Salida Colorado, we're on our way!!!

   / Salida Colorado, we're on our way!!! #1  

EddieWalker

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We've had to change our plans for vacation this year do to some changes that happened at the clinic my wife works at. Instead of the time off in the fall, she got a make up offer for an extra week in August. It's sort of short notice, so we've been searching for a place to take the kids that's not too far to drive, but has allot of things for them to see and do that we don't have here in Texas.

Colorado is a long days drive for us, or an easy two day drive. We've never been to Palo Duro Canyon near Amarillo, so we've booked a hotel for the night in Amarillo and will go see the musical put on at the outdoor stage in the park called Texas. We're kind of excited about the show and the BBQ before the show, and for a bonus, there is the canyon. They say it's the second largest canyon in the country!!

Then the next morning, we're going to drive to Salida Colorado for the week. I chose Salida because it's far enough into the mountains to be remote, but central to some of the sites we're interested in seeing.

Pikes Peak has a tram that goes to the top, which is high on Steph's list of things to see and do. I've always wanted to see the Royal Gorge, so that's another thing that we want to do. We're also a few hours from Utah and the Arches. We've been to Arches State Park, but remember that there was about a dozen different parks to see. The kids have never been there, so a day trip to one of them is also on the agenda. Then there are the ghost towns to explore and hopefully some wildlife sitings to take pictures of.

One of the secondary reasons for the trip is to get some really nice pictures for a calender that I want to create for clients. We have some pictures, but would really like a few more to finish it off. It's funny how many pictures that we take, but only a few come out that are really good. Steph bought a book that has been explaining allot of things to her about her camera, so that should help in getting a few really good pics.

With all that, my reason for the post is to ask for suggestions and ideas on what else in in the area. We're not the type to sit around and do nothing. If it's daylight out, we want to be out exploring and seeing new things. The kids are happy if they have something to climb on or swim in, so they are pretty easy. The rest is just all about exposing them to new things and developing in them the knowledge that if they want to go somewhere and do something, then they can. I grew up with allot of people that never left the state and never did the things that they dreamed about doing. Too many just don't realize how easy it is to do this and how much fun it is.

Places to eat, things to see, roads to drive and activities that are unique, interesting and impressed you are what I'm looking for. We have a list, but most of it is just stuff to keep us going and see new things.

Thank you,
Eddie
 
   / Salida Colorado, we're on our way!!! #2  
Eddie -

I don't know a thing about things to do in Colorado, but I do know a lot about people and their attitude towards life. I just wanted to say that I always enjoy your posts, and it is obvious that you and Steph approach life with the gusto and values that I admire... your children are very lucky to be growing up with such good direction. Enjoy your vacation... I look forward to the pictures I know you will be sharing!
 
   / Salida Colorado, we're on our way!!! #4  
Eddie - where do I start. We love Colorado and have been all over. From that location, one place I really enjoyed was South Park City museum up in Fairplay, about an hour northeast of Salida. Its a very authentic looking old west town / museum and very fun to look at.

If you want a beautiful and maybe even a little hairy high mountain drive take 24 north to Balltown and turn west on 82, go past twin resevoirs and up to independence pass. Wow! Go over and down and you will be at Aspen, but it can be slow going in spots. From your location I'd probably go up the pass, stop and play in the snow a little, and head back down the way you came.

The Pikes Peak drive is well worth the trip. I don't do it anymore because I frankly like to stay away from Colorado Springs and the mass of humanity, but you gotta do it if you haven't. Get ready to get a little light headed at the top at over 14,000 feet.

In the general area southwest of Colorado Springs is an old mining town of Cripple Creek which is interesting and we enjoyed a tour of the Mollie Kathleen gold mine, a vertical mine where you get on an elevator and go 1000 feet down in the ground.

Its a good idea staying in Salida to visit the attractions around Colorado Springs, Manitau Springs and Royal Gorge. Reason being Colorado Springs is a big city, very congested with people and traffic and not generally where you want to be on a mountain vacation. Royal Gorge scares the crap out of me, you will find it pretty crowded but probably a must see if you are that close. Another, much deeper canyon is Black Canyon of the Gunnison about 2.5 hours west, but there isn't a bridge across it.

Probably too far for a day trip is the Ouray/Silverton Area about 3+ hours west and south. The biggest attraction to me in that area is the AWESOME network of old staqecoach and mining routes that are now jeeping trails to the most unbelievable and HIGH scenery I have ever seen. We like to stay a few days in Ouray and rent Jeep Wranglers and it is a fabulous experience. Seeing old ghost towns and mining camps on those jeep trails, and driving the jeep over 13,000+ foot Imogene pass between Ouray and Telluride is a real experience.

