Telluride – The Great American Road Trip

The third leg of The Great American Road Trip was from the Grand Canyon to Telluride, CO.

As we planned our trip across the continental US, there were two categories of destinations. Some places, like Yosemite and Grand Canyon, were places we’d never been but always wanted to go. Telluride is different. This is a place we’ve been to A LOT and a place where we keep looking for excuses to go back.

We just can’t get enough of this place, in spring and summer it’s stunning, in winter it’s magnificent and the snow is almost always perfect for skiing. At the end of its own box canyon, Telluride is an isolated little town that time has only improved. There is a bit of old west mining remaining, a lot of glitz and glam from the high priced real estate and hotels, and, most importantly, a little “dirtbag ski bum” vibe that permeates the whole experience to keep it grounded and unpretentious.

Monument Valley

Getting to T-Ride was almost as much fun as being there. We took some serious backroads and had plenty of time, so we were able to make any stop we wanted.

We chose our route so we could drive through the iconic Monument Valley, in extreme southern Utah, and channel our inner John Wayne. I’m sure everyone has seen the formations from old westerns but, just like almost everything, seeing it for real captures the scope and magnitude in an altogether different way.

As a bit of warning, we went through the valley from the southwest to northeast and the traffic was so minimal that we could stop in the road and do toe touches. The opposite direction is where the most famous photos are taken and there are several pullouts that attract crowds of tourists and photographers.

Some ill-advised tourists didn’t seem to understand that traffic has the right of way and would drag their children out into the center line, lay down in the road, and take photos with cars screaming past them. Watch out for those crazy tourists!

The route also goes through some very, very arid areas in Arizona, Utah, and Southern Colorado before it turns plush green with elevation and rain as you get into the more alpine areas around T-Ride.

Another fun stop, off the beaten place, was an odd rock formation along the San Juan River called Mexican Hat. While Joseph and I chatted on the phone (cell reception is not the norm and we had to take advantage of good coverage), Joe took a quick opportunity to scramble up and take a few shots with my camera.

Do you notice our vehicle?

The Four Corners

And, of course, we had to stop off at Four Corners. One visit to Four Corners in a lifetime is enough, and Joe and I had both been there, but Joseph had not and we stopped.

While there isn’t much else around and no other place in the US where you can be in four states simultaneously, it’s a tourist trap best avoided. Ironically, if you find yourself driving through that part of the country, you won’t avoid it and neither will we – and I guess that’s the charm of the place.

Continuing on the road to Telluride…

We finally arrived!!!!

In Telluride, we stayed at The Hotel Madeline, which was by far the nicest accommodations we had the entire trip. It’s also in the area known as “Mountain Village” which is connected to Telluride proper by a free gondola ride.

And, just like in the old western movies, after we got settled into “civilization,” we had to get cleaned up. I actually took my time getting cleaned up, we gave Joseph a haircut, and Joe trimmed his wooly beard.

Joseph ordered s’mores for his dessert. Isn’t this an adorable way to serve it!

Activities for kids

There are so many fun activities to entertain kids in Mountain Village. Joseph enjoyed mining for gems, swimming at the hotel pool, and the evening movie outdoors in the commons area on the big screen!

Madeline Hotel Pool area with a view.

Mom’s Day in Telluride

For “Mom’s Day” we rode the gondola into the older part of town, had lunch at one of the best pizza places in the world (not even joking, its rated), and did a little shopping.

For the past year plus, Joe had been living in Hong Kong, amongst the crowds and the concrete jungle. This entire trip, but especially Telluride, was like a great homecoming back to the states. Walking around the little downtown surrounded by mountains, he kept muttering to himself, “who needs skyscrapers when you can have mountains.”

With all the cute little boutiques, coffee shops, unique restaurants, and numerous festivals, there are plenty of things to keep you busy in this adorable town.

To view Boutiques located in Telluride click HERE.

After an awesome day in town, we were ready to ride the gondola back up to Mountain Village.

Dad’s Day Hike to Bridal Veil Falls

Dad’s day was a long (longer than advertised) hike. I think Joe basically looked up into the mountains above town, saw the waterfall, and decided that’s where we are going. Despite the distance, the views were incredible and it was a very worthwhile experience.

I’m always looking for inspiration and fell in love with all of the cute cottages on our way to the trailhead.

As an added bonus, there was a music festival going on in Telluride Town Park called “The Ride Festival” that Beck was headlining. We didn’t get tickets, didn’t really need to, because as we hiked up, we could hear the light sounds of the concert coming up to keep pace with us.

For more info on hiking to Bridal Veil Falls click HERE.

I told you we love our trucker hats when we are traveling and hiking! 🙂

(CLICK PHOTO TO SHOP)

Warning: There is stinging nettle all along the trail, so be careful not to get caught up in it as Joseph did. His poor little hands swelled up and he was covered in hives. It was very painful!

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Dad to the rescue to help get him back to the hotel.

Dining at Allred’s Restaurant

Our last night in Telluride was dining at Allred’s, one of our most favorite restaurants on earth. Allred’s is located at the peak between the Mountain Village and town and is accessible only by the gondola.

We walked around and had a little fun before dinner!

Our view from our table!!! This place is truly magical!

For our first visit to Allred’s a few years back, Mario, the most charming restaurant manager ever encountered, passed out business cards and promised Joseph free ice cream then and again if he ever came back. That seemed to make quite an impression on a then five-year-old.

For the next three years, he carried that card in his little Velcro wallet and was at the edge of his seat to present it at the end of his meal. Unfortunately, Mario had the night off, but they still honored the promise. Joseph said the ice cream was as good as he remembered.

We enjoyed sitting around the firepit the night before we left.

Departing Telluride marked the beginning of the end of our epic road trip. We weren’t close to being halfway across the US, but the road from here was very familiar and, no offense to Kansas, a little boring.