Top 10 Questions about Telluride 2008
March 9, 2008Dear Dutch Connection Team:
Here are the Top 10 Questions we’ve received concerning the Telluride 2008 Dutch Connection Reunion along with corresponding answers:
1. How do I get to this place called Telluride, Colorado?
Answer: There are two main options:
a) Fly to Denver and then make a six hour drive through beautiful Colorado to Telluride
b) Fly to Denver or other Major US city and then fly to Telluride
2. That’s nice Dave, now which way is the best way?
Answer: Depends on your appetite for experiencing the beauty of Colorado on the ground vs. the expense of flying one hour from Denver to Telluride instead. While the views from above are glorious as well, the flight from Denver to Telluride (or nearby Montrose) can be pricey – $500 to $600 per person round-trip and you will be flying on what we call a ‘puddle jumper’ in American slang – which means ‘a very small plane bouncing around in turbulence’. http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,50029,00.html
Major international itineraries tend to discount this leg so you may be able to fly cheaper than noted above. However, if you are traveling with two, four or seven people (that would be me), driving the six hours is far cheaper than spending $3500.
3. How would I drive from Denver to Telluride?
Answer: In a car … OK, you might want more info than that. In fact, I would recommend driving a gas guzzling 4-wheel drive vehicle so you can get a true feeling for the Colorado way of life. Rental rates are rather cheap at Hertz, Avis or Enterprise. There are two popular routes to consider for the drive:
Most scenic on smaller roads and through smaller towns (click following link): http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=11337342654252262318,39.851380,-104.673615&saddr=6901+Tower+Rd,+Denver,+CO+80249+(Denver+International+Airport)&daddr=telluride,+co&mra=pe&mrcr=0&dirflg=h&sll=38.888522,-106.247138&sspn=3.860689,4.641724&ie=UTF8&ll=38.895308,-106.364136&spn=3.860224,4.641724&z=8 b)
Major Highways (click following link): http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=11337342654252262318,39.851380,-104.673615&saddr=6901+Tower+Rd,+Denver,+CO+80249+(Denver+International+Airport)&daddr=telluride,+co&mra=pe&mrcr=0&sll=38.888522,-106.247138&sspn=3.860689,4.641724&ie=UTF8&ll=38.895308,-106.572876&spn=3.860224,4.641724&z=8
Dave’s choice is the scenic route. The maps will show you that it’s about a seven hour trip but six hours is the norm. If you drive, you may want to stay overnight in Denver before making the trip to Telluride. We would recommend The Inverness hotel for your stay in Denver: http://www.invernesshotel.com. One important note, we do not recommend that Cooper drives to Telluride since he’s never driven on the right (correct) side of the road.
4. Is there a train from Denver to Telluride? Is there a train from Montrose, Colorado or the Telluride Airport to Telluride? Are there trains in the United States?
Answer: Here’s the American idea of train transportation: http://www.durangotrain.com/ Other than the north eastern corridor of the United States, train transportation is strictly a tourist event. There is a nationally government subsidized service called Amtrak with limited national coverage (http://www.amtrak.com/pdf/national.pdf) but it’s not run by the Germans so you never know when you may actually arrive at your destination. Cooper: Amtrack does not stop in Telluride so you can forget taking the train from Denver to Telluride.
5. How do I make get the discounted rate at the official Dutch Connection location – The Franz Klammer Lodge?
Answer: The promotional code is GRDCH1, which can be used for booking either online at www.fairmont.com/klammerlodge, or by calling reservations at (970) 728-3318 or toll free at (888) 728.0355 in the US. The discounted rate is $400 for a two room residence and $500 for a three room residence. See below for further information about the Franz Klammer Lodge.
6. Are there accommodations in Telluride other than the The Franz Klammer Lodge?
Answer: Yes, there are many other possibilities for staying in Telluride for the event. We’ve negotiated a preferred rate at the Franz Klammer Lodge and we believe the layout of the rooms (http://www.fairmont.com/klammerlodge/Accommodations) supports the fun group atmosphere we had in Dubai. The Franz Klammer Lodge features two and three bedroom luxury residences that are spacious yet cozy. The two bedroom/two bath residences have approximately 1,400 square feet; three bedroom/three bathroom residences have approximately 2,000 square feet.
Each residence includes a living and dining room area with a natural gas stone fireplace; a fully equipped kitchen; two master baths with jetted spa tubs; and a private balcony. Other potential hotels and lodges may be best searched for at http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLD,GGLD:2003-33,GGLD:en&q=telluride+accomodations. One other opportunity is the Telluride Inn at www.TellurideInn.com which is conveniently located at the base of the gondola (see below).
Keep in mind that Telluride is broken into two main sections – with a free easy to use gondola ride running between the two areas.
There’s the old historical downtown area: http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=37.938123~-107.810868&style=h&lvl=15&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&encType=1
Then there’s the newer Mid-Mountain Village (where the Franz Klammer Lodge is located): http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=37.931877~-107.85377&style=h&lvl=16&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&ss=yp.franz%20klammer%20lodge~pg.1~sst.0&encType=1
Here’s a map of both of them together http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=37.933705~-107.824888&style=h&lvl=14&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&cid=8AE55880F977370D!117&encType=1
The location we are staying is in the Mountain Village and can be seen here: http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=37.931877~-107.852869&style=h&lvl=17&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&ss=yp.franz%20klammer%20lodge~pg.1~sst.0&encType=1
7. Are there cheaper accommodations than the Franz Klammer Lodge in Telluride?
Answer: Yes, see above. The discounted rate is $400 for a two room residence and $500 for a three room residence at the Franz Klammer Lodge. These residences offer full kitchens, dining room, large family room with the largest bathrooms you’ve ever seen for each room. No kidding. If folks are willing to double up or quadruple up then the stay will be only $100 to $200 per night. Let me know if you would be willing to share a room like we did in Dubai (I shared with Cooper, John, Ingrid, Isabel and Frank – which made things much cheaper).
8. Is there a bar in the Lodge?
Answer: Yes, Hans and Cooper, there is a bar in the Lodge … and numerous other nice drinking holes nearby. 
9. What’s the agenda going to be for the reunion?
Answer: A draft agenda is as follows:
Friday the 18th – Welcome Reception and Dinner
Saturday the 19th – 4-Wheel Drive Adventure over Imogene Pass, Dinner and Square Dancing
Sunday the 20th – Morning Horseback Riding or Golf, Afternoon Geocaching / Hiking event, Dinner at the Ergen Ranch
Monday the 21st – Morning Hot Air Balloon Rides, Afternoon ATV Adventures, Wine Tasting Event, Formal Dinner and Awards Banquet
Tuesday the 22nd – Goodbye Brunch
While this itinerary will be tweaked over the coming months, this should give you a good taste for all the possibilities!
10. Will we have free time to shop or check other things out?
Answer: Yes, you may ‘opt-out’ of any event and decide to explore Telluride and the surrounding area on your own. Everything in historic Telluride is within walking distance. You can spend hours walking in and out of the shops, visiting with the shopkeepers. Telluride is a kid friendly place. During a recent trip we met lots of kids hanging out on their own at The Sweet Life, an ice cream parlor decorated like a 1950’s Diner. (http://www.thesweetlifeinc.com) The town park has an outdoor swimming pool, a great spot for the kids to burn off some energy.
We look forward to seeing you in Colorado in July!
