Originally Posted By sherrytodd I just discovered that I will have 4 days off over Fourth of July and my husband and son will be in Utah. I won't be able to join them in Utah since they are leaving the Wednesday before and I have to work those days and by the time I get there, they will already be on a multi-day backpack. I've decided to take a road trip; just me. I have no problems with driving long distances. I've thought of possible driving to Disneyland (I could be there in 14 hours), but I know the place will be an absolute zoo over the 4th of July weekend. Plus it might be nice to go somewhere I've never been. So I'm up for suggestions. I'll be leaving from Denver and don't mind driving 10 - 15 hours. I like museums, amusement parks, historic places and national parks. I'm not much into clubs, drinking or gambling. If I went to Vegas it would be to ride the roller coasters. So... It's the end of work on Friday June 30th. The car is packed, I've stocked up on the books on tape and I have a cooler full of sandwiches and Sobe Adrenaline Rush. Where should I go???
Originally Posted By friendofdd Just an easy days drive from Denver is southwest Colorado and the Four Corners area. Mesa Verde is a wonderful park and there is much to see and do in Telluride, Ouray, Silverton and Durango.
Originally Posted By gaydsnywitch How about Bryce and Zion national parks in Utah? I've never been there but they look like someplace that would be nice to visit. Or Monument Valley. Does it have to be a road trip? Have you done all the touristy things in Denver? Things like the zoo, the mint, what's that amusement park you guys have?, the Molly Brown house, the Capitol building, etc. I've only been to Denver a few times but I know I found lots to do.
Originally Posted By sherrytodd I've been to Mesa Verda a few times. Was in Ouray last summer. We've taking the Durango Silverton steam train a few times and have gotten off half way and done the backpack. Have been going to Bryce and Zion since I was a kid and have completed many of the technical slot canyons in Zion. Have season passes to the zoo, the museum, the aquarium and Elitch Gardens (the amusement park) here in Denver. Always take family to the Molly Brown house when they are visiting. I've covered much of the west, but haven't gone much east of Colorado. Hmmm.
Originally Posted By gaydsnywitch So I guess you've been to Yellowstone? How about Jackson Hole? Is Mount Rushmore within reach? I don't really have much knowledge about the places East of you. How about visiting TDG in Kentucky?
Originally Posted By friendofdd Thermopolis, WY may be a place you would enjoy. Or you could go to the Black Hills. Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse monument Deadwood, Jewel Cave, Rapid City. Lots to see and do. Breckenridge, CO for a few days can be quite nice, too.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip A few options: 1) Chicago (about 15 hour drive) My second-favorite city in the U.S. (after DC). Museum heaven. 2) Branson, MO (about 13 hour drive) The Ozarks are beautiful; food and lodging are inexpensive; the people are wonderfully friendly. The shows are pretty cheesy, but you have to go to a couple just to see what they are like. Silver Dollar City is a very well done theme park. It is not a huge "ride" park, but they do have a fair number of pretty nice ones. There are tons of shops (my wife loves the place) and interesting arts and crafts demonstrations (glass blowing, candy making, etc.). Customer service and cleanliness are up to Disney standards, if not slightly above. 3) Taos/Santa Fe/Albuquerque New Mexico (5 - 6&1/2 hour drive) I've never been, but the Travel Section of our Sunday paper last week had a major article about it. It sounded both gorgeous and interesting. My wife and I plan to go there in the near future. Have a good time, wherever you go! P.S. Road trips rock. ;-)
Originally Posted By sherrytodd LOL Yellowstone: Done it Mount Rushmore: Done it Thermopolis: Done it Black Hill: Been there Mt Rushmore, etc: Done it, plus have done a lot of exploration and conservation work for Jewel Cave and Wind Cave Breckenridge: Ski there several times a winter, plus we've backpacked all over that region. Taos: Used to go there to raft the Taos Box. I was thinking about Chicago. I've always wanted to hit the museums and the aquarium looks cool. Was also thinking of Albequerque and checking out Chaco Canyon and Bandelier. Oh and visiting TDG in Kentucky. My husband caught me playing with TDG in the playpen last night *blushes* in his alphabet thread so I don't think he will let me go visit him.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ LOL Sherrytodd! I go through the same thing when I want a roadtrip. I love my solo trips, too, and love the long drives. But I've been just about everywhere around CA many times. I'm always in a quandry about where to go.
