"Flagship of the San Juans" of 1886 Don and I spotted this Victorian beauty when visiting Ouray, in 2013. It looked pretty grand on the outside, with the San Juan Mountains in the background. We could see how it got its nickname, way over 100 years ago. A Peek Inside On that summer day, we stepped inside to have a look around. The hotel had recently undergone major renovations.
We put the Beaumont on our list for a future trip. Beaumont Hotel & Spa in 2019 This past June, Don and I had our chance to be guests at the Beaumont Hotel & Spa. Neither of us cared about the spa features of the hotel. I was mostly eager to know that our second visit to Ouray, would involve a hotel room... with a bathroom and no bullet holes. Quiet Lobby We arrived at 3 and found no one at the lobby desk, but a sign told us to use the antique phone, for assistance. A young voice answered politely and soon we heard her steps trotting down from the 3rd floor. The young woman welcomed us with much enthusiasm and got us checked in. Posing Like Newlyweds Our very enthused host saw me trying to photograph the staircase and offered to take our picture. She teased us into posing like many of the bridal couples, who have celebrated weddings at the hotel. Our western attire wasn't exactly suited for the photo shoot. 3-Stories My eyes kept wandering upward, as we chatted at the desk. The afternoon sun through the skylight, made the lobby extra dramatic. Later, when we climbed the stairs towards the skylight, I found my favorite view. Looking over the railing on the 3rd floor, I took in all the shapes and patterns and angles... above, across and below. Altogether, the wallpaper, railings and woodwork created a fun design! Below Looking down, I was glad we weren't traveling with small kids who like to climb, or drop things. Actually small kids aren't allowed at the hotel. So I guess that's never an issue. Third Floor Our host took us to our third floor room. We rolled our bags past some lovely doors and a stack of vintage trunks. Theodore Roosevelt and Herbert Hoover were once guests at the hotel. That was back in the day, when people traveled with steamer trunks. Wallpaper I recognized the intricate wallpaper from our first visit. I recall some stories about the renovation challenges and the difficulties of matching the original wallpaper patterns. I couldn't decide which was my favorite. Next to The Dragonfly Suite Each of the 12 rooms had a name plaque. I liked the name of the room next to ours. "Dragonfly" We were told Oprah once stayed in that room. Sarah In our usual style, we booked one of the cheaper rooms. Our room named Sarah, didn't look a bit cheap. I would rather have a queen with 2 nightstands than a king, without. There were certainly no bullet holes in the Sarah! Tiny Bubbles Our host showed us around the room. She didn't have to explain why the faucet water came out cloudy. The sign in the bathroom explained all about those tiny bubbles of Rocky Mountain water! Windows Our 4 windows were decorated with elegant drapes, pulled open with equally deluxe (and festive) hardware. The windows gave us a good peek at the hotel's garden, below. Rich and Cozy Victorian is not always the most comfortable of styles, but we had no complaints. Our pretty little room had all that was needed from desk to ceiling fan, to fridge, microwave, Keurig coffeemaker and TV. Bath Our marble vanity held 2 sinks, which is a treat in an old hotel. The nightlight was handy and so were the small towels in the box beneath the sink. "Rags... For your dirty work" Cookies & Robes After returning from dinner, we decided to make some coffee and chow down on the cookies we'd bought earlier. While the coffee brewed, we discovered the robes. They worked like giant bibs for all those giant cookie crumbs! Hotel Changes We were sad to learn that the hotel no longer had a restaurant and bar. However, our building housed a bookstore and sometimes books can be every bit as exciting as food. Morning In the morning, we enjoyed a complimentary breakfast in an area that was connected to the book shop. I sipped my coffee near the old fireplace, waiting for the book store to open at 10. Garden Courtyard I'm guessing the breakfast room must have been where the restaurant was in 2013. Many years ago, the same space was a movie theatre. From the breakfast room, there was another door, (near the stove that held the toaster) that led to the hotel's garden. What a sweet little mountain view, between the buildings! Little Switzerland The Beaumont may no longer have its own dining options, but there were so many options nearby. Ouray felt like an extension of our hotel. We could head right out the door and explore the little mountain town on foot. We enjoyed the view from the rooftop lounge, at Ouray Brewery and we dined at the Outlaw Restaurant. If we'd been just a little braver, we could have mingled with the locals at the nearby Elk's Lodge. It was Bingo Night and the sign said, "All Welcome!" What's Notable? It's amazing to know, that this grand hotel made it through 2 World Wars, the Great Depression and Prohibition, before it closed down in 1961. It's hard to believe this beautiful building sat empty for decades. It's also hard to believe that our meticulously restored hotel, showed no signs of it's troubled years. There were no hints of the pink paint that covered it, when it sat vacant. I'm so grateful that the Beaumont was rescued... so that we could be guests in 2019!
