Clothing Optional
Did you read the past blogs about the 4-Corners Adventure and Royal Gorge bridge? There is so much to do and see in many states that there could be an entire blog just dedicated to that. A great road trip, whether you combine it into your 4-corners jaunt or add it to your tour of Colorado is a hidden little oasis with breathtaking canyon riding and coasting along the river’s edge into the San Luis Valley.
For a spring journey I met my parents (also motorcyclists) in Colorado for 5 days of riding and adventuring. After a long day of rubber to the road one of our stops was at Joyful Journey’s for a stay in a Yurt! Glamping Colorado style!
The location of a natural hot springs, so evening and morning dips are required. It is considered a hot springs spa where you can join for a relaxing retreat, receive massage therapies or just sit in the rejuvenation waters as we did after long days riding.
As you enjoy the natural spring be sure to take a moment and just sit, let your eyes wander throughout the magnificent views of the Sangre De Cristo mountain range. Not up for the Yurt life, that is okay, they also have lodge rooms with outdoor decks, Tipis and RV and tenting sites. It is a peaceful location surrounded by nature and they love adventurers…so pack your bags for great riding and great relaxing.
As part of this trip, it was a fast one, but there were many experiences we wanted in the books. We rode the Million Dollar Highway with snow packed sides, even made a stop for a snow angel while dressed in our moto-gear. It felt amazing to ride through those mountains – the roads were perfect, no ice. And the days, well, one could not have asked for better ride weather – with only the need for heated gear a few times usually near the evenings.
We had a nice loop in Colorado and made it up to the Royal Gorge Bridge (read about it in this post: Royal Gorge), and then made it down to the Great Sand Dunes National Park before heading into New Mexico on route to Santa Fe.
The Dunes are a sight for sure and just odd – surrounded by powerful mountains and then there sits these hills of sand ever-changing in the winds. Our National Parks always pull me, they are some of my favorite riding in the US and I always try to make some miles internationally in foreign parks as well.
So pack your bags, a long vacation is not necessary, take the days you can and head out on the road. Remember your swimsuit…unless you are planning to visit on Wednesday – clothing optional!
Information to Note:
http://joyfuljourneyhotsprings.com/
(32 miles south of Salida and 50 miles north of Alamosa in the San Luis Valley of south central Colorado – on Hwy 17, one mile south of the Hwy 285 junction)
Written by Danell Lynn, Guinness World Record Rider –
www.danelllynn.com, @danelllynn Photography copyrights & Images by Danell Lynn.