Tag: Colorodo

Denver & Rocky Mountain NP

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The morning started off in Denver. Unfortunately due to another long day of travel we didn’t get to spend long here. We visited the Capitol Building and Union Station (I stocked up on coffee as massive lack of sleep is really catching up now..!) but it is definitely somewhere I would like to return to.

Just before we arrived in Rocky Mountain NP we stopped off in Estes Park, and finally got my first Subway (steak and cheese obvs)

Into Rocky Mountain NP and unfortunately the weather wasn’t on our side as large parts of the park were closed due to snow and ice (thank God for snow boots) what what we did manage to see (through the thick patchy fog) was beautiful. We were really lucky to see a large herd of Elk and to hear the Elk call. What a privilege to see these beautiful animals in their environment. Again another place I would love to revisit to properly explore (Colorodo I’m coming back for you!)

Another long journey and we have arrived in Cheyenne! Santa is already snoring 😴 so here’s to another night of no sleep!

TTFN x

Black Canyon to Denver

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Unfortunately not much to report on today as it was mostly travelling.

We did however spend a small amount of time (due to thick fog and not being able to see anything!!) in the Black Canyon of Gunnison. For the first time, I felt sick when looking down into the Canyon. Imagine the Empire State building; if you put that at the bottom of the Canyon it would only reach half way up. It was absolutely stunning when the fog eventually cleared and the photos really don’t do it justice, or show how deep it actually was! The fall colours were beautiful that surrounded the park.

After the Canyon we set off on the very long drive to Denver (thank God for iPlayer downloads and Safeway snacks) but the scenery was stunning, surrounded by the snow capped mountains.

TTFN x

SANTA’S SESH 🎅                                    Had an Oktoberfest beer, unsure of %  came with an orange, thought what the friggin hell is this! Got rid of it, tasted OK.

 

Durango to Silverton

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We started the morning off right.. In a proper American Diner with a massive pancake and a stupid amount of coffee refill.

Today was all about the Durango to Silverton railroad, climbing to just over 9000ft in a train that’s been running for the past 130 years. After a quick introduction by one of the conductors (who was the spitting image of On the Buses Blakey) we set off through the San Juan National Forest. I managed to spend the majority of the 3.5 hours journey in the open air cart so was able to fully take in the gorgeous views of the rivers, snow capped mountains and every single autumn colour on the spectrum. What more could you want! The photos really don’t do it justice at all.

After a tonne of cinders burning my eyeballs (anything to get good photos!) we arrived in Silverton. A typical mining town full of quirky shops and places to eat.

After a mooch around Silverton we headed to our destination for this evening – Montrose. A beautiful winding drive surrounded mountains and a abundance of trees (thought we saw a bear; unfortunately just wishful thinking as it was a massive shadow)

TTFN x

SANTA’S SESH 🎅                                      No brewery tonight, so he made up for it by having 4 pints of Samuel Adams.

Mesa Verde to Durango

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Poo hotel decided to give us a wake up call 2 hours early.. Not a happy ginger. Breakfast wasn’t as poo this morning, had some oatmeal after I managed to work out how the hell their microwave worked.

We set off for Mesa Verde and our guide decided it would be a good idea to play some Country music.. It was bearable until a 10 minute version of American Pie came on.. I can’t even tell you how close I was to getting the CD (actual dark ages!!) and frisbeeing it out the damn window.

Mesa Verde was totally different to any of the parks I’ve ever been to. Unfortunately we encountered rain and lightening and knowing what my current track record is for breaking technology, I didn’t get as many photos as I had hoped. The park is absolutely steaped in history and it’s amazing to think how these people lived all those years ago, and what they achieved with such little resources. The outskirts of the park also had an enormous amount of trees and seeing the changing colours really makes it feel like Fall (have to use proper terminology whilst I’m here!)

Arrived in Durango where we will spend the night before boarding the train to take us to Silverton. Had a quick browse round the museum but didn’t find a fat controller (except Santa)

TTFN x

SANTA’S SESH 🎅                                      We ate and drank in Steamworks Brewery tonight. Santa tried 2 beers…

1. Colorodo proud 5.6% crisp and hoppy.
2. Conductor 9.1% a nice sweet beer. Heavy in alcohol.. Lovely! Still can’t quite decide what is in this beer, probably dream about it later.

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