Out West: Sunrises, Switchbacks & Salt Flats

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Anything I have chosen to add on post-trip, I will put in bold.

GET OIL CHANGE AND GROCERIES FOR SNACKS BEFOREHAND

Friday, March 29th

Begin drive at 10am. It takes about 23 hours to make it into Denver including time change. Make sure to get some good sleep because we will be driving through the night!

Saturday, March 30th

Arrive in Denver, CO at 11am (allowing time for stops).
We ended up only adding one hour of stoppage time. We were flying. Because of this plus getting two hours back, we got into Denver at 8am
Get breakfast at Sam’s No. 3 in downtown Denver! Old breakfast diner with great food! The food was phenomenal, especially after just having fast food and snacks for 24 straight hours.
Walk around downtown!
I would only go to specific spots if I were to go downtown again. We went during a time when there was a lot of construction, which is probably done by now. However, the homeless population was through the roof, and it did not feel very safe just wandering around and “exploring”.
Go to Boulder, CO!
Pearl Street Mall – Pedestrian shopping district with street performers
- THIS IS THE MAIN STREET TO GO DOWN, spend all our time walking down this street and we will have plenty to do
Browse local boutiques, bookstores, and outdoor gear shops
Stop for coffee at one of the many cozy cafés
- The Laughing Goat
Catch live music or a small performance downtown
Visit the Boulder Theater for concerts and events
If you have energy for hikes:
- Hike the Flatirons – Iconic red rock formations with trails for all levels
- Chautauqua Park – Scenic starting point for hikes + picnic views
- Boulder Creek Path – Walk, bike, or tube along the creek
- Mount Sanitas Trail – Short but steep hike with rewarding views
- Eldorado Canyon State Park – Climbing, hiking, dramatic canyon scenery
- Sunrise at NCAR Trailhead – Panoramic overlook above town
- We were not in the mood to hike so we just tried food from little coffee shops and burger stands and explored the town! There were musicians out on multiple street corners playing their music and everyone was out shopping on the sunny day. Boulder was BEAUTIFUL! This was such a cool suburban town that gave us a gorgeous view of the Rocky Mountains. I definitely recommend exploring this area and getting food around here.
Head back towards Air B & B near Denver, and stop for the sunset at City Park, Denver (view of skyline, mountains, and sunset)
Sunset in Denver on this day is 7:22 pm
Go to bed at 8pm after being up two days in a row with no sleep!
AIR B AND B ($94 for one night)
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/12093226?viralityEntryPoint=1&s=76

Sunday, March 31st

Wake up around 4:30am and leave asap! I want to maximize sleep time but also want good spots for our Easter Service. Gates open at 4:45am, with musical prelude at 5:30am and the service starting at 6am
Easter service at Red Rocks Amphitheatre!
- Listen to a message and worship as the sun is rising over the Denver city skyline!!!
- We thought this was such a cool experience. It was a FREE way to experience a concert at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre. It also was a way for Claire and I to celebrate Jesus rising from the dead!!! The “Blood Brothers” was the band that did the worship, and they played a ton of early 2000s Christian music which brought Claire and I back to our childhoods! The sunrise was so beautiful as it hit the Rocky Mountains from the side and behind us. Wear lots of layers because it will be cold! Also, make sure to get there when the gates open like we did to get good spots (not only at the service but for parking, thousands come to this event).
Leave for IRON MOUNTAIN hot springs around 7 am (service ends at 7:30, so we will have to leave a little early)
- 2 hour and 30 min drive (Arrive 30 min early) (Tickets in email)
- As you are driving on I-70, enjoy the beautiful views of the Rocky Mountains
- Address: 281 Centennial St, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
- Hot springs 10 am to 1 pm
- $43 each
- What is it?
  - A mineral hot springs resort near Idaho Springs, Colorado
  - Dozens of individual soaking pools with varying temperatures
  - Beautiful mountain and creek views
  - Each individual soaking pool represents a different country in terms of the minerals and temperature in the water. For example, they have a “Dead Sea Pool” which has a ton of sodium (salt) in the water. This made it so we were almost completely buoyant and could float in it. Because each pool had a different set of minerals, they all offered different benefits! I recommend getting the pass that gives you access to all 31 hot springs, but there is no need for a whole day there. We reserved the three hour soak time and it was the perfect amount of time.
Leave for Arches National Park (3-hour drive to Moab)
Arrive around 4/4:15 (Eat at cool local town Moab)
- We decided to go to the “Moab Food Truck Park” and got some delicious gyros for about $10 each
- Parking was not too hard to find along the streets
30 min drive to Delicate Arch so leave for it by 5:30
No reservation needed in Arches National Park after 4 pm!!
Start hike at 6, get to top at 7, Sunset at 7:52 pm
Drive near Salt Lake City (4 bour drive)
Leave Delicate Arch around 8:30, and arrive near Salt Lake City around 12:30am
- We hit a HORRIBLE blizzard during this part of the drive cutting through the mountains. It randomly hit us as Claire was driving, and she is not as used to driving in the snow, but bodied it and we got through all the steep grades. Make sure to tap your brakes going down steep grades with and without snowfall!
Air B and B near South Jordan UT (https://www.airbnb.com/l/jpZdyKwt)($70)
Will not have time to explore Salt Lake City