Author Topic: Tips for Road Trip to Colorado  (Read 6600 times)

Jess2014

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Tips for Road Trip to Colorado
« on: July 23, 2014, 10:39:10 AM »
Hi Everyone,

I've been busy of late but have finally got round to coming back to MMM and reading the all the sage advice (MMM entries and all the info you knowledgable folk post here)... 

I've noticed one striking thing since coming back - in 'not' being connected with MMM or a similar platform, it's amazing how quickly one can lose sight of being sensible with financial matters...  We still don't have any debt though so that's a good thing (well, we do now have a mortgage!)  Okay then, no other consumer debt... 

Anyway, moving on, hubby and I are thinking of taking a road trip to Colorado (we'll drive - Las Vegas to Colorado).  Car is a Honda Accord (comfortable and not 'too' heavy on gas - I hope!)  We'll probably leave the dogs (now 2!) in boarding as I think that will make the trip easier on us when we get there (to explore etc). We're looking at 4-5 days in August or September - when the weather is still lovely?  We'd like to take in the main cities and will probably have to check in 2 or 3 different hotels.  I'd also love to see Longmont where the man himself (MMM) lives - I saw some of his pictures posted here and it looks so picturesque (read 'green' - ahh, beautiful...)   

We are a long way from being perfect Mustachians (though I do try!)  That being the case, what tips would you fine folk offer in order to keep the costs down a tad?  Hubby's also talking about taking in a baseball game - any advice on that also would be much appreciated.

With many thanks - I'm grateful to anyone who has time to share their knowledge :)  And I hope I posted in the 'right' forum...

Jess

Grateful Stache

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Re: Tips for Road Trip to Colorado
« Reply #1 on: July 23, 2014, 10:48:19 AM »
I'd also love to see Longmont where the man himself (MMM) lives - I saw some of his pictures posted here and it looks so picturesque (read 'green' - ahh, beautiful...)   


I can assure you that Longmont is nothing special. If you are going north of Denver, Boulder is your best bet. Far more picturesque than Longmont, and much more to do.

Cheers.

scrnplyr

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Re: Tips for Road Trip to Colorado
« Reply #2 on: July 23, 2014, 11:04:19 AM »
Totally off topic non-sequitur but ALFRED E NEUMAN is a God.

; )

innkeeper77

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Re: Tips for Road Trip to Colorado
« Reply #3 on: July 23, 2014, 11:59:14 AM »
The cities in Colorado "near" denver (Littleton, Longmont, Boulder, etc, but nost of all, Denver itself) are almost all surprisingly green and full of trees- when I firt moved here (from the midwest) I was shocked, because it was completely the opposite of my usual experiences (Midwest: trees everywhere but the cities. Colorado: cities full of trees, but the area between the cities is dry and somewhat barren)

If you visit longmont, that is quite far from Denver, but you could incorporate boulder into that drive as well without too much added distance

If you go to Boulder, and you drink alchohol, check out Redstone Meadery, a local mead operation. It isn't in a touristy area, and my wife and I accidentally found it when we went to a bike shop near it, but their mead is delicious, and when we walked in (just to look around) the person inside told us to come on over, and we were presented with a free tasting of most of their lineup! (And it was much better than any mead I have had before) Note, it is slightly pricy- we ended up buying a $20 bottle because we would have felt bad otherwise (free tasting..) but we enjoyed it over the course of a week. (The bottle had a nice built in stopper)
- I am NOT affiliated with them in any way, and have only been there once. However, I felt it was worth it, since mead is delicious!

Don't forget sunscreen! You will be about 3000 feet higher than Las Vegas, and you will probably have at minimum a few hours of bright sun each day

Seeing natural and archaeological sites could be interesting for you. Red rocks etc are beautiful, and the Mesa Cliff dwellings are worth seeing- I remember them from when I saw them as a small child with my parents, and I want to revisit them with my wife as an adult. (They are 7 hours southwest of denver though)

jpo

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Re: Tips for Road Trip to Colorado
« Reply #4 on: July 23, 2014, 02:18:10 PM »
I was in Denver recently and had a blast hiking the Flatirons at Chautauqua: https://goo.gl/maps/7xhqu

innkeeper77

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Re: Tips for Road Trip to Colorado
« Reply #5 on: July 23, 2014, 02:24:13 PM »
Hiking here is indeed phenomenal. Have you considered camping? Last year when my now wife and I visited, we camped in Golden Canyon for a week for less than it would cost to spend at a hotel for a night.. it also gets you into the mountains and nature.

