Roadtrippppppp!!!

[Debbiefromtucson]

Oh, I just thought of something that I havent seen mentioned that could help you all find a little more space in your cars.. At least for town park, you do not need to carry water with you. Water is readily available and it is delicious.  There is also free water available at festival- just need something to put it in.. So, lighten your load and be a little greener by leaving all those plastic bottles and jugs of water at home... Some people do bring a collapsible for camp to refill as needed.

[ptfennelworth]

debbiefromtuscon, your right, we are staying at the old saloon in Ouray Monday night, give us a chance to freshen up and get a good nights sleep after the drive. I have always wanted to take Kara to Ouray! Also, it puts us just around the mountain so we can get there early tuesday and set up camp.

I just bought several 6'ers of NC beers for trade, will bring a few over that way tuesday afternoon...gonna need to make friends to keep them cold! we are stoked!!!

The collapsable H2O containers work great for camping. We have one of the showers, it has a little shower hose, which works grrrreat for dishes etc. and a pocket to keep your scrubbies in!

 Listening to: the mowers...in the neighborhood.

[swander99]

  21 hour road trip starts one week from right now, can't wait!  Anyone have a suggestion for a overnight rest  stop on 285 from Denver if we can't make it all the way (and get set up in TP) before dark next Sunday? Never driven 285/50 to Tride so gotta get'r'done this year.  Thanks! CUThere!

 Listening to: American Routes radio

[Cindy Lou]

If you want to soak your tired old carseat-weary a$$ there are some great hot springs along that route.  They range from primitive to nice camping/lodging to REALLY nice camping/lodging.  Cottonwood and Mt. Princeton are both along that route, and some others.  You may just want to book one and have a great destination to look forward to instead of figuring it out later when you are road-weary.  The stars at night will take your breath away, and the air just might also.
The drive along there takes you past the "Collegiate Peaks," which is an eye-popping, spectacular drive.  You WILL want to allow time to take pictures and breathe, breathe in the air.
www.coloradodirectory.com/Hotsprings/hotspringsmap.html

[swander99]

Thanks Cindy Lou!  As usual, your festiwise words are much appreciated. 

[ptfennelworth]

To All Festivarians Experiencia Plus ,

Thank you ahead of departure for all of your advise, local knowledge, etc. This is a dream come true to have the opportunity to visit TBF!!! Always thought we would be living in CO, maybe we will someday! Looking forward to another road-trip to HEAVEN (it's always our last one until the "next time we are taking a U-Haul" move).

We look forward/hope to meet many of you there! Camping at Mary E ( Ohio State window flag will be flying: easier for us to find)....Bringing some N Carolina micro brews for trades from other regions ....per other threads we've been holding our pee's and dancing in the yard to backround music...<:-}=     PREPARATION!    Now for the altitude  ! Attitudes are happy!

I hope you come to Town Park pre-fest and see what's happening!  The box office for wristbands is right there, so no reason not to!

What is the box office for wristbands? is that for the wristbands to get into the fest for the week? Can we stop by on Tuesday once camp is set up so as to beat the crowds Wed/Thurs?....We are currently "Packing for Telluride!" WooooooWHoooooo

[Cindy Lou]

We look forward/hope to meet many of you there! Camping at Mary E ( Ohio State window flag will be flying: easier for us to find)....Bringing some N Carolina micro brews for trades from other regions ....per other threads we've been holding our pee's and dancing in the yard to backround music...<:-}=     PREPARATION!    Now for the altitude  ! Attitudes are happy!

I hope you come to Town Park pre-fest and see what's happening!  The box office for wristbands is right there, so no reason not to!

What is the box office for wristbands? is that for the wristbands to get into the fest for the week? Can we stop by on Tuesday once camp is set up so as to beat the crowds Wed/Thurs?....We are currently "Packing for Telluride!" WooooooWHoooooo

Yes, and yes.  It is better if you can get them early, because the closer it is to festival, the longer the line is.  If you already have your wristband, when you are entering the festival you just hold your arm up and they can see it.  If you have packs and coolers they will want to inspect them to make sure you don't have any glass or other banned items. There will be table for that with some lovely volunteers doing the checking.  It never takes long if you have done your prep correctly, meaning, no glass, no alcohol, no dogs, no video equipment.   

