I'm back

[Mobuck]

from a week long visit to New Mexico & Colorado. Long trip but worthwhile. We met up with three of my Cousins in Taos and then headed north by way of the Great Sand Dunes to Buena Vista Co where younger Son and I worked in 2010. Taos was not that much fun with the crazy streets and road repairs. BV, CO has changed massively since I was there. Hundreds of houses built and a huge increase in the 'touristy' shops downtown was surprising. Took a side trip up to Twin Lakes and the hydro-electric plant and got a real shock. Much of the timbered area up around the 'forebay' (holding reservoir for the hydro plant) has been turned into a housing development. Probably 50+ houses under construction. GEEZ, if a wildfire hits that area, they're goners.
We rented a car for the trip-turned out to be a VW Jetta. I wouldn't buy one but after getting past it's yuppy gizmos, it was an OK ride. I hit 56MPG on the drive from Alamosa to Buena Vista which was and I wasn't babying it at all. Took one Cousin and Grouch Attack up to Monarch Pass but got caught in a rain storm which sort of dwindled the enthusiasm but still OK. Had some good visiting time with Cousins and headed home. Left BV about 6:30AM and got home 9:15PM.
This is the first time I ever drove 250 miles @ 80MPH w/o slowing for anything. Yee-Haw.

 

[codebreaker]

I need a road trip to some place cooler than OKC. Even if I just sit on a porch looking at mountains.

 

[Mobuck]

Twelve hours and 775 miles gets you to where I was. If you have a camper or tent, it's not terribly expensive once you get there. If you're of the desire, there are several 'pot shops' and dispensaries.
All sorts of yuppy gift shops, 'resale' shops, and such.

 

[the_leper_colony]

Just be careful what you have in the car - Colorado is a gun ban state, with a 15-rd mag capacity limit last I heard, although I think the Dems running the state passed more restrictions this year. On the plus side, you're not likely to get pulled over; the State Patrol became more or less invisible when they legalized dope (guess the state government didn't want them to discourage the drug tourism), and it seems like most Coloradans now drive 10+ mph over the limit. And thats the 'normal' drivers - I saw more than a few drivers who acted like they were on meth; the drug culture and insane drivers (90-100+ mph) were among the reasons we left years ago. We do go back now & again to visit friends, but we're careful when we do.

As always IMHO, FWIW, YMMV, etc.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

Mobuck, wish I had known you were going. I lived in Colorado in 1980 before I left for Alaska. Colorado Springs is a nice place with Garden of the Gods, a nice area with rock formations, then farther up the road was an old cattle ranch, that served dinner and had a music show after dinner. On the other side of the state is Glenwood Springs, and Aspen. Sometimes you can see elk on the mountains. Nice areas. Sounds like a good time.

 

[Mobuck]

BPJ, I (we) had a fairly specific itinerary and travel plan. Two of my female Cousins have recently become widows and one(whom I considered the Sister I never had) specifically wanted to visit the campground/resort where my blind Son did his parks and recreation internship. The Taos, NM stop was interesting (for them anyway) and a decent spot for a meeting place w/o being too far for them to drive from central Texas. The Sand Dunes National Park was a much bigger point of interest than I'd expected with everyone being amazed at the site. I'd heard about it from others who worked out there but hadn't taken the time to visit. I expect this will be the last long distance trip I take 'just to see the sights' as it just doesn't seem worth the hassle of tolerating the 'go fast' crowds both on the road and at the locations of interest.

 

[kentucky yeti]

Did you do the short walk at the Great Sand Dunes to Zapata Falls? I'll pass there on US 50 on my to Gunnison in 2 1/2 weeks. BTW- my drive takes right at 25 hours. The last 9 miles takes 2 hours and 10 minutes in 4wheel low.

 

[Mobuck]

I only walked from the main building to the edge of the actual dunes. The rest stayed in the shade along the edge of the arroyo. No way is my hip good enough to climb the dunes or even walk far in the loose sand.
We ate lunch in the shady picnic area, saw a few 'yard deer', and headed on up to Buena Vista.

 

[codebreaker]

You've got me thinking about going to Lake City, Co for a few days in September. 12 hour drive out is gonna be challenging but I like those Jeep trails around there.

 

[Wyandot Jim]

You've got me thinking about going to Lake City, Co for a few days in September. 12 hour drive out is gonna be challenging but I like those Jeep trails around there.

Yep, the Alpine loop is outstanding. We have spent a lot of time in Lake City, Crede, and South Fork.

 

[powder smoke]

I need a road trip to some place cooler than OKC. Even if I just sit on a porch looking at mountains.

Need a cold one for that!!

 

[dreamer]

Always liked the drive south from BV and the Collegiate Peaks