Colorado in May 07

[mike-munich]

Gentlemen,

my wife and I will be travelling to Colorado in May 2007. We will fly into Denver on 05/05/07, returning to Germany on 5/27/07.

I´m not very familiar with CO., just what the guys from 10th in Bad Tölz told me (and that got me interested a long time ago). I´ve been back to the US several times, but never made it to the Rockies.

Can you give me any hints on what to do, what do see, places I shouldn´t miss (is there a museum at Ft. Carson, like the museum at Ft. Bragg I´ve been to ?).

Any input is welcome. Thank you very much in advance. I´m willing to buy a beer or two and talk about old times in Tölz once we get to the AO.

Mike

[Sdiver]

Naaaa....there's nothing to do here in Colorado. Those pictures you see of "Mountains", are all photo shopped. It's as flat as a dead mans EKG....

Are you going to be staying down in the Springs at Carson, or are you going to be here in Denver?

There's all kinds of stuff to do and see. Whatcha looking for?

I might be able to point a few things for ya, as well as Firebeef and Col Lawman.

[mike-munich]

Those pictures you see of "Mountains", are all photo shopped

Affirmative ! They do the same thing here with the Alps.

We are flying into DEN, pick up the rental car and then we are pretty much free. Planning on driving around the State and check things out. Since we gonna be there for three weeks, I might take the chance and drive to Yellowstone NP...

I´m interested in cars and guns, my wife is a horseback rider. So I was thinking about carshow, gunshow and maybe a couple of days on a ranch, horsebackriding. I wonder if Carson has a museum like Bragg has (82nd Abn. Museum and the ASOM).

[CoLawman]

Mike,

With three weeks you could plot out a trip through Colorado that would rival the "Romantisch Strasse".

1. Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park (Two Days at least)

Stuff Near Colorado Springs and Fort Carson:
2. Garden of the Gods
3. Mesa Verde
4. Grand Canyon

Other Things that would make my list:

5. Narrow Gauge Railroad
6. Mining Towns: Telluride, Central City (has casinos) Silverton, Durango

Ski Areas: (With Spring/Summer Activities)

7. Summit County. Keystone, Breckenridge, Aspen, Vail all within 2 hours of each other. Glenwood Springs to end the day with excellent Italian Food and a soak in the Hot Springs Pool.

Best museum in Colorado:

Museum of Natural History.

Best Metropolitan Area for Shopping:

Denver

Do your horseback riding in the mountains. YOu will not need to pay the exorbitant prices of a dude ranch. You can even go on rides with cookouts, at reasonable prices.

Yellowstone is quite the drive, been there and done that and would give it a "C" comparing it to miles driven per attraction.

Mount Rushmore is a shorter drive, but that is about all there is, other than you get to drive through the Black Hills. You could stop in Deadwood!

Gun Show:

http://www.cgca.com/AnnualGunShow.htm

Fort Carson Museum:

Check with Razor or Firebeef. But I believe there is no match to the Museum in Fayetteville.

[mike-munich]

CoLawman,

I appreciate the information ! I´m sure there are many trips through the US of A that would match the Romantische Strasse and other dreamroads (Hwy 101 in California was a highlight 3 years ago !).

Ever since I heard that country song I wanted to visit Telluride. Well, this is my chance.

Is there still skiing in Vail in early May ? I might give that a try. Haven´t skied in years, but I guess it´s like riding a bicycle, you never forget how to. I remember that the Winter Olympics were in Vail once.

The Museum of Natural History is a must for me, as much as shopping in the Denver metro area is a must for the wife.

As for the horseback riding part: We are both experienced riders, so a dude ranch wouldn´t be much fun anyway. Maybe we can find a place in the mountains that rents out horses for a reasonable price. If you have a lead, let me know.

Thanks, looks like I´m there for the Gun show. Perfect timing.

We´ll see about Yellowstone NP. If you give it a "C" it´s probably not worth it. After all it´s 600 mls. one way... I´d love to ride the Black Hills with my motorcycle, driving it with the rental car is probably not quite as spectacular.

Do you care about a Bavarian State Police Patch and insignia ? I´d bring you some to thank you for the hints you gave me.

Stay safe,

Mike

[CoLawman]

Mike,

Unfortunately the ski resorts will be closed by April 15th.

I forgot to mention that the trip from Denver to Glenwood Springs along I-70 is a must drive. You can stop by and see Buffalo Bill Museum on Lookout Mountain. A really nice museum including lots and lots of guns! It is the site of his grave as well. Some famous woman poet is buried there as well, can't remember her name!

