Our Latest Trip to Colorado
Our Latest Trip to Colorado
Let’s talk stunning Colorado!
We got back a week ago from our trip to this incredible state that included an exploration of Denver and the surrounding area, a night in Grand Junction, and several days in breathtaking Telluride. This was our fourth time to Denver, so we spent our first day of vacation hitting up a few new places and re-visiting some of our old favorites while also making time to meet up with friends. The main reason we were in Colorado was for our dear friends’ wedding so we decided to take advantage of the mid-week holiday and extend our stay for some much needed rest and relaxation.
We stayed in Interlocken for two nights for the wedding at the Omni. I decided to take advantage of the Mokara Spa on Thursday and relax by the pool between my massage and body wrap and it was blissful. Like many other women, I had been failing at making time for self-care and that day of relaxation is exactly what I needed. The wedding was at the Lyons Farmette and it was the most beautiful wedding I’d ever attended; it was what dreams are made of. The personalized details including bistro lighting, a vintage VW bus photo booth, a decked-out donkey and homebrews with custom labels made it one of the most memorable and special weddings.
After the wedding we made the long drive to Telluride with a one night stop in Grand Junction to break up the drive and grab dinner and beers with friends. The following morning, we made the last leg of the trip to Telluride and included two stops along the way. First stop was the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (more on that stop in next week’s blog). The second stop was to the cute city of Ouray, known for their hot springs and vapor cave. Unfortunately, we only had time to get lunch at the Ouray Brewery, which was delicious, but hope to make a longer visit someday to explore all Ouray has to offer.
Telluride had been on my list for a while and it did not disappoint. The mountains and the clear, turquoise blue lakes could lure any tourist. We enjoyed our stay at the Mountain Lodge and even more noteworthy, we had a blast while relishing the stunning views during the free gondola rides to downtown; the most common form of transportation. While in town for three days, we did a stand up paddle board (SUP) tour with BootDoctors on Priest Lake. Our guide, Sam, was great! He was willing to share his knowledge of the area and made sure everyone had a good time. We also took the steep, narrow County Road to the base of Brial Veil Falls; the tallest free-falling waterfall in Colorado at 365 feet in length. I would highly recommend you go see this beautiful waterfall but only if you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle. You can also bike or walk the road but we had finished a 12 mile hike the previous day and were feeling a little worn out.
That 12 mile hike was the Blue Lakes Trail and it was my favorite part of the entire trip. It is the most beautiful place I have ever been (so far). You can’t possibly know how blue water can possibly be until you’ve seen it in person. Set the mountains as a backdrop and you’ll be scraping your jaw off the floor; I did! This hike was also one of the most intense hikes I’d ever done and it took us 7 hours to complete the trail. We took many breaks for photos but also to catch our breath along the 6.2 miles out and back of this mostly incredibly steep trail. Many parts of the trail are entirely rock which makes it tricky coming down but if you want to enjoy the best the San Juan Mountains have to offer, it’s worth the effort. You will see fields of wildflowers, multiple waterfalls, three gorgeous alpine lake nestled in high basins near Mt. Sneffels, Dallas Peak and Gilpin Peak. Just remember to bring plenty of water, food and bug spray.
The historical town of Telluride is charming and filled with historic buildings. If you get a chance to dine there, make sure you check out Brown Dog Pizza, The Coffee Cowboy, the Butcher & the Baker, and Siam.
Have you visited Colorado? If not, you’re missing out and we can help you plan your visit.
Images by Personal Branding Maven Elise Kutt at Mod Bettie Portraits
My name is Anna VanAgtmael, and I am a certified yoga instructor with a passion for yoga, travel, and connecting with others.
I believe in trying everything once. My values lie in collecting memories over things. Though we desire adventure and authentic experiences, naturally our fear holds us back.
My ambition is to inspire and encourage you to unmask your fears and jump into the unknown.
Anna VanAgtmael | Yoga Enthusiast | Trip Planning Wizard