updated 14 May
ACCOMODATIONS AND TRAVEL INFORMATION
TRAVEL
For those flying, the nearest major airport is Denver International Airport (DIA). One big change from previous 1000 Days is that Southwest Airlines has just begun service to DIA, with several planned expansions in this service already in the works. There are commuter flights from DIA to Laramie on Great Lakes Airlines, who may or may not have code sharing arrangements with your airline of choice. Car rentals are available at the Laramie airport, and the prices may be considerably cheaper than those at DIA. There are some direct flights available to Cheyenne, which is only about 40 minutes from Laramie. Because the 2006 1000 Day will end at Buena Vista, it may also be reasonable to consider flying into and out of Colorado Springs (closest to Buena Vista.)
For those driving, just head in the appropriate general direction along I-80, and stop when you reach the highest point along the interstate--you'll be in the right spot, and as a back-up catching feature, you should be able to eye a very large likeness of Abe Lincoln!
ACCOMODATIONS--BUENA VISTA
The Day 2 Start and Finish will be at the KOA Campground, Buena Vista. Day 1 Start/Finish are about 20 minutes from the KOA Campground. We have reserved several cabins at the Campground (starting at about $46/night for 2 adults, and about $5/night for extra people, the cabins sleep 4-6 people each), and we have also reserved tent camping with room for 160 people. The cost for tent camping will be $7/person/night. Reservations for RVs at the Campground can be made directly with the KOA at 719-395-8318. Cabins and camping use the usual KOA facilities - showers, restrooms, etc. There is a hot tub (you have to reserve a time) and a community room with microwave etc.
To book tent space or cabins at the KOA, send email to our Registrar, Bob Ellis at:
Bob_Ellis (at) HighMeadowDesigns (dot) com
The procedure we will follow is that you will contact Bob Ellis by email to book your reservation, and then send a check directly to him (made out to: Laramie Range Orienteering Club). Bob will let you know how much you owe, and where to send the checks. We reserve the right to cancel your reservation (especially for the cabins, where space is very limited) in the event payment isn't received promptly.
Lodging possibilities in Buena Vista are somewhat limited (see below). There are a good number of motels about 25 miles to the south in the Salida/Poncha Springs area, and also more motels north in Leadville. We have the following information on motels, etc. for the Buena Vista area:
Chamber of Commerce web site: http://www.fourteenernet.com/buenavista/
Super 8 - http://www.super8bv.com/
Ask for the RMOC rate of $125/night for 2 people for non-smoking rooms (must be booked by July 12th.)
Super 8 Motel in Buena Vista. Super 8's
"Hospitality Award Winner" We have an indoor swimming
pool and a very nice indoor jacuzzi hot tub. It is
a very clean and is listed as a " Pride of Super 8 "
There are 38 rooms and was built in 1996. Most of the motel rooms
have 2 queen beds but we
also have several Kings. All of the rooms have Air Conditioning,
refrigerators, in-room coffee makers, iron boards, hair dryers
and brand new 27 inch flat screen TV's. The motel has a guest
laundry facility. A free "SuperStart" or expanded
continental breakfast is available.
Cottonwood Lodge - http://www.cottonwood-hot-springs.com/ A bit farther away but has a natural hot springs and spa. T10% discount if you ask for the RMOC discount. (There is a DORM that has 3 double and 3 single beds, a kitchenette and bathroom, reserved from Thursday night thru Sunday morning. People should contact Sherry Litasi directly 303-324-2305 or slitasi@yahoo.com to reserve space in the dorm.)
They have creekside cabins and lodge rooms: Doubles: Sunday through Thursday - $87 per night for 2 people Friday and Saturday - $97 for 2. Kings: (includes microwave and refrigerator) Sunday through Thursday - $92 per night for 2 people. Friday and Saturday - $102 for 2
Alpine Lodge - http://www.vtinet.com/alpine/ Ask for the RMOC discount for 10% off. Located a mile from the KOA on the Arkansas River. Rates are $60-80/night.
ACCOMODATIONS--LARAMIE
There are 2 brand new motels in Laramie since the last 1000 Day, the Hampton Inn on Grand Ave, opened in Spring, 2005, and the Amerihost in west Laramie, Exit 310 off of I-80. One more new motel is under construction in West Laramie and should be open by next summer (no more details available at present.) The motels which are most convenient with regards to the race venues (though Laramie is compact enough that even the furtherest locations are only a few extra minutes in drive time) are the Hampton Inn and the Comfort Inn on Grand Ave, and the cluster of motels at the intersection of I-80 and US 287, which includes Motel 6, 1st Inn Gold, Ramada Inn, Motel 8 (with some kitchenettes), and the Sunset Inn. For nice trail running right from the motel (it backs up to the infamous Flats), the Hampton Inn gets to overall nod as best 1000 Day choice.
There is a wide variety of lodgings options in the Laramie area (see list below), including motels, bed & breakfasts, commercial campgrounds, National Forest campgrounds, camping at Curt Gowdy State Park, and "at large" camping within the national forest itself. Rates are quite reasonable.
Since the whole thing is simply more fun if most people are staying together, we suggest that campers consider Yellow Pine National Forest Campground for their first choice (from I-80 exit 323, take WY 210 towards Cheyenne, look for campground signs after about 2 miles).
In addition to what is available in Laramie, Cheyenne offers many accomodations possibilities. While Laramie is more convenient to the competition areas, Cheyenne is by no means too far away to consider.
The following listings do not constitute any endorsement:
B&Bs:
Prairie Breeze 307-745-5482
Vee Bar Guest Ranch 307-745-7036
Windy Hills Guest House (Cheyenne side of national forest) 307-632-6423
Commercial Campgrounds
KOA Kampground 1-800-KOA-4153 (or, local number: 307-742-6553). This is in the west side of Laramie, near the interstate.
Other Camping
There are several National Forest Campgrounds in the portion of the Medicine Bow National Forest we will be using between Laramie and Cheyenne. So far as we know, there is no reservation system. Expect to pay about $10 per site per night. As is typical, these campgrounds have drinking water, pit toilets, grates for camp fires, and picnic tables. Camping is also permitted throughout the national forests on a free basis, though certain rules and regulations must be observed--it is, of course, the user's responsibility to be familiar with the applicable rules and regulations. It's entirely possible to camp directly in the event areas, if you choose.
Also, camping is available at Curt Gowdy State Park, immediately east of the national forest area we will be using, off of the Happy Jack Road/WY 210 on the way to Cheyenne.
Motels (Laramie, fairly complete list)
Amerihost (check web for Amerihost reservations, phone numbers, etc, as this motel is brand new)
Best Value Inn 307-721-8860
Comfort Inn 1-800-424-6423 (local 307-721-8856)
Days Inn 1-800-325-2525 (local 307-745-5678)
Econo Lodge 1-800-700-7974 (local 307-745-8900)
1st Inn Gold 1-800-642-4212 (local 307-742-3721)
Gas Lite Motel 307-742-6616
Hampton Inn 307-742-0125
Howard Johnsons 307-742-8371
Motel 6 307-742-2307
Motel 8 1-888-745-4800 (local 307-745-4856)
Ramada Inn 307-742-6611
Ranger Motel 307-742-6677
Sunset Inn 1-800-308-3744 (local 307-742-3741)
Super 8 1-800-800-8000 (local 307-745-8901)
Thunderbird Lodge 307-745-4871
Travel Inn Motel 1-877-310-7381 (local 307-745-4853)
Travel Lodge Downtown Motel 1-800-942-6671 (local 307-742-6671)
University Inn 1-800-869-9466 (local 307-721-8855)