GetTheFunOut

Denver is a great weekend getaway from Phoenix.  Flights are cheap and direct on Southwest and Frontier, and short enough that leaving early on Saturday and returning late on Sunday gives you most of the weekend to enjoy Denver and the surrounding areas.  This time of year is great for a weekend ski trip, and if you follow Groupon, LivingSocial, and any of the variety of other deal sites ski weekends including lodging and lift tickets are frequently posted making the trip that much more affordable.  Also, ahead of time start checking the Groupon and LivingSocial deals within Denver for additional excursion ideas, or just cheaper meals when you arrive. I cannot stress enough how much you must visit one of the several Lucile's locations for literally the best breakfast of sausage gravy I have ever had - the "Carlin County."  Lucile's alone is worth a trip to Denver, and that's why I am mentioning it alone in this disjointed paragraph. The Denver location has a pa...

Wilson Canyon Trail. Easy hike, pretty scenery but closed in and only can see views of Wilson Mountain. Photography Photography options generally limited to micro-scenic shots. Good hike to just look and enjoy nature with several opportunities to see interesting geological features in creekbed. Red Rock pass required, but available at parking area. Parking very limited. I was able to hike only about one mile into the canyon on account of time constraints, and with fairly frequent stops for pictures and generally enjoying the scenery it took me one hour for the 2 mile round trip that included only about 150 feet of elevation gain. The trail appears to stretch about another mile from where I turned around, and likely includes more elevation gain. This is a good hike for beginners and anyone hoping to hike in solitude. Despite, or perhaps because of, the crowded trailhead I saw only a mountain biker as I hiked. This can easily be hiked in sneakers and jeans if you didn't plan to hike...