first solo road trip and scared as hell....

[PNW Judy]

This sounds like an ideal way to have some fun with your husband and still get that solo trip in.

I'm not familiar enough with Denver to give you any tips for there. I've only just driven through it. Didn't even stop for lunch.

I suggest you start a different thread asking for things to do in Denver and the new route you're planning. People might think this thread is just about your other, longer solo trip and might not see that you need help with a different itinerary.

Happy planning!

[meatlesspizza]

How much did that cost you to go from Key West to San Diego?

[birdybird]

yes, good idea to post a separate thread at this point, since my initial 8 day solo trip has changed a bit!!
Thanks so much for all your support, your words have really given me the courage I needed to do this! I am so excited....and SO glad I found this forum!!
birdy

[RedCorral]

Hi, I'm another vote for the fly to Denver (or Salt Lake City) and drive from there plan.

Of course, the first question is "what kind of things do you like" but failing an answer to that question here are a few ideas:

A show at Red Rocks Park. This is the most amazing outdoor amphitheater. http://www.redrocksonline.com/index.asp When I lived in Denver we went to several concerts there (Linda Ronstadt, Loggins and Messina, Judy Collins, etc.) The sound is amazing and the site of the towering red rock walls and the city beyond is unforgettable. But even if you can't coordinate a time to see a show, it is an interesting place to go look around. The last time we were there you could park and walk through the amphitheater any time.

Drive to the top of Mount Evans. Just west of Denver is one of the 52 14,000+ foot mountains in Colorado, and the only one (anywhere) with a paved road to the top. It is an interesting drive, and of course, the view is tremendous.

Denver Art Museum. The new wing of the art museum is open. The architecture is "unsual" and dramatic. The entire collection is good, but we found the Asian and Native American art especially fascinating.

Coors Field. One of the new "old style" ball parks, where the Colorado Rockies play.

Larimer Square. One of the classic restored old market/warehouse districts with fun shops and restaurants. The downtown pedestrian mall, which goes for blocks, starts here. Free shuttles run all the time so you don't have to walk if you don't want to.

Central City and Blackhawk. Gambling is available near Denver. Take I-70 up to the Central City exit, but come back via Hwy 6 through Golden for a pretty/dramatic drive (assuming it isn't night time). Central City is an old mining town and kind of fun, even if you don't gamble.

Coors Brewery. In the middle of Golden is the Coors brewery. The huge building is undecorated, monolithic concrete, but for Coors fans it is "the source."

There are a couple of amusement parks. Elitch Gardens is the new fancy park right downtown, but I like Lakeside which is a classic old park with a wooden roller coaster that passes right next to the lake.

Colorado Springs/Pikes Peak. About 70 miles south is this famous tourist area. If you have time it is worth the drive. Get a guidebook on "The Springs" and you'll find lots to spend your time and money on. The drive up Pikes Peak, which goes to the top but is gravel most of the way, is fun. Alternatively, you can take the cog railway to the top, 14,110 feet, which is less stressful. There is Wind Cave, the cute little town of Manitou Springs, the Air Force Academy chapel, and much more that I can't think of right now.

After Denver. Allowing yourself just 3 days means a quick drive through the Tetons and Yellowstone, if you can fit them in at all. Google puts it at 12 hours going from Denver thru Cheyenne thru Rawlins thru Jackson to Yellowstone. As you can see, it takes two days just to get there, and while you can drive right through the Tetons and still get a good feel for them (do it before noon because they face east and you'll want morning light), you'll want to spend at least a day at the geysers and have some time to hunt down bison, bears, elk or moose while you are in Yellowstone. Then Yellowstone to Boise is another 6.5 hours. Sounds like 4 days to me.

Alternatively, the Salt Lake City area has some nice things to see and do, too, but I've rattled on too long as it is.

Hard choices!

Regardless, you'll have fun.

[BadByron]

Go for it! I think you will do fine.Dont stop in anyplace that you get bad vibes from.I drove from South Carolina to California last year and had a ball.Stop and smell the roses,and good luck to you.

[Mark Sedenquist]

I drove from South Carolina to California last year and had a ball.Stop and smell the roses,and good luck to you.

Welcome to the Great American RoadTrip Forum! What places surprised you the most on your epic road trip?

Mark

[lhuff]

Just answered the sticky that I take 2-3 solo road trips per year. But, most of these have been one dayers. I'm working on two solo road trips this year (Indianapolis for the US Grand Prix and my Minnesota and take a left trip).

I'm just trying to clarify my answers.

Laura

[PNW Judy]

Laura's post makes me think I should clarify my answer as well. I said that I take one solo trip/year. But that's not true. I was just thinking of longer, multi-day trips I take for pleasure. But I also attend at least 4 meetings per year that take me on the road to various corners of WA state. I usually spend 1-2 nights (depending on how far away the meeting is) before coming home. So those are road-trips, too. I also have a couple of family members that I might go visit for a 1-night stay several times a year. And I do numerous 1-day trips, some solo and some with company. So, I guess, in an average year I do something like a dozen solo trips per year, and some years even more than that. I don't know what I was thinking when I voted in the poll.

[UKCraig]

I do hope we're going to stick to counting 'pleasure' roadtrips... otherwise I'll do something like 250 or 300 solo roadtrips a year :s

[Mark Sedenquist]

I do hope we're going to stick to counting 'pleasure' roadtrips... otherwise I'll do something like 250 or 300 solo roadtrips a year :s

The limiting criteria for what transforms a car drive into a road trip is not pleasure v. business -- merely the perception of what it is. 100% of my roadtrips in the last decade have all been for work purposes, (which I find to be pleasurable).

Mark