A Colorado Adventure for the Ages
Imagine a world painted in gold. That’s what we found when we embarked on yet another Colorado adventure (we can’t stop visiting this playground of a state). Our journey began in Ouray, a charming mountain town often dubbed the “Switzerland of America.” Nestled amidst towering peaks, it was the perfect starting point for our epic road trip.
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Let’s Go!
Often when people think about a trip to Colorado, they think of Denver and the Front-Range. To be honest, many of our Colorado tours have revolved around this area. But this trip was different. We were on a mission: To see the 2023 solar eclipse in the southwest corner of the state.
The southwest corner of Colorado isn’t as easy to get to, which is why I think it has been able to keep it’s magical weirdness all this time despite the overcrowding and steady influx of tourists and residents seen throughout the rest of the state. To get to this region, you have two options: fly into Santa Fe, NM and drive a few hours, or fly into Denver, CO and drive a couple more…being the wanderlusters that we are, we opted to fly our crew into Denver for the promise of spectacular mountain scenery and the Million Dollar Highway.
Ouray, Colorado
Our first major pit stop on the trip was a little town called Ouray, dubbed (quite accurately) the Switzerland of America. With walking paths along the river, awe-inspiring peaks surrounding you, you feel like you just might want to stay forever… I highly recommend staying at The Timber Ridge Lodge. It’s on the edge of town and is within walking distance to the river and hot springs, has s’more packets and a complimentary hot beverage bar for everyone, and has extremely welcoming staff. On top of this there is a nightly campfire that visitors can enjoy (with their s’more pack of course) and a restaurant just around the corner that serves up a fantastic buffet style breakfast. I’m not talking large buffet building – I’m talking an old small log lodge with intimate seating where there is buzz of adventurers around you along with the smells of pancakes, sausage, and just about any traditional breakfast item you could want – homemade!
After waking the next day and enjoying our breakfast, we embarked on a journey along the legendary Million Dollar Highway. Honestly, the name doesn’t do it justice. Picture this: hairpin turns, sheer cliffs, and panoramic views that will leave you breathless. But the real magic happened when we timed our trip perfectly with peak aspen leaf change. The mountains were ablaze in a fiery golden hue, creating a scene straight out of a fairytale. To add a little extra magic to the drive, splurge on the dedicated “Million Dollar Highway” audio app by Storyteller Tours LLC. It uses GPS to track where you are and gives you turn offs and pertinent history along the drive – totally worth the small cost.
Durango, Colorado
Next up was Durango, a town with a rich history and a laid-back vibe. We wandered through its charming downtown, explored the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (a must-do!), and soaked up the local color. The town is an eclectic mix of individuals of all ages and walks of life. Nobody takes themselves too seriously here and they are incredibly welcoming to those of us passing through. It was this friendly vibe that brought us back for a 2 month stay during the ski season of 2024 – more on that to come! Side note: If you find yourself here during that particular time, DO NOT MISS OUT on a local event called SnowDown. It is amazing. You can thank me later.
Some of our favorite local shops here were: Durango Exchange, Maria’s Bookshop, Pine Needle Mountaineering, and Cream Bean Berry (for super delicious ice cream!). I don’t think we had a bad meal while we were there, so I would also list this spot as a foodie destination!
For the first part of our visit, we opted to stay at The Apple Orchard Inn. The location is absolutely charming. To get to your cabin (if you aren’t staying in the main house), you walk past a small creek/pond often frequented by a duck family as well as the resident chickens. The path leads you along apple trees to cottages/cabins named after a different type of apple. Breakfast is served every morning by the husband and wife team who currently run the location and often include apple delights on the menu ◡̈ Also a plus: it is on the same side of town as the Durango Hot Springs – an absolute must, especially at the end of a long day!! There are MANY different hot spring “pools” that are divided between the “family” side and the adult only side. On the family side, you are met with a giant pool that the kids will absolutely love to spend their hours jumping in. You can choose to join in, or you can stay in the hotter spring immediately adjacent to it. Beyond this is a bar where you can purchase both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages as well as food trucks. There are also several more springs, all kept to different degrees of hot along this side. The adult only side is much more intimate and even a little more private. As an aside, you don’t have to have kids to enjoy the family side ◡̈ The two sides are split by a large lawn, which often host local artists for live music entertainment. Seriously guys, come spend the day here!
If you are traveling with kiddos like we were, I highly recommend a hike along the Spud Lake Trail, especially if you can time it with the aspen leaf color change. This there-and-back hike is easy-moderate and ends at a lake where you can chill out with a picnic or just bask and skip rocks. It’s a great way to just get out there.
If horseback riding is your bag, I also highly recommend Over The Hill Outfitters. They paired us perfectly with their well behaved horses, were calm and kind with our kids, and had just a genuine laid back vibe. They took us along a beautiful trail with stream crossings, mild terrain and beautiful views.
If you want to get out on mountain bikes – this is the area to do it. Durango is an absolute playground for mountain bikers! Coming from a flatter state, I consider my skills to be intermediate at best and our kids to be beginner-intermediate. We opted to rent from Pedal to Peaks for the readily available kid bikes. These guys were again, super helpful and kind. I highly recommend them for your bike rental needs! I do have to admit to flying over the handlebars at one point and requiring an urgent care visit though haha – pic below!
And Finally…no trip to Durango would be complete without a stay at the Strater Hotel… I’ll let you do the research on this one, but spoiler…it’s a haunted hotel with a lively saloon!
Mesa Verde Solar Eclipse
And then, the grand finale of this trip: an annular solar eclipse in the setting of Mesa Verde. We found the perfect viewing spot, set up our solar glasses (don’t forget a solar lens for your phone!), and waited with bated breath. It was so incredibly cool to watch as the moon slowly covered the sun from the same view point that ancient pueblo Indians has also once stood/lived and to image what they must have thought when these natural phenomenon occurred! Watching our kids’ faces as they experienced this celestial wonder was priceless, and being able to teach them in the process – perfection.
In Conclusion…
This adventure was more than just a trip; it was a journey of discovery, family bonding, and unforgettable memories. From the breathtaking beauty of the Million Dollar Highway to the excitement of an eclipse, it was an experience we’ll never forget.
Adventure On My Friend,
Dr. Danielle Lindgren
