My New Tool- A Travel Map

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My Travel Map

I’m excited. I ran across a new way to keep track of the places I’ve been. A Travel Map! It was an impulse buy and I was prepared to hate it. I ordered it from a link on Facebook. Not the smartest thing to do but it looked really interesting. As followers of Aroundustyroads you know I periodically run through the states I been to and the ones I still need to visit. The original goal was to visit all 50 states. 

As my age has climbed and I repeat travels to my favorite states, Arizona, Nevada, Florida, Hawaii to name a few, the odds that I have enough travel years left to get to all of them  has started to work against me.  

I needed someway other than a list to keep me on track. I’m a visual person so a map seemed like a good idea, especially one I can update neatly.

The Travel Map 

On a website called thunderbunnylabs.com I found a framed map of the United States. There are other maps too but I’m concentrating on domestic travel right now. The borders of the states are raised and you add pictures from each trip.  They even provide a template for the photos and a link to Walgreens to print your pictures.  

The map came really fast. I had it in only a couple of days which certainly put my mind at ease. It wasn’t a scam. I was even happier when I opened the package and saw the map.  

Of course I had to start adding pictures right away. 

A Work in Progress

The nearest Walgreens is only half a mile away so getting the pictures printed is quick and easy. I’m finding the hard part is picking the pictures to use. Since I travel alone a lot I’m not often in pictures. I’m more likely to be behind the camera so I gave up trying to find a useable picture with me in it. Oh I have some but not enough for every state. Then I have to be sure the picture I select can be manipulated to fit in the state outline. So far I’ve added Washington State, Arizona, Florida, Maine and New York. I just sent off another batch of photos so I can add more. 

This is fun. It brings back memories and when I have all the pictures added I’ll be able to see where I still need to go at a glance. Pretty cool, huh!

 

Aspen Colorado

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Aspen Colorado

Now there’s a familiar name.  Hearing someone say they are going to Aspen is like hearing someone say they are going to Vail. We all know what they mean. This is what google has to say about Aspen: Aspen, in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, is a ski resort town and year-round destination for outdoor recreation. It’s also known for high-end restaurants and boutiques, ( read expensive $$$$) and landmarks like the Wheeler Opera House, built in 1889 during the area’s silver mining boom. The Wheeler-Stallard House is a local history museum set in a 19th-century, Queen Anne–style home, while the Aspen Art Museum displays contemporary artworks.

Google also says you should plan to spend around $235 per day on your vacation in Aspen, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, $68 on meals for one day and $45 on local transportation. Also, the average hotel price in Aspen for a couple is $271. 

I can cut off the hotel cost because I will be staying in my time share.

 

Speaking of Time Share- Which resort is an option?

There appear to be several options for Time Share resorts. The one I like the best is Shadow Mountain Lodge at Aspen. This is what Diamond Resorts has to say about it:

Along with a great location, the resort offers a heated outdoor pool/Jacuzzi and a sauna. From late November to early April, skiing is the undisputed favorite outdoor sport. Summer in Aspen brings hiking, Jeep tours, horseback riding, and biking. Lakes, rivers, and streams offer gold-medal fly fishing, boating, and white-water rafting. Aspen also has an18-hole golf course, several tennis courts, and many cultural activities.

We knew Skiing was the top activity but it’s nice to see the other summertime options as well. 

A possible Itinerary

So what might we do on a sunny, summer Saturday in Aspen? I located a suggested Saturday action plan

SUMMER SATURDAY

Saturdays in the summertime are always jam packed with fun! Start your day at the farmer’s market and finish it by showing off your billiards skills!

 

8 am – 10 am

Pick up a coffee from Spring Cafe and stroll through the Aspen Saturday Market. The freshest produce goes early in the morning, so don’t delay. Also for sale are a variety of homemade jewelry, crafts, and clothing.

11 am 

Head out to the Aspen Animal Shelter, just past the Airport Business Center (ABC), and borrow a dog to take on a walk with you on the Rio Grande Trail. Afterward, enjoy lunch at the ABC. Delicious eateries include Roxy’s Market, Franck Therion Café, and Louis Swiss Pastries.

