Download FAM # 6: Explore Colorado`s Southern Route

FAM # 6: Explore Colorado’s Southern Route
Friday, February 13, 2015 Colorado Springs – Salida/Buena Vista Area
5:00 pm
Depart for the Salida/Buena Vista area (with snacks on the coach)
7:30 pm
Arrival at lodging property (If weather is bad, overnight in Canyon City)
Hosted Dinner
Salida: The Colorado mountain town of Salida sits in the middle of the state, literally in the "Heart of the
Rockies," about 2 hours from Colorado Springs and 3 hours from Denver. Our town is a welcoming Western
retreat for everyone, from the solo outdoors adventure seeker to couples yearning for a romantic escape or
families who wish to ‘Play and Stay’ in the glorious Rocky Mountains. Here one can be inspired by the endless
mountain activities, ample opportunities to reconnect with a loved one, and just plain old fun times for families.
And it can all happen without breaking the bank.
Located in central Colorado in the Upper Arkansas River Valley, Salida has more than a dozen 14,000-foot tall
mountain peaks, surpassing all other Colorado regions. It is an outdoors paradise with year-round activities
Buena Vista
Saturday, February 14, 2015 Salida/Buena Vista - Great Sand Dunes National ParkZapata Ranch
8:00 am
Breakfast
8:30 am
Activities
11:30 am
Depart for the Great Sand Dunes National Park
1:30 pm
Arrive at Great Sand Dunes National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park: Explore the tallest sand dunes in North America; their vast, sloping dunes
overwhelm the landscape with their stark beauty. The area is a geologic cornucopia of grasslands, wetlands, alpine
lakes, and conifer and aspen forests begging to be explored. Climb a dune, fly a kite, or test your skill at
sandboarding - so many choices for recreation makes the Great Sand Dunes an ideal family destination.
3:30 pm
Depart for Zapata Ranch
Zapata Ranch: The Zapata Ranch is owned by The Nature Conservancy and managed through a one-of-a-kind
partnership with Ranchlands. The property is a 103,000-acre bison and guest ranch located on the eastern wall of
the San Luis Valley of Southern Colorado. It borders the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, the
newest National Park in the United States. The high desert grasslands, alpine forests, wetlands, sand dunes, creeks,
and lush meadows offer one of the most scenic and ecologically diverse landscapes in the United States. In
addition to our livestock operation, the ranch features working ranch vacations, educational programs centered
around our bison herd, and active, ambitious
conservation programs aimed at preserving the
surrounding land and promoting its biodiversity.
Check into Zapata Ranch
6:00 pm
Appetizers in the main lodge, followed
by dinner
Free time to enjoy outdoor hot tubs
Sunday, February 15, 2015: Zapata Ranch
- Durango
8:00 am
Breakfast
8:45 am
Vehicle tour to see the Bison
Zapata Ranch
Image Credit: Stephen Weaver
Bison Tour: The Bison Tour includes seeing our free roaming bison herd and learning about the history of Zapata
Ranch and the ranching philosophies we implement.
10:30 pm
Depart for Pagosa Springs
Pagosa Springs: Located in southwest Colorado at the base of the Continental Divide and Wolf Creek Pass,
Pagosa Springs is one of the state’s last undiscovered gems. Pagosa Springs offers visitors an opportunity to soak
in the world's deepest hot springs (Guinness World Record), explore over 2.5 million acres of surrounding
wilderness and natural forest areas, play in the most snow in Colorado at nearby Wolf Creek Ski Area, and learn
more about the region's Ancestral Puebloan history at Chimney Rock National Monument.
1:00 pm
Arrival in Pagosa Springs, lunch at Hot Springs, and free time for swimming
3:30 pm
Depart for Durango
Durango, A Dozen Vacations In One Destination
Durango is a picturesque mountain town, nestled at the southwestern foot of the Rocky Mountains.