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Curious Place in Redstone, Colorado Don and I dined at this little inn, 2 years ago. This past June, we returned and spent a night. How did we first hear about this fine place? A cookbook. Cook Book from 1959 While traveling two years ago, we flipped through our old Ford Motor cookbook for inspiration. We looked through the recipes in the Colorado section, hoping to find a restaurant or hotel that was still serving food in 2017. On page 215, I found Redstone Lodge, with a recipe for Mock Cheese Cake and an illustration that looked like a Walt Disney created fairytale setting. I checked the internet and the hotel was still in operation! We decided to stop for breakfast. June 2017 The hotel didn't exactly match the exaggerated book illustration, but it was festive with flags and flowers. Not Always a Hotel The building was completed in 1902, but not as a lodge or inn. The structure was built to provide housing for bachelor miners, who worked for John C. Osgood's Colorado Fuel & Iron Company. Pretty ritzy, for miners who were often used to living in shacks. Clock Tower We arrived 2 years ago and headed for the entrance at the base of the tower. We passed through an entry, with a wonderful hand carved bench. Lobby The hotel lobby was neat and quiet, that June morning. The woman at the desk was pleasant. She steered us towards the bar/grill. Old Dining Room I was disappointed that the main dining room was closed, since this was probably the place where Mock Cheese Cake was once served. Dining in Back We were actually better dressed for the bar and grill. We settled in with our menus and coffee. While waiting for our omelets and bagels, I studied the space trying to determine whether it was a new addition. I always prefer old. It looked like at least part of the dining area was the original building. One of the servers said the round window had been there since 1902. It looked like a glowing, circular painting. Bright There was a screen door and there were lots of windows, to enjoy the surrounding pine trees and gardens and sunshine. Best of all, our young server was excited to see the cookbook with the spotlight on Redstone. "We don't even serve cheesecake at all!" She laughed as she studied the watercolor image and recipe. Usually young people don't really get it, when we share the cookbook. June 2019 Two years after our cozy breakfast, we returned to have a night at the lodge... now called inn. We had reservations for the Clock Tower Room. My photo shows our windows, right beneath the clock. The 89-dollar room was a bargain. A decent price, even if we had to lug our bags up 3 flights to our room, that had no bath. We knew that, when we booked. Up We Go We didn't mind the stairs. We're always happy to burn off some of the road food calories. We also didn't mind one night, without our own bath or sink. Bathroom Questions At the top of the stairs, we found separate community baths for men and women, close to our room. Mine was very nice and clean, with fresh towels and soaps. But how many people were sharing this bath? Inquiring minds just wanted to know. So I inquired at the desk. The woman who had checked us in, wasn't exactly the most welcoming, when we arrived. So, I attempted to me more cheerful than nosy, when I asked if she knew how many people were sharing the baths on the third floor. I reworded my question twice but couldn't get a real answer. I sensed there were no other guests on our floor, but she seemed to enjoy withholding the information. "Oh there are just a few." She said at first. I said I would be more comfortable, if I knew how many people I might be sharing towels and soaps with. "Oh... there really shouldn't be a problem." That answer was a little vague for me. Morning In the morning, (after rushing more than usual in the shower) I was pleased to come down the stairs and see a new smiling face at the desk. I asked my I'm just curious question, and she answered with an enthused voice. "Oh, you were our only guests on the third floor last night! You had it all to yourselves!" Grrrr! I would have enjoyed my shower more... Our Clock Tower Room But our sweet little room was just fine. When we first opened the door to our square, cozy space, I grinned. I loved the idea of sleeping beneath the big clock. We also had a clock on the wall, but it was the tower clock that I heard late at night, when all was quiet. The soothing tic-tocking sound, helped me drift off to sleep. Windows There were two sets of windows, with oddly tied curtains. The window shapes were fun and the view was even funner. The lush landscape beyond was lovely, but I was intrigued by the roofline, with all the dormer windows. Wondering About Windows I studied the lineup of narrow, rectangular