Jess2014

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Re: Tips for Road Trip to Colorado
« Reply #6 on: July 23, 2014, 05:58:57 PM »
Grateful Stache – duly noted, and thank you!  We’re not planning on staying in Longmont – I was just curious and if we can squeeze it in, we’ll probably do that.  But the bigger cities are where we’ll be focusing our trip.
 
Scrnplyr – I’m afraid I must plead ignorance – I’ve no idea who Alfred Neuman is…

Innkeeper77 – big thanks for a meaty (and helpful response) there, I really appreciate it :),  If Longmont proves too far from the big city, we ‘might’ not make it since the bigger cities with lots going on are what we’re looking to see – as well as the greenery…

Redstone Meadery definitely sounds worth a visit, if we make it to Boulder – I shall think of you if we get there, thank you for the tip.  The natural and archaeological sites would be right up ‘hubby’s’ street – we shall see what we can fit in…

JPO – I’ll take a look at Flatirons since hubby likes to hike (and I don’t mind too much :))  We did have some amazing hikes in Alaska and also Red Rock here in Las Vegas is pretty neat also. 

Innkeeper77 – I had to laugh at your last post – I think I would ‘die’ if I had to camp out – only because I am the world’s biggest wimp when it comes to creepy crawlies – but I do see your point on the cost and obviously camping is a great trip for many people – I think hubby might do it if I were up for it – I’m just not brave enough!!! 

Thanks everyone :) very much!

SnpKraklePhyz

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Re: Tips for Road Trip to Colorado
« Reply #7 on: July 23, 2014, 06:24:12 PM »
+1 for Boulder, Red Rocks and Mesa Cliff dwellings.  We did a two week tour of them a few years ago.

You might consider a yurt at a state park. I believe I stayed at Sylvan Lake State Park and Mancos State park - both using the yurt.

Otherwise consider Airbnb, vrbo or some other

Grateful Stache

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Re: Tips for Road Trip to Colorado
« Reply #8 on: July 24, 2014, 07:49:58 AM »
Totally off topic non-sequitur but ALFRED E NEUMAN is a God.

I look to for him for inspiration.

apfroggy0408

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Re: Tips for Road Trip to Colorado
« Reply #9 on: July 24, 2014, 08:14:41 AM »
Baseball games are extremely cheap, go to the teams MLB page and you can get tickets for two at any price range you're comfortable with.

GoCubsGo

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Re: Tips for Road Trip to Colorado
« Reply #10 on: July 24, 2014, 08:44:24 AM »
My family and I just roadtripped to Estes Park and hiked around Rocky Mountain National Park (we saw a few signs pointing to Longmont on the way up the mountain so it may be very close to Estes Park).  There were a lot of hotel options there and many seemed quite affordable.  We stayed at a pricier place but there were lots of inns and motels that looked really cute and were cheap.  Our place had a kitchen and a patio and grill which helped cut down on eating out costs (but was $225/night). The town was cute and vibrant at night.  I would wholeheartedly recommend Estes Park as a destination.  I been to Vail and Denver in the past and I think I like Estes Park the most.

Weskars

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Re: Tips for Road Trip to Colorado
« Reply #11 on: July 24, 2014, 10:32:27 AM »
I wholehearted agree with the plan to see a baseball game.  I'm from Colorado, and an avid Rockies fan.

A couple of suggestions on seats, depending on your tastes and time of day:

The Pavilion (Outfield, field level) is the best value per dollar.  Generally only $20/ea, depending on the opponent.  It's bleacher seating, but you have more room to move and get a great view of the field.  If you go to a day game, be sure to bring sunscreen, as there is no shade out there.  I have tickets out there for the August 17th game, at which the team will retire their first jersey, #17 for Todd Helton.

If you don't like the outfield, or want shade, your options are wholly dictated by your budget.  My only advice here is to avoid anything on the third deck.  The seats are cramped and angled oddly to 'point' you at the field.  I would suggest going up and looking around though.  During batting practice is a great time to sneak up there and sit in the 'Purple Row', which is at exactly 5280' above sea level. (ushers don't usually guard that level that early, unless you are at a sold-out game)

One of my personal favorite areas is Right field, just above the visitors bleachers.

Coors field is amazing, and definitely worth a look.  It's 20 years old, but they built it to last, and doesn't look a day over 10 :-)

Jess2014

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Re: Tips for Road Trip to Colorado
« Reply #12 on: July 26, 2014, 05:59:42 PM »
I just wanted to thank everyone for taking the time to give more tips and sage advice - i truly appreciate it.  I'm sorry I'm unable to capture everyone's name (as i prefer to do) since my pc is playing up and I'm typing this on the ipad (hubby's) and I'm not that great with apple!

