Summer road trips

School is out. Grandparents who live nearby may be called to extra duty. This month we'll share some ideas and tips for nearby and far away fun, all by car.
Preparation

Consider distance, then choose a destination. Begin with nearby places. Discuss plans with the children. Ask their opinions. Include them in the planning process and gathering information. Make necessary reservations early. Know minimum age requirements for events and activities. Plan your budget and have enough cash. Share your enthusiasm.
Day trips

You might begin with day trips until you see how they like being away from home. Some ideal destinations may be:

• Denver - The Children's Museum, shows, sporting events.

• Canon City - The Dinosaur Depot (800-987-6379), followed by a picnic along the Arkansas River looking for Big Horn Sheep.

• Fairplay - South Park City, a recreated 1800s town (719-836-2387).

• Florissant Fossil Beds (748-3253).

• Royal Gorge Train (888-RAILS4U) Check www.headwatersofadventure.com for outdoor activities in central Colorado. A complete calendar of events in central Colorado can be found at www.cozine.com.

Overnight trips
Day trips can be expanded to include an overnight in most areas. If camping with little ones who are not experienced campers, you might want to begin somewhere close to home such as the new Cheyenne Mountain State Park or Mueller State Park. If problems arise, you can always go home. Check fire bans before promising s'mores.

A visit to South Park may be extended to a drive over Hoosier Pass into Breckenridge where you will find activities on the mountain, a public pool, hiking, biking trails and more.

Chaffee County offers something for everyone. One overnight could consist of a raft trip and a visit to the ghost town of St. Elmo where you can feed the chipmunks and imagine what life was once like in an old mining town. On the way to St. Elmo, stop and hike the one-mile trail up to Agnes Vail Falls. Soak in the hot pools at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs. Check schedules for the Balloon-A-Vista and the Burro Races. In Salida watch the FIBARK(First in boating on the Arkansas) races on the Arkansas river in June.
Multiday trips

Mesa Verde, The Great Sand Dunes and Rocky Mountain National Parks are three-four hour drives. Take advantage of the many guided activities and workshops in our national parks.

Taos and Santa Fe, New Mexico are within six hours. Northern New Mexico offers great scenery, local history, arts and outdoor activities. Get a good guidebook and tease your imagination.

The Grand Junction area is a great destination for young dinosaur afficionados. Check out the dinosaur center in Fruita where you can learn about trails and digs in the local area. Or travel a bit farther to Dinosaur National Monument. The Visitor Center is located in the town of Dinosaur.