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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 • • • 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.