Thrifty shopping for your next travel excursion

While reading the May 2008 edition of ShopSmart, I found a list of travel sites that I thought I would share.  Now if you are like me, you want to travel like an international celebrity...not the paparazzi of a celeb, just the quality of service they get...but want to do it on a sub-coach budget.  If so then some of these sites might help.

• travelzoo - for last-minute deals and discounted prices on airfares, resorts, vacation packages, and cruises.
• farecast - for historical airline fares.  Plus predictions on current and future fare rates.
• seatguru - a site that might be this tall gals new best friend.  Check them out to find out which seats on what aircraft give you the legroom you need.  By checking out their listing I found out that Jet Blue's Airbus A320 has more space per seat then some airlines' first-class seats.  My kinda place!
• tripadvisor - for recent guests reviews of hotels, inns, local restaurants, attractions, and activities.
• johnnyjet - is an encyclopedia of travel sites.  You want the answer, they can probably link you to it from their site.
• magellans - a personal favorite for years.  Need a luggage tag that sets your black suitcase apart from the hundreds of other black suitcases on your flight?  Magellan's had it.  Want a travel pillow like that guy two rows ahead of you on your last transatlantic flight was using?  Magellan's has it!  Want one of those nifty folding luggage scales so you don't get hit by the ever changing airline policies on weights?  Magellan's has it.

Posted by prolurkr at 10:44 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Pagosa Springs to Lake City CO

I have about a 100 pictures from the drive back from Colorado to Indiana.  I'm going to break them up into each day's drive so I don't swamp slower connections. The first day I drove from Pagosa Springs CO to Lake City CO. Day two was from Lake City CO to Pueblo CO. On day three I left the mountains behind and spent the night in Wichita KS. Day four took me to Pinebluffs MO and the next day brought me home. I said it was a fairly circuitous route.
The route from South Fork to Lake City is listed as one of the prettiest scenic drives in Colorado, and I agree. I had wanted to do this drive because Lake County, of which Lake City is the only population center, is the least populated county in the United States...now that appeals to me. LOL I started taking pictures after I cleared South Folk and was heading north. This route had very little traffic...me a few motorcycles and an occasional passenger vehicle. Sweet...
I stopped to grab this pic on a causeway that lead between the highway and a camp ground. Great view.
I pulled into the campground to use the facilities and take a walk around to stretch my legs. I was a nice place but totally uninhabited at that time. After a nice walk I pulled back on the highway which wound down the mountains and around the campground, below the campground I came around the curve to find a large Black Bear lumbering across the road heading up to where I had just been. I saw it and it saw me...it did an evaluation and decide that my Blue Insight was a threat. Once that decision was made it hit high speed and ran up the mountain. Of course it flashed across my brain that I should turn around and go back to the camp ground for pictures...of course I realized that would be completely insane and kept going.
Further down the mountain I stopped at an overlook for more pictures.
This marker is located on Slumgullion Pass at 11,000. Two thousand feet below is Lake City...named for Lake San Cristobal.
I stopped at Windy Pass Overlook and took more pictures.
There is a trail that heads up into the mountains for a better "overlook" view. At this point I was getting very tired so I passed on even a short hick. As I headed down into town I started rethinking my plan to press on to Pueblo for the night.
Lake San Cristobal was created about 700 years ago when an earthflow blocked the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River. The earthflow is still moving but apparently no longer leads to the lake.
Another scenic overlook at a lower elevation.
This historical marker is located where in February 1874, Alfred Packer killed five men as he lead them from Salt Lake City to Los Pinos Indiana Agency, South of Gunnison CO. Welcome to the WILD West.
This is the official marker with the names of the victims.
Lake City is a small town with fewer than 400 residents. I was told that the town mostly empties out in the winter since temps routinely hit -20.  Not surprising at this elevation, 8000+.
I stopped at the Tic Toc Diner for lunch. The food was very good and the decor was interesting.
I took this shot of the Tic Toc's menu with their story on the front.
My next leg of the drive was around Lake San Cristobal itself. This is a highly photogenic lake and estuary.
I loved the harmony of this shot...the curves of moss against the curves of the rock.
I was really tired by this point so I decided to stay over in Lake City. It took a couple of stops but I found a cabin at the Wagon Wheel Resort.
A shot from the front door of the cabin looking at the mountains.
The Cottonwood seeds were falling so thick they were like snow on the ground. I was really cool to watch.
A couple of shots inside the two bedroom cabin.  Now for a good nights sleep in a beautiful locale with cool nights.

