FIRE movement advocate and fellow blogger, Carolyn of Tucandream, fills us in on why one of her homes, Bailey Park, Colorado is a great place to live.
If I only had 24 hours to visit Bailey Park, Colorado, describe what I should do.
Bailey is situated in the Colorado Rocky Mountains at an elevation of 7739 feet. While Bailey itself is somewhat of an unremarkable town, the natural environment surrounding it is breath-taking.
I suggest visitors drive over the Guanella Pass which is a 22 mile paved scenic byway that runs between Grant and Georgetown (note it’s only passable between May and October). Along the route you’ll view beautiful mountain peaks including several of Colorado’s 14’ers, aspen groves and high mountain mesas. I’d stop at Square Top Lakes to take a hike. When you get out of your car breathe deeply to savour the pure mountain air. (I should note here that this air is thin, you’ll be at 11,600’ at the start of this trail, so stay hydrated and don’t be too ambitious about your hiking abilities or you may succumb to altitude sickness).
Along this trail you may view bighorn sheep, mountain goats, elk, moose marmots, pica, ground squirrels and beaver. Golden eagles also grace the skies. At the end of Guanella pass (presuming you’ve driven from the Bailey side) is Georgetown, a picturesque mountain town which is worth a stop if only to walk down main street. From Georgetown I’d head down I70 for a few miles and then pass through the town of Evergreen on the way home. Be careful driving, Elk often cause traffic jams here!
BeauJo’s in Evergreen is a great Pizza place famous for its mountain pies. After stopping in Evergreen I’d head down to Morrison for a stroll around the world famous, Red Rocks Amphitheatre. If the timing is right you might be able to join a group doing sunset yoga on the rocks. After visiting the rocks you must stop at Mac Nation Café for Mac N Cheese. You can order it to go if you’re still full from Beaujo’s! Their isn’t a lot of night life around Bailey, the perfect evening is sitting outside and stargazing. Being a distance from the city lights, the stars can be spectacular.
What is your favourite restaurant / cafe / eating / drinking place?
Mac Nation Café in Indian Hills (5510 Parmalee Gulch) is my absolute favourite restaurant, featuring over 50 varieties of mac ‘n cheese. I can also recommend their fruit smoothies. The Knotty Pine in Bailey also gets honorable mention for their delicious espresso milkshakes.
If you could suggest for me to just do ONE thing in Bailey what would it be and why?
If you like hiking go for a hike. There are hikes for all levels of hikers including handicapped trails at Wilderness on Wheels
What is one thing Bailey should be known for and why?
Bailey should be known for its location. It’s located just an hour from Denver yet when there you are immersed in nature, with abundant wildlife and flora.
Tell me about your favourite outdoor activity?
My favourite outdoor activity is definitely hiking. There are so many national forest trails surrounding Bailey, that after 10 years of hiking the area I still find new trails.
Tell me about your favourite indoor activity?
My favourite indoor activity would have to be enjoying a meal at home in the company of friends with a game or two afterwards.
Imagine I am blind. If I come to visit Bailey Park, Colorado, how would you describe it to me?
In the summer I see mountain peaks still cloaked in snow towering just a few miles away. Gracing the mountain sides are Aspen groves, which give way to Pine stands as you descend to the Deer Creek Valley where I live. You can hear Deer Creek winding its way through the willows and providing precious water to the mountain meadows along its sides. Blue, purple, yellow and white wildflowers blanket the meadows through which deer frequently graze.
What makes Bailey stand out compared to nearby places?
What I find unique about the Bailey area is that its only an hour away from downtown Denver yet for the most part it is not very developed, due to most of the land surrounding it being either BLM or National Forest Land. Wildlife and flora are still abundant. I regularly see moose, deer, and fox right on my farm.
What is the best thing to do with children and why?
Children have a blast at my place playing with the farm animals which include gregarious goats, ducks, horses, dogs and cats. They can also try their hand at fishing in the trout pond, or camping in the backyard!.
What is the best thing to do as a solo traveller?
Bailey is a great place to lose yourself in the outdoors to be alone with your thoughts and to shed the stress of work life. Getting outside and just enjoying the natural splendour that engulfs the area is so relaxing.
What is the best thing to do as a couple in Bailey and why?
As a couple I’d recommend going out for a day drive and visiting a nearby mountain town, going for a hike, perhaps packing a picnic lunch, or stopping at a local craft brewery for lunch..
Is there anything else I should know about why you love where you live?
Bailey is best visited in the summer or fall, but beware the roads fill up on Friday evenings with city slickers literally heading for the hills! I highly recommend visiting on a weekday at those times, it’s so much more peaceful.
Would you like to share why you love where YOU live? Send an email to happylifesafari.com to be included!
