It’s been over two years since I took a road trip out west with my roommates Anna and Timothy. But since I’m moving to Colorado in a few months today seemed like the perfect time to write this overdue blog post. But hey, better late than never.
In early August, my two best friends and I packed up the car, and hit the road, our sights set on Colorado. We had a vague itinerary, pb&j’s to last a month, and a wad of saved up cash.
Fun Fact: we Airbnb’d my room the summer before and used the earnings to finance this trip!
Roadtripper’s Map
Roadtrippers was a great resource to plan our trip. It can help you with everything from local recommendations to gas estimates. The maps below were taken from our
Hiking in Alberquerque, NM: La Luz Trail
We almost died from dehydration at the end of this hike, but it was worth it. Trail Trip: Bring more than 28oz of water (each) for a ten-mile hike. We learned our lesson.
Tipi Camping in Madrid, NM
This is the Airbnb we booked. You have everything from filtered rainwater to a composting toilet, and a solar oven. This place is the real deal.
Hidden Hot Springs, CO/NM Border
I’m not going to tell you where these hot springs are, that’s for you to discover.
We spent an afternoon completely alone, not a soul in sight. Soaking in the springs while simultaneously basking in the sunshine. As we hiked a couple of miles back to our car the breezy mountain air-dried us. This was one of my favorite moments of the trip.
Flower Fields in the Middle of Nowhere
Coffee & Tacos in Rico, Co
Population 265: We were offered shrooms from a mountain man, drank cinnamon toast coffee (I nearly died from a caffeine high), and slept in a haunted inn during our 12hr stay in Rico.
Tubing down a river. Exploring Garden of the Gods. Hiking at Pikes Peak.
Ending our time in Colorado with visiting the Great Sand Dunes
My advice for planning a road trip is to let go of your expectations. Your journey will surprise you and teach you in ways you never could have imagined.