windows, to the left. Then I headed down the hall to inspect. There were no rooms off the hall. The windows provided light for the hallway, which led to the other tower. The dormer windows right across from us, must have belonged to more guest rooms. Did the miners once sleep on the third floor? Maybe the cooks and cleaning staff did? Who slept in the clock tower room? Quirky-Cozy Our tower room was a little tight, but the high ceiling made it feel less cramped. We had a desk and even a TV. The closet held a fan and a portable heater. I was very curious about the ladder in the closet, that obviously led up to the clock. But the trapdoor was locked. Exploring Since we couldn't explore the upper tower and examine the clock, we took off to explore the grounds. The swimming pool was closed for renovation. That worked for us, since we hadn't planned on swimming... and the hotel offered a $25. food voucher to compensate. Lounging Area The area between the lobby and dining room was charming, with leather sofas, chessboard and a great fireplace... if only it had been colder. But the lights were off and I didn't wanted to ask the desk woman, who seemed cranky. Maybe she was just having a bad day. Library There was a brighter area on the other side of the lobby that looked more welcoming. There were books and there was another great fireplace... if it had been colder. Balcony with a View Don and I wandered outside and noticed the outdoor sitting areas on the first and second floor. No one seemed to be making proper use of these wonderful lounging areas, so we searched for an entrance to the second floor veranda. It was through a little sitting room, in the tower, beneath our room. Cheers We had to dust the pollen (or something) off the chairs before sitting. But once we were seated in our wicker, we had a lovely mountain view. We made a toast, while the Nikon's auto-timer beeped away. Dinner We were again disappointed that the main dining room was closed. It was summer, but still only open on weekends. Luckily the grill was open again, since the Redstone community is very isolated, with no other dining options that night. Relaxing in the Bar & Grill If the restaurant had been open, then we wouldn't have met Bruce. He was working behind the bar when we went in at 7. We ended up eating at the bar and chatting into the evening. Thanks to our pleasant and knowledgeable bartender, we learned a lot of history about the area. I hadn't planned on pulling out the old cookbook, but Bruce was the kind of guy who seemed curious enough to be amused. He was. In fact Bruce shared the book with this friendly fellow, who had prepared our food. Both were good sports about posing for me! What an enjoyable evening on a Monday night. Mural Art... One of the interesting things Bruce shared, was about the reproduced murals in the hotel. In the 1940's, Frank Mechau was a nationally renowned muralist and resident of the small Redstone community. If you love horses, this image is a little disturbing. But I was drawn right away to the fluid style of all the artist's work that was displayed in the hotel. Food Art While we talked about the art, our artistic meals arrived. The phyllo & elk appetizer and enchiladas were as tasty as they looked. Sleeping in the Tower I slept well, despite a midnight disturbance with an alarm clock across the room. At least the room was small. I was able to get back to sleep with the soothing sound of the big clock, ticking. Morning was cool, but the sun was bright and warm! Exploring in the Morning Since our inn was just steps away from the village of Redstone, we needed to experience the whole community. We grabbed complimentary hotel coffee and some food from the car and headed for a marble table, beside the Crystal River. After our breakfast picnic, we peeked across the highway to see the old coking ovens that were part of Mr. Osgood's mining company. Planned Company Town We wandered down the only road in town, to see a few homes and shops that are left from Osgood's old company town. In the early 1900's, the miners who had families, lived in the cottages, just down the road from the dormitories (now hotel) that held the unmarried miners. About 130 residents live in the area, today. What's Notable? We slept in the same Tudor Revival style building, where miners once slept. That's pretty notable right there. It's hard to picture this place abandoned and in disrepair, after the mines closed in 1909. Much of the town was dismantled or demolished, but luckily the old dormitory was turned into a lodge in the 1950's. Selfishly, I'm glad the inn didn't have a grand, resort feel. It was nice having much of the place to ourselves. But I so hope others will come and enjoy, to help preserve this hotel and community. Sweet little place!
