Christmas / Holiday Road Trip

[ScottP]

Hey Happy Holidays to the Airstream Class B knowledge base. Safe travels and lots of laughter over your holiday.

We are kicking off a lengthy trip beginning in Scottsdale AZ and heading North to the Grand Canyon, then Page AZ for a tour of Antelope Canyon, then Durango for the Narrow gauge Silverton Railroad, then Telluride for the Torchlight ski and parade, then Crested Butte just because, followed by Aspen breakfast and a Dillion CO afternoon campsite fire and family cookout, then Fort Collins for three days in a cool hotel, and then (I’m gassed just describing it) Keystone SD to visit Crazyhorse and Mt Rushmore, then Sioux Falls...wake up and zip to Duluth Minnesota to visit Bre’s family.

Two adults, Two teens, 11 days, 35 hours driving ... and hopefully great weather through the snowy canyons. Hotels every night, Yes on snow tires, yes on shovels, yes on tire chains, yes on a Sat phone, yes on water and food...yes yes yes on sat weather ...

Bre has finished her Med School applications, so we shared a margarita and she’s “plowed” already here in Scottsdale...earlier image, our 11 yr old Golden is ready to race outa the snow to the van...!! Sorry the images are outa order.

Here goes )


Happy Holidays everyone!!!


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[nateallen80]

That's awesome, ScottP! Safe travels!

[85MH325]

Scott... in honor of your Holiday Road... trip! Safe Travels!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdvKU4GFg6Y

[ScottP]

Originally Posted by 85MH325

Scott... in honor of your Holiday Road... trip! Safe Travels!

[emoji38]

Thank you !


Montezuma’s Castle, followed by the ubiquitous Grand Canyon shots including a group of Korean kids doing a ten day tour of the US...


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[nateallen80]

Beautiful scenery with a great looking family! We were just there, so these spots look very familiar... Looks like early morning photos with the sun hitting the North rim? Keep the photos coming!

[85MH325]

Great photos, Scott! Thank you!!! Keep 'em coming!

[jim.waters]

From Aspen you might try Independance Pass to Leadville on your way to Dillon. There is a very interesting mining museum in Leadville. From there on US 24 is Camp Hale, the home of the 10th Mountain Division. There isn't much left, but lots of history. After Camp Hale is Minturn, a funky little town just before reaching I-70.

Wish I was there in Colorado this Christmas.

[astrocaver]

Independence Pass Is closed in the winter.

[ScottP]

Originally Posted by astrocaver

Independence Pass Is closed in the winter.

Thanks everyone for your feedback.

Those were sunset images actually, with early AM sun in images below.

We stayed at the The Grand Hotel, in GC Village and had a comfortable stay. Our only surprise was this morning when at nearby McDonalds, 3 egg McMuffins were $17.85 lol (we were in a rush to be on the road)! I was like, huh? Thought I’d lost my mind lol.

Today we zipped past the GC, shot a few images then headed for Page, AZ to see Antelope Canyon. Our Navajo guide was terrific, and an ASU student studying programming. Yeah STEM!!!

On the way to Antelope Canyon we stopped at Horseshoe Bend ... at the entrance for parking the attendant asked “are you an RV?” I responded, “no, were a 9 passenger van. She said, $35 parking ... I screeched!!! “ Then I said we’d only be 20 mins. Then I mentioned “we have a bathroom onboard, does that change our classification for parking?” She said, heck yeah, $10 - you’re an RV!” Lesson learned

Along the way to Horseshoe Bend near Antelope we also saw pretty Blue Lights!!! He mentioned we were doing 82, in a 65 ... I told him this is the fastest van we’ve ever had. He agreed the speed governor was probably gonna help me in the future. 24 minutes later, we were on our way, after some funny conversation. He said “all three vehicles were doing 82mph, but the van looked the most interesting .”

Ok - hopefully these images will motivate others to “road trip” even during what can be perceived to be less than ideal travel months.

Apologies if the images didn’t post in the proper order ...

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[ScottP]

Originally Posted by jim.waters

from aspen you might try independance pass to leadville on your way to dillon. There is a very interesting mining museum in leadville. From there on us 24 is camp hale, the home of the 10th mountain division. There isn't much left, but lots of history. After camp hale is minturn, a funky little town just before reaching i-70.



Wish i was there in colorado this christmas

.

