Cover Story Budget Travel: From Free to Fee By Kelly Lynn-Ford Zepp Special to The Beacon With gas prices at record levels, the increased cost of groceries, and the recent mortgage crisis, many Americans are pinching pennies wherever they can. Travel and recreation are two areas that many households cut back on first. However, with a little rethinking (and perhaps a little help from the government's economic stimulus package) nearly everyone can get away from the daily grind this summer with little impact on his or her pocketbook. One caveat: Since the Beacon's audience covers a large geographical area, the following prices do not include the gasoline required to get to the recommended destinations. However, with the possible exception of the last activity, you can make all these trips on a single tank of gas, that is, unless you have a Hummer. In that case, your traveling this summer will most likely be limited to a drive around your block. Gratis or Nearly-Gratis Whoever first said, "Nothing in life is free," never spent much time on the Western Slope. There are many free or nearly-free recreational opportunities in the Grand Junction and Montrose areas if you know where to find them. • Western Colorado Botanical Gardens is located on 641 Struthers Avenue in Grand Junction, and is free to the public the first Sunday of every month. The highlight of the gardens is the butterfly house. Enjoy tropical plantings as butterflies native to the United States float around your head. Then spend time in the greenhouse filled with orchids and 600 varieties of tropical plants before you step out into the outside gardens. Outside is a sensory garden with a Braille trail. It features plants that entice not only the eyes but also the nose and fingertips. Each planting's sign can be read by both the sighted and blind. In addition to this garden, you'll find others such as: a cactus and succulent garden, an herb garden, and a new xeric garden to name a few. National Parks Unlike many areas in the United States, the Western Slope has many national parks close enough for a day trip. What many people may not know is that adults 62 and over can purchase an American the Beautiful National and Federal Recreational Lands Senior Pass for ten dollars. This pass is good for a lifetime and allows the holder and three other people entrance into federal recreation sites around the United States. To obtain this pass, you need to apply in person at a participating federal recreation site or office, due to documentation and identification requirements. Once you have your pass, visit one of the following sites: Colorado National Monument is located in Grand Junction's backyard. Drive or bike the Rim Rock Road and enjoy the views. Hike one of the many trails. Serpent's Trail is near the Grand Junction entrance of the park and affords great views of the valley. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, while not as well known as the Grand Canyon or Yellowstone, offers unbelievable views. Pack a picnic and grab a seat at the top of the canyon. Once you are finished, hike the Rim Rock Trail and watch the sun go down at Sunset Point. Western Colorado Art Center Housing 300 historic and contemporary works that represent the art and artists of Western Colorado, entrance to the Art Center on 7th Street in Grand Junction is free to the public every Tuesday. Besides their permanent collection, a national juried and invitational ceramic exhibit, Contemporary Clay 2008 is currently on display. Movies under the Stars. Every Friday night in the summer, the Glade Park Volunteer Fire Department shows G and PG films outdoors free of charge. The concessions and raffle, which are the department's only source of income, begin at 6:00 p.m., and the movie begins at dusk. Bring your chairs, warm clothes, and blankets and enjoy the prettiest "theater" you'll ever find. For more information visit www.glade-park.com. Fifty Dollars Perhaps you think of the Carmike Theater and Boston's when you think of dinner and a movie. Think again. Here are two options that are out-of-the-box and cost fifty bucks or less. Baklava and a Drive In. Even though the Western Slope is about as far from Greece as can be, it doesn't mean that you can't get great souvlaki and kebabs. Take a drive down to Paonia. After enjoying the surrounding mountains and wandering the quaint downtown, pop into Eleni's Uptown on 1215 2nd St. for "Food from Mount Olympus and Beyond." You'll enjoy fresh Greek food, an enchanting atmosphere, and occasional live music during holidays and festivals. Hummus, moussaka, dolmas and spanakopita will immediately transport you to another country. Not a fan of Greek? Don't worry! You'll find something to love among the grilled salmon, halibut and lemon chicken also listed on the menu. Savor these with traditional Greek spirits or local wines. After dining, head back into Delta and stop at the Tru-Vu Drive In, located on highway 92. Catch the evening's double feature. Currently the show begins at 8:45, and it costs $4.50 per person. Call 970-874-9556 for movie listings and times. Art and Wine. For a different twist on a dinner and a movie, look no further than Grand Junction. The Avalon Theater is a refurbished, one-screen theater that specializes in independent films. Catch the movies that you won't find at the Carmike or Regal. It's a great place to watch that foreign film you've been dying to see. Shows are only six dollars for seniors. Go to www.fandango.com to view movie listings and show times. When the credits finish, take the money that you saved by going to the senior matinee and head to 626 Rood. There you'll find a cool atmosphere, great wine and delicious bites to eat unlike anywhere else in town. Visit www.626onrood.com for more information. 