Beautiful Boulder in June Don and I pulled up to the corner of 13th and Spruce, on Sunday afternoon. We lucked into free street parking and headed for the entrance. Since 1909 The 110 year old building was impressive. You've got to love the combined Italian Renaissance and Spanish Revival styles. I did, even if I'm not exactly sure what that means! I'll bet the folks who attended the 1908 opening gala on New Year's Eve, were impressed. Then again, they might have been too busy socializing, like the crowd enjoying the Corner Bar. Check In The inside was actually more stunning than the outside. We had a quick and easy check in, at a newer reception area. (not pictured) Then we headed into the spacious open court area. How to Capture? The open court lobby was impossible to capture in one photo. My picture shows off the stained glass, canopy ceiling and the spectacular stairway... that Don and I climbed many times! Posing Don and I didn't manage to pull off any posing photos on the stairs, but these folks did. Otis Elevator After checking in, the bellman took us to the original Otis elevator. He left our bags behind, since there was only room for the 3 of us. He closed the metal gate and there were a few loud clanks and clunks, before we reached the 5th floor. Don and I headed to the room, while the bellman dashed down to retrieve our bags. That was a fun elevator adventure, but we opted for the grand stairs the rest of the time. Room 500 Staying at the Boulderado was a splurge for us. We booked the cheapest, historic room we could get. But when we approached our door in the north corner of the top floor, Don and I grinned. It was right at the top of the grand stairs and it had its own mini hall. Sometimes we just luck out. I Love Corner Rooms What a fabulous surprise to open the door to our lovely corner room. We had 6 windows, plus another in the bathroom. Later, when I looked up from the street, I could spot our room easily. The top vines looked like they were pointing 2 fingers at us! I opened a side window and looked out. I could see the brown trim and the half pillars! The bathroom was charming with its dresser-vanity and pleasant smelling Aveda products. The window had a pretty view, of a church and mountains. Lounging Don and I didn't have a need for the desk, but we made good use of the marble sink, refrigerator and coffee maker, in the corner. We also made use of the sitting area and enjoyed a little snacking. It was nice to take in the Victorian decor... without the vintage smells, that usually come with older hotels. Back to the Lobby We definitely burned a few calories going up and down the stairs. We learned that the trip up was a lot easier if you paused to enjoy the view, now and then. (Boulder's elevation was part of the issue.) I felt like I should make a speech, every time I got to the arched railing. But I was usually too winded, for projecting my voice to the crowds. I wonder how many bouquets have been thrown? Sitting Areas There were lots of decent sitting areas in the lobby. Bonus points for that. I wondered about the famous people who have enjoyed these areas. Louis Armstrong, Clarence Darrow and Helen Keller are some of the famous, past guests. I found a number of unusual chairs. I would love to know the story behind the wooden chairs near the fireplace. I found no info, but they made me think of Frank Lloyd Wright. Keeping Time and Making Calls I loved these reminders of the past. The classic grandfather clock and marble column, framed the 2 phones quite well! Hmmm? It was after I snapped this photo of the vintage floor tile, that I noticed the eerie geometric form, hidden in the design. I cringed a moment, then reminded myself that these tiles were placed, long before the 1930's. The swastika was a symbol of divinity and spirituality, in Indian religions, long before it became associated with hatred. Fire and Water There were other things we noticed while wandering, that were less worrisome. I had to grin when I noticed the fire extinguishers below the mirror, where you might expect to see some canes or umbrellas. The water fountain was quite a fun feature. I can't believe I didn't attempt a drink, of Pure Cold Water! Happy Hour Time Don and I were especially excited to share a little of our Boulderado experience with our nephew and wife, who live in Boulder. We met them in the lobby at 4 and headed for the Corner Bar. It was actually crowded, unlike my photo. So we headed to the patio. Perfect! It was pretty fabulous sitting outside, catching up over drinks. The air was perfect and the crowds were just lively enough. We had a good table for people watching. There