"Rocky Mtns, Pikes Peak, and the Plains " a Colorado Travel Page by AVG2319

Colorado has always been a state we wanted to explore, so when we had the opportunity to live here due to a contract job my husband obtained, we took our chance and moved. We planned on seeing as much of the state we could while here.
After spending a year here, we are headed back to Arizona this summer of 2007.

Beautiful mountains, sunny and dry with awesome Ski resorts is usually what most people envision. The state flower is the Rocky Mountain Columbine. A very pretty fragile looking flower that is white and lavender or blue (depends on who you ask). Columbines can be found here in other colors as well, but personally I think this color combo is the prettiest.
"Colorado" in Spanish means"reddish colored" which refers to the sandstone formations in the area and the color of the Colorado River.

Most of Colorado is really flat, which is really not the impression that most people have when they think of Colorado. The mountains all located on the West side of the state. While in Denver most of the views are of the foothills, you can get a little better view of the Rockies when you go to the suburbs such as Thornton,Westminster,Littleton,Highlands Ranch,Castle Rock,etc. Golden is so close to the mountains that you generally just see the foothills.
It isn't very green here, much like the southwest in that regard. Yes greener than NV,NM, or AZ. But still not very green. Lots of yellow prairie grass, scrub bushes, and more reservoirs than real lakes, but beautiful Aspen trees and tons of Pines. Fall color does generally consist of yellows, but every once in awhile I'll notice some various shades of red.

Beautiful mountains, Sunny, Dry- and some crazy weather. The Rockies, I think, are the prettiest when the air is crisp and cool, the grass is still green and the mountains are snow capped. There is much more contrast this way.

Be prepared for crazy weather here!

Oct 15th-70 degress
Oct 16th-been snowing steadily all day. Very pretty on the pine trees
May 29th-Thunderstorm and Hail

If arriving by plane, you will find that the airport could very well be located in Kansas. It is "out there" I am not sure why this is even considered to be located in Denver. But nonetheless you can see Denver and the front range from a distance.

Colorado has many places to explore. Denver, of course, is the hub of activity since it is the biggest city in the state.

Colorado Springs has some beautiful sights, not to be missed. The most prominent being Pike's Peak which inspired the song "America the Beautiful", Garden of the Gods, and Manitou Cliff dwellings.

SouthWest Colorado has some great outdoor activities and is very pretty as well.

If you love to ski, your in luck! Colorado has some of the best ski resorts most within a few hours of Denver.
Glenwood Springs is a pretty little city to visit if you are out this way. Vail, in my opinion, doesn't have much to offer unless you are skiing. I was rather disappointed in this town or maybe my expectations were too high to begin with.

Estes Park is a great vacation area! Lots of elk in the fall here and you are at the entrance of the Rockies.

Fort Collins is really just a small town north of Denver with lots of college kids and downtown that somewhat reminds me of state street in Madison,WI. It does offer lots of outdoor activities as well including the Poudre River, which is beautiful as well as awesome mountain views.

Oh- if you visit the Southern end of Denver, Hickory House in Parker is worth the drive for awesome RIBS! Check them out if in the area-
Hickory House