Posted by prolurkr at 07:23 PM | TrackBack

Pictures around Pagosa Springs

During my stay I snapped a variety of pictu around Pagosa Springs. These are not necessarily sequential nor do they tell a coherent story...at least they don't tell me one at the moment.
Every other morning I started out my day with a nice soak at the hot springs. There were two routes between the house and The Springs, you could stay on the highways or go out Hotsprings Road. I usually choice the latter. This picture is going in from the house toward town. I actually snapped the picture to get a clear shot of the mountains, the layers of mountains actually. Sadly that part didn't come out very well.
On the same road this view looks up toward Reservoir Hill.
On the east side of town there are still some working ranches. This one had several old buildings. I'm not totally sure they were really old but they were pretty...I love the old abandoned building look.
Still on Hotsprings Road coming up on I-84, the ranch in the distance is known as The Blue Ranch. All of the buildings are painted the same shade of blue. I bet it gorgeous when there is snow.
The view outside the living room windows of the house were amazing at sunset. I have never seen colors like this outside an old master painting. I had thought Hawaii sunsets were the best but I think these beat them.
The Columbine's were beginning to bloom in the yard right as I left.
These shots are looking down at Pagosa Springs from Reservoir Hill.
When I first moved into the house I amuzed a friend of mine in PA. I kept saying that there were critters at my feeder that I couldn't identify. They had the body of a chipmunk and the head of a squirrel and were about half the size of our squirrels. Turns out they are Gold Mantled Squirrels. I snapped this picture from my workspace looking out the dining room doors. The frame you see around the squirrel is actual the back of a ladder-back dining chair.

Posted by prolurkr at 10:54 PM | TrackBack

Elwood Pass - Post 2

Ok as I said, I consider the trip to have been a success ane I can't wait to go back though next time I'm driving a different route.  There is a route that would le tme go from New Mexico to Summitville then down via Elwood Pass.  I almost took it this time but I was worried about total drive time as it covers over 100 miles and you don't drive these roads quickly.  Might have to be a two-day trip.

It got really interesting, intellectually, when I got back to town after the drive.  I was talking about my trip and several people were appalled that I would have gone up alone.  I was somewhat amazed given my earlier discussions, see Elwood Pass - Post 1.  I asked why but never got sound logic.

Let me say first that I totally understand why one should never go hiking alone.  Having a buddy makes perfect sense to me, you get injured and there will be someone there to hike out and get help...at least you hope that only one of you in incapacitated.  But on a driving tour, two people in one vehicle is equivalent to one hiker.  If something happens with the vehicle either both will be hiking or neither...there isn't a lot of gray area here. 

I admit I would do it again alone...though with some further preparedness.  Including making sure I can change a tire.  Though on these drives the roads are not so isolated that it would be days before someone came along...more like hours at the most.  In truth I saw far more traffic on the East Fork Road than I did on the Plumtaw Piedra Loop.  Kinda funny that.

Oh well, I have every intention of being back in the high mountains again on the next trip.

And on a note of nearly full disclosure, I have no doubt that had I searched on "Elwood Pass" rather then "scenic drives" "Pagosa Springs," I might have throught more before I started out on the drive.  Sites that discuss Elwood Pass make a point of talking about how difficult the road can be.  The Durango Herald did a story on an excursion to Elwood Pass, interestingly they turned around very close to the spot where I did the same.