100 dollars By adding 50 bucks to your budget, your day could go from dinner and a movie to dinner and a float or lunch and a suite. Rimrock Adventures You might be surprised to know that Rimrock Adventures in Fruita offers a variety of outings for both the faint of heart and those who crave much less adventure. We recommend the dinner package. For 50 dollars per person (with a 10% discount for seniors and children), you'll not only enjoy a frontier dinner of steak or chicken with all the fixings, but you also have your choice of an hour long float trip or horseback ride. If you'd still like to raft or ride, but want to keep costs down, there are a variety of other packages available. Call 1-888-712-9555 or visit www.rradventures.com for more information. Grand Mesa Summer in the Colorado mountains simply cannot be beat. For many of us Western Coloradans, this is particularly true on the Grand Mesa. Beat the heat by heading up to the Inn at Wildewood at Powderhorn. Book a suite, well—a mini suite—for $79. For less than 80 dollars, you'll have a queen bed, microwave, fridge, coffeemaker and a complimentary continental breakfast. Consider bringing some snacks or simple meals. Before you hit the hay, head up the Grand Mesa Visitor Center and join one of the interpretive programs. Most begin at 6:30 pm. "Black Bears on the Grand Mesa," "Moose on the Mesa" and "Grand Mesa Wildflowers" are just a few of the programs that are scheduled for this summer. As you return from the visitor center, be on the lookout for wildlife. Dusk is a great time to see moose, mule deer, bear and fox. Be sure to keep your camera close by. After you enjoy your breakfast, hit the one of the many trails. There is a short self-guided nature hike directly outside the visitor center. Love to fish? Bring your tackle with you. The Mesa is covered with hundreds of lakes filled with trout. Being outside in the fresh air will work up your hunger. Stop for lunch at the Over the Top Restaurant at Spruce Lodge. It's right up the road from the visitor center. Fill up on fresh soups, salads and sandwiches. The small dining room offers great views of Ward Lake from every seat. When you travel home, go home via Land's End. Overlooking the Grand Valley, it's a grand place to enjoy the sunset and the perfect way to cap off your trip. 250 Dollars If you've already gotten your economic stimulus check, you can up your budget even more. Add 150 dollars for a one night luxurious stay in Ouray. Shakespeare and Springs Stay With its own Wetterhorn, Ouray is known as the Switzerland of Colorado. Spend a night in the gateway to the San Juan Mountains. Filled with original Victorian buildings, Ouray is as lovely as Aspen but without the crowds. Book a night at the historic Beaumont Hotel. You can stay in one of their luxury rooms for $150 a night. Go to www.beaumonthotel.com or call 1-888-447-3255 to make reservations. The Beaumont is located in the thick of town. From your hotel you can quickly reach Buckskins Booksellers, Khristopher's Culinaire, and many other shops. Hit the Back Street Bagel and Deli for breakfast. During the weekend of July 26th, The Ouray County Performing Arts Guild is sponsoring Shakespeare in the Park. "Macbeth" will be performed on Saturday at the Ridgway Hartwell Park. On Sunday, "Twelfth Night" will play in Ouray Fellin Park. Tickets can be purchased for ten dollars per person at the park entrance. After an afternoon of Shakespeare, head back to the Tundra Restaurant at the Beaumont. Start out with a bit of Hudson Valley Foie Gras or Smoked Rainbow Trout Rillettes. Then dine on Roasted Venison Strip Loin, Braised Pheasant or Grilled Wild King Salmon Fillet. Finish it off with a Raspberry Baked Alaska. You can't leave Ouray without visiting the famed hot springs. Seniors are admitted for eight dollars. Spend all day in the pools while enjoying the breathtaking views. If you're not keen on spending 250 dollars, you can have still have an equally enjoyable trip by booking more modest accommodations and eating at a more affordable restaurant. You can't go wrong with the many other restaurants in town. 500 Dollars Double your money, double the excitement and triple the length of the other suggested activities. For 500 dollars, explore both early Coloradan and Native American history in the southwest corner of our state. Durango On the opposite side of the San Juan Mountains, this trip begins in Durango. Spend two nights at the Days End Hotel for 150 dollars. It's close enough to downtown to easily enjoy the many restaurants and shops. Breakfast at the Jean Pierre Bakery on Main Street. While there, order a lunch to take on the train. Then depart for Silverton, a historic mountain town, on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. This railroad has been continuously running for 126 years. Ride in a vintage closed coach as you pass mountain streams and wildflower meadows. Have lunch at the Pickle Barrel Restaurant in Silverton. You can return to Durango via bus in the afternoon. The train with the return bus is 180 dollars for two people. The next day you'll head to the Days Inn of Cortez for one night's stay at 80 dollars per night. Spend time at Mesa Verde National Park. Mesa Verde is full of the cliff dwellings of the Ancestral Puebloan People. You can arrange tours of these cliff dwellings at the visitor center. End the day of tours, with a meal at the Metate Room Restaurant located in the park. It's fine dining in a National Park, which is a current trend. You can book this entire tour by visiting www.durangotrain.com/book_now/packages.htm or simply call 1-800-828-4228. Once again, you can have this same experience with cheaper accommodations. If you enjoy camping, stay directly in Mesa Verde. There are also motel rooms available in the park. No matter what your recreation budget, enjoy your summer as you explore some of the attractions in your own backyard.   PDF Media Kit (Right click and save) Media Kit Cover | Ad Results | Editorial Calendar | Impact 40+ Market Facts | About Us | Rates Advertising Agreement | Resource Directory Agreement Adobe Reader required Home | Impact | Results | Market Facts | Calendar | Ad Sizes & Rates