Crested Butte, CO

Elevation 8909 and you can feel it. Breathing here was harder than anywhere we have been in Colorado. Usually, by the second day your body adjusts, but this time it didn’t. Not to say we didn’t have a great time we did as usual.

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Day 1 to Atlanta

Wednesday we headed down to Atlanta, to avoid the early morning rush and stayed at a hotel near the airport that offered park, fly and stay. It worked out to be a real deal for 120.00. After settling in we walked over to the Louisiana Bistreaux Seafood Kitchen for dinner. We enjoyed Bistreaux Oysters on the half shell. Excellent oysters topped with white wine garlic butter, Parmesan cheese and chargrilled. For our entree we shared the Redfish Louisianne it was sauteed topped with shrimp and etouffee sauce served over corn choux and dirty rice. Definitely recommend!

Day 2 Flight to Colorado

The next morning we were up and ready to head out on our adventure. We went right through security and had a couple of hours before our plane took off (I kinda rushed things that morning ) since we had plenty of time we stopped at the Grindhouse for some coffee before our flight.

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Arrival in Gunnison

We arrived in Gunnison to 19 degrees. Burrrr! The Alpine Express was there waiting to take us to the Elevation Hotel and Spa located right at the base of the ski slope, inside the Crested Butte ski village. The village has everything shops, restaurants, bars, the adventure Center where you can rent all your ski equipment and even ice sculptures. Our room was great we had a large bathroom, kitchenette, king-size bed, sofa and a balcony that looked out over the slopes and mountains. (Crested Butte is big into conservation, just an FYI you will find a door hanger in your room and if you hang this on your door saying you do not wish maid service the hotel will give you a $10.00 voucher to the 9380 Bar and Grill located in the hotel.) That’s where we met up with friends for a drink before dinner.

Dinner at Slogars

Dinner our first night was at Slogars, they are famous for their fried chicken. You’re served family-style with more food than you can possibly eat. We had a group of 13, two platters of fried chicken piled high along with all the fixings. When we finished it looked as though we had not touched anything. Not to worry though they will bag up the leftovers for you to take home. Make sure you experience Slogars while you are in Crested Butte you will not regret it.

Day 3 Exploring Crested Butte

Friday Ronnie and I headed into town and had breakfast at the Cool Creek Grill located downstairs in the Historic Forest Queen Hotel. In the heart of Crested Butte, the Forest Queen Hotel and Coal Creek Grill occupy a historic building dating back to 1881.  In its early years, it was reported to have been part of the Main Street red-light district with a saloon downstairs and brothel on the second floor. Legend has it that a lovelorn lady named Elizabeth, commonly known as Liz, still haunts the hotel. It seems Liz had fallen in love with a transient gambler and had given him her life’s savings to use in an all-night gambling event. Although he won big that evening he left town, not only with his winnings but also with her money. Shortly afterward Liz threw herself out of a second-story window into the icy waters of Coal Creek. For many years, both guests and staff have reported paranormal activity at both the hotel and restaurant.

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Elk Street

We spent the next few hours roaming Elk Street and stopping in the stores, and heritage Museum This 1883 building was the hardware and general store and still houses the original coal stove, merchandise displays, photo gallery, children’s museum, a model railroad, and the world record Elk. Later that afternoon we sat around the outside fireplace at our hotel watching the skiers and visiting with friends.

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Dinner at Bonz

That evening we met up with everyone at Bonz tequila bar and grill for Margaritas and enchiladas. We happened to be there when the Alley Loop pub crawl group descended on Bonz. They were all dressed in costumes. Ronnie had his picture with the cards from Alice in Wonderland Guess which one is the joker?

Day 4 Allie Loop Nordic Ski Marathon

Today was the Alley Loop Nordic ski Marathon in town. What a great adventure! The skiers were dressed in all kinds of great costumes from young to old. They skied through the streets of Crested Butte. It was a great time for all. We stopped in at the Public House to warm up. And then met up with friends at the Last Steep Bar and Grill for lunch. When the race was over they came in with snow plows and dump trucks and cleaned up the streets.

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Day 5 Super Bowl

Our last day was Super Bowl Sunday we had breakfast that morning at the Woodside Grill (everything is a grill in Crested Butte) and then spent a lazy day at the hotel. That afternoon we all gathered at our friend’s Condo for snacks and the game. And enjoyed the most beautiful sunset.

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Day 6 Snowstorm warnings

Our return flight was canceled but we decided to go ahead into Gunnison to be near the airport for when it reopened. We checked into a hotel and went out to explore Gunnison which consisted of maybe five blocks. It began to snow as we were walking around so we stopped into the Gunnisack for a hot cider. Next, we went to the Alamo a local Bar here we met some really friendly locals. The bartender Christian was especially friendly. He recommended Garlic Mikes to us for Dinner said it was the best restaurant around. One guy bought us a beer, he had gotten lucky and won the super bowl pot the night before and was spreading his winnings.

Nighttime in Gunnison

That night we headed out to Garlic Mikes with the only uber driver in Gunnison. It made me a little nervous since the restaurant was quite a distance from our hotel and it was snowing. I made sure he agreed to come back and get us. And he did! On our way back to the hotel we stopped back by the Alamo for a nightcap before returning to our hotel. The snowstorm did not hit Gunnison as they predicted so there was no problem getting out the next day.

Day 7 Flight Home

And this ends another great adventure for us. We hope that you enjoyed our trip and learned a little about Crested Butte if you ever travel there.