2-3 pm

SUP Northstar Preserve. Rent a SUP from one of our local outfitters and then put in at the South Gate to float the flat water and take in the stunning scenery.

7 pm

Dine al fresco on one of Aspen’s many patios. Let the children play in the fountain or at the “tooth” park on the corner of Wagner Park, where you can find clowns offering balloon animals or face painting for added entertainment.

8:30 pm

Head over to Paradise Bakery for ice cream on the corner while listening to the Aspen Music Festival Student’s play.

10 pm

You can show off your billiards skills during a game of pool at Eric’s before heading over to Bootsy Bellows to dance the night away.

Not what I would expect from a Colorado vacation but I guess it fits with the Aspen Vibe.

 

Granby Colorado

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Good Morning Colorado Seekers

It’s finally starting to feel like spring here in southeastern Massachusetts. The mask mandate has been lifted for out door activities (small groups) and I’m fully vaccinated. Maybe I can shake this cave syndrome soon. I really need to get outside with the camera.  Of course getting myself out the door would be easier if my furry roommates would stop waking me up at unreasonable hours. At my age I can’t burn the candle at both ends!

As mandates and COVID restrictions fall around the country I am hoping that vacation will be back on my agenda for next year. I could probably go this year but will all the attractions I might want to see have opened back up? I would hate to spend that money getting there and then not be able to see many sights. Then there is the problem of the rental car shortage. I’m content with my decision to wait for 2022 before taking a travel vacation.  So let’s continue looking at Colorado for a future destination.

Granby Colorado

Next on the locations list is Granby Colorado. Granby is situated along U.S. Highway 40 in the Middle Park basin, and it is about 85 miles northwest of Denver and 14 miles southwest of Rocky Mountain National Park. Founded in 1905, the sleepy mountain town of Granby, Colorado is quickly gaining popularity as the “in” destination any time of year for vacationers with its friendly atmosphere, ideal location and climate, and close proximity to Denver.

Sapphire Resorts, Granby Co

Granby offers the ultimate Colorado Rocky Mountain experience. Here you’ll find miles of trails to traverse, rivers to fish, lakes to play in, mountains to ski, and golf courses with the most beautiful views. Not to mention Main Street, which boasts lots of restaurants and shopping options.

Places to go & Things to Do in Granby

How about a Rodeo? Granby has it’s own western rodeo .

 

Granby’s yearly summertime rodeo takes place at the Flying Heels Arena, south of town. A great event for the entire family, there’s always bull riding, roping, barrel racing, games for the kids, and more. Kids can even sign up to compete in mutton busting!

 

The Junior Rodeo starts in the afternoon, followed by the Open Rodeo in the evenings. Concessions are available so bring your appetite and help the Granby Rotary raise funds for local community programs.

Just down the road from Granby in the nearby town of Fraser, check out the High Country Stampede Rodeo. Remember Fraser? We chatted about Fraser a couple of posts ago.

Of course with Rocky Mountain National Park so close there’s hiking, horseback riding, hot air ballooning,  rafting and scenic drives. 

You get culture and entertainment with quick trip into Denver. 

A 5 Day Summer Plan

If you go I found a possible 5 day summer itinerary.

  •  Scenic Drive- acclimate to altitude- Day 1
  •  Western experience-  horseback ride and rodeo- Day 2
  • Outdoor adventure- bike or hike- Day 3
  •  Rocky Mountain Memories- Hike to Adams Falls, Visit Grand Lake- Day 4
  •  Get wet- Boating and white water rafting- Day 5

 

Road trippin’ Rhode Island

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Rhode Island Road Trip

Taking a break from my virtual exploration of Colorado, I took advantage of a sunny, warm spring day in New England by taking a little road trip to Rhode Island.  My friend Joe, a professional photographer from Florida, was visiting for a couple of days so we didn’t want to waste a beautiful day inside. I remembered reading about a field of daffodils in Rhode Island. That would be perfect for a spring day. A google search revealed Blithewold, mansions , gardens and Arboretum. After a quick breakfast at IHOP we piled into the car and headed off to Rhode Island. 

