Thread by @KyleClark

The GreatLittleColoradoRoadTrip™ is underway. Couldn’t decide between recommendations for Vazquez and Burrito Betty’s in Pueblo so we got both. A good choice.

The Dunes after a little rain are beautiful. And it’s always fun seeing them again through the eyes of someone visiting for the first time.

Sisnaajini
White Shell Mountain
Blanca Peak

Where the sun rose in the East over Diné land. Have always thought it was one of Colorado’s prettiest peaks. Today, socked in with clouds. Still pretty.

Ducked a rain shower at a place in Alamosa serving cold barley soup. Reunited after many years with @slvbrewingco’s Valle Caliente, a Mexican Lager with Hatch chile. Fantastic.

Crestone, you are a funky, fun little town. Like a Boulder or an Ithaca boiled down to a concentrate.

Wrapped up Day One in a favorite place: Salida. Dinner at an old favorite (Amica’s) and a drink at a new-ish favorite (Tres Litros). Tomorrow we head west.

Not sure when reading by the sound of water became the most relaxing thing to me. But it is. Day Two starts with some of that and breakfast from a frequent stop whenever we’re in Salida (Bunny & Clyde’s).

Didn’t expect a few hours in Gunnison but a bit of car trouble dictated otherwise. Huge thanks to Dan at GunnyLube who helped us out. And lucky us, we had time for coffee at Tributary, sandwiches from Firebrand (fine idea from folks here), and a great IPA at @HighAlpineBrew.

Walking around Montrose, there is so much art tucked here and there, large and small, public and private.

What’s up with the Montrose McDonald’s only having one arch? According to articles, it’s one of only a dozen of the 38,000 McDonald’s locations to have the original arch design. eatthis.com/states-rare-mc…

Back to @BlackCanyonNPS for one of my favorite hikes, but for the first time at sunrise.

The hike down to the Gunnison and back out is spicy but being in total solitude along the river is worth it. Always fun to take someone along for the first time.

I dislike food photos on Twitter, but I need tell you to stop at GNAR for tacos the next time you’re passing through Ridgway. Just believe me on this. (Get the Elk, no tag needed)

The San Juans are socked in today. Quick pit stop in Telluride to pick up America’s best Brown Ale at @TellurideBrew. (Apologies if you have another favorite Brown Ale and are wrong)

Been a long time since I’ve driven the San Juan Skyway. Trout Lake is still pull-over-worthy.

Love walking into a brewery knowing nothing about their beer and walking out a fan. Dolores River Brewery is excellent. The ESB and Kolsch especially. Bringing some back to Denver for the #HeyNext team.

Chapin Mesa, the busy side of Mesa Verde National Park, often has daytime crowds. And sensitive sites are gated off before 8am. But the Spruce Canyon Trail was open for a trail run at first light followed by a hike to Petroglyph Point. Go early to see the park without people.