Santa Fe yearly since the late 80's and here is a list of our favorite Santa Fe restaurants.

Andiamo! http://andiamosantafe.com/ neighborhood Italian—not pricy (for Santa Fe)

The Compound http://www.compoundrestaurant.com/ lunch—I love the chicken schnitzel—it’s expensive but a better deal at lunch—a beautiful building just off Canyon Road

La Boca http://www.labocasf.com/la-boca-~-santa-fe.html Bruschetta—with mushrooms, cream, egg, cheese and truffle oil—yum yum

San Francisco St Bar and Grill http://www.sanfranbargrill.com/ good burgers, great location at the corner of the plaza—upstairs

Anasazi Restaurant--http://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/inn-of-the-anasazi-santa-fe/dining/anasazi-restaurant-and-bar in the Inn of the Anasazi –half block off the north east corner of the plaza—good value for lunch

Santa Café--http://www.santacafe.com/ which you already mentioned—very good food, pricy for dinner, sit on the patio if you can—they do a very nice Sunday brunch

Zia Diner--http://www.ziadiner.com/ -- inexpensive lots of choices

Bouche Bistro http://www.bouchebistro.com/ beautiful French food in an unstuffy restaurant—

Izanami http://www.tenthousandwaves.com/RESTAURANT/ restaurant at 10,000 Waves – delicious Japanese cuisine (no seafood)--

Hope this is helpful.

Oh my goodness, everyone is so helpful. Thank You.

I want you all to know that I have looked at every single website of all restaurants mentioned. I am so
hungry right now!!

martyn, I want to go with you on your yearly trips!! You have great food tastes. The pictures on these websites!! Of course now I'm more confused than ever, too little time!!

lexma, you are lucky enough to live in Breckenridge?? wow.
I like your restaurant choices too. BetsyG, we probably won't go high scale in Breck, we will still be full from all that food in Santa Fe. I like the Empire Burger menu.

I need to look up Frisco, how close is it to Breckenridge?

My DIL is busy planning our time in Fort Collins. She wants us to go on a Foodie tour so she can come too. I am going to send my friend back to Illinois completely exhausted. Glad we have some hikes planned or she will be rolling back. My DIL wants to bring the kids to Breckenridge now. It looks like there's lots of kid friendly activities this summer.

Sassy_cat, Tent Rocks looks so beautiful. I read it's an easy hike for kids, so we should be able to handle it too. I hadn't looked up Bandolier. I need to plan a return trip to Santa Fe, for food and hikes.

Lastly, fmpden, we are flatlanders I guess. We live in the gently rolling hills of northern Illinois. We will soon see what "hills" really are. As I said, my friend has never seen the Rockies. I know the Rockies will exceed all expectations and then some that she has. Whenever I see these mountains I always think about the pioneers crossing them in covered wagons and early explorers seeing them for the first time. I am so in awe of those mountains.

It's me!! My trip is almost over now (sob). We are in the VRBO in Fort Collins right now. Today we are headed into Denver for the day. Tomorrow is Rocky Mountain National Park with lunch in Estes Park and Saturday my friend flies home. I needed to say thank you for all the suggestions here. We used so many of them. This trip has been greater than my wildest dreams!! So much fun, but now I will need a vacation from my vacation. I'm tired!!!

Have you heard of the Flat Stanley concept? We had a flat friend we brought with on the trip. She was a coworker who was (jokingly) whining because she hadn't been invited. My friend showed up with a little cardboard cutout of her -- well, her real picture of her head on a funny little body in a red tee shirt and blue biker shorts. It has been a hit everywhere we went, we have met so many people and gotten into really fun situations. A favorite picture was her with a mariachi band and another with the men's Olympic soccer team from Brazil. Our friends from home are following our trip and wait for our postings. We of course wait for their comments. We have all laughed so much. Someone posted they hope this trip never ends. My bank account however hopes it does. Lol.

I will try to post a trip report with more details. It might help others who are heading this way because we sure appreciated all the help from this forum. This country is insanely beautiful. We have loved all of it (well maybe not parts of Kansas and Oklahoma). Just when we think we have seen the most beautiful view, we see more stunning landscapes. A special thanks to those who suggested we visit Breckenridge. Blown away, we were just blown away!! And don't get me started about the fabulous food we have eaten. I see lots of exercise in my future!!

Sounds like you're having a great trip! Please do post a report.

Lee Ann

Glad to hear you're having fun!

There really are far too many stunning views but I think eating all that fabulous food helps ;)