Terri Cook - Moon Colorado: Scenic Drives, National Parks, Best Hikes

mountain goats on Quandary Peak

In 1806, after weeks of trudging west across the Great Plains, Lieutenant Zebulon Pike spotted what he thought was a small cloud on the horizon. As he drew closer, a mighty snow-covered peak materialized, followed by the jagged outline of the Rocky Mountain range. Pike had never seen mountains this high. His descriptions of the peaks majesty fueled the countrys imagination, imprinting the mountainlater named for himon the public consciousness and ultimately inspiring the song America the Beautiful.

These lofty thoughts were on my mind when I drove westward across I-70 for the first time. As the miles ticked by, I eagerly scanned the horizon. When I finally saw the majestic mountains, I too was astonishedboth by how high they tower over the plains and the gleaming cities at their base. Living in Colorado, Ive come to understand that the Rockies are much more than a backdrop; they are the pulse that sets the rhythm of life, dictating our relaxed pace and weekend escapes, creating our famously variable weather, and underpinning much of the economy.

Colorado is an environment for exploration and adventure. Relax in unspoiled nature and its primeval rhythms. Gaze at forever views of craggy, snowcapped peaks. Get goose bumps listening to the bugling of a bull elk drift through the crisp morning air. Youll want to actively experience Colorados knee-deep powder, plunge down its frothing white-water rapids, and soak away in steaming hot springs. Delve into its unparalleled historyfrom the ancients who constructed Mesa Verdes pueblos to the hardy souls who pioneered its creaking ghost towns.

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The Emporium Kitchen & Wine Market in Fort Collins

Glenwood Hot Springs

At the end of each adventure-filled day, savor the fresh flavors at a farm-to-table restaurant, sample some of the states sudsy microbrews, and then slumber in a luxurious lodge or camp beneath a dark sky teeming with brilliant stars.

Each and every day, Colorado has something wonderful on tap.

Canyons of the Ancients National Monument

Tour de Fat festival in Fort Collins

autumn in Steamboat Springs

Ski and Snowboard: Carve fresh

Get on the Road: Take in the views along scenic drives, Mount Evans Scenic and .

Reach : Climb to the top of the states coolest summits.

Explore Prehistoric Cliff Dwellings: Get a glimpse into the lives of Ancestral Puebloans at .

Hit the : Marvel at Colorados varied landscapesincluding stunning Rocky Mountain National Park, Aspen, and the Southwest.

Sample Craft : With 125+ breweries and taprooms, the Front Range is called the Napa Valley of Beer.

Spot Wildlife: Bighorn , and massive moose are just some of the delightful wildlife you can.

Rock on at : Catch a show and enjoy the open-air acoustics or simply enjoy the phenomenal views.

Revisit the Old : History buffs can explore old forts, gaze at gleaming gold, sashay into old saloons, and even wash down Old West grub with historic cocktails.