Friday, August 01, 2008

Happy Colorado Day!

'Twas a mere 132 years ago that my new state became a new state and an official part of that newfangled country called The U S of A. So, what better way to celebrate than to pick up my best buddy from DIA and plot our week-long road trip around Colorado?

Gins and I have been planning this since January and amazingly, the day has finally arrived. We're going to head west on I-70 and than make a big loop - down to Durango and over to the Sand Dunes NP. Our first tourist function will be to ride the famous Georgetown Loop Railroad - something I've been wanting to do since I got here. And our first night will be spent in a yurt, atop a local peak called New York Mountain (elev: 11,200) just outside of Eagle. I can hardly wait!

We're going to be stopping in Montrose to visit the Colorado Yurt Company. Why? Because I've got QUESTIONS. Loads of 'em. Namely, can you get an Internet hook-up in a yurt? Where do you pee? Such are my concerns about yurt living. The more overpriced McMansions I see, the more I like the idea of scaling down. Most people think I am nuts, with the exception of Eric Shively, who I also hope to visit along the way.

I have no plans to take my computer along (Kath, I can hear you gasp from here!) so there will be no blog posting unless the Internet happens to cross my path by divine order. However, I am woefully behind on my guitar practicing so that will be the priority during downtime. I may even bring along my much-neglected travel journal and put a pen to paper - like they did back in olden times.

Colorado Fun Facts:

The cheeseburger was invented in Denver in 1935.

The highest paved road in North America is the Road to Mt. Evans off of I-70 from Idaho Springs. The Road climbs up to 14,258 Ft. above sea level.

Colorado means “colored red” and is known as the “Centennial State.”

Colfax Avenue in Denver is the longest continuous street in America.

Katherine Lee Bates wrote “America the Beautiful” after being inspired by the view from Pikes Peak.

The World's First Rodeo was held on July 4th, 1869 in Deer Trail.

Colorado has more microbreweries per capita than any other state.

For some bizarre reason, Colorado boasts the highest number of certified scuba divers than any other state.

Year after year, Colorado is determined to be America's leanest state. (Hence, my new running habit.)


So... get out there and explore your own backyard - adventures await! See ya'll in a week!

5 comments:

Kath said...

YAY for us Coloradans! And I am so so glad that you are now one of them/us.

Say hey to Eric and Senor and maybe Eric will let ya scam some of his wifi goodness.

Have fun yurt shopping. Yurts are way cool and way fun...I've been in several of them.

And most of all, drive safe, take pix, and come back with even more great stories to tell!

Steve said...

Thanks for this post! I've often done the loop as you've described, sans yurt, and I've come home tired but satisfied that I live in a beautiful, amazingly diverse state.

Despite my being a native and being big on Colorado history, I had no idea about the scuba divers, but I've actually tried scuba ...in Denver ...at a trade show! Ha! Well, I guess you had to be there.

Anyway, let me know about the ride on the Georgetown Loop. My readers on my ColoradoRailroads blog would be interested in your opinion!

Steve

Mrs.X said...

I look forward to all of your stories from your trip!

By the way, I've given you an award. Check out my blog!

Heather Clisby said...

Wow. I'm checking the Internet for the first time in days - in a Durango coffee house. Weird to be diconnected.

As expected, having a blast and the scenery is blowing my mind!

Kath: Will certainly say hi to Eric for you.

Steve: I have to check out your site. I am MAD about trains. Even my cell phone does a train whistle. I'm in Durango right now and am bummed I don't have enough time for the Durango-Silverton ride. Next time, I guess.

Mrs. X: Oh, man! You didn't have to do that! But I checked out all three of your blogs and didn't find it. I'll have to go back and look harder when I am not being charged by the minute. Thanks for reading, doll.

Heidi's heart said...

Heather, I don't think you're nuts. When you told me about the yurt idea, I was quite supportive. And I still am. Wishing you fun and insights on your road trip. Heidi