Vanlife diaries #30: Wind RIvers & Denver, Colorado
Last Updated on 18 May 2022
Moving at a much slower pace due to my broken toe, I spent most of this week working to finish a large consulting project related to my research while Dan hiked in the Wind Rivers. By the weekend, though, we were in Colorado’s colourful capital hopping between some of the best breweries in the country. Hardly a better way to recover from an injury!
What we’ve been up to this week
After exploring the “hippie pool” (free hot spring) at Granite Falls last weekend with our friends, Dan and I started off the week by checking out the paid Granite Hot Springs nearby— and were treated to a pretty luxurious soak amidst the changing aspen trees for a crisp $8.
I’ve been increasingly restless without all my usual hiking, but if there’s one thing that never fails to relax me (or Dan), it’s hot springs. It’s hard to be tense in 100F water!
Finally leaving this beautiful area behind, we spent the next couple days hanging around Pinedale, Wyoming, the access point for most of the hikes in the Wind Rivers. While Dan hit the trail (in admittedly gloomy weather), at least I had a mountain of research work to keep me busy in the van before we finally headed onwards towards the stateline.
It was pretty frustrating to be leaving Wyoming behind with so many trails untouched, but it only means we’ll have to revisit under better circumstances in the future— for now, we are just focussed on getting me to Colorado with a functional toe. Which, annoyingly, meant walking around Veedauwoo instead of climbing, the final insult to this pesky injury.
By the end of the week, we excitedly crossed the border into Colorado— and promptly launched into a full-scale brewery tour that would continue for the next several weeks.
Denver, as Dan loves to say to every bartender we meet, is “a real beer mecca”, and therefore we had our work cut out for us. But before we even reached the capital, we had some of our favourites in the otherwise uneventful town of Greeley and the van was fully stocked with Wiley Roots and WeldWerks.
The next few days were a flurry of activity as we chatted with all the locals about all the beer, visited no fewer than 7 breweries, checked out some local live music, and indulged in a slew of delightful food.
It was only a start to the list of breweries Dan’s been eyeing further afield in Boulder, Fort Collins, and even southern Colorado, but we had an awesome time and can’t wait to check out more of this beautiful state (and all its amazing beer) in the coming month!
Read more: THE ULTIMATE 2-WEEK COLORADO ROAD TRIP ITINERARY: HIDDEN GEMS + 3 NATIONAL PARKS!
Where we stayed this week
We spent the first half of the week camping among the golden aspen and the second half staying in Denver, the perfect blend of nature and city buzz!
- Boondocking on Forest Service land near Pinedale, WY (free; 27-28 Sept)
- Boondocking on Forest Service land near Saratoga Springs, WY (free; 29 Sept)
- Boondocking on Forest Service land near Laramie, WY (free; 30 Sept)
- Boondocking out front of Wiley Roots in Greeley, CO (free; 1 Oct)
- Boondocking in Denver, CO (free; 2 Oct)
- Quality Inn near the Denver Airport ($32 after reward points; 3 Oct)
The Comments
Teresa May (MEW)
There is something pretty magical about traveling around in an older tool. You’re much more conscious of everything. You sense every bump in the road, the wind coming via the spaces in the doors, the sound of the engine thriving under the driver’s seat. Visiting these public, open spaces is one of the advantages of living and traveling out of an adventure rig. Noticing open skies and wildlife assists us to connect again with a fainter time, one our ancestors’ might have cultivated back in their day. And in a van, you’re able to revolve your backyard between enticing vistas, mountain rivers and deserts capes. What I most prefer is about the National Forest areas that they are safeguarded and handled by federal lands. In most National Forests, you can scatter camp in allotted spots, which means you can remain outside of an allotted campground. And especially National Parks which may have restrictions for your pets, dogs are permitted on most trails.
brooke brisbine
Teresa May (MEW)Teresa, thank you so much for this beautiful comment, I absolutely love the sentiment and wholeheartedly agree! Vanlife really connects you with the outdoors, it brings the most spectacular, rugged nature right into your backyard.
Keep wandering 🙂
xx bb
Marina Teramond @ NMPL
To tell the truth, I am so inspired by your story because you can translate this awesome energy through the screen. I can say that travelling is my life and I think it is the best source of inspiration and knowledge which you certainly need to use. I think that visiting so many places is so valuable because every time it is an absolutely priceless experience with new impressions and feelings. For me, any place has its own special atmosphere and can affect you in different ways. For example, I fall in love with Granite Hot Springs because it is the best source of relief and healing for me. Of course, hot springs are really popular because of their curative healing but, frankly, only this mentioned place gives me such a necessary great feeling of relaxation and there I can become one with nature. Also, this place stands out not only with its huge benefit, but also with its charming external gorgeousness which I think can’t leave anyone indifferent.
brooke brisbine
Marina Teramond @ NMPLThanks so much for following along, Marina!
All the best to you on your future travels
xx Brooke