Driving from Alamosa to Estes Park

Drive

Driving from Alamosa to Estes Park

To get from Alamosa, which sits on southern end of Colorado to Estes park which is at the northern end of the state, you have to pretty much cross the entire length of the state right through the center. You can either do it on Interstate-25, (which will probably be a little faster) or drive on the state highways through small towns and amazingly scenic byways. Given that we had the entire day at out disposal, our choice was clear.

 Views on Colorado State 91
 Mount Elbert as seen from 24N
 Historic Craigs Lodge in Estes Park

We took 17 N to head out of Alamosa, which then merged into 285 N in about 50 miles or so. US Route 285 offers some great views of several of the Colorado 14ers (fourteener is a mountain peak with an elevation of at least 14,000 feet and Colorado has 53 of them!), and itself reaches an altitude of over 10,000 feet at its highest point. Mt. Antero, Mt. Princeton, Mt. Yale, Mt. Harvard, and Mt. Belford are just a few of the mountains that you will be up and close to. Also, close to this highway is Mt. Elbert – the highest summit of the Rocky Mountains and the highest point in the entire state.

Since it was late November, most of these mountains were covered in snow and that made the scenery around us really picturesque. We got off from 285 near Johnson Village and took 24 North passing through several small towns (Buena Vista, Americus and Granite). Just a few miles north of granite, you will see 82 W which goes all the way to Aspen. It also passes through the Twin Lakes (just a few miles off 24 N) and takes you really close to Mt. Elbert. We did stop over at the Twin Lakes and were able to capture some of the breath taking scenery all around.

We were not planning to Aspen as part of this trip, so we got back on 24 North and went all the way to Leadville, where we stopped to get some gas and food. From Leadville, it is only about 25 miles or so to join interstate 70 via 91N, and this section of the road passes though snow-covered mountains and lakes. We drove for almost 65 miles on I-70 E, before taking 93 N towards Boulder and then joining 36 W to go all the way to Estes Park.

Estes Park is a cute little town mostly known as a base for the Rocky Mountain National Park. It has several hotels, lodges and cabins along with some great restaurants which makes for a very comfortable stay. We were staying at the Historic Crags Lodge, which was a little tricky to find initially, however was quaint with some amazing views. The 3 days we spent here were some of the best of this trip, thanks to this hotel, the awesome restaurants nearby and the amazing Rocky Mountain National Park at our doorstep!

Driving from Flagstaff to Alamosa

Drive

Driving from Flagstaff to Alamosa

We had driven from Los Angeles to Flagstaff the previous evening and after a good night’s rest, our plan for the day was to cover an additional 480 miles and get to Alamosa, which lies only a few miles from the Great Sand Dunes National Park.

 Four Corners National Monument
Momos

We started from Flagstaff around 9-ish and took 89N and then 160E that goes right through the Four Corners monument. This Monument marks the quadripoint where the states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah meet. It is the only point in the US shared by four states, leading to the area being named the Four Corners. How cool is that! From highway 160, its less than quarter of a mile to get to the monument. After paying an entry fee, you get the opportunity to be at the intersection of the 4 states and take some cool snaps. All around are several native American shops, mostly selling hand made souvenirs. We love buying fridge magnets of the places we visit, so we spent a little bit of time going through the different shops and picking something we liked. Though, there’s not much to do here in terms of activities, the convenience of being so close to the highway, and the significance of this landmark makes it a worthwhile stop. After spending about an hour, we continued our trip towards Alamosa on 160 E.

About an hour drive on this road, will get you very close to Mesa Verde National Park. We had visited this National Park, during one of our earlier trips, so we did not stop here this time. However, for those of you that have not visited this place, I would highly recommend incorporating it into your itinerary. A full day is needed here to visit all that this park has on offer. Mesa Verde National Park was established in 1906 to preserve and interpret the archaeological heritage of the Ancestral Pueblo people who made it their home for over 700 years. Today, the park protects nearly 5,000 known archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings. These sites are some of the most notable and best preserved in the US. In order to visit the most popular sites, you will have to book a ranger guided tour. Highly recommend booking it in advance during the busy seasons.

A further 50 miles east lies the town of Durango, where we stopped to take a break and grab a quick bite from a Nepalese/Tibetan restaurant. Momos (steamed dumplings) are amongst my most favorite things to eat and having found this gem of a restaurant in this sleepy little town, that served some of the best momos I have had in the US, was the highlight of the day for me! ?

