Million Dollar Highway

It was a few weeks before I was to start back to work... this time Full-Time.. at Progressive.... While it's very exciting and I'm looking forward to a new challenge and learning new things, I have been blessed to not have to had to work full time for many many years.  (Thanks honey)

So, we thought before work started, why not take a long weekend and take a drive that John had already done a few years ago with the boys aka Ryan and Greg on motorcycles.  He'd always told me how amazingly beautiful it was and wanted to share it with me... so off we went.

Of course, if you know us, you know we rented a convertible so we could enjoy the view even more and the weather was incredible.


Our first stop was pizza in Canon City... It's super yummy and we hardly ever make it down there so
we made sure to stop and enjoy.




Our stop for the first night was  Montrose which puts us right at the start of "The Million Dollar Highway" so named for it's amazing views.  Dinner in Montrose was at the Horsefly Brewery.  Food and service were both very good.  Up early the next morning super excited to see these amazing views.. While starting our drive down 550 we saw on the side of the road what looked like a fun antique/car/junk store.. Ok... so not so much junk.. but John made a quick u-turn and we stopped in.  After a tour around all the cool sights we started the amazing drive down the Million Dollar Highway.  John had not been exaggerating when he explained the beauty to me before our trip.    

Around every corner was another spectacular sight to see.  We stopped in Silverton to do a bit of sightseeing, shopping and grab a scoop of ice cream.   Then it was back on the road again.  Next stop, Durango.  We had left over pizza from the day before so John had a great idea to stop by the river and do a little picnic with pizza and watermelon.  It was delicious.   Our stop the second night was in a quaint little town called Pagosa Springs.  Our hotel had an indoor pool and hot tub so we got some nice relaxing time before we went out to dinner.  Dinner of street tacos and nachos at Kips were really good followed by a relaxing stroll down by the river.

Unfortunately the next morning had us heading back towards home. One final sight to see before we made it home was a quick hike up to Treasure Falls.  It was definitely worth the stop.  It had been a relaxing, peaceful, fun-filled weekend with the person I love most.

Long Weekend in Key West

Combination 30 Year Anniversary ~~ We both turned 50 this year Trip 

Sometime last year John had been "bumped up" to first class on an international flight from Germany to the US but upon arrival at the airport it seemed another customer had purchased that first class ticket so United had to put him back in coach.. so as a concession for "his trouble of being bumped" they gave him a voucher so we decided to use it to celebrate 30 wonderful years of marriage and both of us turning 50 this year.  So off to Key West we went.. First Class thanks to a United Voucher. 

June 2nd 

I would say I'm far from high maintenance or even spoiled considering I grew up with meager means... but when you have the chance to fly first class from Denver to Ft. Lauderdale on United's dime, you go ahead and take it.  Our flight was uneventful and so comfy.  Costco has great rates on rental cars and it wasn't long before we were on our way in this beauty... complete with cooled seats which were very nice in Florida in June.  


                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

            

Our first night we stayed in Key Largo at The Marina Del Mar Resort right on the water. We walked down for dinner and drinks at Sharkey's on the canal. There's not a lot of places more relaxing and peaceful than Florida in June with the one you love.  We strolled around the water and watched the sunset.   
      

           

June 3rd 

We were up early and started our drive down to Key West.  The drive down to Key West is as beautiful as the destination.  The drive is one of the most beautiful we've been on.. and we've been on quite a few amazing road trips.  The bridges and water are absolutely awesome. Having the ability to take the top down on the convertible made it all the more wonderful.   

                                 

        

We booked our room at the Navy Lodge on Key West.  It was a very basic but roomy and inexpensive 3 bedroom condo that used to be Navy housing. The AC blew cold and it had most of the comforts of home with the exception of the shower.. Terrible water pressure is an understatement.. But over all a nice place to stay.  We also were able to go to the commissary and get a few things to snack on and drink.  We stopped for lunch at the Southernmost Beach Cafe on Smathers Beach.  So beautiful.  We also took the obligatory picture of the Southernmost Point mock buoy. 
        