was lots of activity since we were in the heart of downtown, just a block from Pearl Street. Continuing the Fun Andy and Casey picked a delicious Nepali restaurant, a few blocks away for dinner. When we returned to the hotel, it was time to have another peek at the bar in the basement. License No. 1 Liquor Bar There were no passwords needed, but there was definitely a speakeasy feel, to bar in the basement. Luckily I had taken some photos earlier. The bar was hopping at 8 pm and my flash would have been obnoxious. The basement was a maze of cozy rooms. Each one was different. I liked the shoeshine throne, in this one. Serving Since 1909 Evidently this bar has one of the oldest liquor licenses in Boulder. The sign at the door announced, "Serving since 1909... Legally since 1969" It was easy to picture a little alcohol being served down here, during prohibition. It was a totally different experience exploring at 8:30 when the rooms were buzzing with guests. Music The only room that was bright enough to sneak a photo without a flash, was this one. We followed the sounds of flutes and violins and found this room, in the midst of an Irish music jam session. We watched a while and wandered on. A solo guitarist performed in another room. We settled into a cozy, rounded booth and enjoyed for a while. Not everyone was on vacation, so we finished up our wonderful reunion around 10. Morning at Boulderado In the morning I made use of the hotel's fitness room, then grabbed some coffee from the Boxcar window, before showering. Don and I were dressed and back down to the hotel's Spruce Farm & Fish Restaurant, to make use of our food voucher. We sat in a sunny, enclosed area that had once been the hotel's porch. Don's omelet with bacon and goat cheese was pretty scrumptious. I ordered fresh fruit, knowing that's often a risky order. I was pleasantly surprised with every mouthwatering bite. What's Notable? I really didn't want to leave this hotel. People often say that about their vacations and hotels, but that's not usually me. I have a short attention span and I'm always giddy to move along. This time, I felt like we needed a couple more days. I wanted to lounge more... enjoy more of the excellent food & drink... relax more in our comfy and luxurious room... visit more with our Andy and Casey!
We obviously need to return. Idaho Springs, Colorado On the first day of June, Don and I arrived at Indian Hot Springs. We were more than ready for the warm, healing waters at the lodge, after leaving snowy, Breckenridge. We were also excited about sharing the experience with some friends, who were coming from Denver, to meet us! Soda Creek Road We arrived in Idaho Springs on a cool morning. We drove through the cute little town and turned onto Soda Creek Road. We'd been warned about the congestion and road work. At least the dusty, dirt road was quiet, before 9 on a Saturday. Historic Site We parked near the sign and briefly studied the rambling building. We could see the enclosed dome at the end. I was reminded of a few comical, Holidome experiences in my youth. Don and I always appreciate a little history with our overnights and the hot springs history goes way back. Long before the Westward Expansion, these healing spring waters were discovered by Native Americans. Center Section We crossed the walkway, to the entrance. The center section of the complex was built in 1869, as a bath house. Now it holds the lobby. Soda Creek The bridge took us over Soda Creek, which was evidently once the dividing line, between the Ute and Arapahoe Indians. The sacred waters of the springs and creek, were considered neutral ground. Lobby The lobby was quiet at 8:45 am, but the staff behind the big corner counter rushed around like they were expecting weekend crowds. Hours later, we would see day guests lined up, between the black poles. Waiting for Friends Don and I studied the wall decor while we waited for Martha and Bill to arrive from Denver. We had a 5-minute history lesson, as we studied the old photos. I loved seeing the black and white image of Indian Springs in 1915, after construction was completed. Showing Us Around! Martha and Bill arrived at 9. Martha and I did some squealing and gabbing in the parking lot, then we 4 headed for the stairs. Martha kept pointing to different things and gasping. Her last visit was years ago and the place had changed. We headed down the stairs towards the locker rooms. Women's Locker Room The air in the locker room felt warm and steamy. Luckily there were no sulphur smells! Martha laughed to see how spiffed up the decor was, compared to her last visit many years ago. Tiki