Road Tripping: Rocky Mountain Vacation

This summer was the first vacation the hubs and I have taken in years, and it was wonderful and relaxing.  It was actually a family vacation with my side of the family, and that was the first we had been on.  We were to be renting a cabin in Durango, Colorado for three glorious days, the downfall, the 14 hour drive there, and the 14 hour drive home, with just a three day break.

The Journey

We were packed and ready to leave the night before, the car was loaded, breakfast and lunch for the drive was prepared, and my GPS was programmed.  We were beyond ready to get the drive started so it would be over quickly.  I knew the drive was going to be long and ugly, but I didn't realize that 13 of the 14 hours were ugly.  My butt was so numb, I swear it was bruised.

Sadly, with all the excitement and planning, the drive didn't exactly go as planned.  It started with me getting a speeding ticket about 20 minutes outside of town, wah-wahn.  Then we had to throw away all the food I prepared for breakfast and lunch, because the ice in the cooler melted into it and it became a soggy mess.  My asthma was also acting up for about six hours of the drive because of the constant change in altitude.  Haha.  Of course I forgot about it all once we finally reached the cabin that night.

The Cabin

It was beautiful, more than I expected.  The cabin was nestled about 25 minutes outside of downtown Durango in the valley.  It was in this adorable dirt road "neigborhood" of about 10 homes.  Completely surrounded by trees and a peaceful stream, we slept with our windows open every night; falling asleep to the sound of the mountains.  We even had a cat adopt us while we were there.  Sipping coffee in the mornings, and wine in the evenings on the back patio with Mr. Pinecone Kitty, was the greatest thing about the entire trip.  I didn't think it was possible for my body to be so relaxed.

Morning Hike

The first morning we were there, we slept in of course because of the drive, but after coffee and breakfast we took a nice family hike up the side of the hill the cabin was on.  An uphill two mile hike to overlook the tips of the trees in the morning was the perfect way to start vacation.  

Downtown Durango

The drive to downtown is a quick one, and it is so charming.  Not overcrowded with the perfect mix of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and boutiques.  We walked around town a few times.  The best part was our one dinner out at Elous.  Elous is THE rooftop restaurant in Durango; the view, the food, the service was impeccable.  

Whitewater Rafting

I have always wanted to go White Water Rafting, but in all my years of growing up in Colorado I never got to.  The rafting trips fill-up fast so we had to take the only place in town with four spots open for us 'kids'.  We had a lot of fun, but I do wish the rapids would have been more challenging.  The most exciting part was when our fearless leader lost his oar twice and we had to go on a rescue mission for it, right before the biggest rapid of our trip.  I didn't fall in the freezing cold water, so it was a success.  

Mesa Verde National Park

Do you remember going to Mesa Verde as a kid?  I do.  However, it was different from what I remembered.  It was neat being able to visit a place that held a childhood memory of mine.  The drive was a long one; an hour from Durango to the park entrance, and another hour up the mountain.  With two strollers, those things are hard to push on sharp inclines, we went to Spruce Tree House.  The Indian Cliff Dwellings are beautiful, but I wish we could have crawled around in them.  Oh well, I guess they will just have to stay preserved for future generations.  

The Beer 

Well of course the hubs and myself had to visit all of the breweries/brewpubs in Durango.  I had a plethora of tiny beers from Ska, to Steamworks, to Carver, and beyond.  My favorite brews were those from Carver, the hubs was Ska.  

The Evenings

The evenings were perfect.  Sunset hikes (yes, that is bear paw print) followed by dinner on the cabin patio with a glass of wine in hand, was an entirely new level of relaxing.  The last night we were there the hubs fed sticks into our fire pit while we talked and told stories.  It was complete with S'mores, the best S'mores I have ever had. 

Trail Hike

The last day we were in Durango us 'kids' took a trail hike a few miles down the road.  We accidentally veered off the trail but we saw a family of gobbling turkeys and a few deer along our path.  

 The Family

I have to admit I did not take as many pictures as I wanted to, this is the only one I have of the gang (the babies were in bed).  I love family vacations.  

I'll be seeing you Durango...