You will get to go through Eisenhower tunnel (mile long) and an amazing piece of engineering. You will pass through Summit County and on to Vail. Aspen is close. Shopping in Vail and Aspen is all upper end stuff like Gucci, Versaci etc. After Vail you head to Glenwood Canyon on one of the most beautiful highways in the United States. Not to mention historically it was the last section of the Eisenhower Interstate system to be completed. Stop in Glenwood Canyon and hike up to Hanging Lake. Due to you coming from sea level it will be a workout but it won't kill you. Your wife will thank you for taking her on this hike. Should be just about warm enough to play in the waterfalls.

http://www.mesalek.com/colo/glenwood/index.html

Then onto Glenwood Springs. Well worth the trip. This trip will take you a day with stops. Stay anywhere along the route to make it a two day trip so you can enjoy the mountain towns and the scenery.

Not familiar with the horses. I do know that most riding stables have "trail" horses that just follow the tail in front of them. I am sure there are riding stables that give you free rein with your horse with a guide.

I can always use patches from Germany! I will donate them to our departments worldwide collection.

These are just my opinions and am sure you will find that other Coloradoans on this site will have just as good recommendations. Razor and Firebeef know Colorado Springs alot better than I. And Sdiver knows more about the mountains than I. In fact he probably can tell you about "South Park" which I know very little about. Heck, and highway in the Rockies is beautiful and you will find plenty of trailheads along the pavement to get the heart pounding.

While in Colorado Springs you could make the drive up Pikes Peak, I think! Check with Razor on that one, considering the time of year. Wouldn't want you four wheeling down the mountain.

[beedlesw]

The only museum I know of on Carson is the 3rd ACR museum, but I've never ever seen that open once since I've been here. Fort Carson does however have it's own ranch type thing at turkey creek.

I don't know if Pikes Peak will be open all the way, I took my sister-in-law up it last year around the same time, and the top part of the peak was closed to traffic, but it was still a pretty drive up to that point, and you can Check Out Garden of the gods and in Manitou Springs they have railroad trips through Royal Gorge, which is this huge Gorge with a big suspension bridge, which is pretty cool to see too. For guns specialty sports in Colorado Springs is pretty cool, but this guy is who you need to check out, he's got some pretty crazy stuff up there, and one of the better ranges around. And, if you purchase a weapon you get a free range day. If you have any questions about stuff feel free to PM me.

[mike-munich]

CoLawman,

wow, I´m impressed. That´s alot of info. I just printed that out to add to my "to do" list for the trip.

As for the thin air, we are at 2600 feet here, so it won´t kill me. The 10th Group guys here know the deal.

Well, too bad as far as the skiing is concerned. We have to focus on the summer activities then (the hiking and the horses).

You are right, the grave of Mr. Cody is a must. We´ll pay our respect there.

When the time comes closer I´ll PM you my cellphone number (I have a US cellphone), so we can arrange for the German Police stuff to get to you. I have some hard to get collectibles for your Depts. collection (Bavarian Police Helicopter Squadron Patch, almost impossible to get).

Yes, Pikes Peak is on my list too. 4wheeling down the mountain ? Hmm, maybe I should change my reservations with Hertz from a Mustang to a 4x4.

Looking forward on Razors and Firebeefs inputs.

Thanks again ! Stay safe, stay low,

Mike

[mike-munich]

beedlesw,

thanks a bunch ! I think that the Turkey Creek Ranch is for ID card holders only, since it´s a MWR operation.

Garden of the Gods and Manitou Springs are on my list too.

The Dragonman looks crazy ! Crazy enough to pay him a visit and check out his crazy stuff. I´m just afraid I can´t buy his stuff, German customs would probably have a slight problem with a 50 cal. mounted on a 4x4.

When the time comes closer I´m sure I come up with more questions. Thanks for your offer, I´ll PM ya !

Stay safe,

Mike

[MtnGoat]

Mike,

I can't remember what the place is called, Razor a little help here, but in Col Springs there is this place that is all done in an old west style Stage couch supper and show. They have a Mini “cowboy” village, Indian teepees, an old mining camp, etc. You show up early, like 1-2 hours, then at or around sunset they have dinner serviced and they do an old West stage show. I would take any of my relativities to this when they would visit. My Wives family just loved it. Something very different.

There is also the Pro Rodeo Hall a Fame right off I-25, I think its along the same road that leads up to the valley that the Stage couch supper place. Okey, to me if thats your thing.

In Manitou Springs there is also a stage couch restaurant, it’s a big old red building and there is a Christmas village named the North Pole. That’s were we would go to get our Christmas cards sent from, because they would post mark them with the North Pole. North Pole is “Cheesy”place, but it’s something thing to see and fun for a time or two.

BTW Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park. To me I would plan 3-6 days there. It you and your family like the outdoors, its a big park and a lot to see. I had to go 4 different time to see the whole park. The have great camp sites and you can horse back ride for a half to full day rides within the park. GREAT TIME and worth the $$$. You can go to National Parks Web site at NPG just look up Rocky Mountain National Park.

Have fun next year, a lot to see and many road to travel.

[HalveBlue]

Just to chime in, if you're in the Colorado Springs area the mountain drives are beautiful. Even more so if you're not bent on seeing the tourist traps but can appreciate it for what it is, a drive through some lovely scenery. I believe you can make a nice little loop from Colorado Springs up to Pikes Peak, on to Cripple Creek, and then down through the mountains back into Colorado Springs.

