Random Roadtrip ~ Glenwood Springs

Last year, our children gifted us at Yule with a trip to Glenwood Springs. Hubby and I took our trip  in May of this year. Over the coming weeks I'll be sharing some of the many sights we saw and experienced.

looking south over residential area of Glenwood Springs 

Glenwood Springs is located at the confluence of the Colorado River and the Roaring Fork River in western Colorado. The town sits in a valley carved by these rivers.

Sunlight Mountain

For a 'small' town, Glenwood Springs has quite the history. President Teddy Roosevelt spent an entire summer vacation at the historic Hotel Colorado. Doc Holliday of OK Corral fame spent the final months of his life in Glenwood Springs. And serial killer, Ted Bundy was held in the Glenwood jail until he escaped on the night of December 30, 1997.

Glenwood Springs pool and spa

The area was originally inhabited by the nomadic Ute Indians. The various Ute tribes would visit the area for the health effects of the hot mineral springs and vapor caves located here.

Hotel Colorado

In the early 1880's the area was settled by white men and the area rapidly became a center for commerce. When the railroad arrived in town in 1887, the area became an early 'tourist' destination. And it wasn't long before a grand hotel and spa was built to capitalize on the tourists coming to see the various attractions.

Colorado River seen from eastbound Interstate 70

Today over a million visitors from around the globe come to Glenwood Springs to hike the scenic mountains, to raft the mighty Colorado River, or to simply enjoy the hot springs. We tried to cram as much as we could into the three days we were there. I can see a return trip in our future.