Road Trip to Colorado! Any recommendations?!

So... We are driving from Allendale,MI to Colorado tomorrow. We are staying at a friend's house near Colorado Springs for a few days. All we really planned was getting there and getting back.
We are driving through Illinois, Iowa, & Nebraska on the way there. Then driving through Kansas, Missouri, and Illinois on the way back.
We will be visiting a Wolf Sanctuary in Colorado, stopping at Antique Archaeology (American Pickers) in Iowa, and taking pics along the way.

"WE" includes me, my wife, and our 4.5yr old American Akita

My questions is... any recommendations for things to see along the way, in Colorado? Doesn't need to be photography related either. Things to do and/or things to photograph.

I will have my Sigma 70-200 2.8 on my 70D in my pack on my back and my SL1 with my 24mm pancake around my neck. I will also have the new 50 1.8 STM. Might leave the sigma 17-50 2.8 at home.

I will also be using the WIFI on the 70D to post some photos from my phone as we go!

anyone? or am I just impatient?

Sadly, there isn't much to look at on the way there. Iowa has the bridges of Madison county, but there is nothing (opinion) in Nebraska and Kansas. I used to make that drive quite a bit before moving to Colorado, then I realized how much better it was to fly to avoid the boredom.

I could tell you things once you're in Colorado, but not along the way!

TheInfamousGreedo wrote in post #17584050
Sadly, there isn't much to look at on the way there. Iowa has the bridges of Madison county, but there is nothing (opinion) in Nebraska and Kansas. I used to make that drive quite a bit before moving to Colorado, then I realized how much better it was to fly to avoid the boredom.

I could tell you things once you're in Colorado, but not along the way!

How about IN Colorado?

Heya,

I'd think it would be crazy fun to storm hunt in Kansas and chase sunsets in any state with all the rolling flat lands with barns, silos, etc, as foreground bits in those landscape images. I'd do it just for those opportunities. But man, I'd want to drive out and see some crazy super cell storms!

I'd take the 17-50 and the 70-200.

Very best,

MalVeauX wrote in post #17584070
Heya,

I'd think it would be crazy fun to storm hunt in Kansas and chase sunsets in any state with all the rolling flat lands with barns, silos, etc, as foreground bits in those landscape images. I'd do it just for those opportunities. But man, I'd want to drive out and see some crazy super cell storms!

I'd take the 17-50 and the 70-200.

Very best,

We are actually hoping for some big storms! its a 50% chance of tstorms next week too!
I don't want to be carying the 17-50 all the time...i may throw it in my bag though. The 70-200 will be in the bag and come out if i see some wildlife most likely. the 24mm and sl1 will do most of the work though. My wife gets annoyed w me shooting so I will try to keep it to a minimum. lol

Do not forget your tripod. Have fun there.

Guto wrote in post #17584088
Do not forget your tripod. Have fun there.

Thanks! I almost forgot too! lol. Luckily I always have my Ultra Pod in the bag just in case.

In Colorado, I highly recommend Rocky Mountain Nation Park (RMNP). Since you're probably going to be on I-80 through Nebraska, continue to Cheyenne, WY. Then turn south on I-25. You will then turn west at Loveland (halfway between Denver and Cheyenne) towards Estes Park. This is the entry to RMNP and also has the Stanley Hotel - as seen t the start of The Shining.

The drive up can be spectacular and there is a marker that shows you are 2 miles above sealevel. Stop there for photographs. Then continue to the lodge and ranger station at the top. From the parking lot, you can then walk up to the top of the peak at around 12,000 feet asl. But take it slow - people from lowlands such as MI will find the air very thin up there. You can also camp in the park but don't be surprised to hear howling in the night - mostly coyotes, however, I've heard that some wolves have migrated south from Yellowstone.

In Colorado...

* Garden of the Gods since it's right there in Colorado Springs.
* Drive out of town towards Woodland Park - there are some beautiful views of the valley below Pikes Peak. I'd do the loop from there on highway 67 back to Castle Rock - it follows the Platte River and is gorgeous.
* Drive up or take the cog to the summit of Pikes Peak (assuming it's open). And/or do the drive up Mt. Evans (closer to Denver).
* Visit Red Rock.
* RMNP is definitely a must, if you don't mind the drive. It's a bit of a drive from Colorado Springs.
* Great Sand Dunes NP - it's actually a slightly shorter drive than RMNP.
* Royal Gorge is something to see.
* Seven Falls is near Colorado Springs.
* The Incline is a hike for some great views and a big workout if you're up for it.

Just to name a few and most of which aren't too horribly far from Colorado Springs.

Fyi, RMNP isn't very pet friendly (noticed you mentioned your dog). It is a pretty cool place, but crowded. And IMO you can get just as spectacular of scenery in quite a few places (Gore Range, near Frisco...if you don't mind some hiking. Cataract lake is a good starting place).

Sand dunes are a must.

Really, any of the high mountain passes have amazing views; lots of snow still above treeline but it is melting quick now.

To my surprise, I 70 in western Kansas has some very interesting landscapes. Not the grand stuff you will see in Colorado but still quite nice.

Thanks for contributing! All great ideas! Keep em comin!

I have one word for you - Carhenge! http://carhenge.com/

EDIT: I have another one - Konza Prairie, near Manhattan, Kansas - free ranging bison in the Flint hills - well worth a visit.

I'll represent Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas.

Not much of particular interest along the I-80 corridor in Iowa. We've got the world's largest truck stop in Davenport, a great place to get gas. The birthplace of John Wayne is north a little way up I-35, but it's not worth the side trip. Ames has the Reiman Gardens, a pleasant half-day diversion if you find yourself in the area.

Passing through Omaha, the Henry Doorly Zoo is a must see. A truly world class zoo with Imax and plenty of attractions, rain or shine. The steam locomotive powered train is a must.

I've heard of carhenge, but have never made the pilgrimage. Apparently, the cars are buried/stacked in an accurate depiction of Stonehenge.

The archway museum, near Kearney, is worth a visit. Provides an interesting glimpse through time. http://archway.org/

If you return through Kansas, Hays is worth a stop. There's a worthwhile museum at the university showcasing fossils and assorted mockups related to the really old days.

The cosmosphere in Hutchinson http://www.cosmo.org/ is worth a stop if you have the time to dip south.

Kansas City - google for some barbeque places on your route - you wont be sorry. The WWI memorial and science center in the downtown area are worth a look.

Cheers

Jim