As it turns out, I've got to make a roadtrip in a few days from Dallas to Manitou Springs, Colorado. I'll probably overnight in Amarillo, because I don't want to drive 14 hours straight through. Any suggestions for what I should see along the way? Places to eat? It looks like a pretty desolate stretch of highway. Never been out there. I could use some travel advice.
Roadtrip to Colorado
Tuesday June 23, 2009
Categories: A Sense of Place
Filed Under: Colorado
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Rod Dreher is an editorial columnist for the Dallas Morning News, and author of "Crunchy Cons" (Crown Forum), a nonfiction book about conservatives, most of them religious, whose faith and political convictions sometimes put them at odds with mainstream conservatives. The views expressed in this blog are his own.
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In Manitou, visit Adam's Mountain Cafe. It's in the Spa Building in the center of town -- can't miss it.
The Loop (also downtown) isn't bad for Tex-Mex and margaritas.
+1 on the Garden of the Gods
-1 on Pikes Peak. There is still a lot of snow up top (people were skiing it as of a week ago) and you can't drive the whole way up. Check first. If it's not open, it's not worth the money to drive 1/2 way up.
Alternative: Go west to US 285 and enjoy a drive through beautiful rural Colorado on some fantastic two lane roads.
Addition: Go to Denver (about 1-1.5 hour north) and visit the Orthodox cathedral there. The priest at the Byzantine Catholic church I go to described it as "the Sistine Chapel of the West."
Added bonus: If you've got the time it'd be a pleasure to buy you one of Colorado's fantastic microbrews.
On your way, you will pass through the small town of Dalhart, Texas, north of Amarillo. Dalhart was once the home base of the XIT Ranch, which 100 years ago was the largest fenced ranch in the world. The XIT Museum in Dalhart is worth a visit for a look at a very interesting period of Texas history. Also, near Amarillo is Palo Duro Canyon, which is awesome -- second only to the Grand Canyon in scope. And finally, the Colorado Springs/Manitou Springs area is packed with fun things to do. Be sure to visit the Garden of the Gods.
I'm not orthodox, or christian, or religious, but I also recommend the Agia Sophia Coffee Shop. Good food, nice people, and good books.
http://www.agiasophiacoffeeshop.com/
You might also enjoy the Aquinas and More bookstore in Colorado Springs (down the road from where my wife and I lived for about 4 years)
http://www.aquinasandmore.com/
Why don't you take the train from Dallas to Denver and rent a car? Oh wait, because this isn't Europe. A random Thursday to Sunday roundtrip nonstop from Dallas to CO Springs was $218. With the rental and subtracting two nights and all the gas, you should be about even in money and 20 fewer hours in transit.
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