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[ScottP]

[nateallen80]

Wow, Antelope Canyon looks really cool! Amazing photos for sure. Weather looks like it’s cooperating.

[Lily&Me]

Sounds like a great adventure for your family, and thanks for the beautiful photographs.

Enjoy.


Maggie

[ScottP]

Easy day today between Page AZ (Antelope) and Durango. We have three chillin days upcoming around Durango including the Narrow Gauge railway.









Departing Hyatt in Page Arizona



We woke up the dog..



And hit the road, headed to Mesa Verde National Monument, bear Durango, CO





Then a parking lot picnic of Moroccan Chicken


Rocks along the way [emoji4]

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Checked into our old West Hotel



Simple day today, and now have our flow established (traveling with teens). Out the door at 8:30am, into a new town by 2pm

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PS - saw our Highway Patrol Officer again today. Of course were doing the speed limit today (he turned his blue lights on and waved outside his drivers window to us ... were kinda hard to miss!

[Hawk-ination]

Beautiful pics and family. What a trip!! -very jealous! It’s a balmy 54 degrees in Iowa so hope Duluth is just as nice and you have a safe and uneventful trip!
Happy Holidays!!!

[Halford1]

Originally Posted by ScottP

Hey Happy Holidays to the Airstream Class B knowledge base. Safe travels and lots of laughter over your holiday.

We are kicking off a lengthy trip beginning in Scottsdale AZ and heading North to the Grand Canyon, then Page AZ for a tour of Antelope Canyon, then Durango for the Narrow gauge Silverton Railroad, then Telluride for the Torchlight ski and parade, then Crested Butte just because, followed by Aspen breakfast and a Dillion CO afternoon campsite fire and family cookout, then Fort Collins for three days in a cool hotel, and then (I’m gassed just describing it) Keystone SD to visit Crazyhorse and Mt Rushmore, then Sioux Falls...wake up and zip to Duluth Minnesota to visit Bre’s family.

Two adults, Two teens, 11 days, 35 hours driving ... and hopefully great weather through the snowy canyons. Hotels every night, Yes on snow tires, yes on shovels, yes on tire chains, yes on a Sat phone, yes on water and food...yes yes yes on sat weather ...

Bre has finished her Med School applications, so we shared a margarita and she’s “plowed” already here in Scottsdale...earlier image, our 11 yr old Golden is ready to race outa the snow to the van...!! Sorry the images are outa order.

Here goes )


Happy Holidays everyone!!!


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Wife n I are in Surprise. We will be camping at Lake Pleasant this weekend.

[ScottP]

Arrived in Telluride early AM Dec 24th, and checked-in to the Historic New Sheridan Hotel downtown...wonderful experience, and difficult to replicate. Torchlight parade down the mountain, and a festive intimate downtown holiday atmosphere. Hotel service was exceptional and we’d highly recommend.

Christmas morning we enjoyed a hike and terrific breakfast and headed to Fort Collins. Today was the “long drive” day, and I figured the chances of needing chains was 75% based upon forecasts from 48 hours prior. Fortunately the forecast improved, and actual we had mostly terrific weather and light traffic.

We snuck a family riverside picnic in, anticipating most of the better restaurants along the way would be closed.

Just a few more images, hope you enjoy.

Additionally - the van has been great in the snow and icy roads.

My thanks to whomever recommended the Michelin Agilis tires in another post.


PS We were also shocked teens agreed to wear the ugly Christmas sweaters, they may have broken into the bourbon prior.









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[nateallen80]

ScottP - glad the Michelin’s worked for you. I had similar results on our trip out West. Merry Christmas and continued safe travels.

[ScottP]

Originally Posted by nateallen80

ScottP - glad the Michelin’s worked for you. I had similar results on our trip out West. Merry Christmas and continued safe travels.

Thank you, tires have been great. A bit noisier than the stock Continental’s which sold for $650 yesterday back home. Net additional cost of $375 for the Michelin Agilis snow rated.

Departing Telluride, Colorado













Fort Collins has been an enjoyable festive (college town) town to visit. The Armstrong Hotel has hosted the family in style from a superb location.


https://thearmstronghotel.com/?gclid...SAAEgIKaPD_BwE



Loveland, CO

[nateallen80]

Interesting, our conti’s were louder than the Michelins, but they were old with 43k miles, so therein probably lies the difference.