Colorado - Mike's Road Trip

Blue Lake Ranch; A secluded gem outside Durango

Mike Shubic November 30th, 2014 Comments Off

When you first enter the Blue Lake Ranch, it’s hard to know what to expect…there are no large monument signs or visual structures to lead your eye. As you follow the signs, making your way up a meandering hill, you come across the “Ranch House,” which is the focal point...

Cumbres/Toltec: Ridin’ the rails through the scenic San Juan’s

Mike Shubic September 15th, 2013 Comments Off

I have a good friend who is an avid train enthusiast…when he learned of my plans to visit Pagosa Springs, he highly recommend that I stop in Chama, New Mexico beforehand to take a ride on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. I decided to make plans to spend a...

[Video] Spruce Treehouse in Mesa Verde

Mike Shubic January 13th, 2013 3 Comments

Located in the Mesa Verde National Park, the Spruce Treehouse is the third largest cliff dwelling in the park, and one of the best preserved. Spruce Treehouse is the most accessible cliff dwelling in the park, however some will find the steep decent/accent via a paved path to be a...

The Mesa Verde “Balcony House” climb and tour

Mike Shubic May 11th, 2012 Comments Off

Most of Mesa Verde National Park can be explored on your own, however there are a number of sites (including the Balcony House) that require a permit and guided tour by a knowledgeable park ranger. The price is just $3 for each guided tour, which I really recommend since these...

Gateway Canyons Resort…The Entrance to Xanadu

Mike Shubic July 11th, 2011 4 Comments

One of the things I strive to do on Mike’s Road Trip is to find those cliché “off-the-beaten-path” places…the ones that give you so much satisfaction in the discovery. I get great joy in bringing exposure to well-deserving destinations that exceed my expectations and will assuredly interest my readers. Discovering...

Gateway Auto Museum, A Distinctive Piece of Americana

Mike Shubic June 7th, 2011 6 Comments

There's something particularly apropos about a winding drive down a scenic highway—to a place less traveled, to visit, an Auto Museum. Driving the open road to a far off destination is something truly American. Happening upon an auto museum, while documenting my road trip travels, seems just a bit serendipitous....

A Look at Box Canyon Lodge in Ouray, Colorado

Mike Shubic May 30th, 2011 Comments Off

Box Canyon Lodge & Hot Springs is located in one of the coolest “small towns” you’ll come across…Ouray, Colorado. Ouray is located off of highway 550 (aka Million Dollar Highway, which BTW is aptly named), just north of Silverton and is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. The Lodge gets its...