One note about Pikes Peak: when I came to Fort Carson in early-middle April, Pikes Peak was still closed. Depending on when you get down to the CS area it may or may not be closed. Seeing your interest in cars, if you came a little later you'd have a chance to catch the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb.

Just west of CS you have the Manitou Cliff Dwellings which recreate the homes of the Anasazi.

South of Colorado Springs (about 60-90 minute drive) is Royal Gorge, home to the highest suspension bridge in the world (more of a tourist trap than anything, but it may float your boat). Also, the "Cowboy Village" that was mentioned earlier is right before the bridge.

Then, of course, the northern part of CS is home to the Air Force Academy which is pretty neat.

Last, but not least, you can drive by the supermax prison, ADX Florence, located in Florence, CO, and home to such lovely characters as Omar Abdel-Rahman, Ramzi Yousef, and Richard Reid.

For more urban oriented excitement, such as restaurants and museums, you're better off sticking to Denver.

Good luck and enjoy your trip!

[Sdiver]

Yep, not that much to see or do here, in Colorado.

[Razor]

I wouldn't really bother with the 3ACR museum unless you're really into cavalary stuff (sorry Cav guys; you can hide your tears with your stetsons). As has been mentioned 'roundabout, the Royal Gorge is not in Manitou Springs, but a little less than an hour south of Colorado Springs (COS). The cowboy supper thing MtnGoat mentioned is the Flying W Ranch (flyingw.com). The displays on hand are ok, but the supper is good (stylized cowboy grub served on "tin" plates and cups), the entertainment after is fun, and the atmosphere is relaxing if not a bit cramped (each meal has around 1000 people).

Pikes Peak will be hit or miss in May, depending on if the snow has melted off the road. You can either drive, or take the cog railway that starts in Manitou.

I also recommend the drive through Rocky Mtn National Park. Its beautiful any time of year, and not that far if you base out of Denver.

There are public mineral hot springs to swim/soak in at Glenwood Springs; its worth the stop.

To see the wide variety of landscape in CO, I'd start a drive in COS (look east to see the plains), drive up Highway 24 into the foothills, continue into the wide "parks", hook south towards Highway 50 and Gunnison/the Continental Divide, continue west to Montrose to see the high plains, then head south-southwest through the mesas to the southwest corner of the state, the only place in the US where four states share a common boundary point. This is a comfortable 3-4 day trip, and you can modify it to hit Teluride and Ouray pretty easily.

If you're into the Olympics, one of the US Olympic Training Centers is in COS. They have a nice tour of the facility, and sometimes you can see athletes training for wrestling, judo, volleyball, cycling and most of the shooting sports.

I'm sure I'll think of more things to do later, so I'll post as they come to me.

[Kyobanim]

Originally Posted by Razor

I wouldn't really bother with the 3ACR museum unless you're really into cavalary stuff (sorry Cav guys; you can hide your tears with your stetsons). As has been mentioned 'roundabout, the Royal Gorge is not in Manitou Springs, but a little less than an hour south of Colorado Springs (COS). The cowboy supper thing MtnGoat mentioned is the Flying W Ranch (flyingw.com). The displays on hand are ok, but the supper is good (stylized cowboy grub served on "tin" plates and cups), the entertainment after is fun, and the atmosphere is relaxing if not a bit cramped (each meal has around 1000 people).

Pikes Peak will be hit or miss in May, depending on if the snow has melted off the road. You can either drive, or take the cog railway that starts in Manitou.

I also recommend the drive through Rocky Mtn National Park. Its beautiful any time of year, and not that far if you base out of Denver.

There are public mineral hot springs to swim/soak in at Glenwood Springs; its worth the stop.

To see the wide variety of landscape in CO, I'd start a drive in COS (look east to see the plains), drive up Highway 24 into the foothills, continue into the wide "parks", hook south towards Highway 50 and Gunnison/the Continental Divide, continue west to Montrose to see the high plains, then head south-southwest through the mesas to the southwest corner of the state, the only place in the US where four states share a common boundary point. This is a comfortable 3-4 day trip, and you can modify it to hit Teluride and Ouray pretty easily.

If you're into the Olympics, one of the US Olympic Training Centers is in COS. They have a nice tour of the facility, and sometimes you can see athletes training for wrestling, judo, volleyball, cycling and most of the shooting sports.

I'm sure I'll think of more things to do later, so I'll post as they come to me.

I really miss living there.

[lksteve]

Originally Posted by CoLawman

Mike,

Stuff Near Colorado Springs and Fort Carson:
2. Garden of the Gods
3. Mesa Verde
4. Grand Canyon

let's see...GOTG is on the outskirts of CSprings...okay...Mesa Verde is 300+ miles from CSprings and the Grand Canyon is probably 600 miles away...

i thought I had a loose definition of close...