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Incline and Unwind
  • Jolene Unland
  • Jolene Unland

Incline and Unwind

Action packed week with friends and family. Read more
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  • Trip start
    July 3, 2026
    Jolene UnlandIncline and UnwindTraveler

    Westward, Ho! To the Oasis

    July 3 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    We took Highway 24 to Colby. Four hours of green grass, calf/cow pairs, and the occasional hay swather holding up traffic.

    Colby showed its scars from recent storms: hail-damaged trees, dented roofs, and a battered water tower.

    Our home for the night? The brand-new Comfort Inn (opened December 2025), where the water is SOFT, a miracle in western Kansas. Snagged it for $63.13 thanks to VentureX credits (usually $157.98).

    Dinner at El Dos De Oros: a strip-mall surprise. Huge space, always packed, and (rare for the Great Plains) fresh spinach and mushrooms on the special dinners. No sad veggies here. Generous meals for $14.99 each.

    The only downside at El Dos De Doros was the noise of neighboring tables. After years of embracing a quieter life, the relentless intensity of most American fast-casual restaurants feels exhausting.    Read more

  • Jolene UnlandIncline and UnwindTraveler

    Morning Miles and Mythical Detours

    July 4 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Started the day with a run—because nothing says "vacation" like pre-dawn pavement.

    Caffeine followed, as it must. Then, at the Colby Oasis travel plaza, we encountered a creature so rare it defies classification: part roadside attraction, part existential question.

    From our hotel we could see “Wheat Jesus”, a billboard located just south of Colby off I-70. It depicts Jesus standing in a wheat field, holding a stalk of wheat.

    Painted by local artist Phyllis Shanks, the billboard has become a beloved landmark for both locals and travelers, often noted for its simplicity and the lack of accompanying text, allowing viewers to interpret it in their own way. It’s sometimes humorously referred to as "Wheatus" or "Gluten Jesus" by passersby.

    A few hours of highway hypnosis later, we arrived in Colorado Springs. Hotel check-in was efficient, and the afternoon dissolved family time.

    Staybridge Suites by IHG. Queen studio apartment room with Mountain View. Free with annual IHG free night certificate.    Read more

  • Jolene UnlandIncline and UnwindTraveler

    Manitou Incline

    July 6 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    On Monday we climbed the Manitou Incline.

    It is a legendary, steep trail in Colorado Springs, originally a funicular railway track. It climbs about 2,744 feet in elevation over less than a mile, with an average grade of 45% and sections hitting 68%. The trail consists of 2,768 wooden steps, testing endurance and resolve.

    At the top, we were rewarded with sweeping views of Manitou Springs and the surrounding Rockies.

    We descended via the Barr Trail, a gentler, 3 mile route back down.    Read more

    Trip end
    July 10, 2026