Telluride CO

Summer: Hike or jeep to Bridal Veil Falls at the end of town, stand at the bottom of the falls, and feel the refreshing spray. Go up to the top of the falls and continue on the trails above for one of the most lush, scenic hikes anywhere. I think I took a photo every five feet. The 4th of July is marvelous – there’s a small-town parade, a Blue Angels fly-over, and General Schwartzkopf leads the "Pledge of Allegiance." The kids of 9/11 fatalities come back each year to be in the parade. There’s a great BBQ and kids’ activities at the town park put on by the fire department. There are FIREWORKS in the park at dark. There are festivals ALL SUMMER every weekend -- film, wine, food, hobbies, etc. Go to Telluride website for more info.

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The rooms have feather beds they call The Incredible Bed, Aveda products as toiletries, and thick terry robes in the closet. There's a great balcony in each room and a hot tub up top.

It's not just a ski resort with the usual. Mountain Village has been created as a result of the ski area up the hill from Telluride (which is where Oprah had a house before moving up the highway to Ophir. . . Mountain Village is a REALLY nice area). It’s a golf resort in the summer. Skiing Telluride doesn't include "the lodge" because there are a whole ARRAY of places to choose from to eat, drink, stay, buy ski stuff and gifts, browse galleries, etc. right there at the various lifts. The slopes wind through the village and you don't "go to" the slopes away from most things like in many other ski areas. You can ski right into Telluride down the hill (or take the free gondola down) and there you are in town again, with more pubs, restaurants, galleries, hotels, B&Bs, rental condos. . .