Bar? The air became more moist and tropical as we headed towards the "translucent dome". We paused to look at the old gazebo, which was actually built, in 1869. Don asked an employee if the gazebo had ever been a tiki bar. The man nodded and laughed and hinted at the wilder days, when there were fewer rules at the lodge. Alcohol is not allowed today, although one employee winked and reminded us that he wouldn't know what we had in our thermal mugs. The Pool The pool had just opened when we arrived. We were glad to get in before the indoor paradise filled with families and floaty toys. Posing With Props Before soaking in the therapeutic waters, I insisted we do a little posing with our Hawaiian leis! Then, I let Martha show me how to "take the waters" as they say in Spa Speak. Martha has a dramatic flair with everything she does! Luckily Martha and Bill already knew that I sometimes pack or purchase a few props for travel adventures. Two years ago, we met up in nearby Georgetown, CO. We had some fun that day, posing with candy cigarettes and necklaces! Exotic Paradise We soaked and gabbed until we were only slightly prune-y. Then we wandered a bit, studying the flowers and palms and banana trees. The humongous rubber tree plant was over 130 years old. Bill said he'd never seen one that big... even in Vietnam. Important Signs On our way out of the pool area, we took some time to read the rules that we'd missed earlier. There were no signs telling us to whisper, like we'd seen at a recent Hot Springs Hotel in New Mexico. In fact our Indian Springs experience had little in common with the NM Hot Springs experience... except hot water. Quick Tour Before heading off to town for a bite of lunch, Martha showed us around, pointing out things she remembered. She was impressed with some of the renovations and disappointed to learn of some changes. The lodge no longer has a restaurant or a bar. And in the evening, they no longer have live music. The Historic Main Resort After lunch, Don and I were on our own. We got our key for a room in the Historic Main Resort... not the inn or lodge or cabin. We insisted we wanted to be in the original 1915 building, just off the lobby. Upstairs, to Room 208 Who knows what the halls and rooms looked like in those early years. The people who visited for health benefits, probably didn't expect luxury. However, I read that the Vanderbilts and Roosevelts were guests at one time. Clint Eastwood is the only still-living celebrity guest, I saw mentioned. He probably was not as demanding as those wealthy guests from the east, but I'm not sure he would have put up with our lumpy mattress and 3 flat pillows. It was sort of comical. Fine For a Night Don and I did chuckle a little at our accommodations. For $128. we had a half bath only. We may not have had luxurious robes, but we did have free all-day use of the soaking pool, on the days we checked in and out. Open Windows We were given a room facing the steep hill behind. Much better than the parking lot! There was no a.c. and no need for one. However, the room was a little stuffy and we wanted some of that mountain air. Luckily, someone left a rock on the windowsill, which came in handy for window propping. The bathroom window was better. I love open windows. Easy Walk It was kind of crazy that we couldn't even buy a cup of coffee at the hotel. But luckily the walk to town was easy... at least on a construction free weekend. We ate at The Buffalo, in the evening and I had a pleasant jog through town, the next morning. What's This? After my run in the morning, I stopped at the desk to inquire about showering. I was told I could use the shower near the Geo-Thermal Caves, if I liked. I was excited to get a peek at the caves, since our room stay only included the main pool. I grabbed my things and headed to a different area of the basement,where two caves were carved out of the rock, 100+ years ago. I didn't dare use my flash when I snuck a photo in the eerie, "gender specific, clothing optional" soaking cave! I was too hot for the 104-112 temps, anyway. I just grabbed a shower and then Don and I hit the road. What's Notable? We had a fun reunion, in a quirky and historic, spa hotel! Although luxury spa treatments were available, (and I hear they are good) this was not about being pampered. If we'd stayed another night, I would have wanted a full bathroom and a better pillow. But mostly, it was fun to experience the camp-like feel... showering in the basement... open windows... My only regret is that we didn't head back to the pool at 8 pm, to experience the Saturday night, local crowd. That would have added to the fun!
