Planning a family car trip out West
Q. My husband and I would like to take our three children, ages 19, 17 and 13, to Colorado and possibly Arizona next June. We are planning a car trip.
What are the highlights of what we could see and do in the space of 10 days to two weeks? I have thought of beginning our sightseeing in the Estes Park area of Colorado and then working our way down, possibly seeing the Garden of the Gods and some of the ghost towns. I have never been to Arizona, so, with our time limits, where would be the best place to visit where we could get the most bang for our bucks? Would we be close enough to see the Grand Canyon?
Also, can you suggest a type of lodging that would be reasonable yet accommodate a family of our size comfortably?
A. Your idea of starting in Estes Park is a good one because from there you can head south on the scenic routes that parallel I-25, or I-25 itself, about 100 miles to the Colorado Springs area. Just west of that city is Manitou Springs, where you will find the Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak.
You can take a ride on the cog railway to the summit of Pikes Peak where, at 14,110 feet, you can see Denver 75 miles to the north. The round trip takes a bit over three hours. If you feel adventuresome, you could drive the 60-mile round trip to the peak on a road that has hairpin curves, no guard rails and is unpaved half the way.
Depending on the amount of time you want to spend in the car, there are scenic roads from Colorado Springs westward. With three teenagers in tow my guess is you will want to move a bit faster. Take I-25 south to U.S. 160, a scenic road that will take you to the Four Corners, where Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah all meet. The kids will get a kick out of standing in four states all at the same time.
From there head back the way you came just a few miles to Colorado 41, which becomes Utah 262, to Utah 163 into Bluff, then follow U.S. 163 through Monument Valley and back to U.S. 160, which will take you to within a stone's throw of the Grand Canyon. The trip is more than 500 miles and with everything there is to see you probably will need a couple of days. Arizona 64 takes you into Grand Canyon National Park. There, you can ride a mule down a narrow trail from the canyon's rim to the Colorado River at its base, a trip that is not for the faint of heart.
As for ghost towns, there is a Web site detailing their locations everywhere in the U.S. and Canada, accompanied by a little banjo music for atmosphere. Go to www.ghosttowns.com and then to the Colorado and Arizona links, which include the histories, maps and routes.
Colorado and Arizona state information and lists of accommodations can be found at www.colorado.com and (800) 265-6723; www.arizonaguide.com and (888) 520-3434.
Send your questions at leastsix weeks prior to travel toMadelyn Merwin in care ofTravel, Daily Herald, P.O. Box280, Arlington Heights, IL60006, or e-maildpmerwin@sbcglobal.net.