travel thread

[Emo EMAW]

Going to Colorado from 5/16-5/20.

We are going to a Rockies game after flying in on 5/16, then staying the night in Denver.  (Hotel near Coors field recommendation appreciated.)

Then, the next morning we are renting a car and driving to Loveland for a bit so I can get a slurpee at the 7-11 where my dad used to take us to go get slurpees when I was a kidden_mittons.  Then I will go check out some nostalgic places before driving up to Estes Park.  We would like to rent a cabin or something of the sort on 5/17 and 5/18.  (Cabin near Estes Park recommendation appreciated.)

We would like to do some hiking over those days.  I already know I want to go to Round Mountain (for nostalgic reasons).  But I'm not sure of any super secrety type hiking places up there.  (Super secrety hiking place near Estes Park recommendation appreciated.)

On Monday night, we would like to stay somewhere in Fort Collins, because I remember that place being pretty neat.  (Hotel in Fort Collins recommendation appreciated.)

We will have all day Tuesday to check out Fort Collins type things before having to get on a plane in Denver around 9pm.

**ATTENTION STEVEN DAVID**
I have no hotel points anywhere.

For the Denver hotel check out the Jet Lounge.  It's a cool little place, reasonable, sort of a boutique hotel.  It has a bar/club sort of deal on the main floor.  Also good parking.  Check out the website to see if it's your thing.  It's like a huge line outside kind of place, but if you're staying there then no waiting to party obvs.

[Mikeyis4dcats]

We stayed at the Embassy Suites Downtown Denver and it was decent.   Metered street parking beside the hotel allows you to avoid the parking lot / valet hassles.

The New Belgium Brewery tour in Ft. Collins is one of the better tours I've been on.   Even if sold out online, show up, they have a waiting list and you usually will get in.

[CNS]

Wife and I have been leaning pretty hard toward San Fransisco for a trip this summer but haven't dug into any research on it yet.  This is still the birf'ing stage of the vacation plan.

Suggestions on where to stay in San Fran that would allow us to walk to a bunch of stuff?

Neither of us have been before.

[michigancat]

Wife and I have been leaning pretty hard toward San Fransisco for a trip this summer but haven't dug into any research on it yet.  This is still the birf'ing stage of the vacation plan.

Suggestions on where to stay in San Fran that would allow us to walk to a bunch of stuff?

Neither of us have been before.

Union Square - touristy, but lots of hotel choices and best public transportation access of anywhere you'll stay.

re: The Colorado trip above - that seems like an awful lot of driving. I'd cut out Ft. Collins & stay in Denver an extra day. JMO

[CNS]

Let's say e want a Bunch of good cafes and people watching.   Is that union square?

[ew2x4]

Wife and I have been leaning pretty hard toward San Fransisco for a trip this summer but haven't dug into any research on it yet.  This is still the birf'ing stage of the vacation plan.

Suggestions on where to stay in San Fran that would allow us to walk to a bunch of stuff?

Neither of us have been before.

Stayed at Hotel Des Arts for my honeymoon several years ago. Amazing location:price ratio at the time. Not the best hotel ever, but it's very unique. 

Highly recommend this thread too- http://goEMAW.com/forum/index.php?topic=1378.0 I dish out some info/pics.

[michigancat]

Let's say e want a Bunch of good cafes and people watching.   Is that union square?

Probably North Beach or Valencia street in the Mission. Yelp is your friend.

[steve dave]

Wife and I have been leaning pretty hard toward San Fransisco for a trip this summer but haven't dug into any research on it yet.  This is still the birf'ing stage of the vacation plan.

Suggestions on where to stay in San Fran that would allow us to walk to a bunch of stuff?

Neither of us have been before.

We will be there the weekend of the 13th of July. Staying at the Andaz Napa but may hit some Bay sites on either shoulder.

[pissclams]

Going to Colorado from 5/16-5/20.

We are going to a Rockies game after flying in on 5/16, then staying the night in Denver.  (Hotel near Coors field recommendation appreciated.)

Then, the next morning we are renting a car and driving to Loveland for a bit so I can get a slurpee at the 7-11 where my dad used to take us to go get slurpees when I was a kidden_mittons.  Then I will go check out some nostalgic places before driving up to Estes Park.  We would like to rent a cabin or something of the sort on 5/17 and 5/18.  (Cabin near Estes Park recommendation appreciated.)

We would like to do some hiking over those days.  I already know I want to go to Round Mountain (for nostalgic reasons).  But I'm not sure of any super secrety type hiking places up there.  (Super secrety hiking place near Estes Park recommendation appreciated.)

On Monday night, we would like to stay somewhere in Fort Collins, because I remember that place being pretty neat.  (Hotel in Fort Collins recommendation appreciated.)

We will have all day Tuesday to check out Fort Collins type things before having to get on a plane in Denver around 9pm.

**ATTENTION STEVEN DAVID**
I have no hotel points anywhere.

fort collins, tour the o'dell brewery and the new belgium brewery.

[CNS]

Let's say e want a Bunch of good cafes and people watching.   Is that union square?

Probably North Beach or Valencia street in the Mission. Yelp is your friend.

Thanks, Mich.

[8manpick]

We would like to do some hiking over those days.  I already know I want to go to Round Mountain (for nostalgic reasons).  But I'm not sure of any super secrety type hiking places up there.  (Super secrety hiking place near Estes Park recommendation appreciated.)