 

 

You wanted Daffodils

Blithewold Mansion is located in Bristol Rhode Island right near Roger Williams University. It was really easy to find and only about a 30 minute drive from my home in Taunton , MA.  Right next to the parking area was a wildflower garden filled with tulips and flowering tress and shrubs. A stone arch completed the tranquil setting. 

Tulip Gardens

Stone Arch

Blithewold Mansion

Just past the Tulip Garden was a white gravel drive that led to the Blithewold Mansion itself. Unfortunately we would learn that it was daffodils or the Mansion. The Mansion is closed in April and May. The daffodils bloom in April. So if you plan to visit you won’t get both daffodils and a mansion tour.  We watched a small wedding take place in a tiny garden next to the mansion with views looking over Narragansett Bay. Beyond the tiny manicured garden were the first of the daffodil fields. You’ll find benches placed at strategic places along all of the trails.

field of daffodils

 

Daffodils seem to spill between the trees

The Trail by the Bay

After taking a break by a potting shed, we explored a dirt road that just begged us to wander. It made me think of Robert Frost’s The Road Less traveled. It was a lovely walk. There was a stone and water garden that had not been opened for the season yet but Joe took a peak. He said it was very pretty. The path took us along Narragansett Bay. All in all there are 33 acres of gardens and trees to wander and explore. We only spent a couple of hours but it was time well spent. If you like nature and gentle strolls along the ocean, I highly recommend a visit to Blithewold. 

Shore Walk

Estes Park Colorado

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From Diamond Resorts Destination Page

Estes Park Colorado

Good Morning Travel friends! Sorry I missed last weekend. It was just a busy 2 days. I’m one step closer to being travel ready. I got my first COVID shot. 2nd one coming up this week. I hear we will need a booster every year!

 

Well let’s get back to vetting Colorado locations, shall we? How about Estes Park next? That’s a familiar name. I think Estes Park is a fairly well known destination. I also think it’s a winter destination known for skiing. But just wait til you hear what the web has to say. Might as well start there.

Google for Estes Park

 

Photo from Wikipedia

Estes Park is a town in northern Colorado. Located as a base for the Rocky Mountain National Park, it’s home to wildlife including elk and bears, plus miles of trails. The park’s Trail Ridge Road winds past craggy peaks, forests and tundra. Nearby are the wilderness areas of Roosevelt National Forest. The Estes Park Aerial Tramway connects the town to the summit of Prospect Mountain for views over the valley. ― Google

Estes Park in Summer

Estes Park is a popular winter vacation destination but what can we do in the summer. Turns out, quite a lot. I found a link marked Extreme Estes Park from Trip Advisor. Loaded with hiking and private tours; looks like lots of adventures waiting.  There’s a Rocky Mountain Jeep tour. (Jeep tours are always fun) . I like the sound of the Evening Wildlife tour in Rock Mountain National Park. It has 5 stars! Nearly every Summer Safari they see Moose cows and sometimes bulls, Elk bulls and cow herds with calves, Mule Deer, Bighorn Sheep on the distant mountains through the spotting scope, Yellow-bellied Marmots, American Pika, and a number of small cute critters only found in the Rockies like Least Chipmunk, Ground Squirrels, many different birds and some hawk & eagles.

Of course being a photography nut this tour caught my eye: Evening Private Wildlife Safari in RMNP
Here’s the description-For the Landscape option we can shot Sunrise at an Subalpine Lake, on the Tundra, or along the river of a Mountain Meadow. Wildlife like Moose, Elk, Mule Deer, Marmots, Pika, and on lucky days Bighorn Sheep can be captured. 

All guests have access to our arsenal of Nikon pro cameras and lens like the D810 and 600mm lens.

 I’ll need more than 1 trip to see everything I want to see.