This summer instead of planning a move and moping around we decided to take a family vacation to Colorado. We live closer than we use to; so why not do it!?
We left Monday morning bright and early....kissed all of the dogs good-bye and away we went. It was an adventure, and we had never traveled the road we set off on.
It didn't take long to get into New Mexico and then not long to hit Colorado. Our first night we stayed at what Lacy use to call a Motel Dump. It really wasn't as bad as we had stayed before when Lacy was a baby, but it came close for today's standards. No T.V., no WIFI, and for the money should have been a very nice place to stay. It was just okay. We went to dinner at a steak place right back of it which had great food for a very expensive price. Oh well, since it was delicious we didn't complain. I had some of the best beef ribs I've ever put in my mouth, Holly and Mike had a Steak and Wendy had a burger. The Salad was really good. They brought out a server with 4 choices of dressing in canning jars. They were all homemade there and were really good. Our favorite was their Blue Cheese and their Ranch. Afterward we went back to our room and settled in with "I Love Lucy". Next morning we packed up the car got breakfast and left for the Gunnison National Park. What beauty to behold!! It is really something to see a spectacular gorge with a river below. It was over 2,000ft. deep. We hiked a trail that Mike swore was "moderate" I told him if this was moderate I would hate to see strenuous. ha' When we got back we were huffing and puffing and I read the brochure where it had all of the trails listed. This one just happened to be "strenuous" !!! I knew he wasn't correct on that.
We got back into Gunnison to spend the night again, but this time Mike had made arrangements for Holiday Express instead of the one the night before. What a relief that was. We ate at a Pizzeria in town and it was delicious with a less expensive price tag on the ticket. Wendy ate that meal when she didn't eat the night before. She had hiked with us the whole way and came out with an appetite!
On Wednesday we took off for Durango/ Silverton and arrived tired and hungry. Even though it says it says 125 miles to Durango from Gunnison doesn't mean it will actually be an hour drive or so..... NO, we missed our road (since it wasn't labeled)and ended up driving 240 miles and about 4 hours later.... You see the roads are very winding and not to mention the steep grades. But oh so lovely. This day we saw a gorgeous waterfall and got out to see it. We were greeted by some Chipmunks. They were so darn cute and we had them eating from our hands...even Wendy!!
We arrived at our hotel " Holiday Inn" which even though it has Holiday in the name doesn't necessarily mean it is related to the very nice and comfortable "Holiday Inn Express". Mike said thinking that they were related by company name it would be a wonderful place to stay, but it again wasn't the best especially for the price of 166.00 a night. Gee!! The internet once again was down, and Breakfast....what breakfast??? Most places like this have a room to where you can sit and have your complimentary breakfast...not this one. We found it to be a total rip...just a place to lay our heads and that was about it. The pool was gross and cold. When they have indoor pools you would think they would keep them clean and warmer. Again we were wrong.
Off to bed to get up bright and early the next morning to ride the steam train. Now, that is where the fun comes in!!!! We did have a great time riding the rails. Wendy just loved it, and when we got to Silverton 3 hours later we ate at the place we took the girls 15 years ago "The Bent Elbow". The piano player was even the same guy. Wendy really enjoyed herself, and so did we.
Back on the train after a 2.5 hour lay over to eat and shop. When we arrived back we ate at a restaurant next to the Depot again pricey, but good. Off to the Coffee House aka "Starbucks" to get some joe, and then across the street to the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Yummy.
One more night to sleep and then we headed home on Friday. It took us a bit to get home since we got lost and found ourselves in some towns that we weren't planning on. This is where we found the tiny town of "Cuba NM". Don't ever go there if you can help it! We got a speeding ticket and we weren't speeding! We believe that the whole state is a trap for tourists. No matter if you are following the signs and going actually below what they set we still got a ticket! Officer: I need to see your license and proof of insurance. Mike: yes sir. Officer: did you realize you were going 42 in a 30? Mike looked at us and hesitated to say anything 'cause we knew no matter if we said we weren't he would have argued with us or sent us to jail. It was that kind of trap. Officer: would you like to pay the $88.00 dollars or go before the judge? Mike: I guess I have no choice I will pay the money since we will be out of the state later today. Officer: sign this sir. Mike: do you have a course that you can take to wave the ticket? Officer: what do you mean? Mike: in Texas we have it to where you can take a drivers course to help with your insurance. Officer: no, this is NM sir.
Wendy: Momma, daddy wasn't speeding. Me: I know Wendy, but this town was needing to make their quota. Wendy: I'm not happy with that officer. Momma: I know Wendy we aren't either. Wendy: sitting for a long while.....her little wheels were just turning, and then she said " I've got a secret". Momma: what is that? Wendy: I need some balloons and some water and also some pudding.... We all looked at her and thought "what is she planning?" ha.... Wendy: then if I ever see that officer again I will let him have it!! Oh my goodness. Who knew that this would upset her so. You see when a child has faith in an important figure in the community it lets them down when they feel like there was a wrong done and this is how Wendy felt. I just hope she isn't upset with all officers.
We are home now and are happy we went on our vacation in spite of the little things along the way.... You see, there were many more big and wonderful things that happened to out weigh the bad.
Lesa