Posted by prolurkr at 09:44 PM | TrackBack

Elwood Pass - Post 1

Ok before I went to Colorado I had said I wasn't going to head up into the high mountains by myself. Well once I was there I realized how comfortable I feel in the mountains so I decided I was going to do some research to see if it was do-able. In my research I read several sites that discussed scenic drives around Pagosa Springs and found that they recommended having a 4-wheel drive vehicle with high clearance (as though there are lots of low-clearance 4-wheel drives), no problem there they can easily be rented. I talked to some of the folks I met in town who said they didn't see why it you be a problem to drive to Summitville via Elwood Pass, just have a 4x4. I also spent some time talking to the folks at the Forest Service Office who agreed that it was a workable solo drive in a 4x4. Hubby said go for it so I did.
This first set of pictures were taken near the beginning of the route. The route basically parallels the East Fork of the San Juan River so there is almost always water on the right of the drive up the mountain. At this point the road is a nice 1.5 to 2 lane dirt road...like most non-highway roads in Colorado...this does change though as you go up the mountain. You will see as we ascend.
The weather had been damp but not stormy as I started out. It was cool driving up the canyon as I listened to KSUT's 30th Anniversary Celebration on the radio, until I lost the radio reception. The program opened with a Native American Drum group and I loved the combination of driving with the windows down listening to the sounds of the mountains while the drums played.
As you head further up the mountain you pass through a privately held ranch called Piano Creek. The pictures don't do this property justice it is devastatingly gorgeous. Recently the owners gave up their plan to make it a golf club...I'm really glad they did so. Though it looks like shares are available in the property. The Durango Herald did a story on the history of the Piano Creek Ranch's name which is well worth a read particularly in light of the rest of my story.  *w*
This shot looks back toward the western entrance to the property and the old homestead site.
Still on the ranch and gaining altitude.
This sign marks the history of Elwood Pass, this site gives you the same info with better detail. It also says that a trip from Summitville to Pagosa Springs over Elwood Pass once took 3 weeks to make the 30 mile trip...the road can be that difficult for a wagon.
I took a side trip up Quartz Meadow Road.
I came around a bend and there they were...peaks with snow. I love the Rockies, I think I might have said that once or twice. LOL
The Quartz Meadow Trailhead is located in a beautiful meadow...hence the name I'm sure.
I actually had to ford this stream to get to the meadow and to get out. Of course I only took a pic going out. It was a bit scary going through the first time...the water splashed on to the hood of the truck though it was splash not underwater. Much of this drive could be a metaphor for life - more on that one later - but in this case the chant...just "floor it and go," worked nicely.
Back on East Fork Road, heading to the Pass.
I took this pic so you could see the road...which was really more of a stream bed at this point than anything I would have called a road.
Gotta love Aspens.
Another ford, faster but much shallower than the Quartz Creek ford. After this the road started going up steeply. Ahead of me I saw a Bronco-like truck stopped in the road with people walking up the road ahead of the truck. I stopped and got out so we could confab. In the truck was a couple who were deciding if they could make it up the mountain with a front-wheel drive vehicle...the answer was no. As we were talking I realized they had kids in the car, it looked like three kids under seven as I saw their heads sticking out of the windows. Why you would decide this was a good outing for really young kids is totally beyond me. We decided I would backup to the ford and let them come back and turnaround. Then I could go on forward up the canyon.
I decided to grab a shot of the truck, while I was waiting for them to backup and turnaround. LOL
Looking up the "road" where the truck had been stopped. After this the road got much dicier. It was very narrow with sheer drops on the right as I headed up the mountain. At several points I was repeating to myself that there was no place to turnaround so the only alternative was to press-on...not a bad metaphor for much of life. Oh have I mentioned that I'm afraid of heights? LOL
Well I keep pressing on up the canyon and I hit a rock shelf that I could not get the truck to go over. I did a couple of unsuccessful runs when I got out to study the shelf and find the best way over it. At that point a Bronco met me coming down from the pass. I walked up and met one of the gentlemen from the truck as he walked down to meet me. We discussed how to negotiate the road so that we could pass and each be on our way. He suggested that I pull way over on the right edge of the road so they could go by on the left. I explained to him that I couldn't do that...I would let them pull it up and one of them could pull it off on the edge of the canyon but I couldn't do it. Of course he was staring at me at that point asking what I was doing in the mountains if I was scared of height...like fear should stop me flat. I know my limits...on the road I can do it...on the grass next to the lip we have problems. So we settled that they would pull by me on the right so I didn't have to go off on that edge. He was watching me as I made three runs on the shelf before I got over it and when I did his eyes got really big...you see I was driving on a blown tire. The road is so rough I had not noticed that the tire had blown probably 0.25 miles before we met. At that earlier point I had hit something in the road that had bounced the truck a bit to the right and then we had gone forward with no noticeable problems...that is probably when the tire blew. Lucky for me the Bronco held four guys who were in the mountains camping with 40 of their friends...most were firefighters from Fort Worth TX. They volunteered to change the tire for me, which I accepted. I realized as I watched them that I haven't changed a tire on a car, never on a truck, in many years. I have no idea how to use a scissors jack, a point which I will be remedying shortly, nor do I think I have enough upper-body strength to loosen the lugs on a 4x4.
I grabbed this shot while they were working on the truck. As you can see there are pipeline warning signs along this part of the route. Not sure where the pipeline is exactly, or how one would dig a trench for the pipe, OR why would would take pipe along this route.
After the tire blew and was changed out, it seemed wise to turnaround and head back down the canyon and home to Pagosa Springs. I could call this trip a failure because I didn't achieve my goal of reaching Summitville but I consider it a huge win. I had a great time driving and I learned a few things about my self. I am not afraid of heights rather I am afraid of falling. I can stand on the edge of a sheer drop if I feel secure against falling. I have very limited vision in my right eye and that seems to play into my discomfort. I think my brain is in a constant state of "Oh shit" when the sheer drop is on my right. I am far more uncomfortable going up than I am coming down. All of these points proved true whether I on this road or on a four-lane highway going over a pass. I grabbed this shot because it was a nice picture leading into Piano Creek Ranch.

