Wandering Retirees

The “Million Dollar Highway” to Ouray, CO

Ok. Simple summary of the day. Wow. Just wow. We left Cortez before 9 AM and headed east on US Rt. 160 toward Durango, CO. As we were packing we met another couple from the Netherlands who expressed great wonder at the beautiful resources of the US. They were headed toward Monument Valley on their 2 week trip. Though their land has much beauty to enjoy, the US has such a rich bounty of natural beauty. They hope their grandchildren (yes, they are folks of a certain age) will also come to visit and explore the natural wonders our country has so wisely set aside as national parks and monuments.  
The ride to Durango was quick and a bit cool. You don’t expect 50 degrees in Jersey in late May. We had breakfast and then set out on the road north, US Rt. 550 aka “The Million Dollar Highway.” Over the next 75 miles through the San Juan mountains within the Rockies took us from a little over 5,000 feet to over 11,000 feet, through three passes (Coal Bank Pass, Molas Pass, and Red Mountain Pass.). The town of Silverton sits between the 2nd and 3rd passes and offers a great chance for a break. The route was created as a mining support road and built for the stage and a narrow gauge railroad to transport ore for shipment. Before debouching in Ouray, CO there are a multitude of hairpin turns and switchbacks with tremendous drops off the roadway. I am tickled to say we made it in great style and grand fashion (beats the alternative) and we saw some fabulous sights. You’ll notice some stunning pics of snow capped mountains, water falls, and even some Rocky Mountain Longhorn Sheep: we were much more impressed with them than they with us. Although traffic came to a stop, the sheep acted as though we all didn’t exist. (Human conveyances can continue their way when WE decide to give up our road, thank you.) An amazing ride and we’re proud of ourselves for making the trip.

Then Ouray. A small town that is just stunning. Snow capped peaks, forested vales, and startling blue skies at 7,200 feet. The last time we saw a sight like this was in the Swiss Alps. And so laid back. We checked into this charming little motel called the Ouray Inn and proceeded to the public thermal baths. The water in the kiddie pool is 92 degrees, and the adult soak is 104 degrees. If you have an ache or pain, it is soaked away in short order. While looking at the towering peaks. While watching climbers ascend a rock face less than 1,000 feet away. And no worries about drowning: there are about 50 high school aged lifeguards close to hand to make sure we don’t drown in the 3-foot deep water. Even though some of us have too much built-in flotation to risk drowning. But I digress. Again.

We met a wonderful couple from Phoenix, AZ, Lance and Ann, who sharde a table with us for happy hour offered by the motel. We appreciated their suggestions for sight seeing and their love of books, which endeared them to us immediately. We have fallen in love with this area and are determined to come again for an extended stay.

Had supper at a local pub and watched Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals. Stupid Penguins won. But the beer was very good.

Tomorrow to Moab, UT and some more great parks. And now to bed.

The first wildlife we’ve seen bigger than a Prairie Dog.

“There’s iron in them hills.”

Heading into Ouray.