One of the traditions we have at Lotus Colorado has been our Spring Drive.  After a LONG winter when many of us and our Lotus(es) rarely got out of the garage, when the weather finally turns to spring most of us get very itchy feet to get back out on the road. While the exact route hasn’t been finalized, here is an overview and more importantly information on our lodgings at our overnight stops.  With that as preamble, here is some information about this year’s Spring Drive.

Our drive will start on Friday, May 19th.  As is usual, the group from Colorado Springs and the group from Denver will start independently and will rendezvous in Buena Vista.  From there we will proceed north on US 24 through Leadville and then over Tennessee Pass to Minturn.  From there we will then turn west on US 6 to a picnic lunch at the rest stop in Edwards, Colorado.  After lunch we will continue on and off I-70 through Glenwood Canyon and Glenwood Springs to our overnight stop in Clifton, Colorado which is just on the east side of Grand Junction. I will make reservations at a restaurant in Grand Junction for the group that evening.  Total mileage on the first day will be approximately 300 miles depending on your starting point.

After breakfast on Saturday morning, we will proceed to the west entrance into the Colorado National Monument and then continue east bound through the park, stopping along the way for pictures.  After departing the park, we will continue eastbound on I-70 to Mesa, Colorado and then south on CO 65 over the Grand Mesa to Delta.  We will stop for a picnic lunch at a park in one of the small towns along the way. We then pick up CO 92 to the Blue Mesa Reservoir and then eastbound on US 50 to our overnight stop and dinner (or “supper” if you’re from the South) in Gunnison. Total mileage on Saturday will be about 220 miles.

On Sunday we will turn south on CO 114 outside of Gunnison to Saguache and then back north on US 285 to Poncha Springs.  We will then proceed eastbound on US 50 along the Arkansas River to the picnic area next to the Royal Gorge for lunch.  From there we will double back in US 50 to CO 9 and then go north and pick up some of our favorite Teller County roads through Cripple Creek and Victor before finally rejoining US 24 back into Woodland Park.  From there people can proceed home by whatever route is most convenient and scenic for them (hint, hint CO 67 is always a good choice for those heading back to Denver).  Mileage on Sunday will be about 240 miles to Woodland Park plus whatever distance it might be to your home from there.

So, that’s the basic plan.  But most importantly here is the info on lodging:

In Clifton we have a block of 15 rooms reserved at the Best Western Grande River Inn.  Call the motel at (970) 434-3400 and identify yourself as part of the Lotus Colorado group checking in on May 19th and you’ll get a room for $148.  They will hold the rooms until April 30th, but don’t delay making your reservations.

In Gunnison, call the Comfort Inn & Suites at (970) 642-1000.  Once again identify yourself as a member of Lotus Colorado checking in on May 20th and you’ll get a room for $160 for the night.

So that’s about it.  I’ll have a detailed route out to those who are interested in the next month or so.  But don’t delay getting your reservations!  If you have any questions or concerns, just drop me a note at:  fox4gib@netscape.net