Tag Archives: Rocky Mountain National Park

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

 

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.

Winter Park Colorado

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Winter Park Colorado

I’m still counting down the resort options I have for  Colorado. Next up is Winter Park Colorado. Just by the name I’m betting it’s another ski resort. It’s a pretty familiar name too. I think It’s been in my choice list for awhile. Lets see what I can find out about a Winter Park Vacation. 

 

 

 

 

Summer In Winter Park, Colorado

It sounds like Winter Park is one ski town that has decided to embrace summer. The list seems endless. Toping the list is, of course, hiking. That seems to be a number one recreation at most of the resorts.  And why not?    Colorado is known for it’s beauty and majestic mountains.  But there sure seems to be more   than just hiking.  For example you could go flight seeing.  Aerial flight tours depart daily from Granby airport. Fly high above the valley floor to see the majestic Rocky Mountains, Continental Divide and numerous high alpine lakes.      

Maybe Ballooning?

Maybe small planes make you nervous? How about a scenic balloon ride. These look pretty popular. https://www.grandadventureballoon.com/  And the scenery looks breathtaking don’t you think?

 

 

 

Enjoy a taste of the West

Summer in the Rocky Mountains is Rodeo time and Winter Park carries on that tradition. Get a unique perspective on Western history and culture in the Rocky Mountains, and attend one of Winter Park’s signature Western events.

Whether your group includes young children or older adults, there’s plenty of fun and excitement to be had at the High Country Stampede Rodeo and the Middle Park Fair & Rodeo!

 

For the full experience, start in the late afternoon with mutton busting (little-want-to-be-cowboys kids riding sheep till they slip off), and then grab a delicious BBQ dinner before the main event. Roping cowboys, rodeo queens, bucking broncos and clowns—you won’t want to miss a thing.

Scenic drives

If the “Old West” doesn’t interest you maybe a scenic drive or two . You are only 37 miles from Rocky Mountain National Park where you can find  359 miles of trails, 150 high-alpine lakes, 60 species of mammals, more than 750 camping spots. Oh I wish I’d started traveling when I was younger!