[meanderingjeeper]

If you want to soak your tired old carseat-weary a$$ there are some great hot springs along that route.  They range from primitive to nice camping/lodging to REALLY nice camping/lodging.  Cottonwood and Mt. Princeton are both along that route, and some others.  You may just want to book one and have a great destination to look forward to instead of figuring it out later when you are road-weary.  The stars at night will take your breath away, and the air just might also.
The drive along there takes you past the "Collegiate Peaks," which is an eye-popping, spectacular drive.  You WILL want to allow time to take pictures and breathe, breathe in the air.
www.coloradodirectory.com/Hotsprings/hotspringsmap.html

Have to second this suggestion.  Some real nice hot springs here.  and not too expensive either.

Having just drove 285-50-550 this last weekend, the roads are great (construction between conifer and bailey, & line painting in San Miguel county but imagine it'll be done in the next few days), there weren't too many deers along the side of the road (and even fewer on the way back), the chair lift atop the Continental Divide looked to be working and is a cool stop if you have time and the weather is nice, Blue Mesa was high enough you couldn't even catch a glimpse of the old steeple under water, and the scenery is great.

I'd recommend stopping at the Blue Iguana in Gunnison for a burrito if you are around during lunch time, or if during breakfast, you must stop at the W cafe, 1 block north of main towards Crested Butte.  Biscuits the size of your head and some pretty darn good omelets.

Cheapest gas right now along that route is just outside of Aspen Park at the Bradley on the East side of 285.  Then fill up again at the Sinclair on the left hand side of 550 on the south side of Montrose before Safeway.  Make sure you at least fill up before you leave Montrose so you dont get stuck paying Ridgeway/Telluride prices.  Tom would know where the cheapest gas in Montrose is, tho.

Don't speed through Ridgeway.  They are sitting there......watching.....watching....waiting.

Have an awesome drive.  I think 285 is way better than going I-70.



 Listening to: bacon....sizzling....

[swander99]

  Oh yea, we're doing the 285 fersure this year, thanks for the input! Would really like to stop along the way, but if we can, we're roooooadtripinginging all the way to TP.  WILL check out your gas/food stop suggestions, thanks again!

 Listening to: 2010 John Cowan. (hope there's a surprise TBF visit!)

[ptfennelworth]

Everything fits in the car on the practice pack, here's hoping I can do it again Thurs morn prior to departure. Any good hot springs between Albuquerque and and Durango? Our planned Sunday night stop!

[Auntie Hope]

We're also doing 285 this year, for the first time.

Thank You so much for the tips!  

Auntie Hope  

[Cindy Lou]

Everything fits in the car on the practice pack, here's hoping I can do it again Thurs morn prior to departure. Any good hot springs between Albuquerque and and Durango? Our planned Sunday night stop!

Are you saying you just want to stop somewhere and soak a bit on Sunday on the drive between Abq and Dgo?  Trimble hot springs are about 8 miles N of Dgo.  But hey, if you are that close, you should road trip it on up to Telluride!  I don't know when your campground opens though.
or there is: www.ojocalientesprings.com
and www.pagosahotsprings.com  in Pagosa Springs, CO

Either of these would take you on a different road than 550, but still easy to get to Tride and both beautiful.  Maybe on your way back if not on the way here.  New Mexico is after all, the Land of Enchantment.

[Auntie Hope]

Everything fits in the car on the practice pack, here's hoping I can do it again Thurs morn prior to departure. Any good hot springs between Albuquerque and and Durango? Our planned Sunday night stop!

Are you saying you just want to stop somewhere and soak a bit on Sunday on the drive between Abq and Dgo?  Trimble hot springs are about 8 miles N of Dgo.  But hey, if you are that close, you should road trip it on up to Telluride!  I don't know when your campground opens though.
or there is: www.ojocalientesprings.com
and www.pagosahotsprings.com  in Pagosa Springs, CO

Either of these would take you on a different road than 550, but still easy to get to Tride and both beautiful.  Maybe on your way back if not on the way here.  New Mexico is after all, the Land of Enchantment.

For SURE on the way back, after Fest... the mountain dust will need a good soak to come off!

Auntie Hope 

[meanderingjeeper]

also for the 285'ers, how could I forget the Hot Dog stand just south of Bailey that is inside a hot dog.  used to be in Aspen Park but it was moved.  awesome black raspberry shakes and darn good kraut dogs too.

 Listening to: brain trynig to remember what I forgot to pack cause I must have left something off the list

[landshark]

I keep stairing at the door like a puppy....can we leave yet?