Posted by prolurkr at 09:05 PM | TrackBack

Blanco Basin Road

Later in the day after completing the Plumtaw Piedra Loop I took a spin up the Blanco Basin Road. I didn't take lots of pictures. What can I say I was tired and even though I love the mountains after awhile the views become pretty similar...when you do a picture marathon.
I had seen this freeloading plant in several spots throughout the day. However this was the first time I could get a good picture. Not sure what it is but it was growing in a Lodgepole Pine.
You can see that it was getting really hazy as the day wore on. This pic has been Photoshopped to clean it up, but only on run through the automatic cleaner...anything else would be too much processing for me.
This shot was snapped as I came back down the road and got below the haze.
Last shot of the day and then home to get some sleep before the big day, tomorrow.

Posted by prolurkr at 09:06 PM | TrackBack

Plumtaw-Piedra Loop

The Plumtaw Road is a Forest Service access road that begins in town as Four Mile Road at the corner of Lewis and Pagosa Street near Subway. It is substantially higher in elevation than most other back roads in the county and affords spectacular vistas and autumn colors; it is also the summer home for many deer and elk. Keep an eye peeled for grouse also. Where the Plumtaw Road descends to the Upper Piedra Road, turn right toward Williams Creek Lake, a scenic high mountain reservoir with a reputation for good fishing. Where Piedra Road crosses the Piedra River, take a hike (half-hour or longer) down the Piedra Gorge past caverns of maidenhair ferns and mini-waterfalls. Stay on Piedra Road when you return to Pagosa Springs, noting the “Big Pasture” and “Ant Hill” on your right. You will be following the route of an early narrow-gauge railway the last 10 miles. This route is suitable for all vehicles and is a great route for viewing fall foliage. Taken from Scenic driving and 4x4 trails around Pagosa Springs Colorado
This ranch caught my eye.
There are no bad views on this drive. Though the "suitable for all vehicles" is probably an overstatement. I know my car's little tires wouldn't have liked it at all. Plus I had the truck in low on more than a few occasions.
Multiflora roses were just beginning to bloom. I love these natural single roses but back home they are considered a weed because the cattle won't eat them and they grow into huge brambles.
I love Aspen trees, their bark has an interesting texture and they wind makes the most amazing sound through the leaves.
The wild iris were in bloom in some of the more open meadows, often in singles or small groups. This large drift was just perfect for a picture.
or two....
Ahhh Aspens and iris together.
I took a side route into a forest test area.
The area had been logged before a test burn to work through fire protection planning. Then the area was replanted, the first time less then successfully when critters eat most everything. The second planting is growing nicely though it is entirely pines.
Mountains...ahhhh.
...and valleys.
I grabbed a couple of shots in the William's Creek Reservoir area.
On the way back to town on Piedra Road I found a great overlook down to the Piedra River.

Posted by prolurkr at 02:44 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Scenic driving in Colorado

I rented a 4-wheel drive truck and spent two days doing some serious scenic driving in the San Juan Mountains.  The truck I ended up with was a full size F150 extended cab, if I had it to do over again I would have held out for the smaller 4-wheel drive truck I had reserved.  You know how rental car reservations work, you reserve it and they give you whatever they want to give you for the rate of whatever you reserved.  In essence the smaller truck would have been better but more on that in a future post.

Here is a graphic taken from my GPS system that gives you a picture of the driving I did over the two days. Look for the dashed lines on the map. The longer dashed line is the Plumtaw-Piedra Loop and the shorter one is my route up to Elwood Pass.  Sadly the clip couldn't get my route up the Blanco Basin Road on the same screen. I have pictures and stories to come.

Related posts:

Plumtaw-Piedra Loop
Blanco Basin Road
Elwood Pass - Post 1
Elwood Pass - Post 2

Posted by prolurkr at 01:49 PM | TrackBack

Pictures from my drive to Santa Fe

I drove from Pagosa Springs to Santa Fe to spend the weekend with friends. The books say it is about a 2.5 hour drive but since many miles of the road was stripped down to hard pack AND since my car's very narrow tires don't like rough roads it took over an hour longer than listed. The colors of these pictures seem unnaturally bright but they are accurate...the colors are very intense in the South West.
This is a natural ampatheatre. Isn't nature amazing.
When I was driving back I went via Taos yes I know it's not a straight line but it was a really nice drive. A rain storm was tracking my route so I got to see a desert storm...hehehe.
My friend told me that this bridge is fairly famous. I need to look up the name of the place. It is very high above the river...very high. I didn't walk out to the middle because it was raining...yeah that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Dust devils facinate me.
I forgot that the headquarters for Earthship Biotecture is outside Taos. I had to backup and grab some pictures of the site. Had it been before 5:00 p.m. I would have taken the tour, but I guess I can do that sometime in the future.