The days start to run together

I was doing so well keeping up with where we were each day, and really dropped the ball for the last few.

Tuesday we drove from Hays Kansas to Colorado Springs, Colorado (we didn't take the detour to see the worlds largest ball of twine--shoot!) We got to Co. Springs in the late afternoon, with time to do a short hike in the Garden of the Gods (beautiful, red rocks in interesting shapes). Stayed Tuesday night in Colorado Springs.

Got up early Wednesday morning and toured the Helen Hunt Falls and the 7 Falls in Cheyenne Mountain Park (or something like that) in Colorado Springs (lots of stairs, and pretty, though still snowy). From Colorado Springs, we headed to Vail. Took a short stop in Breckenridge (cute and still lots of ski activity) then drove on to Vail where we spent the night with a friend of M's.

Thursday morning, we left Vail, and headed further into Colorado, and stayed at Ouray (pronounced You-ray) Colorado, a tiny town nestled in in a beautiful alpine gorge. Most of the hotels had their own hot springs, and the town even had a pool open daily fed by the hot springs. On the way there, we took a short side trip to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The admission was free in the winter (love that) and the scenic overlooks (some visible from the car, some a short hike) were stunning and breathtaking. I would by far rate this higher and more scenic than Grand Canyon (smaller scale, of course). It was truly a highlight.

Friday morning, we left Ouray (about 15 miles out of the way but worth it!) and headed west toward Utah. We took a mid-day break in Telluride, my personal favorite of the Colorado ski towns we saw (Breckenridge, Vail, Telluride). We took the free Gondola ride from Telluride to the top fo the mountain, and then down to Mountian Village. Had a great lunch at the base of the mountain (warm enough to eat outside and watch folks end their ski runs), and even got to stop in at a yarn store. Fun day.

Friday late afternoon we drove through Moab, and into Arches National Park--got there with an hour before sunset and saw most of the park. Took a short hike and scampered up into the double arch (not for folks who are afraid of heights!). Was amazing, and accessible, and a real highlight. Spent Friday night in Green River, Utah, just about 50 miles from Moab (tried to stay in Moab, but the half marathon runners had booked all the rooms). Today we're on through the rest of Utah, and into Nevada. I think it's going to be a long driving day.

Our estimated date of arrival home in California is late Sunday. I am looking forward to not lugging a suitcase in every night, but I could easily go for another week of this. It's the trip of a lifetime.