What are you looking for in a hike?  Most peaks of any reasonable elevation are going to be tough that time of year because of snow.  I tried hiking Flattop by myself in early June about 5 years ago, and it got pretty impossible at around tree line.  If you want stunning views at that time of year without doing snowshoeing I would suggest Mills Lake.  It's an easy hike and pretty crowded in the summer, but that early in the season it probably won't be crowded.



Might ask around and see if Chasm Lake is do-able at that point.  Maybe, maybe not depending on snowfall. 

--Photos posted in June, not sure when they were taken

A peak that you may be able to do at that time would be Twin Sisters, which gives you great views of Meeker and Longs.

http://www.rockymountainhikingtrails.com/twin-sisters-peak.htm

[kitten_mittons]

Brew tours sound great.  Will do those.  Any good places to stay in Ft. Collins, or are they all about the same?  Also, someone in the dating thread mentioned a trail by estes that ended at some cool waterfall.  Would like some info like this.  Spill it, bros.

[kitten_mittons]

We would like to do some hiking over those days.  I already know I want to go to Round Mountain (for nostalgic reasons).  But I'm not sure of any super secrety type hiking places up there.  (Super secrety hiking place near Estes Park recommendation appreciated.)

What are you looking for in a hike?  Most peaks of any reasonable elevation are going to be tough that time of year because of snow.  I tried hiking Flattop by myself in early June about 5 years ago, and it got pretty impossible at around tree line.  If you want stunning views at that time of year without doing snowshoeing I would suggest Mills Lake.  It's an easy hike and pretty crowded in the summer, but that early in the season it probably won't be crowded.



Might ask around and see if Chasm Lake is do-able at that point.  Maybe, maybe not depending on snowfall. 

--Photos posted in June, not sure when they were taken

A peak that you may be able to do at that time would be Twin Sisters, which gives you great views of Meeker and Longs.

http://www.rockymountainhikingtrails.com/twin-sisters-peak.htm

Yes, more things like this.  I'm going with the gf, so nothing too crazy as far as hikes.  Just some nice leisurely hiking with good scenery.

[chum1]

Brew tours sound great.  Will do those.  Any good places to stay in Ft. Collins, or are they all about the same?  Also, someone in the dating thread mentioned a trail by estes that ended at some cool waterfall.  Would like some info like this.  Spill it, bros.

http://www.thearmstronghotel.com/

[8manpick]

Yes, more things like this.  I'm going with the gf, so nothing too crazy as far as hikes.  Just some nice leisurely hiking with good scenery.

If you were going in July or August, I would have a handful of other suggestions, but I would definitely suggest Mills Lake for this trip.  Easy hike, about 5 miles round trip.  You'll go past an impressive waterfall a little over a half mile into the hike, and if you feel like going further once you get to Mills, Black Lake is another 2 miles up.  Another option is Loch Vale, which is another lake starting from the same trailhead.  The trail splits about a half mile from either Mills Lake or Loch Vale so you can easily hit both if you want.  Mills>Loch but not by a lot.

[kim carnes]

Let's say e want a Bunch of good cafes and people watching.   Is that union square?

Probably North Beach or Valencia street in the Mission. Yelp is your friend.

Thanks, Mich.

Don't stay in Union Square.

[Emo EMAW]

The Loch or Loch Vale is a good and pretty and not-so-demanding hike.  Pretty sure there are some waterfalls along the way, too.  There are quite a few people around Bear Lake and the last time I went parking was a bitch but not many people go up the Loch Vale.

[steve dave]

hiked up to that one two summers ago with my bros. pretty cool.

[Emo EMAW]

Lawn Lake is similar but it's a longer hike with even fewer people.  I've only ever gone up for a few days of camping but I know people in good shape will make the summit of Mummy Mountain from the trailhead and back in a day, but holy crap that would probably kill me, and probably not do-able in May. 



This is where Emo and Mrs Emo got engaged (but like way up on that mountain).

[HerrSonntag]

Hey!  I've stayed 2 nights at lawn lake, used it as a base camp to climb Mummy Mountain!!

We got sleeted on in July, at the summit, so I wouldn't want to imagine trying to make the Hike in May.

[Emo EMAW]

I've only ever had great weather up there (July/August), but drought ya know? 

I bet HerrSontag and I have crapped in the same hole in the ground! 

[HerrSonntag]

Might even have tossed granola at the same friendly marmots that are everywhere up there!   

[ben ji]

We stayed at the Embassy Suites Downtown Denver and it was decent.   Metered street parking beside the hotel allows you to avoid the parking lot / valet hassles.

The New Belgium Brewery tour in Ft. Collins is one of the better tours I've been on.   Even if sold out online, show up, they have a waiting list and you usually will get in.

There is a gentlemans club right across the street that advertises free entry if you show your Embassy Suites room card.

[Emo EMAW]

Might even have tossed granola at the same friendly marmots that are everywhere up there!   

You're not supposed to feed the animals. 

[IPA4Me]

I enjoyed hiking Lory State Park in October.

http://www.parks.state.co.us/parks/lory/Pages/LoryStatePark.aspx

Arthur's Rock gives a great view to the east. Hike along Westridge Trail gives great views to the west toward the front range.

Could be a great option with snow at elevation.