Telluride, Colorado

It was our last full day of vacation. We woke a little easier that morning, excited to hop in the Jeep once more to head out to Telluride. 

Unlike Ouray, Telluride is a ski town and slightly more affluent. The pictures we’d found showed perfectly manicured streets with historic buildings that made you think time stopped around the first gold rush. Not only was downtown surrounded by stunning hikes, we had a free gondola ride to look forward to. There was even an off-road trail called Last Dollar Road that looped through the mountains between Ouray and Telluride, and with the Jeep fully gassed up we hit the road.

Last Dollar Road certainly didn’t disappoint.

It was difficult to get the perfect shot as the tires rolled over gravel and dirt, but on either side of us huge white clouds loomed over rolling emerald hills, with purple and red mountains jutting throughout the skyline. I half expected Sister Maria to come spinning over a green knoll, or Heidi to appear skipping after her grandfather with a handful of wildflowers. 

The landscape appeared untouched for miles, but every now and again hints of civilization would cut into the scenery. I tried to imagine what the unpaved twists and turns would look like covered in mounds of snow, but I couldn’t quite fathom it. 

When we finally arrived in Telluride, it was hard to believe anything could beat the beauty of Last Dollar, but sure enough, downtown was equally sublime.

Even though Ouray has earned the title of the “Switzerland of America,” in Telluride it felt like we’d taken a wrong turn and ended up somewhere in Scandinavia. With brightly colored buildings stacked neatly together and pristine streets with cobblestone, it certainly didn’t feel like the U.S. 

After strolling a bit, we made a beeline for the gondolas.  

 Arriving at the top of the first mountain, you saw signs for winter trails, not to mention a full view of the little village below.
  

Next on the list was checking out local breweries. For this we hit up Smuggler’s Brew Pub, located conveniently just off the gondolas. 

 We opted out of their food, choosing instead to grab some burritos for lunch at a food cart around the corner. In true mountain town fashion, the cost of food was obscene and the taste wouldn’t have been anything to write home about. The burrito was tasty and cheap however, and hit our stomachs nicely after the beers.

Last on our list before heading back to Ouray was Bridal Veil Falls, a 365 foot free-falling waterfall located just a couple miles outside of downtown.

Once again, we were grateful we’d brought the Jeep. The trail to the falls was surprisingly more twisted and treacherous than Last Dollar had been. Ryan leaned his head out the window, spotting for Andrew as he navigated the corkscrew turns and switchbacks. 

(I mean, the view wasn’t half bad…)

Finally arriving at the base of the falls, we immediately knew it’d been worth the rocky ride.

Words cannot describe how gorgeous the falls were, so I’ll just let my pictures talk for me…
  

Earlier we’d discussed hiking the 1.2 miles to the top of the falls, but with over a thousand feet of gains and loose rocks to contend with, we decided the base was impact enough for us this trip.

(I mean, look at how tiny the hikers appear in comparison to the falls!)

The raging water misted you as you stood basking in its stream. It was enough to take your breath away.

With our final excursion satisfied, we headed back to the teepee to cook our last campfire meal of the trip.  

While Andrew tended the fire and Ryan prepped the food, Abbie made the best camping Bloody Mary I’d ever tasted.

Abbie and I still had our eyes on the common room’s hula hoops, so with special permission from the office we were allowed to take a couple back to our site.

You know, for important evening entertainment. Like adults.

Even the boys got into it.

(Kinda.)

In true Kansas City fashion, for dinner we had the treat of Ryan’s infamous smoked brisket, complete with roasted ears of corn and local barbecue sauce all the way from Missouri.

Stomachs full to bursting, we still managed to find room for s’mores. Toasting the marshmallows over the open fire, it felt like the perfect end to both our trip and summer.  

‘Til next time, y’all.