Yesterday, after breakfast we headed toward Silverton. It is only 30 miles but going through the pass it take a little more than an hour and a half. The pass is indescribably beautiful. (I know the mountains probably all look the same to you but - every single turn we made was just - stunning!) We felt as if we were in the middle of a Bob Ross painting. Every tree was 'happy', and it was 'our own little world'. hehehehehehe.
Once in Silverton, which is yet another little town nestled in the mountains, we toured the Main street. Well, the original Main Street, first. It was really interesting to see that they never paved the road and it remains as it was over 100 years ago. It is very wide and most of all the original buildings are still standing. They have gutted alot of them and brought them up to today's standards with indoor plumbing and electric and heat, but the shells are original.
There is a train that transports people from Durango to Silverton, 3 times a day, and back. Its almost like Key West when the Cruise Ship pulls in! The streets become flooded with tourists. Cameras going off everywhere. We often wonder how many people take us home with them in their photos! The train is actually very neat. It is run on coal/steam and we talked with a couple who took it. They said it was wonderful and the scenery was outstanding. We will find out today because we plan on moving to Durango for a couple of days.
On the road trip back to Ouray, Tommy saw a dirt road which lead up to the top of a mountain. He kicked in 4 wheel drive and off we went. We ended up at an old mine that was completely caved in. There was a small waterfall so we cracked open a Corona and stayed a while. Enjoying the view.
We got back on 550, the pass, and once again we saw a side road. That one led us to an old abandoned mining place also. There were 3 houses that were dilapidated but we entered into them anyway. They seem to be abandoned a while back.
Once we got back on the pass to come back to camp, we were delayed a while, about 30 minutes. They were blasting rock from the sides of the mountain and getting ready for the winter avalanches. It didn't bother us waiting there because we watched them work and it was engrossing to us. Along the way, they have cement walls/baby tunnels, for known spots of avalanches.
Once home at camp, we took care of the animals and headed back into town. We walked the 3 or 4 blocks from where we are staying. The temperature dropped dramatically and it was all up hill to get there. We headed to an old movie theatre where C.W. McCall narrated a 45 minute film on the San Juan Mountain Range. He, you remember him - he is the guy who sang the 'rubber duck' song....'breaker breaker 1-9, I think we got us a convoy!' Yeah, that guy. Well, he is 81 now and he lives here and is probably the most proudest citizen they have. The film was mediocre, but what was exciting is that he was there. We went to the 8:30 show, and I guess all the geriatrics were all ready in bed because we had our own private showing. The entire movie theater was ours. Mr. McCall, real name William Fries, was as nice as can be and would talk for hours if you let him. He was willing to take pictures and give autographs, but we declined, mainly because we walked into town empty handed.
Today, well, about an hour ago - I was supposed to be ready - to hit the road to Durango. Alot of the scenery pictures I am posting are so you can see the pass and just how very narrow and steep it is. Very, very scary. They close it for months in the winter. If you are in a valley and they close it - you are stuck there until the snow melts. You need to make friends quickly!
Well, wish us luck getting there, and thanks for reading. Have a great weekend!
Turning facing and turning your shoulders is doing you wonders! hahaha.. and BTW I thought you had the sling surgery so no leakage should occur! hahaha
ReplyDeleteWHAT!?!?! Timmy didnt say that! Dont hide behind a child!!!! lol
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