The Sign! I love neon signs! I spotted this one in 2014, when were on U.S. 40, about 15 miles from Rocky Mountain National Park. I snapped a picture from the car window and put "Trail Riders Motel" on a list for the future! Motel at 8,000 Feet This winter, we started planning our June road trip to Colorado. We included a stop in Granby, just because of the motel. I called up months before and made reservations. Mike sounded very pleasant and laid back on the phone. When we arrived and saw the NO Vacancy sign, I wished that I had asked for an email confirmation. Mike and Max We parked and headed toward the office in the corner. Inside, we were greeted by Mike and the sweetest dog ever. Mike gently reprimanded Max for jumping up, but I begged for a photo. Mike did indeed have our reservations and gave us one of the original motel rooms, that I requested months earlier. Changes Since 1950 Mike said that he and his partner bought the motel a couple years ago, from a wonderful couple who had fixed the place up in the 1990's. Before their ownership, the parking lot had been gravel. They added the second story apartment and a new wing. Our room was in the older section, below the apartment. Zig Zag Motel I liked the zig zag style of the newer wing. I've seen this in a few vintage motels and I'm curious if there's a name for it. The shutters and pine tree decor added a little homey touch. Colorado had a very long 2019 winter, so the flower boxes held melted snow instead of flowers. Room 8 Our entrance had no zig zag, but we did have chairs. If you looked over the parking lot and Highway 40... there were mountains! Inside, our sweet motel room was filled with knotty pine! Don and I are big fans of the stuff. It must have something to do with happy childhoods, spent in 1960's family rooms. Nostalgia I'm so glad that Jack and Donna Kolin remodeled carefully, when they rescued the motel nearly 30 years ago. They updated just enough and didn't mess with the retro radiators and pine walls. They added special touches, like lace doilies under glass! Decent Space The little L-shaped room functioned very well, for travelers with lots of stuff. There was a desk, a bench and a large counter for organizing. The closet held a fan, which I used to cool down the room... after I cranked the radiators too high. Some Modern Conveniences I hardly expected to have a microwave and fridge and coffee maker. I totally expected to have a big fat TV, instead of a flat screen. I must admit, the paper towel holder was incredibly useful. Cool Green Bathroom Our bathroom was spotless. I was delighted with the shiny green, wall tiles and the retro linoleum floor. The glass block window, sturdy sink and teeny tiny Dial soap were fun, fun, fun! Details I happily took it all in, from the glass door knob, to the plastic info guide, mounted on the door. "Have you left anything? Thank You. Come Again." Wandering We were "moved in" within minutes. Motels are such a treat, when you can park at the door and your car acts as a closet. Don and I put a few things in the room and headed off to a nearby Brewery. I made sure to admire the grounds before we crossed the street. The little cottage was really just for storage, but it made the little picnic area feel homey. MOTEL I checked out the motel decor facing the highway. The big red letters made a proud announcement, in case you missed the neon sign. There was a day when I didn't think the word MOTEL was much to brag about. But today, a good motel is hard to come by. I'm glad this one has a spotlight! What's Notable? The yellow sign reminded me of our good fortune to have run across this place! I feel lucky that we had a chance to spend a night in a charming, 1950's motel! There are quite a few write-ups about vintage motels, scattered on this blog. Most of those motels were a little worn, or sketchy. Trail Riders Motel allowed us to step back in time, but it also felt clean, comfy and safe. Yay for motels!
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Ninety Notable
Nights My New Year's Resolution for 2014 was to start documenting some of the memorable overnights I've had in some very odd and curious motels and hotels. Like the adventures in my Dining Blog, I have learned to enjoy the surprises that happen when you step out of the comfort zone, far away from the well-known chains. I began with a few entries recalling my very first home away from home memories from my youth. Then, I started sharing about some of the quirky and unforgettable motels, hotels and inns that my husband and I have discovered in recent years. The best part about this challenge was making some lists with Don and getting on the road in search of new overnight adventures. I gave myself a 2-year goal to write up 90 stories and the goal was met. Now we just keep on adding! Archives
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