Category Archives: Travel

A Virtual visit to Avon Colorado

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Carnac the Magnificent- Johnny Carson Show

Avon Colorado

Still working down my list I come to Avon Colorado. Since we still aren’t cleared for travel we’ll have to do another virtual excursion. Traveling to Avon will put you back in Vail country in the northeast corner of Colorado.  If we take a road trip it’s 106 miles by car west of Denver. Avon and Vail are only 15 minutes apart by car, about 8 miles. Before I go any further I can see skiing as a top activity for Avon, can’t you? 

What to do in Avon in Summer?

Rainbow Trout Benchmark Lake

A quick google search confirmed that Skiing is the sport of choice in winter  in Avon. Big Surprise there but what about a summer trip? Well being so close to Vail I could just repeat my post about Vail. There’s hiking and rafting but there’s also Benchmark Lake Reservoir. Benchmark Lake Reservoir and dam are just a few minutes from downtown Avon and are big draws for swimmers, kayakers, and sunbathers during the summer months.

The reservoir is also home to a variety of gamefish like bass, trout, and perch that make it a big attraction for regional anglers. Though the lake is often most crowded when it’s sunny and warm, fishing can be best when wind, clouds, and falling temperatures are present. So fishing anyone?

Warm weather suggestions for Avon, Co.

Like to play golf? EagleVail Golf Course was established in the ’70s and now features both a traditional 18-hole course as well as a 9-hole par three. The 9-hole course is perfect for those with limited time, because it’s common to finish a round in just a few hours, whereas the full-length course often takes more than four.

A suggestion for days when the weather isn’t cooperating is the Walking Mountains Science Center. The science center’s exhibits and programs are appropriate for toddlers and senior citizens; in addition to being entertaining and engaging, they’re also educational. From looking at the web page there seems to be a Nature Center included

Another  Rocky Mountain Lake is Nottingham Lake & Beach. For its convenience and plentiful activity options, Nottingham Lake & Beach are in a league of their own for outdoorsy types with limited time and modest vacation budgets. I love the budget minded part. 

The facility’s premier activities are swimming, fishing, sunbathing, and picnicking, but for those interested in getting more active and burning a few extra calories, there are pedal boats, kayaks, and paddleboards available to rent on-site.

If Avon is our choice

We’ll stay at Falcon Point Resort. Looks pretty nice. We can sit on the balcony and watch the Rocky Mountain sunset (or rise).

Falcon Point Resort, Avon Colorado

Up Next- Steamboat Springs Colorado

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Steamboat Springs, Colorado

Steamboat Springs, Colorado is next on the list of locations. This was actually the vacation I had scheduled when COVID hit.   Let’s see how it stacks up now that the resort list has expanded. When I chose Steamboat Springs it was because choices were very limited but I really wanted to visit Colorado and check that state off my list. As I researched my options back then I played John Denver‘s  Rocky Mountain High  for inspiration.

What’s Google have to say?

When researching these trips I rely heavily on Google searches. So what did I find about Steamboat springs? “Steamboat Springs is a city in northern Colorado’s Yampa Valley. It’s home to the Howelsen Hill ski area and the Steamboat ski resort. The latter has 6 peaks including Mount Werner. The city’s geothermal hot springs are said to have therapeutic properties. Near the city center, the long-standing Old Town Hot Springs is equipped with swimming and soaking pools, plus water slides”.

Plus when I hear the snow and ski reports Steamboat Springs is always mentioned – “Steamboat Springs got 27 inches of snow last night” The avalanche risk is….” No, skiing Steamboat Springs or anywhere in Colorado  is not on my bucket list although I will admit that those hot springs in winter fascinate me . What would it be like outside in freezing temps in a bathing suit and soaking in steaming water?

Up Next- Steamboat Springs Colorado

Unknown Photographer- downloaded from the web

Let’s go to a Rodeo

Downloaded from Publicity Material

Photo Downloaded from Publicity Material 2020

If we plan our vacation between mid-June and Mid-August we can go to a real pro rodeo. I’ve been to rodeo’s but is a real Western Rodeo the same as one of our eastern imitations? I’d love to see a “real” rodeo so I had planned that canceled vacation so that I could attend one. I’ll have to keep it in mind if Steamboat Springs is my choice this time. 

Unknown Photographer

What else is there to do in Summer?

If hot springs and rodeos aren’t your cup of tea other activities around Colorado Springs are hiking and Mountain biking. They say the scenery is breathtaking. You can go horseback riding and paddleboard on the lakes. Like waterfalls? You can take a picture of Fish Creek Falls.  
And that, my friends about sums up Summer in Steamboat Springs.

Durango Colorado

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Where’s Durango Colorado?

Durango’s on my places to visit in Colorado but where is it? 

Durango is a small city in southwestern Colorado, near the New Mexico border.

In Durango you can hop a ride on the 19th-century Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad steam train that passes mountains and canyons.  Nothing like a ride on a federally designated National Historic Landmark! The train from Durango to Silverton has run continuously since 1881, although it is now a tourist and heritage line hauling passengers, it is one of the few places in the US which has seen continuous use of steam locomotives.

web page- no photographer named

Already I’m liking this. I love taking rides on vintage trains. Sandy and I had a great time taking an 1880’s train ride through the Black Mountains of South Dakota. 