Amsterdam

Europe, Netherlands

Amsterdam

We had initially considered flying from London to Amsterdam as that seemed like the most convenient option. However, a few months before our trip, we learnt of Eurostar starting service between London St Pancras railway station and Amsterdam Centraal. The commute time was about 4 hours and 40 minutes (including a quick stop at Brussels). Considering we were staying very close to central London, this seemed like a great option. Also, getting to Heathrow or Gatwick from where we were, would add a considerable amount of time, and then accounting for security, immigration and wait times at the airport, the difference between train and flight did not seem that substantial anymore. Also, my son has always been in love with trains, so thanks to Eurostar our mind was made up!

We boarded the 8:30 am train and after crossing the English Channel and a quick change of trains at Brussels-Midi/Zuid, we were in Amsterdam by 1:10 pm. It was very convenient, and we were glad that we had opted for the train ride. (Advisable to book the train well in advance as the tickets prices tend to increase the closer you are to the trip). Being on the train, also allowed us to relax, catch up on emails and sort through our pictures from London and share them with friends and family.

Out hotel in Amsterdam was a 10-minute walk from Amsterdam Centraal Station. During our first trip to Europe, I had realized that it always helps to stay very close to the main attractions. Almost all our trips to Europe have been during the summer, which means the days are long (which is great as you can see and do a lot more). However, it also means that it can get exhausting, with all the walking you need to do (especially with a kid). So, when I put together the plan for the day, I always try and keep a few hours in the afternoon open. Having a hotel that is close by, allows us to come back and take a break from the walking as well as the harsh afternoon sun. It also allows us to be much fresher in the evenings, when the light is beautiful, and you can get some great shots.

Initially, I was a little apprehensive about spending only 2 days in Amsterdam, but with the plan we had, it did not feel all that rushed, and we were able to see and do everything we had intended to. Also, we were doing this trip along with a close friend of mine who was arriving with his family later in the evening from Dubai. Having great company in a great city is a great recipe for a great time!

    Van Gogh Museum
    Van Gogh Museum
     Museumplein
      Dam Square -Royal Palace

    Here’s how we spent our 2 days in Amsterdam

    Day 1 (afternoon/evening)

    Visit the Van Gogh museum (2 – 3 hours should be plenty to see most if not all of Van Gogh’s work that’s housed here)

    TIP: Book advanced tickets for timed entry directly from the official website

    My 8-year-old really enjoyed this museum. Van Gogh’s paintings are vibrant and colorful, and the museum does a great job and hands out booklets to kids, that keeps it interesting for them. Another trick we try an employ at museums, is to refer to a guide in advance for the most famous works and then do a ‘treasure hunt’ with your kid, while conveniently going through the sections you would most like to see.

    Spend time at Museumplein (this is the square with the ‘I love Amsterdam sign’ and has street musicians, crafts and cafes and sits between Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh museum) (allow at least 1 hour). We had fun climbing the ‘I love Amsterdam sign’ and enjoying the fountains. Also, you get a great shot of the front façade of Rijksmuseum from here. Our son loved climbing over the every one of the letters and posing for us.

    Visit the Dam Square (this is like the Times Square of Amsterdam) and spend time at the square in front of the Royal Palace.  There are some great cafes and restaurants around Dam Square. We grabbed some coffee and gelato and enjoyed them while watching the street performers, while also giving our legs a much-needed break.

    Day 2

    Visit the Rijksmuseum (2 – 3 hours). We were there in July and did not have too wait too long to get tickets directly at the ticket counter.

    TIP: Get here before it opens, to avoid crowds and save time. Also, it is a huge museum, so try and follow a good guide to prioritize what you’d prefer to see (especially if you only have a few hours).

    After finishing with the museum, take a detour through Vondelpark and head to Leidseplein (Amsterdam’s liveliest square – outdoor tables under trees, lined with cafes, theatres and nightclubs. This place is always bustling with tourists, diners, trams, mimes, and fire eaters! There are plenty of great option to have lunch here.

    After lunch, depending upon where your hotel is, I would recommend walking through the city (with a few detours if needed) towards your hotel. This will give you a good feel for the city and also allow you to see several sights. We walked from Leidseplein towards our hotel near Centraal and covered the Flower Market, Spui Square, New Church, Royal Palace, Dam square and the Stock Exchange. The weather was perfect while we were there, but it a decently long walk, so it was good to be back at the hotel and get a couple of hours rest.

    In the evening, we decided to visit the Anne Frank House (1.5 – 2 hours). During World War II, Anne Frank along with her family and 4 others hid from Nazi persecution at the rear of the 17th-century house. This was known as the Secret Annex. Unfortunately, Anne did not survive the war, however her wartime diary was recovered and published. In 1957, the Anne Frank Foundation was established to protect the property from developers who wanted to demolish the block. It was a somber experience for us, and we had prepped the kids by giving them an overview on WW II and Nazi Germany – that really helped them to better understand and appreciate what they saw. Providing context to the little ones through stories really engages them and allows them to absorb – I think our son learns most of his history while we are traveling.

