I was considering taking a couple days to go to New Mexico with my husband in July. We need some serenity and time to talk. I am looking at the map and it's the same distance from Amarillo to Colorado as it is from Amarillo to New Mexico. I've been all over New Mexico, have no experiance in Colorado. Where can I go that has incredibly beautiful scenery? Not overpriced. Fun in July where we could go up in the mountains to cool down or stay down in the valley to enjoy summer. My man loves the mountains and water, so, a beautiful lake or water fall would be good soul nourishment. Any ideas?
CO is amazing! I've never been to NM so I can't say which is better..but I've been to Denver and Colorado Springs in July and I would give anything to live there! Or even just go back to visit. The weather is amazing. The mountains are stunning and theres so much to do.
Pagosa Springs, CO is a quiet little town in the middle of the mountains with the San Juan River running through it. It also has some natural hot springs in town (never used them before). Also, from looking at some maps, it looks like if you were to follow highway 160 out of town, you would find the Pinon Lake Reservoir. Has some hiking trails and other stuff you can do. Hope this helps!
Colorado is beautiful. There is of course Pikes Peak and Colorado Springs. I loved eating in that area when we traveled there many years ago. I enjoyed eating out in the open and watching shows too. I love much of Colorado and vote get the visitors guides and see what the state has to offer.
Colorado without a doubt.
I think I just answered your other question (I told you abt the Volcano). I'm going to CO this summer, driving through Des Moines, NM then headed over to Buena Vista/Leadville , CO. White water rafting, hiking, (I'm definitley renting a Jeep to go to the Ghost Towns). You can rent a cabin or camp.
I found this great company, Arkansas River Adventures, and they have really helped me with pricing/specials and all the info I have needed. I've never been to Colorado before so I needed a lot of help. :P
I've been to NM and its just not my thing. To each their own, but I'm rooting for CO this summer!
I also bought new hiking boots this summer, so I have been dying to break them in.
Good luck deciding!
There are definitely great areas no matter where you go in CO, I would look for places closet to your route- there's no reason to drive to the opposite corner of the state when you'll find beautiful scenery closer to your route. From TX, I'm thinking the Colorado Springs area might be a good start, or if you'll be coming in more north, then check out Boulder or Estes Park, even Loveland. Have fun!
Having lived in Denver for 13 years, I'm kinda partial to Colorado. You've gotten some great suggestions about what to do/where to go. Whatever you decide, you'll have beautiful scenery (can't really avoid that in CO) and plenty to do. Have fun on your trip - I'm jealous!
Colorado Springs has several things there or nearby - including the cog railway up Pikes Peak, Manitou Springs (an artsy community up the "hill"), Garden of the Gods, and a couple of places w/waterfalls..... and the Air Force Academy Cathedral is amazing...
Durango Colorado has the Narrow Gage Rail Road www.durangotrain.com/ that takes you up to Silverton Colorado. It's a 2 hour train ride, it is really beautiful and you are stuck on the train to talk lol. There is a river you ride next to at times. They also have a free museum of old west over 100 yrs ago.Then they have the Bar D Wranglers with dinner and music. www.bardchuckwagon.com
If you want to go to the rafting, or walking down historic Durango Main street. They also have a Fish hatchery and a Wildlife Museum, which is totally free. Just some idea's. lol
I vote for Colorado, for some reason! :^)
Start with the websites for various Colorado Chambers of Commerce. Look at the pictures, and when you find mountains and water you like the looks of, start investigating the options. Remember that this is tourist season! But you might be able to get some good deals as well.
Amarillo to Colorado is a pretty decent drive. I used to go to Dallas frequently, and Amarillo was always my overnight stop on the way.
We love the Gunnison, Colorado area. In fact, we just got back from spending a week there. There is so much to do within a short distance. Taylor Park (reservoir and river), Crested Butte, Kebler Pass, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Black Mesa (great forest service roads and wildflowers like you've never seen), Blue Mesa reservoir, Hartman Rocks, fishing, 4-wheeling, hiking. Ghost towns such as Gothic and Tincup. Montrose is about 1 1/2 hours away.There are bike trails around Gunnison, great campgrounds, cute rental cabins, hotels and motels. Gunnison is a typical small college town, has a great city park and a great historical museum. Because the elevation of Gunnison is relatively high, it is warm during the day, and cool at night. Perfect for sleeping. Hope that this helps with your decision.
Southern NM...Like Ruidoso & Cloudcroft. Or Northern NM around Chama & Red River is nice. Chama is a small hunting town that is close to the CO border and it is not at all expensive. Raton NM is another nice very pretty little town. Just stay away from Santa Fe & Taos...they are expensive tourist traps!
Have a fun vacay!
Telluride, CO is beautiful and peaceful and has a waterfall. Vail is gorgeous, but probably pretty expensive. Just driving through CO is awesome! Maybe just get in the car and go. Make it an adventure.
