4days - Canon City -Salida and /OR Westcliffe (Durango: theater, restaurants)

[oceankidz]

We have 4 quick days to spend in the area next week ( Nov), partially to just relax and enjoy the surroundings and - in the back of our minds- searching for our rural spot. Just would like to hear some local advice on my "planning" as I am not familiar with the roads at this time of the year or the area at all. Been north, west and to Durango ( which I loved).

Spending the first night at Hughes Hacienda on HWY 115 - so that we can wake up in peaceful surroundings....next day around Canon City "playing tourist" and then the choice - Westcliffe looks so cool....do we spend the night there and then onto Salida the next day - or just stay in Salida and skip Westcliffe??mmm both B & B's that I am considering look fun ..Bedding Down in Salida and The Courtyard Country Inn in Westcliffe...any ideas or advice?

[mnaallen]

I can't speak for Salida, but we spent a couple days in Westcliffe in early September. We were out there to view some properties and ended up making an offer on a 35 acre ranch. Our plan is to build in 3 to 5 years.

WC is very 'small town' (<1000 pop), and everyone we met was friendly and welcoming. The downtown area is very charming, historic, and the setting is just beautiful. There are fun restaurants (our favorite is Poag Mahone's Irish pub!), a couple antique shops, etc. We didn't see any shows, but there is a local theater group which puts on productions in the old Theatre. Spent alot of our time exploring the area by car - the drive over Hardscrabble Pass to Wetmore is gorgeous!! We stayed at the Westcliffe Inn and found it to be very comfortable. Reasonable rates, spotless rooms, and a nice breakfast too!

If you want to spend a couple very laid back, far-from-the-rat-race days, I'd recommend including Westcliffe on your itinerary!

PS. You mentioned considering properties - if you want info about that, feel free to PM me! I spent over a year doing our research so can provide some insights perhaps!

[oceankidz]

Thanks for the response, just want I needed to hear! I think with our short time frame and trying to see as many options as possible, we might just squeeze in both Salida and Westcliffe, could always just leave the bags packed , but I do so want to see WC! Will pm you..thanks!