Mesa Verde National Park

If taking a scenic and historic train ride doesn’t get you excited maybe exploring ancient ruins in Mesa Verde National Park will catch your interest. The entrance to Mesa Verde National Park is located about 35 miles west of Durango. Once you enter the park, the first view of a cliff dwelling is 21 miles along a steep, narrow, and winding road.  Ranger led tours  are recommended for some of the ruins. You can purchase tickets in person  at the Durango Welcome Center as well as in the park.  Today the park protects nearly 5,000 known archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings.

web page- no photographer named

download from Web- no photographer ID’d

Rafting on the Animas

Maybe a rafting trip down the Animus river would be more to our liking. I went white water rafting in Canada on the Rive Rouge (Red River) when I was much younger. It was great fun but these days I’d be afraid of getting my camera wet. Even if we didn’t flip a raft the water splashing in the rapids would make it hard to keep equipment dry. Still maybe the rafting company provides souvenir photos? 

The Animus River offers class 3 rapids so they aren’t too bad. Maybe I’ll give this some more thought.

 

Wild West?

I also ran across a tour that might be interesting. Horsefly History Tours tells the tales of the Wild West and the characters and events that have shaped this town since it was founded in 1880. You’ll hear stories of gunfights, ghosts, “soiled doves” and madams, outlaws, and the town’s one and only legal hanging. That sounds like fun. After all, why go to the west if you don’t learn about the history?

Vail Colorado

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Funny but True

I planned to write about Vail, Colorado last week because that was next up on my Colorado list but the weekend got away from me. However I did hear a strange story that I just have to share before we “Dig in”. If you have ever been to Yellowstone you know those hot springs are very dangerous. Well I heard that a man was banned from Yellowstone for cooking chickens in the hot springs. Can you imagine? I’m not sure I’d want to eat anything cooked in one of those springs nor would I want to get that close! What do you think?

On to the Subject of the day

 

Vail, Colorado

Everyone has heard of Vail, Colorado. I bet the first thing that comes to mind is skiing and the second thing is the rich and famous. Vail is just a small town at the base of Vail Mountain  but the Ski Resort is massive.  Vail Ski Resort was founded in 1962 and the town came after in 1966. The area is known for its hotels,  dining, and for the numerous events the city hosts annually, such as the Vail Film Festival, Burton US Open, Vail Resorts Snow Days, and Bravo! Vail.

Ski Vail

Most visitors that come to Vail do so for the skiing . The Vail Ski Resort boasts 5,289 skiable acres, making it one of the largest single-mountain resorts in the country. Other nearby ski areas are up and coming due to their close proximity to Vail Resort. Vail skiing is said to be some of the best. Lots of pristine powder coupled with amazing views make Vail a ski capital of the world. But I don’t ski. I do like photography so if I were going to brave the cold it would be to see if I can capture an iconic ski photo.

Photo from web advertisement

What about Summer Visitors

Well summer activities also abound. This one caught my eye- hiking with a Llama. You can go hiking with a llama in Vail with Paragon Guides. According to their website, “Llamas have a curious, gentle and intelligent nature making them an ideal addition for your backcountry adventure.” Plus, they’ll carry your gear! Sounds like my kind of hike!

 

You’ve also got mountain streams to amuse you.

White water rafting tours abound in Vail in summer. Numbers Extreme Whitewater Rafting promises a white-knuckle ride for experienced rafters or fearless beginners. For something less intense, choose Browns Canyon Half Day Whitewater Rafting, suitable for most rafters including kids. For a truly relaxing ride, book the Lower Browns Canyon Midwater Float Trip, for which Viator says you can, “Pick up a paddle if you like, or simply relax and enjoy this fun and mellow river ride.”

Photo from web advertisement

 

I never knew there was so much to do in Vail in the summer!

 

Breckenridge, Colorado

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Breckenridge, Colorado

I’m going to take a quick look at each of the resorts/locations on my timeshare list for Colorado. I want to see if anything jumps out at me. So starting at the top of the list we have Breckenridge.

According to google Breckenridge, Colorado is a town at the base of the Rocky Mountains’ Tenmile Range. It’s known for its ski resort, year-round alpine activities and Gold Rush history. The Victorian core of this former mining town is preserved as the Breckenridge National Historic District, running primarily along Main Street, with colorfully painted buildings from the 1880s and ’90s housing shops, galleries and restaurants.

Breckenridge is 80 miles from Denver so close enough for a day trip. 

What to do in Breckenridge

I googled the top 15 things to do in Breckenridge to see if I should keep this on my possible list or eliminate it. It looks like there are a lot of hiking and mountain trails. You ca go rafting down the Colorado River and there are some small museums including a Sawmill and Narrow Gauge Train Museum. You can take a few driving tours to see the sights but I think I’d rather drive myself. I imagine mountain roads can get kind of twisty and that could cause motion sickness.  Obviously this is a beautiful area and in winter it’s a ski resort. I’m just not sure it’s what I’m looking for. 

The 10 Mile Range

The 10 mile range of the Rocky Mountains that tower over Breckenridge is part of the Mosquito Range. The Mosquito and 10 miles range are split by the Continental Divide. 

By David Herrera from Albuquerque, NM, Bernalillo – Mount Democrat, Mount Bross & Quandary PeakUploaded by PDTillman, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11540246

Interesting note, Pacific Tarn is the highest named lake in the United States and it can be found in the 10 Mile Range.

Wish I were 20 years younger

Oh I wish I were younger! I used to love hiking and exploring but my legs and knees just don’t hold up any more. I have to find vacation locations that are a little less strenuous. 

Taking a rafting trip is a possibility although I worry about my camera taking a dunking. It barely survived a good dousing in Hawaii! 

So is Breckenridge a keeper?

For all you ski folks and active “youngsters” this might be a good trip. I think it may be a bit much for my old bones.

One thing that I do like is that it’s only a day trip to Denver if I wanted to explore there. I think I’ll put Breckenridge on the back burner and continue exploring my list.