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The U.S.Don't Get
Gassed You probably know this already, and we're probably just slow learners. It's often the case that filling stations with a singularly convenient location next to the Interstate exit set their prices high ... often unreasonably high, as in outrageous. We've found this in Hays, KS at the WB exit from I-70, Colby, KS at the EB I-70 exit and at Silverthorne, CO. Both have prices 25% or more above the going rate. But this isn't limited to I-70! You'll find it everywhere. The tipoff? Price per gallon not posted. (Price for diesel doesn't count ... that's often the only price posted, and you'll find gasoline considerably higher ... as in "rip off".) In the case of Hays it will only take you a couple of minutes more to wait for the light and make the left turn toward town. There are several gas stations in less than a quarter mile, all selling at reasonable prices. It's even quicker in Colby to turn north where you'll find three stations waiting for you with better prices. In the case of Silverthorne there's no competition. But it's only a few minutes to the west to Frisco, where prices are much more competitive and service establishments less crowded and more appreciative of your business. Another
Restaurant Tip If you're on I-70 at mealtime and near Colby, KS, Hays, KS or Lawrence, KS give a thought to stopping in at Montana Mike's. Nothing fancy. Extensive menu. Focused on steak, but lots of options. Reasonable prices. Good service. Ed had a ribeye, again, Julie deep-fried shrimp, both much better than average. They have another 6-8 locations around the US. Along the Way Seems no one writes us about travels in the US. So, we'll have to write our own tips! We're writing this sitting on the porch of our "Honeymoon Suite" here at the Box Canyon Lodge, having just driven in from our home early this afternoon. We're always more than glad to arrive after just a few miles short of 1,000 miles of driving. I-70 makes the drive a lot easier than it would have been 50 years ago along, for example, two-lane US 6 or US 40. Nonetheless being on the road always seems to have a certain bland "sameness" to it. Been there, done that ... many times over. On this trip, though, we broke routine a bit and overnighted in Glenwood Springs. Looking for a place to eat dinner there we drove toward town, and past a place that said, "Steak House". One of us said to the other, "Hmmm, I wonder if that might be better than a Village Inn? Should we turn around and try it?" We did. And what we found was enough to get us to stop in Glenwood Springs on all of our future visits to Ouray. Mind you, we're not saying this is 3-star Michelin, but we're pleased to strongly recommend The Fireside to you if you're passing through Glenwood Springs. An extensive menu with steaks as the stars, but including seafood, pasta and Italian and German veal dishes. The eight or 10 appetizers ranged from buffalo wings to escargot. (A range we've never seen before.) The soup and salad bar featured three soups and extensive salad fixings. The salad items were sparkling fresh and the clam chowder was as good as it gets away from the ocean. We both chose the 10 ounce rib eyes, which were tasty and properly cooked (if a tad on the rare side.) All in all, from soup to nuts (almost literally) the food and service were just great ... far better than one might expect from a chance selection in a small town in more or less the middle of the country. Entree prices range from about $10.95 to $16.95 (at the top, the Rib Eye or the Marlin special), appetizers from $4.95 to 8.95. The Fireside is located between I-70 exits 114 and 116 on the roadway just alongside I-70, on the north side. The restaurant, at 51701 U.S. Hwy. 6 is closer to exit 114. San Juan
Mountains Good job! My husband and I have been traveling to the San Juans for about 13 years. We have visited Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Telluride, Montrose, Norwood, Rico, Delores, Cortez and Mesa Verde. We enjoy it quite a bit which is pretty obvious since we have gone there on vacation almost every year for those 13 years. Your descriptions are right on target. thanks for refreshing many memories. Jim and Diana Henry, Rolla, Missouri August 15,
1999 Thank you for a wonderful, detailed site concerning Ouray. I have made four grand trips to Ouray and can just say "ditto" to just about everything you have to report. I inadvertently discovered the Jeeping side of things on my first trip and would also highly recommend it! It also motivated me to buy my first 4x4 Jeep. I am a physician practicing in Dallas, but I plan many return trips to Ouray! One of the special things to be emphasized about Ouray is its relative obscurity, yet close enough to Telluride to experience just a little glitz if you need it. I usually stay at The Damn Yankee, but apparently it has closed. I think the China Clipper looks like a great alternative as it is a member of the "Distinctive Inns of Colorado". I have been to Ouray in early Summer, Fall and Winter. All were great times, but the Fall offers the most and you avoid the Summer vacationers with lots of kids. How does Ouray's claim as the "Switzerland of America" stack up? [The China Clipper B&B is excellent. Ouray as the "SoA"? It's superb. There's nothing in the world quite like the Berner Oberland, but the San Juans are as close as you can get in the U.S. In some ways a bit less majestic; in many ways even lovelier.] November 24,
1997- [Here's a tip from one of our readers. You can visit the Monument on an extended excursion from the San Juans or on your way to or from Ouray.] Next time you travel to Ouray and go through Grand Junction take the time to visit the Colorado National Monument. It is a mini Grand Canyon and very spectacular in its way. The rim drive from the western entrance (10 miles west of Grand Junction) is about 23 miles long and comes out just south of Grand Junction -- on the way to Ouray. Road was built as a WPA project. You'll need about two hours to take the rim drive. Many vistas to stop at and an informative visitor's center. What is neat about the drive is that travels entirely along the ridge going in and out of the various canyons. There are also excellent hiking trails into the canyons. Many of the formations are similar to those found in Arches National Park in Moab, Utah which is about 1 1\2 hours from Grand Junction. It is a beautiful drive along the Colorado River from the Cisco, Utah exit on I-70 to Moab (route 128) -- color is like you see in the canyon prior to Glenwood Springs. There are three National Parks in the Moab area--all spectacular. It is possible to loop on the south back towards Durango, CO on route 191 to 666. Dick RICHARD B. MORGAN |
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November
14, 1997-
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