Sunday, July 11

The Blue Door Inn is a basic motel with predictable amenities. We’re a 15 minute walk to our dinner location and will find some place to do some light singing this evening. Likely outside in an open area. There is a continental breakfast here, which will be the most simple breakfast of the trip.

Monday, July 12

The Alpine Trail Ridge Inn is a motel with recently remodeled rooms. Typical amenities here as well. Alpine Trail Ridge is located right next door to our dinner location and is a one-minute walk to the next day’s breakfast.

Tuesday & Wednesday, July 13-14

The Seven Keys Lodge is a rustic experience. New owners have taken over the historic lodge and the family (including three children) do all of the hosting. This is the family’s first open season so there are a few areas where they are still learning the ropes.

There will be some bathroom sharing beyond roommates. There is no AC in the rooms, but the little fans provided kept us cool enough. Wifi may not extend to cabins, so you might need to go into the main lodge if you need to get on the internet. Cell phone data, however, worked well throughout the property.

There is lots of character here and the new owners are bringing their own vibe to the place. Think Chip and Joanna Gaines before too much work has happened. (Truly - they were in development with HGTV for a while about renovating this lodge.) There are lots of great places for singing and there is a bar in the lodge. (Fortunately, the bar isn’t run by the children.)

The Allenspark Lodge is another rustic experience. The owners here, however, are experienced and have run Lodge for more than 30 years. Bill and Juanita cook the food and do a good job. Be careful to stay on Juanita’s good side — and do be sure to ask her how she would like you to pet her dog, Reba. (It’s a thing.)

Again, this is a rustic experience. Think 115 year old lodge that’s run by Baby Boomers who like wooden bears, old furniture, and kitschy signs. Amy Lea called this place a “hoot.” The floors creak and the log walls carry sound from room to room. There are only chain locks on the doors, so while you’ll be able to lock the door from the inside, you cannot lock the doors from the outside. Fortunately, Vox has basically the entire Lodge to ourselves. As with 7 Keys, there is no AC here, but fans are available.

There is no cell phone coverage here, but a landline is available. Also, Amy and I found the wifi to be a little spotty at times, though it seemed stronger in the downstairs rooms.