It’s almost go time again! We have a few days until we hit the road to southwestern Colorado. I’m currently away from home and at work in West Texas, but I’ll be back home Thursday just in time to get a few things done before we head out for a week. We still haven’t even begun to pack or shop for the last-minute things we need to pick up.
We are leaving this Saturday with a plan to return the following Saturday and staying at a timeshare-type property in Pagosa Springs. Having enough points from Houston doctors’ trips is still paying off. Four nights will be covered, and we’ll likely extend for one more or possibly stay the 5th night at the Springs resort to access their 25 thermal pools. We’ll split the trip up by staying in Albuquerque. I have a car to drop off in Alpine, my away-from-home terminal. After 20 years of railroading this way, I finally decided to get a car for a little more freedom away from home. The way home will be split up by staying overnight in Amarillo via the Royal Gorge.
I have each day planned out well. If you know me, I’m an over-planner who researches everything! Arrival day will be pretty straightforward. We’ll grab groceries, we’re cooking a good bit for the health of our waistlines and wallets, check in then stroll town. I already have all the meals planned out too, dovetailing dinners into lunches.
The first full day will be the San Juan Skyway scenic byway, which is a loop. We’ll go from Durango north to Telluride, then Ridgway, where we stayed back in November. From there, we’ll return to Pagosa via the million-dollar highway between Ouray and Silverton. This will be an all-day trip.
The second day will be a local Pagosa day, with some short hikes and drives just taking it easy. The following day will be the Silver Thread scenic byway, the opposite side of the San Juan mountains. Going through Wolf Creek Pass, South Fork, Creede, and Lake City. Finally, ending in Gunnison, which we never made it to because of road closures from all the snow back in November. We’ll make it a loop and go farther east, coming back down through South Fork before heading south to Pagosa. This will be an all-day trip also.
The final full day will be another local Pagosa day. We planned on going to the springs, but the more we talked, the more we realized that’s really not our kind of thing. It’s a considerable expense just to get in the hot springs, so we’ll see how that goes. That night will be a night on the town, maybe a show at the theater, then a nice dinner out.
Once we pack up to head out, a straight drive home is still on the table, but the plan is to go east to the Royal Gorge. I did this years ago when I was about 13 on a summer trip to Denver with my mother, a friend of hers, and her son. I still remember it well, so I’d like Amanda to experience it, too. After that, down to Amarillo for dinner and turn in for the night before making our way back home.
Don’t be alarmed when you see a photo or post of Amanda with another man, either. It’s just me with my hair cut off and a clean-shaven face. I got a horrible haircut and had already contemplated cutting my hair short along with my beard anyway. So I just did it all at once. It’s been pretty fun seeing people’s reactions. Most didn’t recognize me at church Sunday until I spoke. I’ve only been clean-shaven once, and only for one day, since 2001. I think the hair will stay. I’ll probably have the sides cut even shorter, but the beard is coming back after a few weeks.
We’ve had a busy summer, even the last couple weeks being busy for Amanda kicking the Wednesday night kids program off. So this vacation is much needed and has been looked forward to for a while. I’ve been in pure planning mode for the last few weeks, too! I’ll try to keep up with posts as we go along to take you with us.
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Boy, I have been think about y’all a lot the last couple of weeks! So happy for you and look forward to seeing all the pics from vacation! You clean up good!! Tell Amanda hello and y’all have a safe trip!