Located in the “Four Corners” region where Colorado meets Utah, Arizona and New Mexico, Durango
is the perfect gateway to experience the history of the American West. Durango is located between three
UNESCO World Heritage sites: Mesa Verde National Park, Aztec Ruins National Monument, and
Chaco Canyon National Park. Monument Valley and Chimney Rock National Monument are both less
than 3 hours away. Durango is also home of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, making it
a must-see for history and archaeology enthusiasts. Durango offers "a dozen vacations in one
destination." From old west experiences, ancient ruins, and arts & culture to adventure sports,
agritourism and special events, Durango has something to offer to all travelers.
5:00 pm
Arrival in Durango, check into Historic Downtown Hotels
6:00 pm
Reception at Toh-Atin Gallery
Toh-Atin Gallery - Since 1957, when Jackson Clark Sr. started trading for Navajo rugs,Toh-Atin Gallery
has been a one of the most respected sources for quality antique and contemporary Navajo rugs and
weavings, Navajo and Pueblo jewelry, Pueblo pottery, Hopi Kachinas, Native American Baskets and
Indian and Southwestern arts, including sculpture and paintings. Today the business has expanded to
handle collections and estates of quality Native arts.
7:30 pm
Dinner at El Moro Spirits and Tavern
El Moro: With no known comparison, El Moro is capitalizing on the region’s growth of entrepreneurial ranches
and farms, many of which are organic, and will utilize a majority of locally grown and raised ingredients in its menu
items.
The menu is being described as “modern rustic.” The simple and memorable dishes are designed to blend classic,
old world preparations with exciting techniques that have evolved from the modern cuisine movement, such as
spherification, which will highlight the qualities of the ingredients. The menu will change seasonally, and include
specials based on available fresh ingredients. Most meat will have been raised and harvested locally.
After dinner suggestion: Enjoy live music at the Diamond Belle Saloon
Revered as one of the most famous original ragtime piano bars in the Wild West, the Belle plays host to the
world's finest ragtime entertainers, while costumed dance hall girls and bartenders transport you back to the turn
of the last century.
Monday, February 15, 2015: Durango – Mesa Verde
8:00 am
Breakfast
9:15 am
Board Durango & Silverton Train
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
(D&SNGRR) - Winter Train to Cascade Canyon
Relive history with a spectacular journey on a
historic, coal-fired, steam-powered locomotive that
has been transporting freight and passengers since
1882. Revel in the sites and sounds of a bygone era
as the train winds through 26 scenic miles of the San
Juan National Forest to the Cascade Canyon wye.
This wilderness destination is the perfect setting for
a fireside lunch, photo opportunities, or a walk
along the Animas River.
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
Image Credit: Matt Inden/Miles
9:45 am
Train departs Durango
11:50 pm
Train arrives Cascade Canyon
12:00pm
Lunch at Cascade Canyon (lunch will be provided)
12:45pm
Train departs Cascade Canyon
2:45 pm
Train arrives Durango
Additional information from Durango-Explore Durango Dozen Art Galleries
Durango is quickly becoming a hub for fine art in the Southwest. A hidden jewel in the arts and cultural world,
over a dozen galleries carry treasures from American Indians, Contemporary Western and Southwestern works of
museum-quality art including sculptures, pottery, baskets, fine art photography and home furnishings.
Walking Tour of Historic Downtown
Downtown Durango is a Nationally Registered Historic District boasting historic hotels, award winning
restaurants, fabulous art galleries and museums, eclectic shopping and year round events. Downtown Durango
offers a true sense of the heart and soul of our authentic Durango community. The National Trust for Historic
Preservation has named Durango, CO to its 2007 list of America’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations.
3:00 pm (Optional)
Depart for Mesa Verde National
Park
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Tour of Mesa Verde
Depart for Cortez, check
into Cortez Hotels
Hosted Dinner
Cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park
Other Options: Afternoon departures or overnight in Durango
Tuesday, February 16, 2015: Cortez –Departure (Durango La Plata Regional Airport
DRO)
AM
Breakfast in Cortez
9:00 am
Departures
Note: Itineraries are subject to change.