Road Trip

[leomendez93]

Just make sure you are safe and your money is safe with you. Keep it under care all the time. NEVER trust that it will be here or there when you come back. Do not leave a chance to bad experiences and enjoy.

 

[collegecutie222]

Here's a suggestion.

After Salt Lake, head South and hit Arches National Park or Canyonlands NP. Then head east via I-70 into Colorado.

Spend a night in Glenwood Springs and swim in the pool (might still be the world's largest hot springs pool!). Next day head east and go UNDER the Continental Divide via the Tunnel; get off I-70 at Empire and go back OVER the divide via US 40. Then go through Rocky Mountain National Park and OVER the divide again via Trail Ridge Road then into Estes Park, spend the next night there and the next day into Denver.

Once in Denver, I'd also make the trip back into the mountains to Idaho Springs then a drive to the top of Mt. Evans (14,000+ feet). Then you can say you've been on the World's Highest Auto Road.

If you have more time, there's Dinosaur National Monument in NW Colorado (it has been years since I've been there), or Mesa Verde NP down in SW Colorado.

definitely an awesome plan to see all of Colorado this way but skip Dinosaur. The place is pretty much shut down right now because the land under the visitor center settled and the building cracked and has been condemned while they build a new center. Oh and if you're going through Idaho and Wyoming hit Yellowstone National Park. I grew up 30 minutes from the entrance and you could make the loop and add Montana to your list of states too

 

[hotdog1846]

I love the suggestions and support thus far and would love to get much more. Also, if anyone has any ideas on some cheap, but decadent and memorable hotels or bed and breakfasts that are worth looking into, I'd much appreciate it. Mostly lookin' for the bigger cities that I described above, but open to all suggestions.

How about a bed 'n breakfast in the mountains that's *also* a slice of gay life?

The Bunkhouse Lodge is a gay bed and breakfast just north of Breckenridge. I've never stayed there, but it looks interesting. I bet they could put you in touch with some backcountry tours too. The best way to see the mountains is off the beaten path, especially if you want to see wildflowers and alpine grandeur.

http://www.bunkhouselodge.com/