         













Our first evening in town was spent getting the lay of the land..  We had drinks at the Waterfront Brewery and at a fun bar called The Bull and the Whistle where we got to watch a trio of ladies much like the singers on Sister Act put on a fun show.  It was a fun relaxing evening and the weather was perfect. Upstairs from the bar is a rooftop deck knows as "The Garden of Eden" where apparently clothing is optional.. 



June 4th 

We wanted to do some sightseeing and found Fort Taylor and did some exploring.  It was a pretty warm day but The Fort had amazing history and was worth the visit. We fancy ourselves history buffs and like to mix a little knowledge with beauty.

         
        

Our next stop was to find some sand and put our feet in the water.  Key West is not known for it's amazing beaches but we found a cool spot where supposedly the Atlantic Ocean meets the Gulf of Mexico so that's where we went.  It was beautiful and a nice spot for some pics.  After an eventful morning it was back to the condo to cool off before round two of fun.
                                                               

John let me drag him to the Butterfly Conservatory in Key West and I'm glad we sent.  It was a quick visit but full of more of the areas beauty.  We drove by the lighthouse but weren't able to go in as it was closed.  I have an affinity for lighthouses and was at least glad we were able to swing by and get a picture.

    
We headed over to Willie T's for lunch and one of the many live music open air bars on the island.  It's a great place to people watch, grab some grub and a cold one.  The ceiling, walls and floors are covered in dollar bills that people typically sign and leave .. there must be thousands of dollars there.

We would be remiss if we left Key West without partaking in one of the things they're known for.. So we headed over for pie and a drink and while the pie was pretty amazing the drink was as they say.. less than amazing .  We also got a shot of Mile 0 which I'm pretty sure is a requirement before you can leave the island.  

                           

I know we logged more than 5 miles on Saturday up and down Duval Street so when it was time to head back to our car we hired a Pedi-cab.  Let's just say he earned his pay and giant tip that day.  Back to the condo to rest and freshen up for the evening.. and after a few hours we were back in the fun.. stopping for drinks at Sloppy Joes and watched Pete and Wayne sing "In the Cone Again" about the ever changing Key West weather.  We then headed over to Hogs Breath Saloon had dinner and drinks and watched an amazing talent Andy Wescott play some live music.  The experts say that the best view of the sunset on the island can be seen from Mallory Square.. We headed over and found it to be overcrowded and the actual sunset was blocked by land and trees so we quickly headed south to a more secluded spot and we were rewarded for our efforts.  

                 

  

The time came for us to bid farewell to Key West and all of it's beauty.  We hope to return one day.

June 5th 

Up and out on our way to South Beach Miami for the day and evening.. before our flight tomorrow.  The drive back north was a bit overcast and added a somber feel to leaving.  South Beach has such a different feel from Key West and we made the most of the little time we had.  We checked into The Kimpton Surfcomber right on the beach.. Made even more special since we used Visa points to pay for this room.  Check-in was smooth and our room was very nice.  We enjoyed a drink out by the pool. It was really nice to have a modern shower with actual water pressure compared to the shower at the Navy Lodge.  

                                    

The Surfcomber's location was excellent very near yummy pizza, shops and the Lincoln Road Mall where we went to have a drink and people watch. I can tell you if someone offers you a mojito and asks if you want it blended.  The answer should always be No... Mint should never be blended up into any drink.  It tasted like I was drinking/eating toothpaste flavored grass...  The people watching was a premium though.  We ended up eating at The Pizza Bar just down from the hotel and loving every minute of it... They sell pizza by the slice.. always fresh and fresh made salads.. They had limited seating in there but we managed to get two seats.. It was so good we ate there twice.  Yeah.. we can be somewhat boring and creatures of habit.. Late that evening we took a stroll on the beach and John took a dip in the ocean while I watched with my feet in from the shore.. I'm not the biggest ocean lover.. and I'll never get bitten by a shark while on shore. 

                                    

                                               


June 6th 

We had an amazing time together exploring Key West and South Beach but most good things have to come to an end and we had to head back to reality.  We took one last dip in the pool before heading to the airport.  I was pretty happy we had First Class home as well and thanks to John for all his traveling we have access to the United Club which makes waiting to board much nicer.  If you haven't had a chance to make it to Key West I encourage you to go for a long weekend with someone special in your life.