If you’ve been following this column with any regularity for the last two-and-a-half years, you probably know that I love nothing more than relaxing in the comfort of my own outdoor retreat. I am anything but a global traveler. In fact, I’ve previously made it known that despite traveling extensively around the United States, I’ve never been outside its borders. Last month, however, I did something I didn’t think I’d ever do again and took some road trips around Colorado.

There’s a backstory here. I was an avid skier and camper in my younger days but couldn’t stand “sightseeing.” The reason for this aversion dates back to when my family moved to Colorado many decades ago and my father thought we should and could see everything there was to see in our first summer. Picture this – a family of six – two adults, four boys and a collie traveling hot, windy mountain roads in a station wagon, stopping at what seemed like every attraction, using rest stops and gas stations every time the dog or someone needed to go to the bathroom or was sick from motion sickness in the back of the wagon. You can probably understand where my sightseeing aversion comes from!

Last month I took advantage of an opportunity to explore southwest Colorado. In Durango I discovered a quaint and charming small city in a stunning natural setting that reminded me a bit of old town Golden and Ft. Collins. Still further off the beaten path, Cortez is an increasingly appealing hub location for the varied attractions of the Four Corners area, including some of the best mountain biking in the country. Nearby Dolores River Canyon boasts gold medal trout fishing, and the Pueblo ruins of Mesa Verde National Monument are amazing. The beauty, lack of noise and congestion there made me feel like I was in another world. It’s only a half day’s drive to southwest Colorado and it’s very reasonably priced down there. Can you sense my enthusiasm?
In contrast, I also visited the opposite corner of our state, the boomtowns of northern Colorado such as Berthoud, Timnath, Wellington, Windsor and Loveland, all with their own little old town centers. These once-sleepy areas are exploding with Highlands Ranch-style growth.

What a special place we live in. I hope my August adventures inspire you to get out there and check out the lesser-known corners of our state.