Mountain Village, Colorado

Posted on October 19, 2012 by Nicki

Elevation is 9,540 feet, making it a favored skiing destination, with slopes from easy to treacherous.

Mountain Village Photo by Nicki Hurd

It is higher than Telluride, which is just northeast.

Mountain Village Photo by Nicki Hurd

The village is only roughly three square miles. It has a plaza with shops, restaurants and a market.

Mountain Village Photo by Nicki Hurd

Even a call box if you need to ring someone.

Mountain Village Photo by Nicki Hurd

Staying in Mountain Village was a good choice for us. Telluride was just a gondola ride away from Mountain Village and the gondolas were just a short walk or funicular ride away from our Lodge.

Funicular Mountain Village Photo by Andrew Leggett

It is a very scenic way to travel. August,2009

Durango, Colorado

Posted on October 18, 2012 by Nicki

Durango is the first and the largest town on the San Juan Skyway “Road to the Sky”.

Road to the Sky from Durango Photo by Nicki Hurd

It was founded in 1880.

Skyway from Durango Photo by Andrew Leggett

It was established as a hub to haul precious metals from the mountains by rail, and to send supplies back.

Road to the Sky Photo by Nicki Hurd

It has a lot to offer but we only had lunch here. After having Thai food and a very short walk, we returned to the road to make it to Ouray before dark. August, 2009

Pagosa Springs, Colorado

Posted on October 17, 2012 by Nicki

Thirty minutes west of the Continental Divide is Pagosa Springs.

Pagosa Springs, Colorado Photo by Andrew Leggett

Pagosa means healing waters in Ute.

Natural Hot Springs Photo by Andrew Leggett

We stayed at Canyon Crest Lodge in the Balmoral Castle suite.

Canyon Crest Lodge Photo by Andrew Leggett

The lodge overlooks the Martinez Canyon. The redwood deck was well suited to the surroundings.

Canyon Crest Lodge Photo by Andrew Leggett

We were only here overnight and it was a rainy day, but the gardens and the area were lovely. The charming English hostess was there to greet us when we arrived. It was newly built with a fireplace, and natural stone arches, borrowed from styles of English castles. We met the architect who is also English. It is located in a quiet wooded areas with nothing else around, but not too far from the town square.

For dinner, we went around the town area and had Chinese take-away on a patio outside of a closed Subway Sandwich Shop, where we gazed at the sky which had cleared, and was full of stars. Breakfast was served in a gourmet kitchen looking out into the mountains. While we feasted, our host and hostess filled us in on Pagosa Springs and Colorado.

The vigorous rain stopped us from soaking in the natural springs. By midday we headed for Durango, the start of San Juan Skyway.

August, 2009

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Posted on October 15, 2012 by Nicki

The Mustang horses were brought to North America by the Spanish, and were descendants of Iberian horses. Some of these horses escaped or were captured by Native Americans. This guy looks like he has been here awhile.

Santa Fe, New Mexico Photo by Nicki Hurd

We had good timing, there was an artisan festival in the main square.

Santa Fe, New Mexico Photo by Andrew Leggett

Santa Fe, literally means holy faith in Spanish

Santa Fe, New Mexico Photo by Andrew Leggett

We stopped here on our way to Colorado, had lunch and a look around. Santa Fe is easy on the eyes, and I am hoping for a more lengthy return in the near future. Even the overpasses of the highway were colorful and attractive. The affluent neighborhood that we passed through first was full of beautiful homes of contemporary southwestern architecture, and natural landscaping well suited to this area. The southwestern lunch was tasty, as we sat on a Territorial-style balcony overlooking Santa Fe Plaza and took in the mix of architectural styles including Adobe, Pueblo-style vigas, and the Romanesque architecture of Saint Francis Cathedral. There is a deep beauty to witnessing the imprints that all of the different cultures have left on this region.

As we traveled on to Colorado, it was tempting to stop and take pictures everywhere. It’s easy to see why Georgia O’Keeffe got inspiration from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The mountains were magnificent, and have a redder tone than in Colorado. We were trying to make it to Pagosa Springs where we had reservations for the night, before sundown. August, 2009

Box Canyon: Ouray, Colorado

Posted on October 14, 2012 by Nicki

Box Canyon by Nicki Hurd

A ravine with steep vertical walls.

