Durango Brews & Mesa Verde Views - June 1 through 3, 2018

mdunlevie

mdunlevie

Touring the Galaxy
Come Join the Colorado Pilots Assn. Durango, Colorado Fly In June 1st through 3rd. Arrive DRO by 3 on Friday, vans to take all to town leave a 4. Friday night at the Grand Palmer Hotel, happy hour on the Steamworks Brewery rooftop deck.

Saturday road trip vans to Mesa Verde National Park, guided tour of cliff dwellings, happy hour at the Far View Lodge, dinner at Metata Restaurant and overnight there at Far View Lodge. Sunday morning breakfast and vans back to DRO for mid-morning departures.

Flyer with details attached, rooms being held until May 2. Registration with David Ladd of the CPA in flyer attached.

DRO is 6689 and my Sundowner handles this easy, especially if not loaded to the gills and leaving in cool morning air. Easy approach and departure, big hills are farther away.

If you've wanted to see a slice of Colorado and check out Mesa Verde National Park, which should be on your bucket list, this is your time.
 

Attachments

I won't make it but just wanted to say Steamworks is good food and fun.... It can get busy and loud though.

Have fun!
 
Don't know if we can make it, but years ago we took a driving vacation in that area and it was great. Lots of things to do amid some wonderful scenery. We'll make this a BAC fly-in as well so you will get miles for attending. I encourage everyone to consider making this part of their flying itinerary.
 
Bump for those interested or considering this event.

700 years of people living in the Mesa Verde area and then, poof, they were all gone. Were they taken by aliens? Was it war, famine, drought? Ideas but are there answers... https://youtu.be/pm25An8oM9w
 
This Colorado Pilots Assn. event was a blast. Winds swirling all around Colorado made for some challenges. The Friday evening cocktails and munchies on the rooftop deck weakened tongues and a few admitted to ground speeds in the 45 knot range. Evening dinner was at the Steamworks Brewery in Durango and we retreated to great rooms at the General Palmer Hotel, which is immediately next to the Durango & Silverton train station. Trains were shut down due to a large forest fire just north of Durango (with attendant TFR).

Next morning we hit the train station museum and were surprised to find a 1913 Curtiss Headless Pusher D model hanging from the ceiling. Guess it was crated up to Durango for the fair and set altitude records.

Next day was spent at the Mesa Verde National Park. A true wonder and must see item. When you go, get the private group tour and see these ruins without the crowds, very nice way to roll as a group.

attachment.php


Sorry it loaded up sideways...

attachment.php


Then we stayed at the Far View Lodge inside the park. Happy hour on their roof top deck and then a great dinner inside the restaurant. Guess why it's named?

attachment.php


Then Sunday was travel home day. Got home and a huge rain storm rolled in to welcome us home. Like many flying events, we met a lot of people who were once stangers and are now friends.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_2423.jpg
    IMG_2423.jpg
    213.8 KB · Views: 70
  • IMG_2428.jpg
    IMG_2428.jpg
    259.2 KB · Views: 70
  • IMG_2432.jpg
    IMG_2432.jpg
    244.1 KB · Views: 70
Mike,
Great pics. If you get lucky the ranger giving the tour at Mesa Verde will let you behind the chain (maybe I am not supposed to say that).

Any sign of the fires around there. We heard Purgatory was in the mandatory evacuation zone. Hope it fares well, it's a good small mountain to ski.
 
Thanks for the pics and comments. I am sorry I could not make it, but it looks like it was a blast. The CPA has a wonderful number of fly-ins each year and is very active. We should piggyback more on their events.
 
Mike, great write up and pics. Sorry I was unable to go. Bart Jones said he met you and your wife and he had a great time as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top