We’ve got visitors. It’s a nice change of pace and it feels good to have family around…so much to do, so little time!
We planned ahead for this one and booked a condo in Telluride on VRBO; camping wasn’t in the cards for this trip.
Janet and Deb toured around Palisade enjoying the wineries and boutique shops scattered around town giving us some time to work – yes, we have to work to make all this kick ass stuff happen!
That evening, we finally had an opportunity to go try Le Rouge Restaurant in Grand Junction; we’ve had our eye on this spot for a few weeks. This place is definitely fine dining (on a small town scale) that hit the spot. Janet and Deb were happy, so you know we’re not lying!
One day allowing Janet and Deb to roam without her was enough. Amy had to join into the fun and took Janet and Deb to the Colorado National Monument for a driving tour and a few fun hikes.
If that wasn’t enough for one day, we decided to cool off in the Colorado River and made some friends.
There is no way we don’t indulge in some local Palisade cuisine with the family. Our first destination is the Brewery for beer and smoked meat. Just two days in and our guests began to understand why we’ve fallen in love with this place.
Telluride!
Thank.God.It’s.Friday. We’ve been looking forward to hitting up the San Juan Mountain Range (a portion of the Rockies) for a few weeks.
The trip to Telluride is about 130 miles straight south and it didn’t disappoint. About an hour in you could see the enormous snowcapped mountain range in the distance and stopped for a quick break in this sweet little town called Ridgway. One of the vendors at the market was telling us how he found this place while traveling and ended up moving there. We were able to relate well; it’s totally possible that we may just post up in Palisade for good at some point.
Rolling up into Telluride was majestic. The town is situated at 8,750 ft and is completely surrounded by huge mountains. The landscape was incredible. As nice as the pictures are, they just don’t do the scenery justice. And this was on a rainy, cloudy day!
We stopped for lunch at Floradora Saloon which was highly recommended on Yelp and ended up there two additional times. The drinks are bomb and the food is right. We would find that dining in Telluride is pretty enjoyable.
With full bellies we dropped our gear off at the condo and headed out for a walk, checked out the town and of course, the ladies shopped.
With all this walking, we worked up an appetite for salad and pizza and ended up at Brown Dog – thanks Dan! – which has bomb ass “Detroit Style” pizza. Yes, a resort town in the middle of Colorado knows how to throw some doe.
The next morning gave way to a pristine blue sky – mountain peaks showing off in the cloudless sky.
Bear Creek Trail
Amy was in charge of plans this weekend and chose Bear Creek Trail for its “easy-moderate” hiking. It’s a 2.5 mile hike that elevates about 1000 ft to Bear Creek Falls. So Amy thought a 5 mile round trip hike with a steady 1000 ft incline taking us close 10,000 ft meant leisurely hike in the park…HA!
Well the trail was freaking awesome!
Almost there to the falls!
We all put in some work to get to the top – Janet and Deb kicked ass – and it was worth it. You feel like you’re in heaven. Relaxing there, enjoying the view with the mist from the fall cooling you down. It was amazing.
Amy took a bit of razzing about the hike, but no one was complaining about the dinner reservations she made for us at Allred’s. This place is the real deal.
Telluride has a free gondola system that shuttles folks up and down the mountainsides. Allred’s sits atop its perch at the mountain’s peak, baking in all its culinary glory while providing an unrivaled 180 degree view of the Rockies. Go there. You’re welcome.
Riverbend Park (Palisade)
Have you been wondering where Chica’s been? Unfortunately we had to board her for the weekend. We picked her up as soon as we got back to Palisade and, to make it up to her, went straight to Riverbend Park for some fun. She’s aight with it now.
