8 if you are susceptible to altitude sickness, lay off salt, drink plenty of water, and give yourself a day to get acclimated. a jeep in the high country is no place to get sick. -

get away to ouray

ouray is isolated, without a ski area and with fewer services than aspen or even telluride. but the setting is stunning and the lodgings and restaurants are family-run. the town is small, so you can walk anywhere. check it out at www.ouraycolorado.com.

getting there: montrose and telluride provide the nearest commercial air service. from denver, ouray is 320 miles west-southwest via i-70 and u.s. 550 southbound.

getting around: reserve your wheels through colorado west jeep rentals (800-648-5337) or switzerland of america (800-432-5337); expect to pay around $120 per day. rental companies also offer tours so you can enjoy the scenery while someone else does the driving. jeeping season is mid-may to mid-october.

where to stay: ouray's only chain motels are the best western twin peaks (800-207-2700; $79-$122; closed november to mid-april) and the ouray comfort inn (800-438-5713; $65-$122). the ouray victorian inn (800-846-8729; $55-$120) also
features the top-of-the-line victorian inn townhomes ($80-$225). among the many historic b&bs
are the st. elmo hotel (970-325-4951; $75-$329) and manor bed & breakfast (800-628-6946; $65-$105).

where to eat: nearly everybody starts the day louisiana-french style at la papillon bakery and grill (970-325-0644); it's also open for lunch. locals and tourists alike frequent cecilia's (970-325-4223) for home-style fare. the bon ton (970-325-4951) is as close as ouray gets to serious food, italian style. for mexican, try buen tiempo (970-325-4544).