This week JJ and I flew to Colorado for a road trip with the 2016 Ford Explorer Platinum team. We met up with 25 other drivers to complete one leg of a larger journey that starts in Canada and ends in New Mexico over the course of 6 weeks. Our leg of the trip started in Grand Junction, CO and ended in Durango, CO. Ford armed us with a map of 25 potential stops and a cooler stocked with snacks, and sent us off on our own to explore. Ten hours later, JJ and I arrived in Durango, exhausted but exhilarated from the beauty we encountered and the amazing memories we had captured on camera. It's a road trip that has unspeakable beauty as you'll see in our photos. (I highly recommend driving it if you ever get the chance!) 

And how did the Explorer do? Well, if you're in the market for a new SUV, then I would highly recommend that too. Based on what other companies are charging for the same thing... it's a no brainer. Explorer Platinum (aka "the look for less") comes standard with everything from a massage feature in the front seats (!), a heated steering wheel, a dual-panel moonroof, lane assist, hands free lift gate, electric folding third row, rear backup camera, keyless start, flawless Sony sound system (watch/listen to me jamming on our road trip here), and next level design elements like leather wrapped everything and real wood trim. (I was not planning to include all that info but I am really drinking the Koolaide - it was a great vehicle!!)

And now get ready for Colorado to take your breath away...

Jacket: Conversation PIeces c/o, $45 (similar, similar, similar)
Scarf: H&M, $13
Sweater: J.Crew Factory, $31
Tee: Urban Outfitters, $24
Jeans: American Eagle, $33 (similar, similar, similar)
Shoes: Sperry/Macy's, $45
Approx. dates: Jeans are 5 years ago. Jacket is 3 years ago. Shoes are 1 year ago. Sweater, tee and scarf are recent.

Our first top: Colorado National Monument 

Our second stop: Island Lake, Grand Mesa

Next stop: Ridgway State Park

Last stop: Box Canyon, Ouray

All images are our own and were taken by JJ and I. (We used a tripod for our kissing pic!)

Disclosure: Our travel was provided by Ford so that we could experience a Platinum Explorer. We were not compensated, or asked or expected to post or share our experience beyond that. We did that of our own accord (car pun) to share our travel pics (the norm) and to showcase my husband's love of car photography. This post was not sponsored. 

What other great American road trips do you recommend?