EXPLORING BEYOND OKLAHOMA
O utdoor adventures provide a magical Whether it’s exploring our home state or planning a vacation in a locale full of fresh air, the beauty of nature and (let’s be real) plenty of snacks, my fab five becomes our best selves when we’re disconnected from the outside world and highly tuned in to each other. Because of the pandemic, our recent getaways have, by necessity, prioritized outdoor fun and socially distant spots. Our family vacation to southern Colorado gave us the perfect combination of elements for my family that simply can’t be replicated elsewhere. opportunity to commune with nature and each other. Check out our five day itinerary full of outdoor adventure! Where to start The Colorado outdoors are stunning statewide, so it can be overwhelming to choose which part (and in which season) to visit. For our summertime trip to colorful Colorado, we chose to explore the southern part of the state with a home base close to outdoor activities suitable for our young kids, ages 9, 6 and 4. Both Pagosa Springs and Durango are resort towns offering plenty of family fun, popular both during the winter ski season and the summer months. We opted to stay in the smaller town of Bayfield, about equidistant between the two, which offered lower lodging prices with the same vibrant vistas. We often find renting a home through VRBO or AirBnB to be a cheaper lodging choice for our family of five, with the added bonuses of a full kitchen for breakfast and evening meals and washer and dryer (outdoor fun = messy kids and clothes!). From Durango to Pagosa, the area is full of vacation rentals, cabins, hotels, resorts and even ranches, with options to fit every family’s needs and budget.
Opt Outdoors in Colorful Colorado
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY ERIN PAGE
Day 1
It’s a long drive to Colorado, y’all — about 11.5 hours from Oklahoma City to Bayfield. In addition to packing plenty of activities, books and car snacks, we planned stops with interesting sights and opportunities to stretch our legs along the way. Don’t miss Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas, where the hulls of old cars are sunk into the ground and are constantly being spray painted by amateurs and artists alike. A few hours later, a drive through Santa Fe, N.M., provides an opportunity to marvel at the architecture and, in non-pandemic times, a walk through the historic Plaza area, full of local music, artisans, museums and restaurants. Loretto Chapel is home to a historic phenomenon: a miraculous staircase
with no visible means of support. For older kids, the Meow Wolf Art Complex invites families to explore the fantasy world of this immersive art experience while younger children can get the wiggles out in Santa Fe Children’s Museum’s interactive exhibits. We stopped in Pagosa Springs for an afternoon treat at PS FroYo, where specialty flavors and wild toppings are always on tap. A stroll to enjoy the sights or shopping in the quaint resort town is a welcome opportunity to stretch those legs after being cooped up in the car. After a long day of travel, our family was eager to enjoy the breathtaking views in our Bayfield rental over dinner outdoors, followed quickly by bedtime.
STOP BY CADILLAC RANCH IN AMARILLO ON YOUR WAY TO COLORADO.
58 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / MAY-JUNE 2021
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