Want to be like James Bond? Luxury and adventure await at Gateway Canyons.

Published 8:00 am Saturday, September 1, 2018

When I was growing up, my parents restricted my movie-going to mostly Disney-type films. One thing they couldn’t do, though, was keep me from reading about other types of movies and their colorful characters.

Of all the movie characters I read about, the one I most often dreamed of becoming was the English spy Bond — James Bond. I wanted to have cool gadgets and drive fast cars like the glamorous Bond.

Even though it’s been decades since I first imagined what it would be like to be Agent 007, I’ve always kept the hope that someday I would get to do the cool stuff Bond did in his movies.

Finally my dream came true thanks to a resort in Colorado that offers an amazing collection of Bond-inspired adventures — minus the narrow brushes with death that Bond faced.

Surrounded by the Uncompahgre Plateau, Piñon Mesa and La Sal Mountains, Gateway Canyons Resort & Spa in Gateway, Colorado, offers luxurious lodging and dining, the Gateway Colorado Auto Museum and unexpected adventures.

My “Bond for a weekend” getaway got off to a good start when a smiling chauffeur driving a red Bentley convertible picked me up at the airport in Grand Junction, Colorado.

As I sank into the tan leather seat underneath the incredibly blue Colorado sky, I felt as rich and pampered as Bond. When we arrived at the resort with its spectacular view of the red rocks of Unaweep Canyon, I knew I was in for a treat. This adobe paradise held the key to my Bond dreams.

The resort is the dream child of John Hendricks, the founder of the Discovery Channel cable network. After visiting the region in 1995, he knew this was a special place. He began the process of creating a sustainable, outdoor recreation resort to complement the area’s natural beauty and provide excursions full of adventure.

The resort has two lodges and private casitas. The rooms come with deep tubs and spa-quality bath products. Many rooms have fireplaces and private patios with a built-in fire pit. 

My room was spacious and luxurious and had a decor that reflected Peruvian and Southwestern influences. 

The resort has five dining options ranging from casual to luxurious. The resort’s main restaurant, Entrada, was the epitome of world-class indoor/outdoor dining, with unobstructed views of Palisade Peak and the towering cottonwoods at its base.

The Paradox Grille was my choice for a quick lunch. A stack of onion rings and a juicy burger satisfied my mid-day hunger.

After scouting the surrounding peaks from the balcony of my room, I was ready to begin the Bond-inspired adventure I had always dreamed of.

What’s a 007 adventure without driving a fast and very expensive car? Guests can rent some of the most exclusive and exotic luxury vehicles in the world. I settled on a silver Bentley — classy and powerful.

As I drove the Bentley through the winding roads surrounding the resort, the sun lit the brilliantly colored canyon walls. No wonder Bond felt so confident behind the wheel. I did too.

I also spent time salivating over the luxurious and historical automobiles at the resort’s Gateway Colorado Automobile Museum.

The museum celebrates the history, science, art and social impact of the car in the United States. The 30,000-square-foot facility displays more than 50 cars in telling  the story of automotive history.

The museum also contains the private automobile collection of Hendricks. It includes a 1954 Oldsmobile F-88 dream car and rare automobiles such a 1913 Pierce Arrow, a 1936 Supercharged Auburn, a 1953 Cunningham C3 Continental Coupe and stunning muscle cars and custom cars. 

It’s a collection that even Bond would envy.

After my drive in the Bentley, I decided to amp up the adrenaline level by taking a helicopter tour. The Gateway Canyons Air Tours takes visitors on flights over western Colorado and eastern Utah. The flight and its dizzying heights offered breathtaking views of the dramatic and rugged scenery below. I imaged myself as Bond using a helicopter to escape from a villain in pursuit.

I knew that to be like Bond, I would also need a genius as an accomplice to give me good advice. The resident genius at Gateway Canyons is Zebulon Miracle, who is better known to staff and guests as the Curator of Curiosity. As an expert on the natural and man-made wonders of the region, Miracle leads guests on journeys through the area to explore its history and geology.

For my adventure of discovery, Miracle provided excellent background material and relevant information. I will always be grateful to him for giving me a better understanding of my surroundings. 

And like Bond, I also took time to indulge in some of the finer things in life — specifically pampering at the resort’s famous spa. I had to experience the Canyon River Mud Wrap once I learned that it included a soothing scalp massage.

After a bit of relaxation, I was ready for my final 007 experience, a heart-pumping ride in a Pro Baja truck driven at top speeds by a professional driver. The Driven Experiences packages give guests the options of riding with a professional driver over a course or getting behind the wheel.

I donned my fireproof suit and special helmet with two-way speakers so I could talk to the driver during the wild ride. I could have driven one of these souped-up trucks, but I would have had to complete a half-day course first, so I rode shotgun.

Just like the speed-demon Bond, I experienced the thrill of harrowing turns and taking jumps at 90 mph. The incredible ride was the best part of my day and for me, it gave me the experience of a lifetime. Bond could ask for nothing better.

What a day! In 24 hours, I had fulfilled my lifelong Bond dream. It was even more exciting than I imagined. 

Tamra Bolton is a freelance writer and photographer based in East Texas. She loves to mix travel and adventure.