Life Colorado, kayaking, rafting, and camping advice... - Page 2

**BigRichard** · 06-07-2012, 02:16 PM

Starting a new job in a few weeks and I was thinking about taking a week to go over to Colorado. Never been and hear it is beautiful. I was thinking about doing some kayaking or rafting and some camping. The wife and I have never kayaked before so would you recommend doing this down some rapids? Or would you probably just go with a guide and a raft?

Do you have any suggestions on where to go in Colorado? I don't really have any gear so probably would like to go to something that provides all the gear. But I wouldn't be against purchasing some if need be. Any and all advice welcome.

**Donger** · 06-07-2012, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRichard

I will probably stay away from that. I am a big old wuss when it comes to cold weather and camping.

Camping really isn't my thing, but we've been pretty miserable every time we've gone. It is fine at lower elevations, but anything above 8,000 or higher, you are going to be cold at night and likely wet.

**DaFace** · 06-07-2012, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRichard

I was thinking about taking a train instead of driving or flying. Thought it would be cheaper then flying but it looks to be about the same price from Omaha to Denver.

That could be cool. It'll be a little more of a pain to get a rental car once you're in Denver (there are millions at the airport, and 20-30 downtown), but you can do it. Aside from that, whatever you're in the mood for.

**BigRichard** · 06-07-2012, 02:59 PM

Anyone ever try kayaking? Just wonder how difficult it is for beginners.

**Donger** · 06-07-2012, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRichard

Anyone ever try kayaking? Just wonder how difficult it is for beginners.

On the river? No. On a lake, yes.

**BigRichard** · 06-07-2012, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

Fly Frontier.

I was thinking it would be pretty neat to ride the train and see the state a little bit. Might just decide to drive if I can't find a cheaper price. It was like $550 for round trip on a train for 2 adults.

**Rain Man** · 06-07-2012, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRichard

I was thinking about taking a train instead of driving or flying. Thought it would be cheaper then flying but it looks to be about the same price from Omaha to Denver.

I'd like to do the train at some point. And if you're coming to Denver, it drops you off right in the heart of downtown, so it's more convenient than the airport, which is located almost halfway to Omaha. You can walk to hotels and then rent a car when you're ready to leave town.

**Donger** · 06-07-2012, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRichard

I was thinking it would be pretty neat to ride the train and see the state a little bit. Might just decide to drive if I can't find a cheaper price. It was like $550 for round trip on a train for 2 adults.

Well, if you are going to have to rent a car if you fly or take a train, take the cost of that into account. If you are going to explore the Rockies, you'll want your own wheels.

Have you ever driven in mountains?

**BigRichard** · 06-07-2012, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I'd like to do the train at some point. And if you're coming to Denver, it drops you off right in the heart of downtown, so it's more convenient than the airport, which is located almost halfway to Omaha. You can walk to hotels and then rent a car when you're ready to leave town.

That is nice to know.

**Rain Man** · 06-07-2012, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRichard

Anyone ever try kayaking? Just wonder how difficult it is for beginners.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

On the river? No. On a lake, yes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRichard

Anyone ever try kayaking? Just wonder how difficult it is for beginners.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

On the river? No. On a lake, yes.

Heh.

scorpio · 06-07-2012, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRichard

Do they have mountain bikes to rent? I have been considering buying a mountain bike just haven't done it yet.

Yeah they have bikes for rent in town. Unfortunately it looks like they don't start up the mountain biking (at least at Copper) until June 30.

http://www.coppercolorado.com/summer...mer_activities

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRichard

I was thinking it would be pretty neat to ride the train and see the state a little bit. Might just decide to drive if I can't find a cheaper price. It was like $550 for round trip on a train for 2 adults.

There's virtually no passenger rail east of Denver (ie, in the mountains). Train is fun but all you're going to see is a bunch of farm land.

**BigRichard** · 06-07-2012, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

Well, if you are going to have to rent a car if you fly or take a train, take the cost of that into account. If you are going to explore the Rockies, you'll want your own wheels.

Have you ever driven in mountains?

No I have not.

**Donger** · 06-07-2012, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scorpio

There's virtually no passenger rail east of Denver (ie, in the mountains). Train is fun but all you're going to see is a bunch of farm land.

Yeah, people seem to think that the Rockies start at the Kansas border. They don't. At all. Eastern Colorado is basically Western Kansas.

**Donger** · 06-07-2012, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Heh.

Yeah, I wouldn't recommend kayaking on the Colorado.

**Donger** · 06-07-2012, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRichard

No I have not.

Okay, well, I-70 can be a little hair-raising. It's three lanes each way until just past Floyd Hill, then it goes to two lanes. Do NOT get stuck behind a semi going 35 mph uphill in the right lane, but do NOT stay in the left lane. Locals really don't like it.

Oh, and don't ride your brakes.

bishop_74 · 06-07-2012, 03:14 PM

You can get bikes everywhere out here. Be prepared to spend a bit of cash for rentals ($40-$80/day). Mountain biking is probably a better bet than Kayaking if you don't have any experience. Stay away from downhilling at the parks unless you are a serious rider. Hit me up if you are interested, and I can point you to all the good trails as I ride/hike 5-6 days out of the week typically.

06-07-2012, 02:16 PM
BigRichard Buddy Christ is a Chiefs fan Join Date: Nov 2008 Casino cash: $1869546	Colorado, kayaking, rafting, and camping advice... Starting a new job in a few weeks and I was thinking about taking a week to go over to Colorado. Never been and hear it is beautiful. I was thinking about doing some kayaking or rafting and some camping. The wife and I have never kayaked before so would you recommend doing this down some rapids? Or would you probably just go with a guide and a raft? Do you have any suggestions on where to go in Colorado? I don't really have any gear so probably would like to go to something that provides all the gear. But I wouldn't be against purchasing some if need be. Any and all advice welcome.
Posts: 10,376

06-07-2012, 02:59 PM	#18
BigRichard Buddy Christ is a Chiefs fan Join Date: Nov 2008 Casino cash: $1869546	Anyone ever try kayaking? Just wonder how difficult it is for beginners. __________________ "You know, they lay down with their ugly wives in front of their ugly children and just look at their loser lives and then they look at me and say, "I CAN'T PROCESS IT!" Well, no, and you never will. Stop trying. Just sit back and enjoy the show .... You know?" Carlos Irwin Estevez
Posts: 10,376

06-07-2012, 03:14 PM	#30
bishop_74 Veteran Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Denver, CO. USA Casino cash: $8674993	You can get bikes everywhere out here. Be prepared to spend a bit of cash for rentals ($40-$80/day). Mountain biking is probably a better bet than Kayaking if you don't have any experience. Stay away from downhilling at the parks unless you are a serious rider. Hit me up if you are interested, and I can point you to all the good trails as I ride/hike 5-6 days out of the week typically.
Posts: 3,642