Mystery Trip: Day 4

Beloved Double Tree - such a funky hotel, comfy and nice but quaintly old.  Also, their breakfast buffet is stellar (and free if you do Hilton Honors!).

He's so cute...

Mike had bene throwing me for a loop on our final two-night destination, and had me so worried about the drive home on Sunday (at one point he said "Arizona"), which made me cringe at the possibility of ending our wonderful trip with a twelve hour drive.  So he finally told me where we were going, and my initial reaction was "Where?!"

 As you can see, the scenery gave nothing away...but fortunately Mike did so I wouldn't worry.

 We went through Silverthorn and Ouray...at which I really wanted to stop, but was just too excited to get to our destination.

 And then the scenery started to change...

When we finally came upon it...Palisade, Colorado!  Home of over 75% of the state's vinyards, and the unofficial Peach Capital of Colorado.  Also, Mike's and my new haven!

Being from Texas, I am a bit of a B&B snob, as very few can do it like Texas can.  I can honestly say, DiVine Thyme B&B exceeded any expectations I could've had (and it was a surprise to begin with!).

This is Bogart ("Bogie"), the resident canine.  Poor guy was fourteen and moved slowly...until the applewood smoked bacon was served!

Mike reserved the suite for our two-night stay - complete with a gorgeous two sink bathroom, humongous shower, bedroom, sitting room, and balcony over looking...well...this:

And we rented bikes for the entire weekend for only $10!  Sweet vintage cruisers.  The grandest thing was, Mike hadn't ridden a bike in a decade, and was deathly afraid of riding.  But for the sake of this trip, and the love of his life, he tried...

Ended  up absolutely loving it!  We biked to the tiny downtown, where just one or two shops, the town's grocer, and a couple of restuarants were.

In the end none of those suited our evening's fancy, so we kept riding through the tiny town to find some interest art...

 And home grown pups!

And eventually found ourselves at Palisade Brewing Company for some finger-lickin' bar food.

 Yes.  It's basically in a metal building.  So small town.  I enjoyed a fresh-brewed rootbeer.

 Mike had a marg (no beer for that man ever again).

Next, and right across the street, was Peach Street Distillers, where they make some incredible home-grown vodka, gin, and other liquors and mix them into fascinating combinations!

I quite enjoyed the Cherry Limeade and Chocolate Float.  This pretty much sums them up: "Our Vodkas are available throughout Colorado, where ever fine people sell fine things... with booze in them."

 From there, we biked back to our little room to enjoy the beautiful, cool night and lovely surroundings.

Mystery Trip: Day 3

Durango-bound!  This was probably my favorite part of all the driving.  Just beautiful, and very few people on this little mountain road!  But first...the Rose's most beautiful day!

We took 114 (a major back road) to take the scenic route.  It was well-worth the cattle on the road...and the stop at my very first camp toilet!  Go me.  All I could think of was Stephen King's short story "A Very Tight Place" (in Just After Sunset)...totally freaked myself out.

 Getting close now...and so beautiful.

BAM!  Main Street!  We walked around going into shops we felt might be of interest, holding hands, and reveling in mystery trip happiness.  Urban Nomad had to be my favorite (although Durango Olive Oil has the most incredible 18 year balsamic - I got me some) due to all the cheap earrings I snagged (with Mike's help). 

 So pretty in the summer...

We went back to The Double Tree (just a block away from Main - we highly recommend) to shower (it was warmish) and change for Ken & Sue's!  One of the most incredible restaurants in Colorado, where I also discovered Bogle Petit Sirah.  As you can see, I was very pleased.

 We tried to sneak a photo in front of the restaurant despite this crazy guy blocking our path trying to sell Obama buttons.  Based on peoples' reactions, there are a lot more conservatives in Colorado for which I would've given the state credit prior to the incident.

A very nice young man that worked at Ken & Sue's came out and offered to take our picture; I thought he was going to beat the Button Guy up if he didn't move...

 Gorgeous.

 We ended on a high note at our favorite Irish Pub - The Irish Embassy!

 The green walls are classic.

It was pretty dead, so the bartender was pretty good to us!  We enjoyed talking with him, but my favorite part was when both he and Mike busted out pictures of their rescue dogs on their phones.  Precious.



Mystery Trip: Day 2

While the hotel was truly amazing, we couldn't wait to get out of Vail...

And out of the Fourth of July crowds!  Americans and their parades, for cryin' out loud.

Our second stop would eventually be Crested Butte, a town which neither of us have seen!  The drive itself though was absolutely gorgeous.  The first piece of epicness (and trust me, there were many) was to see Gilman for myself.  This was an entire town.  It was abandoned and is now completley off-limites (to those that could potentially lose their vocation in the auto-industry) due to being private property and heavily guarded.  It's in-tact as far as structures go.  And is incredible.

Look at the view!  So many of these...

We stopped in Leadville for lunch (2nd highest elevation in the US - highest population!) at Zichittella's.  Incredible breakfast for lunch!

It rained almost all evening on the 4th in Crested Butte.  It was lovely!   We got a corner room at The Grand Lodge, complete with a kitchenette and sitting area!  After we explored the main street in CB, we donned robes and enjoyed the wind coming off the mountains and the pouring rain.  No fireworks, but we did watch Firefly!  Love this photo...

 Heart made our of bike gears!  REALLY heavy...

Mike on Main!  It was on this little jaunt that Mike told me where we were driving next - Durango to eat at our favorite restaurant Ken & Sue's!  Not gonna lie, I teared up.

The Brick Oven Pizza, where we witness several hot messes trying to find their children while plasterd.  I don't get people.

 We were ready to leave by the time it was all said and done.  We can only handle so much drama...

Happy 4th!

Mystery Trip: Day 1

Months ago, Mike told me that he was planning a surprise trip.  He told me the days, that we were driving, and gave me the weather highs and lows for each of the 6 days.  And that's it.

Oh the anticipation!

We even cleaned my ring for the occasion...which we really need to do more often, because, I mean, BAM!  I had forgotten how shiny that thing was!

Finally, it was time to leave.  First stop: Vail!!!!!  And the nicest hotel I've ever stayed in: The Sebastian.  

 They had a cappuccino machine in every room.  I'm pretty sure I had 7.  I wish I were kidding.

 Vail Village, here we come!  Beautiful night for a stroll.

 Mike and his random soccer fields...

We at dinner at Los Amigos!  After waiting for almost an hour and Mike offering to bus tables he finally snagged us one right by the window overlooking the beautiful courtyard!  He's such a good man - for so many reasons.

Popped on over to Red Lion for a drink and some live music and epic people watching.  There wa s a lot of that this trip...couldn't have started a better way!

Told you: nicest hotel ever.

View from afar

Dani sent me this epic photo of Keebs while we were in Texas:

 And then she sent me this one of Kona...

Great.  My dog looks like a meme.

Rain

It's been too long.