Colorado was calling
- Clare Donnelly
- Aug 23, 2017
- 5 min read
DENVER 2am | Thursday 27th July
I had a multitude of reasons for returning to Colorado; so the first chance I got, I booked my flights. With some free time and thankfully cheap flights, I considered it a no brainer. I never experienced Durango in the summer so the weather was going to be just perfect for hiking and getting a little trail running squeezed in. My flight from New York to Denver was 11 O'clock in the evening so by the time I got to Denver early Thursday morning I wanted to see nothing other than the Airbnb bed. Waking up in Colorado was a real treat, thats what I loved about this state the possibility of things to do was endless, Manuel and I had a multitude of things planned for the day but first coffee.
Red rocks amphitheater had been on my to do list forever and its a place you should never miss if your in Denver. I love the idea of an outdoor concert hence why I attended so many festivals as a teen, some day I'd like to go back and see the likes of the Zac brown band, Alabama or The Head and the Heart, I'll take any excuse to go back to my favourite state. I previously stayed in Denver for an evening before a morning flight but other than the highway around the city and the hotel I didn't see much of Denver. I'll consider this trip more of a first experience of Denver than the last time, driving through the streets, checking out some of the buildings, grabbing lunch, go karting and a little shoe shopping before a nice 6 hour evening drive to the south west corner of Colorado, all in an evenings fun.
6 hours later| Durango 11:45pm
My goodness does it feel good to be back
Friday 28th July - Smelter hike
First morning in Durango, Manuel and I decided to hike Smelter; it shocked me to think that I lived in town for 9 months and never got the opportunity to climb it. Before leaving New York for this trip I wrote a list of all the places I wanted to see, its funny how you appreciate a place more when your not there; I think it's the feeling of missed opportunities that gives you the drive. Smelter was steep but short, the views at the top were stunning, closest to a birds eye view of the town, I sat there in blissful peace; all the photos that I had seen from this view were finally real. It was such a stunning day, I remembered to put sun cream on but unfortunately I still managed to get my shoulder burnt to a complete crisp, it wasn't until the next day did I realise the scale of my mistake. I can confirm that I have finally learnt my lesson never have my shoulder exposed to the sun ever again, I just can't deal with the blistered after effects. None the less a brilliant morning followed by a stroll around down town, Homeslice Pizza and a cold beer made for a day well spent.
Saturday 29th July - Just a little drive
When the idea of a day trip to Mesa Verde gets thrown out the window and we just keep driving to 'Page' Arizona... Yes you heard me right. As we drove through rain showers and mountains topped with dark clouds we decided that the dry desert was calling us and sure it was only four hours away, thats practically a stroll in the park for us. I've never been to antelope canyon before even though almost all of our road trips in the mid west brought us through Page. In no time at all we had it punched into Google Maps without pulling over and we were on our way. Spontaneous adventures are my favourite, you can always be sure to have the most scenic views when your in Utah, Arizona or anywhere in the mid-west.
Antelope canyon was awesome, the heat was pretty intense as we waited to go into the Canyon which made me think it was going to be an oven once we entered but to my surprise once we climbed down the staircase into the Canyon the temperature was much more bearable. I was amazed by the shapes and colours of the rock, it was truly stunning to see first hand this unique place.
Horse shoe bend for the third time. I could never get sick of this view, one of the most breath taking places I have ever been, it continues to surprise me how beautiful it can be. The last time I was here I had my two friends 'fish' and 'chip'... my crutches, it was a joy this time to walk around without them. Big shoutout to Manuel for driving the six hour round trip in one day.
A quick FaceTime from home, I doubt they expected to see these views.
A week filled with friends and hiking
Friday 4th August - Ice lake hike
Just like old times with a pub crawl around town for Manuel's birthday with friends and then three hours sleep before I was the bare of bad news that woke everyone at 7am. After somewhat of a slow start to the day (an understatement if I ever heard one) we packed up and got on the road to Silverton. This continues to be my favourite drive, from Durango to Silverton, there is so much to see and the mountains are absolutely stunning along the way. After a last minute stop for the boys to get their morning coffee and hangover pizza, we parked at the trail head, signed the trail book and started our 8.1 mile hike with an elevation gain of 2998 feet.
Girls gota do, what they gota do, to look good for the camera.
The forecast predicted that there would be thunder and storms beginning around 2/3pm but we were so fortunate that the storm rolled right past us as we were on top of the mountain and only on our way down did the hail and rain start; the rain that rolled in brought the most beautiful low laying fog over the forest, it was so peaceful and calming. At one stage I lost track of how long I was standing there, when I realised I looked up to see Veronica, Manuel and Mike standing in the rain staring in amazement at this incredible sight. Although the weather took a turn for the worse it made for a beautiful evening. A trip like no other. People's normal definition of a holiday is lay by the pool in the sun, get a tan and drink cocktails, my definition of a holiday wouldn't be everyones 'cup of tea'. The more I can squeeze into a vacation the better, to look back at my time away as a success, that I made the most of every opportunity; I ran more, explored further and hiked higher. Feeling for the first time since being in the states that I was content, there was a part of me that felt as though I was back home with my family. That is the sign of great friends who mean the world to me, who knows when I'll pop up again in Colorado but until next time, it's been real.
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