On top of all that - vet has just told us our dog has a torn ACL - ugh!

Cheers everyone for all the good stuff on colorado :)

DK

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Re: Tips for Road Trip to Colorado
« Reply #13 on: July 26, 2014, 06:29:32 PM »
I was recently in Denver and area, a few things I did and/or wished I did:

Denver Zoo
Denver Science Musuem
Denver Botonical Gardens
Coors Brewery
New Belgium Brewery
Garden of the Gods
Pikes Peak
Cave of the Winds
Random Rocky mountain driving stopping at overlooks
Various breweries downtown denver
Denver Mint

Some stuff you need to make reservations for.

Jess2014

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Re: Tips for Road Trip to Colorado
« Reply #14 on: July 28, 2014, 04:37:44 PM »
DK, thanks for a great list - I will enjoy the Botanical Gardens and hubby will enjoy the breweries (he makes his own beer so this is right up his street!) 

Not sure about dates now - our dog is due for surgery this week (fingers crossed). 

If anyone else adds anything, I'll PM to say thank you so that this post doesn't keep bouncing to the top among the newer ones and become annoying to readers.

Huge thank you to everyone who chimed in here - I am very grateful,

Best wishes,

Jess

Threshkin

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Re: Tips for Road Trip to Colorado
« Reply #15 on: July 28, 2014, 05:02:03 PM »
On top of all that - vet has just told us our dog has a torn ACL - ugh!

I can sympathize with you on that injury!  Our dog had a torn ACL with significant displacement about two years ago.  We took her to the CSU Vet Center and wound up needing to have a TPLO done.  $4,000 spent, just like that.  It is a good thing we have reserves!  Recovery took 16 weeks.

Plus she is now taking Dasiquin daily.  The best price I have found for the nedication is Vet Depot (no affiliation)

kudy

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Re: Tips for Road Trip to Colorado
« Reply #16 on: July 28, 2014, 05:13:58 PM »
If you make it up to Fort Collins, stay near Old Town (there's some good deals on airbnb), rent a few bikes from the bike library, and hit up a few of the 12+ breweries/cideries/distilleries in the area! Old Town is also a fun place to walk around, especially on the weekend when there is often free music & street entertainment.

Hiking up Horsetooth Rock or paddle boarding on Horsetooth Reservoir can both be fun - there are also a pile of other hiking/camping areas very close by. A drive up the canyon to Estes Park is really easy and fun (with hiking/camping opportunities along the way).

NinetyFour

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Re: Tips for Road Trip to Colorado
« Reply #17 on: July 28, 2014, 06:55:23 PM »
I assume you will be driving into Colorado down around Cortez in the southwestern corner?  If so, you should for sure stop at Mesa Verde National Park.

Do you really want to go all the way to Denver?  They have lots of traffic and even smog up there!  In my very biased opinion, southwestern Colorado is the most beautiful part of the state!

Paul C.

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Re: Tips for Road Trip to Colorado
« Reply #18 on: July 29, 2014, 07:21:20 AM »
If you are going to be in the Longmont/Boulder area, I highly suggest that you drive an extra 45 minutes to Estes Park, and then head up to Rocky Mountain National Park.  The drive up Trail Ridge Road is something you should do if you're in the area; there is some great hiking and photo opportunities.  Grab some lunch or dinner in Estes Park and it'll be a great day!

Paul

MrsPotts

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Re: Tips for Road Trip to Colorado
« Reply #19 on: July 29, 2014, 09:42:07 AM »
Fort Collins is very cool, but I don't think I would drive all the way up there if I didn't have someone very special to visit.   I would go on Tripadvisor and  check out the Denver sites that interested me, visit Estes Park and RMNP, and maybe check out Boulder.  Longmont is truly nothing special to visit..it is just a town.

Also, I don't know what route you are taking, but I70 West is stunning, and you could see the Utah parks along that way...

Jess2014

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Re: Tips for Road Trip to Colorado
« Reply #20 on: July 29, 2014, 12:38:27 PM »
I said I wouldn't reply on this thread and instead would PM each new poster - but since so many of you have been kind enough to add even more helpful information - THANK YOU!  I'm overwhelmed by how generous you've all been in taking the time to add advice and great tips for our forthcoming trip.  Forgive me not sending PMs - since there were quite a few new posts added...

I'm not at my best.  My own dog is having surgery Thursday and having to give up the stray pup I found a month ago (he's going to a great foster home tomorrow) - to allow my pup time to heal from the ACL.  To all the non dog lovers I won't bore you but to those who do, this is bloody hard and I am struggling at the idea of giving him up.