It’s more than 900 miles from Dallas to Arrowhead, Colorado in the Vail Valley. A nice, long drive away from the summer heat to the cool mountain air. One route takes us through New Mexico. Clayton, NM gets ready for summer with firework stands like this one.
Clayton NM
The Colorado mountain towns nixed their mega 4th of July displays this year because of the threat of more wildfires. Maybe New Mexico did the same.
The rest stop at Clines Corners welcomes us with an altitude of 7200 feet, Fresh Fudge, and more souvenirs than you need, but there’s no charge for looking.
Welcome to New Mexico
Another route (our new favorite) takes us through Oklahoma and Salina, KS. We gassed up here and saw the Great Food Pyramid. BBQ anyone?
Yum
Ovenighting in Salina gave us the opportunity to share (notice the word “share”) a Chocolate Extreme Blizzard. DQ complies with some regulation and posts the calories in all their concoctions. You don’t want to know, especially if you’ve been sitting on your duff driving all day. But, hey, a gal’s gotta eat!
DQ
Mountains at last, and some freebees.
Take It
Charming towns with cute shops.
Lavender and Lace
Vintage stuff to poke through.
Cheap Chic
And, around a corner, back alley signage with a little graffiti thrown in.
On the Wall
In Carbondale you can bike to brunch, then justify eating the heavenly peach pancakes at the Village Smithy.
Carbondale Brunch Fave
Or have a latte with or without chess. Good dog!
Time Out
Shop till you drop every Saturday at the Minturn Market. Believe me, it’s more than T-shirts. Good eats too, and Christmas in July on Main St.
Minturn Mania
Decisions, Decisions
Christmas in July
Lest anyone think we’re all about eating and shopping, here’s the reward we get for sore feet (knees, backs, whatever) on those hikes up to 10,000+ feet.
Aspen Glade
See you next summer, Colorado!