The area around Grand Lake and Rocking Mountain National Park is one of my favorites also. We have stayed in and around Grand Lake summer and winter and gone skiing at Winter Park. Love it. Grand Lake summer is great, expect a high of 70 or less. But its 4+ hours away - save it for another trip.

We thought about going back to Ouray next month, but decided to just drive out to Red River, New Mexico and stay a few days. Its only about 10.5 hours from here and we expect highs around 75 and lows around 40. It was 103 here today.... Can't beat Colorado for mountains within a day or two drive of here though.
 
   / Salida Colorado, we're on our way!!! #5  
Sounds like a Great vacation Eddie . That was My parents favorite vacationing spot when I was a kid . Lots of places to see . as Others have mentioned. Also the garden of the gods, seven falls , Cheyenne mountain Zoo .

One I really enjoyed was rather odd But interesting was the May Natural History Museum in colorado springs . Natural History Museum in Colorado Springs- The John May . Also the Cliff dwellings near manitou springs .

Authentic Indian Cliff Dwellings, Manitou Springs, Colorado

Have a safe trip & dont forget the pic,s :D . Bob
 
   / Salida Colorado, we're on our way!!! #6  
Sounds like a good plan, Eddie. We took our daughter and grandson to the Palo Duro Canyon in 1994. The BBQ was nothing really special, but it was good. And the show was great!!

I've not ridden the tram at Pike's Peak; only rode my BMW motorcycle up it, but I'll bet the whole family will enjoy the tram ride. I visited the Royal Gorge on the same trip when I went up Pike's Peak; very interesting place and some beautiful country.
 
   / Salida Colorado, we're on our way!!! #7  
Eddie, check out the Flying "W" ranch. I've posted the link below, if it doesn't work just type it in.

www.flyingw.com
 
   / Salida Colorado, we're on our way!!! #8  
We also love Colorado. Our summer favorite place was Gunnison, Black Canyon, climbing the surounding mountains etc. Our kids favorite was white water rafting in Pines creek, Royal Gorge and Arkansas river.
 
   / Salida Colorado, we're on our way!!! #9  
Hey Eddie. Just wanted to welcome you to CO. We've been here for about 11 years now and have loved every minute of it.

I've never been to Salida, but I've been to most of the other places you mentioned. The Royal Gorge is definitely worth seeing. It's like a mini-amusement park with the bridge, inclined railway, wildlife area, sky coaster, tram, and the obligatory funnel cakes. The Royal Gorge is on the Arkansas River which has fantastic rafting. That would probably be pretty huge on your kids' lists. We've had good luck with this place, but you need to make reservations fairly early. Colorado River Rafting | Rafting in Colorado | River Rafting Colorado | Colorado Rafting | RoyalGorgeRafting.net

The Pikes Peak cog wheel railway is pretty cool, although a little expensive from what I recall. You basically ride up, wander around at the top enjoying the fantastic views, have a hot dog, and then ride back down.

You might also check out Mt Evans just off of I-70. At over 14,000' it's the highest paved roadway in North America. Drive up to the top and then have the kids go for a little run. Maybe not, that's just ornery.

Arches is cool, but it's a pretty good hike from the Salida area. That would add a bunch of extra driving to your trip.

Just don't forget that at altitude, the sun is very intense and can burn you quick. You might want to bring a hat. :p Also it's very dry here so pay attention to staying hydrated.

Shoot me a pm if there is anything I can do to help.
 
   / Salida Colorado, we're on our way!!! #10  
Well Eddie where do I start!? Anyway, both Palo Duro and Salida are great areas. By the way, my picture in my profile is of the Palo Duro Canyon. We went out a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it. It'll sneak up on you. You're driving along panhandle flat lands and then all of a sudden you're at the edge of it. We've not seen the Texas play. We went out and saw a play based on the life of Charles Goodnight who was the cattle ranch and traildrive pioneer who first ranched in the Palo Duro Canyon. If you're going up through the panhandle to get to Colorado, going by the Capulin volcano is a pretty good stop. It's E-S-E of Ratan, NM. Ratan Pass is where you start getting into some "real" mountains. I'm assuming here that your going up I-25? Salida is a great area. I'd recommend a half or all day whitewater rafting trip on the Arkansas river. Rafting the Royal Gorge might be a little rough for the yougins' but they have easier whitewater. Like you and others have mentioned, this is a pretty good spot to venture out from. Hey, sounds like this one is going to be as "busy" and fun filled as the California trip!!:D
Below are a few pics. The first are from Capulin Volcano looking North into SE Colorado. The last one is of the Palo Duro.
 

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