    TIP: You must book tickets in advance to visit. Book directly from the official website. The audio guides are great and provide a lot of details.

    After Anne Frank, we needed to cheer ourselves, and a great way of doing that is to grab a gelato and head directly to St. Andrews courtyard (500 meters from Anne Frank house) to start walking towards the Jordaan neighborhood. This area is known for its little streets and canals along which are beautiful houses and nice restaurants. A lot of those pretty canal shots and bicycles on bridges come from here. Popular streets are the Prinsengracht, the Westerstraat, the Haarlemmerstraat and the ‘9 straatjes’ (nine little streets). We had a lovely dinner here and took a tram back to our hotel.

    Every time I am in a European city, I love to head out to some of the picturesque spots right around sunset. As all the monuments start lighting up, they produce some amazing shots against the backdrop of the city lights and water bodies. Amsterdam is one of the prettiest cities and the unique architecture and the plethora of canals make for some great captures.

    Amsterdam is one of those few cities where it is probably as crowded at night as it is during the day! (I think the only people inside hotel rooms are the ones with kids, and sometimes even they figure out an escape plan) Well, there are venues, events and activities to suit every taste. Do your research, have fun and be safe. There’s always a morning after!

    Day 3 (Morning)

    Our original plan was to rent out bicycles and spend most of the morning riding and exploring the places we liked from the previous day.  No other city in the world has as many bikes and this city makes it the most convenient mode of transport.  Its perfectly normal to see most locals suit up and head to work on their bikes. It would have been a nice way to wrap up our Amsterdam visit. However, laziness got the better of us and we opted to sleep in late and then have a nice breakfast by the main canal. And that wasn’t a bad way to say goodbye to this amazing city either!

    Later in the morning, we checked out of our hotel and headed back to Centraal to take Thalys train to Brussels.

    If you have additional time in Amsterdam, I would recommend checking some of the other lesser known museums this city has or taking the ferry to Amsterdam north to experience the vibrant food and cultural scene or doing a short day trip and visiting a windmill.

    Gallery
     Rijksmuseum
     Munttoren
     Binnenstad
     Near Anne Frank House
     Jordaan Neighborhood
     Flower Market
     Amsterdam in the night

    Zion National Park

    National Parks

    Zion National Park

    Zion National Park is the oldest and most popular National Park in Utah, and was our final stop during our 5 day road trip through southern Utah. Interestingly this park started out as the Mukuntuweap National Monument, before becoming Zion National Monument and eventually becoming Zion National Park in 1919. The name change was apparently done to lure more tourists to a National Park whose name they could more easily pronounce! I guess the re-branding did help in some way, since this was the 8th most visited National Park in the US last year.

       Court of the Patriarchs
       Canyon Overlook
       Canyon of the Virgin river

      Of the 3 national parks we visited as part of this trip (Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef being the other two), this was the park I was most excited about. The picturesque Zion Canyon is almost 15 miles long and about 0.5 miles deep carved by the Virgin river flowing through the bright red Navajo sandstone. Apart from the canyon, this park also has mountains, buttes, mesas, natural arches and probably some of the most scenic hikes; the most famous of them being The Narrows.

      Hiking the Narrows is mostly done by wading through knee deep water for 12 miles while being at very close proximity to the high and majestic canyon walls. I remember reading somewhere that if any place had the power to inspire awe it’s the Zion Narrows, so like most other travelers who have been to Zion, this was also on my list of things to do! However, a 12 mile water hike is no easy feat, so I set a more realistic expectation of doing about 3.6 miles up to a section where the walls of the canyon really close in and then return back. However, after getting to the start of the hike, I realized it would have been very strenuous to even do the relatively shorter version of the hike due to the lack of proper gear. So, I made a note of being better prepared in my next trip to Zion and saved this for another day. 

      Some of the other very popular hikes in Zion include Angels Landing, Grotto Trail, Kayenta Trail, Weeping Rock, Riverside Walk and Canyon Overlook. We did the Weeping Rock, Riverside Walk and the Canyon Overlook trails and all of these were relatively easy, even with our then two year old. We had entered the park from the east entrance after travelling south westwards for about 90 minutes from Bryce Canyon on a very scenic section of Highway 89. The Canyon Overlook trail is a great introduction to Zion National Park for all the visitors entering from the East. This trail is about 1 mile long and the elevation gains are fairly steep but not too exhausting. This trail takes you away from the road, through a large natural cave carved out of the rock walls, and eventually offers an extraordinary view of Zion Canyon below, where you can see the road wind through the canyon, and the steep canyon walls far in the distance.