Box Canyon Photo by Nicki Hurd

The Belly of the falls with rushing water falling eighty feet to the bottom.

: Box Canyon Photo by Nicki Hurd

Groups of these adorable chipmunks gather around a feeder at the entrance.

Box Canyon Photo by Andrew Leggett

The walkway

Box Canyon by Andrew Leggett

The side view

Box Canyon Photo by Nicki Hurd

The tunnel

Box Canyon Photo by Nicki Hurd

Box Canyon is a must-see with many hiking opportunities with various adventures. There are bird feeders and furry little creatures all around the visiting center. At the start we followed the walkway up the mountain trail to a suspension bridge, we made our way around and down the cliff-side pathway, with views of cabins and evergreens layered down the side of the mountain, through a tunnel, and ended outside in the surrounding forests. August 26th 2009

Ouray, Colorado

Posted on October 9, 2012 by Nicki

An alpine village along the San Juan Mountain Skyway, and a favorite place of mine.

Ouray Colorado Photo by Nicki Hurd

Ouray is named after a Native American Chief of the Utes. Ute means Land of the sun.

We gazed at it from above as we wound down the Million Dollar Highway. We arrived at the end of a rain storm as the sky cleared. The village has a timeless feel with turn of the century buildings among more recent additions. A cozy place but with enough shops and restaurants to stroll and linger.

We stayed at Lane’s Victorian House with windows all around and a 360 view, making it clear why Ouray is nicknamed the Switzerland of America. It was an easy walk to a Bistro for dinner, which was delicious, with potatoes whipped as soft as snow, and cocktails that had the special altitude boost.

I read stories in the local post of bears eating the rubbish outside of eateries in the wee hours of the mornings. I could not convince Andrew to wake up early and walk down to take a peek.

Ouray was originally a miners town for those after gold and silver. We took the Bachelor-Syracuse Mine Tour just north of Ouray.

Hiking anywhere was beautiful with gorgeous views of the Rocky Mountains. We circled around the town, took a short jaunt out, and had a visit to Box Canyon.

We finished the day by looking up into the mountains while soaking and melting in the sulfer- free hot springs healing minerals, testing the many soaking sections at temperatures ranging from 88 to 106 degrees. August, 2009

Nic’s Road Totes

Posted on September 24, 2012 by Nicki

My totes are packed a week early, unless it is a last minute trip.

Nic’s Road Totes

We hit the road enough that I’ve discovered what groceries work well for us and are easy to bring along. Andrew requires gluten-free products and they are not always available so they make the trip with us. These bags tote our staples:

pasta / sauces
salsa
tortillas
chips
cereal
popcorn
herbs / spices
oils / marinades
mustard / ketchup / soy sauce packets
bread

El Tavor Hotel: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Posted on August 12, 2012 by Nicki

The hotel is a registered national historic landmark located on the South rim. When we arrived we could not wait to look out over the magnificent canyon.

El Tavor Hotel Photo by Nicki Hurd

I’ve read it is generally fully booked, even during off season. We were very happy to be able to reserve a room in this alluring place that has hosted such luminaries as Theodore Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, Nicki Hurd and Andrew Leggett. :- ) I imagined them gasping and admiring the landscape.

It was January and nice to be there during the season that it is not its busiest. The cool air in the day was agreeable for hiking. At night there was a myriad of stars but it dropped below freezing. We enjoyed returning to the hotel in the evening, to this warm and cozy structure of native stone and Oregon pine. The Architect was Charles Whittlesey, who was the chief Architect for the Santa Fe Railway. It is an early example of the style that evolve into National Park Service Rustic architecture.

We had dinner and a breakfast in the Dining Room, a gourmet restaurant that is pricey but delicious with some seats that have a great view of the canyon. The Dinning Room is considered the “premier dining establishment at the Grand Canyon”. The meals, presentation, and the staff were exceptional, and really made it feel like a special occasion. The lounge was not as grand or as exorbitant, but the food was good.