Originally Posted By friendofdd Chaco Canyon is a wonderful place. Several miles of improved gravel road to get there. It is never crowded. If I remember correctly, they allow only so many hikers at a time to go to the various ruins. There is a campground adjacent to the visitors center. You reserve which hikes you want. I have often found myself completely alone on just a short hike of an hour or two. Taos is an interesting town and has an active Pueblo nearby. Lots to do in Albuquerque, but it is basically just a city. Santa Fe is nice but extremely pricey.
Originally Posted By sherrytodd I really want to see Chaco Canyon, but the biggest drawback to New Mexico is it is going to be HOT!!!! Not that I'll melt or anything. Still looking for more suggestions. Maybe I'll just get out a map of the US and throw a dart at it.
Originally Posted By friendofdd The New Mexico climate is similar to Denver in many ways. After all, Albuquerque is also a "mile high city". I would expect the temps at Chaco to be in the eighties most July Days. DW's parents lived in Albuerque for close to 30 years, so I've visited there many times. If you are into Indian culture, the Anasazi ruin sites are without parallel and there are many Pueblos that welcome visitors.
Originally Posted By gaydsnywitch How about Cedar Point in Sandusky Ohio? I hear it's a halfway decent amusment park. Although it'll probably be crazy crowded too. OK, what states are NOT within the 10-15 hour driving range? How about Carlsbad Caverns?
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Of course you could always come to Minneapolis. Moderate weather, great museums and theater, beautiful parks. Minneapolis is about a 13 hour drive from Denver.
Originally Posted By MomofPrincess <<Branson, MO (about 13 hour drive) The Ozarks are beautiful; food and lodging are inexpensive; the people are wonderfully friendly. The shows are pretty cheesy, but you have to go to a couple just to see what they are like. Silver Dollar City is a very well done theme park. It is not a huge "ride" park, but they do have a fair number of pretty nice ones. There are tons of shops (my wife loves the place) and interesting arts and crafts demonstrations (glass blowing, candy making, etc.). Customer service and cleanliness are up to Disney standards, if not slightly above.>> I second this!!! Love, love, LOVE Branson, MO! It's on our list of places to visit within the next couple of years, along with an all-incusive resort in Cancun!
Originally Posted By sherrytodd <<OK, what states are NOT within the 10-15 hour driving range?>> I can get to LA in 14 hours. I could get to Chicago. Couldn't make it to the Atlantic, but could probably get as far as Tennessee. I could get to Texas. I could go as far north as Montana and could probably cross over into Canada. Florida would be out of the question along with the east coast (unless there's some cheap airfare out there, haven't checked that, Hmmmm).
Originally Posted By AZDLDad West of Colorado Springs- Manitou Springs Green Mountain Falls (Splash Mountain) Garden of the Gods (Thunder Mtn scenery) Flying W Ranch (Billy Hill) <a href="http://www.flyingw.com/" target="_blank">http://www.flyingw.com/</a> Cripple Creek (Frontierland) <a href="http://www.cripple-creek.co.us/" target="_blank">http://www.cripple-creek.co.us /</a> Cripple Creek Narrow Gauge RR (DLRR) <a href="http://www.cripplecreekrailroad.com/" target="_blank">http://www.cripplecreekrailroa d.com/</a> Pikes Peak (Matterhorn) Royal Gorge (Golden Gate in DCA) <a href="http://www.royalgorgebridge.com/" target="_blank">http://www.royalgorgebridge.co m/</a>
Originally Posted By Ursula I'm thinking plane to WDW, and trying Priceline for a hotel in the area. Or same for DL!
Originally Posted By sherrytodd Ok guys nobody said this would be easy... I'm starting to realize just how much I've actually done LOL Manitou Springs - My in-laws live there. If you go to Cave of the Winds in Manitou Springs, in their little museum there is the official map of the cave and you'll see my name down at the bottom as I helped survey this cave. Green Mountain Falls - Quite lovely, but I know where there better Garden of the Gods - Used to go climbing there. Rode my bike through there when I did the MS150 Flying W Ranch - This place is super fun. Great band, right on par with Billy Hill Cripple Creek - Is ok, but not as great since gambling got there Cripple Creek Narrow Gauge RR - Cute little train, but the big-boys (Cumbres and Toltec RR and Durango and Silverton RR) put it to shame Pikes Peak - I've climbed too many of the other beautiful 14'er here in the state, that it breaks my heart to get to the top of this one and find a tacky gift shop. Royal Gorge - Never been over the bridge, but I stopped counting after I had white water rafted under it 100 times. I approximate that I've been under it about 150 times. It is one of the greatest stretches of white water!!
