Pennsylvania to Colorado road trip!

[sheez73]

Well our road trip is over! I made it safely back to Pennsylvania from Colorado/Arizona. We spent 1 week in Colorado Springs, 2 nights in Ouray Colorado and 1 night in Arizona (Grand Canyon). By the numbers: We drove 5000 miles and averaged 48mpg in my Jetta TDI and spent about 300 dollars in diesel fuel. Colorado was, well awesome! We rod the Cog up Pikes Peak, of course it happen to be covered in clouds at the top. But it was hit or miss all week to have a clear day up there. We enjoyed the city of Manitou. We ate at the European Café (Polish Restaurant) several times; great place to eat and was a great surprise find for my Polish friend. We walked around the Garden of the Gods and Manitou Cliff Dwellings. Then Seven Falls in Colorado Springs. We attended a Colorado Rockies game. This was Agnieszka’s first ball game here in the states. They played the Cubs. The ball park was packed! And to my surprise a lot of Cub fans showed up. Great game, it was tied going into the bottom of the ninth. First batter and first pitch to Carlos Gonzalez in the 9th, smack! home run to win the game!! We also traveled to the Royal Gorge park and Buckskin Joe’s both were a great place to visit. We also ended up in Ouray Colorado, definitely worth the scenic trip from Colorado Springs. Stayed at the old
Western Hotel in town. Took the San Juan Scenic Jeep Tour. It was chilly that day and we got stuck going up RedRockMountain and had to turn around. We were almost at the top but it was very muddy from the over night rain. After that they took us up to Crystal Lake, again Awesome! Then we left Colorado and headed to the Grand Canyon. Let me just say, neat road trip but holy crap nothing out there! We arrived at the Grand Canyon late afternoon. I guess the day before someone fell into the canyon 75 feet down or something. My 2 cents: yes its very easy to fall off the edge into the Canyon, but only if your stupid enough to get that close to the edge. I call it common sense or in this case lack of common sense. Moving on, we stayed one night on Indian reservation and decide not to go back to the Grand Cayon the next day due to Tornado warnings? and heavy down pours all day long. Oh yeah and those 2 or 3 escaped convicts. So we started our trip back to Pennsylvania by heading back to Colorado springs. From there we decided to take interstate 80 home instead of interstate 70 which we took early to get to Colorado. At the end of the day it was definitely worth the trip. Colorado has some much to see and offer. The landscape changes so much in different parts of the state. I really enjoyed the weather in Colorado and was reminded of it when we made out first stop in Nebraska on our way home, holy humidity batman!!

[80skeys]

Originally Posted by sheez73

Well our road trip is over! I made it safely back to Pennsylvania from Colorado/Arizona. We spent 1 week in Colorado Springs, 2 nights in Ouray Colorado and 1 night in Arizona (Grand Canyon). By the numbers: We drove 5000 miles and averaged 48mpg in my Jetta TDI and spent about 300 dollars in diesel fuel.

Gotta love those Jetta diesels. I wouldn't mind having one myself.

Then we left Colorado and headed to the Grand Canyon. Let me just say, neat road trip but holy crap nothing out there!

cool drive. next time, if you wanna know what nothing really is, drive west from Grand Junction on US 50 all the way to Elko Nevada. A whole LOT of nothing

[sheez73]

When we were driving thru Arizona I kept thinking about that movie "no country for old men" or something?

[80skeys]

Originally Posted by sheez73

When we were driving thru Arizona I kept thinking about that movie "no country for old men" or something?

I think that movie was filmed in New Mexico.

[Ziasforever]

Originally Posted by 80skeys

I think that movie was filmed in New Mexico.

Actually lots of the movie was filmed in Santa Fe and some of the closer areas. Another part of filmed in Marfa, TX.

The sporting goods scene was shot in "Tina's Range Gear." Which is funny because all she carries is hunting stuff,
guns, bows and the like but no camping equipment.

Back to the OP. Since you are thinking of relocating, did you get a chance to check out the job situation?

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by sheez73

Then we left Colorado and headed to the Grand Canyon. Let me just say, neat road trip but holy crap nothing out there! We arrived at the Grand Canyon late afternoon.

Colorado has some much to see and offer. The landscape changes so much in different parts of the state.

Thanks for your trip reports and comments. We do not live in Colorado, we live one state below (New Mexico, USA!). The Grand Canyon is fantastic, but there are so many sights to see in the great southwest, you almost have to move out here to really enjoy it.

Don't discount Arizona completely, I spent some time in the Southern part. It has its beauty, but well spread out. Some parts of Southern Utah are also spectacular. And of course, New Mexico has some interesting parts.

Glad you enjoyed the trip, wondering if you plan to come back out.


Rich

[DOUBLE H]

Pancho NM is right. I've logged many a mile in New Mexico, lots of stuff to see there.

The four corners states offer a lot regarding natural beauty!

[sheez73]

I didn't come across any jobs yet. I figured since I was in Colorado visiting I might come across something, but no luck. I'm glad I got a chance to visit and now I understand what its like to live in Colorado. I hope to find something near the mountains or in the mountains not eastern Colorado. My focus is in Cad Design. It's slim pickens for me right now.

[Ziasforever]

Well, it's like you said before, it's slim pickens everywhere. As I've posted before, Texas is not doing so bad.

Good luck!