sep 2023 travelogue telluride/crested butte/buena vista CO

just returned from 10 days in colorado, starting and ending at the denver airport. IMO this is the best time to visit the mountains. the weather is fairly predictable (and comfortable), the crowds have thinned out, and there's still plenty of events and activities to do

DAY 1
MSY>DEN, rented a jeep at the airport and drove to telluride (8 hrs, which sucked). my advice for y'all heading there to ski shortly is to avoid I-70 at all costs. it is currently one big construction project. GPS said 70 thru grand junction was the quickest route but it was a slog. arrived in telluride about 9pm, got a cocktail and crashed. we stayed at a VRBO condo right next to the entrance to town park.

DAY 2/3/4
telluride blues and brews festival in town park. it was awesome. FRI was rainy and chilly, with snow in the mountains overnight. we saw bonnie raitt and christone ingram among others, and anders osborne late nite. SAT/SUN were picture perfect bluebird days, fresh snow on the peaks around the park, absolutely spectacular. SAT was anders, robert cray & the roots; SUN was teskey bros, the word, the revivalists with late nite shows as well. this is what the festival looks like



places we ate included la marmotte, the wood ear and butcher/baker. telluride is expensive but a must see.

DAY 5/6
had breakfast and drove to crested butte via kebler pass, beautiful. we stayed at an airbnb at the end of elk st, which was perfect. crested butte is wonderful, and since it was off-season and mid week, lively but not crowded with mostly locals around. on TUE we hiked the woods walk/budd trail/upper & lower loop trails staring at the end of town, about 10 miles total. easy hikes that take you to the back of the valley thru hillsides, woods, the slate river and the valley, we basically had it to ourselves all day.

it looks like this



places we ate include secret stash pizza, bonez and the eldo. we had a blast there, love it.

DAY 7/8/9/10
on wednesday we got up and drove to BV via cottonwood pass. its paved now so its super easy. you'll go past the taylor reservoir and thru some beautiful scenery. we stayed at out favorite place in the world, it looks like this



and yes that is a private hot spring next to the cabin.

FRI/SAT was the renewal festival in cottonwood meadows with billy strings and several other bluegrass bands. its a life changing experience and the happiest place on earth. it looks like this



places we ate/drank in BV include the surf hotel, slammer saloon and terrace on main. if i could live anywhere in CO it would be buena vista.

we also made a day trip up to st elmo, this is a highly recommended stop. well preserved mining ghost town and it looks like this



SUN we packed up and headed to the airport, stopping for a surprisingly excellent lunch at the green valley ranch beer garden near the airport.

it was an excellent trip. stocked up on edibles/etc while we were there, saw some incredible music, partied with beautiful people in spectacular places and did some healing of the soul

till next time...