My last trip was a New Year's Eve visit to Lake Tahoe. Was a fun trip. Hung out with a PFA radio listener who was also there at the same time (we had met before at the WSOP).
Nobody realized what was coming. Just 25 days later on January 26, 2020, I was at Commerce, everyone was talking about Kobe Bryant's death that day, and I noticed the place seemed unusually empty. "They're probably just depressed over Kobe and don't want to play poker," said one person at the table.
Then I looked over and saw some Asian people in masks. I recalled that weird virus we were hearing about in China -- and remembered that a lot of Commerce dealers were Chinese nationals. I thought, "It's not safe here", racked up, and haven't been back since. This was before any verified US cases.
I also haven't been anywhere else. The last time I left southern California was a Superbowl party I attended in Vegas the following week. After that, I quit all travel and all casino/cardroom visits.
But soon I will be fully vaccinated, and it's time to live life again.
The most exciting things I've done in the past 14 months were getting a root canal and colonoscopy.
Knowing that much of the country feels the exact same way, and will be similarly vaccinated, I am sure there will be massive crowds at all of the tourist spots. That's inevitable, but I want to avoid that as much as possible.
I was looking at the US map. I don't want to hassle with international travel, even to Canada, because of all the BS surrounding that right now. I don't want to go anywhere oppressively hot or humid. I settled on Colorado. It's not too far, not too close, not too hot in the summer, and I haven't seen much of it in over 35 years.
In 2013, I went to Colorado Springs for a day, and saw "Garden of the Gods" (interesting) and Pike's Peak (really cool -- the drive up, that is.)
But the rest of Colorado I haven't seen since I was last there in 1984.
For those who know Colorado, where would you suggest I go? I will have Ben and his mom with me. However, I don't want kiddy activities. I'm just mentioning this so you don't suggest casinos, or whatever.
I'm thinking I'll fly into Denver, go to Colorado Springs, then around the state, and see the various interesting places. Then I'll end up in Durango, and make my way to the north rim of the Grand Canyon (never seen that part of it), and then end up in Vegas, before driving home and dropping off the rental car.
What are some cool things to see in the state, especially stuff off the beaten path which tourists may not be flocking to? (I'm kinda afraid to go to Aspen for that reason.)
Some areas I see which might be of interest:
- Denver / Coors Field
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Colorado Springs again (Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods)
- Grand Junction (Colorado National Monument / McInnis Canyons)
- Durango
- Telluride
- Aspen / Snowmass
- Four Corners (closed right now, but hopefully it opens by summer)
Any suggestions would be great. I know relatively little about the state. In general, I like interesting natural features and scenery, especially ones with mild-to-moderate hikes. Prefer to avoid crowds and tourist traps.
Please no trolling or junk posts in this thread.