       Riverside walk
      Riverside Walk
       Virgin River
      Canyon Overlook Trail

      From early April until late October, the Zion Canyon scenic drive Road (main section of the park with all the viewpoints) can only be accessed through a park shuttle. We had a hard time trying to find a parking spot, but after we did it was really convenient to hop on to the free shuttles that run every few minutes from the Visitor Center and the Human History Museum. Our first stop on the shuttle was the Court of the Patriarchs (these are 3 sandstone cliffs named after Biblical figures Abraham, Issac and Jacob), then we stopped at the Zion Lodge for a quick bite and continued northwards to visit The Grotto, Angel’s Landing, Weeping Rock and all the way up to the Temple of Sinawava, where we did the 2 mile round-trip, Riverside walk that runs along the Virgin River, leading to the Zion Narrows.

      By the time we had completed the Riverside walk trail, it was approaching sunset and we took the shuttle back and headed to the Canyon Junction. This spot is one of the most popular spots in Zion for Sunset photography and by the time we reached there, it was already crowded with people crouching over their tripod mounted cameras.  Sunset was spectacular and Vaishakhi managed to capture the breathtaking views on ‘film’. Finally it was time to head back to our hotel in Springdale, located about 5 minutes from the south entrance in the park. Spending the night in a hotel so close to the Park allowed me to get into the park very conveniently the next morning in order to witness a beautiful sunrise. After a very fulfilling trip, we headed westwards for the 430 mile trip back home.

      Gallery

      Arches National Park

      National Parks

      Arches National Park

      We traveled to Arches National Park on  a day when the mercury soared to over 100F! Despite the heat, this was part of a long awaited trip, and i was really glad to finally be here. Located in eastern Utah, this park has over 2000 natural sandstone arches, including the very famous Delicate Arch. We had flown into Salt Lake City the previous night, rented a car and drove down to Provo to spend the night there. After a good night’s sleep, we left our hotel for Arches National Park by about 9:00 AM (it was about 200 miles – almost 4 hours  drive to the park gate). We had planned to stay for about 4-5 hours in the park, as we planned to return back to our hotel in Provo for the night.

         Delicate Arch
         Balanced Rock
         Skyline Arch
         Three Gossips

        4-5 hours is just about sufficient time (yes even with a baby!) to drive through all of the paved park roads, spending about ten minutes at each viewpoint (La Sal Mountain viewpoint, the Organ, Tower of Babel, Petrified Dunes, fiery Furnace viewpoint and Balanced Rock), and taking quick drives through  the Windows Section, Panorama Point and Delicate Arch Viewpoint. Unfortunately, long hikes were out of the question for us with our then 9 month old, hence we stuck to the paved roads, this also helped us to cool down in the car after being out in the scorching heat for those panoramic views and much desired pictures. The landscape was very different from anything i had seen before and I was completely awed by the size of the arches and sandstone formations. Also, since it was a hot and bright day, we got some amazing contrasts with the red brown rocks against the clear blue sky.

        Hike to the delicate Arch: Since we were a little pressed for time, the only hike that i could fit into our schedule was to the Delicate Arch. This is the most widely-recognized landmark in the Arches National Park and is also depicted on Utah license plates. It is located at the end of a 1.5 mi (2.4 km) hiking trail. My initial thoughts were to embark on this trail carrying my 9 month old on a shoulder sling, though i am really glad my wife talked me out of that pretty quickly. She decided to stay back with Daivik, and i promised to be back as quickly as i could. Everything would have gone as per plan if I had just stuck to the trail. I have always had a soft corner for climbing rocks and hills (probably something to do with the 10 years of my life that i spent in the foothills of the Himalayas), and decided to take a more unconventional route to the arch (also hopeful that it would save me some time). Unfortunately, i was completely lost and out of water, and barely managed to reach the arch after a very perilous hike! So, my strong suggestion is to stick to the trail and that is exactly what i did on the way back. Anyways, some positives were that i got to glimpse the arch from a point where very few would have seen, and i did get some amazing shots of the park and the salt valley below.

        After the adventure, we also drove to the the Delicate Arch view point and took a few more shots of the lovely arch from a distance. Unfortunately we could not  remain for much longer and hit the road by 6:00 PM.

        Some helpful tips:

        • Carry plenty of water and drinks (we had bought a disposable thermocol cooler from Walmart, this really helped keeping all our drinks cool)
        • We stopped over in Moab (just a couple of miles away) on our way into the park for some food. Options are very limited inside the park (i think only the souvenir shop has some sandwiches).
        • If you can definitely go for the hike to the Delicate Arch, worth every step!
        • Try and plan your trip so that you are at the park (more specifically at the Delicate Arch) around sunset, you will get some amazing pics.
         Double Arch
        Gallery