Our room was located on the floor just above the mezzanine, which has an octagon shape, a sitting area with desks and tables and overlooks the entrance, which had a large lodge comfortable lounging area. Outdoors it has a lovely veranda, a front porch with rocking chairs, and around back there are porch swings. I could spend a lot of time relaxing there. January, 2011

Watchtower: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Posted on August 12, 2012 by Nicki

There is much to behold here within the interior, and focusing out over the majestic vista. From the tower is a panoramic view for well over 100 miles, including the Painted Desert to the east, and to the San Fransico Peaks south.

Grand Canyon Photo by Nicki Hurd

Designed to blend into the environment, inspired by architecture of the ancestral Puebloan people of the Colorado Plateau, it is a replica of a prehistoric Indian Tower, and stands 70 feet (21 m) high.

In the 16th century the Spanish called the native people of the southwest that were living in villages the Pueblo. The Hopis were believed to have descended from the ancient Pueblo cultures. The tower has rock art paintings throughout that tell stories. The gallery on the first landing represents the physical and spiritual origins of Hopi life, painted by a Hopi artist, Fred Kabotie.

On the ceiling are paintings by Fred Geary, which are recreations of images from Abo Rockshelter that are now part of Salinas National Monument in New Mexico. It all enhanced the pondering of earlier cultures living here, and those far into the future that will travel to gaze at the wonder. The highest floor is left with just the beautiful panoramic views of the Grand Canyon.

In January there were many viewers all with various devices from smart phones to master lenses snapping pictures, but it was also possible to catch some quiet moments alone on each level.

There is a small gift shop selling local artist’s crafts for those of us that like to take something home to savor the experience. January, 2011

South Rim: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Posted on August 12, 2012 by Nicki

It was a long drive from Austin, but well worth it to see one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. With wide eyes we approached the chasm and did not know where to look, but wanted to linger and look everywhere.

Grand Canyon Photo by Andrew Leggett

Taking it all in is impossible as it is immense in size. The Grand Canyon is 277 miles (446 km) long, up to 18 miles (29 km) wide and attains a depth of over a mile (6,000 feet / 1,800 meters . It is a collection of erosion forms and geological colors. I imagined traveling into the canyon to hear echos and the sounds of whatever might be lurking. Recent evidence suggests the canyon was formed at least 17 million years ago. Standing near it was like being ingested into history. January, 2011

perspectives on travel

Category Archives: Road Trips

Mountain Village, Colorado

Elevation is 9,540 feet, making it a favored skiing destination, with slopes from easy to treacherous.

Durango, Colorado

Durango is the first and the largest town on the San Juan Skyway “Road to the Sky”.

It was founded in 1880.

It was established as a hub to haul precious metals from the mountains by rail, and to send supplies back.

Pagosa Springs, Colorado

Thirty minutes west of the Continental Divide is Pagosa Springs.

Pagosa means healing waters in Ute.

We stayed at Canyon Crest Lodge in the Balmoral Castle suite.

The lodge overlooks the Martinez Canyon. The redwood deck was well suited to the surroundings.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

The Mustang horses were brought to North America by the Spanish, and were descendants of Iberian horses. Some of these horses escaped or were captured by Native Americans. This guy looks like he has been here awhile.

We had good timing, there was an artisan festival in the main square.

Santa Fe, literally means holy faith in Spanish

Box Canyon: Ouray, Colorado

A ravine with steep vertical walls.

The Belly of the falls with rushing water falling eighty feet to the bottom.

Groups of these adorable chipmunks gather around a feeder at the entrance.

The walkway

The side view

The tunnel

Ouray, Colorado

An alpine village along the San Juan Mountain Skyway, and a favorite place of mine.

Nic’s Road Totes

My totes are packed a week early, unless it is a last minute trip.

El Tavor Hotel: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

The hotel is a registered national historic landmark located on the South rim. When we arrived we could not wait to look out over the magnificent canyon.

Watchtower: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

There is much to behold here within the interior, and focusing out over the majestic vista. From the tower is a panoramic view for well over 100 miles, including the Painted Desert to the east, and to the San Fransico Peaks south.

South Rim: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

It was a long drive from Austin, but well worth it to see one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. With wide eyes we approached the chasm and did not know where to look, but wanted to linger and look everywhere.