Visiting Cortez/Mancos area Advice Needed Please?? (Durango, Telluride: apartments, hotel)

[coltoncity]

Hi,

My daughter and I are taking a road trip to Cortez, Mancos & Durango. I am hoping we will really like Cortez and Mancos...

We are possibly staying in B&B in Dolores.

Is there any advice on places to stay with her and a small dog and things we shoudl be doing to get a real feel for the area???

[coltoncity]

Sorry I accidentally pushed enter ... Is there places we can go with the dog in town just because I have no one to watch him. I so far thought we could stay for a couple nights in Holiday Inn in Durango and the rest of the time be in the other areas. Can we go to a lake/river there or horse back riding? Is there a place the locals go? I really appreciatge any help you can give ... Thank you

[suzco]

Originally Posted by coltoncity

. . . Is there places we can go with the dog in town just because I have no one to watch him. . .

There's Durango Dog Park (broken link)

The only public place within the Durango city limits where you can take your dog to play, no leash required!
The area at the base of Smelter Mountain is equipped with pet pick up bags and trash receptacles.
The designated parking area is located at the first driveway west of the Off-leash Area entrance on Highway 160, or at Schneider Park on Roosa Avenue. Accesss from Schneider Park using the Highway 160 underpath.

[justmyopinion]

Also, if you need to leave your dog someplace for the day, right up from the Durango dog park is "Healthy Hounds and Fat Cats", a pet supply store that does day-care doggy sitting. They will watch your pet all day (no overnights) and they also take ALL the dogs to the dog park for a run!

Besides many locals using this service, many people who come through here to take the train to Silverton, leave their dogs at "HH&FC" so they don't have to be cooped up in a motorhome or hotel room all day!

[coltoncity]

I have someone to watch my dog while we are gone and trying to get there for Mancos days. Any suggestions on local areas to visit to getr a real feel for the area? I was thinking on staying at a B&B in Mancos/Cortez or Dolores. I thought with Mancos days also my daughter and I could see a lot. I was told cortez did not have as much to do but it is so much bigger then mancos I thought it must have more there. Also I didnt see apartments online for Mancos which I would need before buying.

[borborygmi]

I personally happen to like Cortez very much, and actually prefer it to Durango, certainly to Mancos. See my post on this subject in another thread here:

former east-coaster -kinda regret moving to co

Ceratinly lots to do there for kids. And, FWIW, I think Cortez has the best overall climate of anywhere in the state. It used to be known as the armpit of CO- but I think anyone who's lived there awhile or been there recently would tell you that it's changing pretty rapidly. I can only hope that it doesn't become like Durango- although with its climate, spectacular surrounding scenery, and proximity to places like Telluride, Durango, Moab and Mesa Verde- it's probably only a matter of time before it does.

[coltoncity]

Thank you for the response I can use any opinion and info., Ill go look at your link.
We are leaving in a couple days and excited to get there. I have to make reservations tomorrow.
I think Mancos days is going on & something in Durango. Would there be something to see/go Cortez to get a feel for the area? I hear the high school in Mancos is small and good but dont know about the others.