Day 83 Durango to Lamar, CO

As with most mornings, first order of business, take on fuel. The last stop for fuel I passed the 1200gal mark for the trip.

About 60mi in to the day , after passing Pagosa Springs, we come to the start of the climb to Wolf Creek Pass.

Wolf Creek Pass (el. 10,857 ft.) is a high mountain pass on the Continental divide, in the San Juan Mountain's of Colorado  It is the route through which U.S. Highway 160 passes from the San Luis valley into southwest Colorado on its way to New Mexico and Arizona. The pass is notable as inspiration of a C. W. McCall song. Though not as formidable as the song made it seem, the pass is significantly steep on either side (7 to 8% in most places), and can be dangerous in winter. We stopped near the top to let things cool down.

 

                                                      Then we started down the other side. 

After surviving the pass. We saw a really big elk.

Then, after over 75 days without , we couldn't go any farther.

A new experience for the Brittons.

On down the road we passed several large feed lots.

A lot of steaks there!

We got to Walsenburg. 2 Hrs to go.      NO!!   Highway 10 is closed! Detour 47 mi north. 3Hrs to go!

We landed in Lamar, Co at sunset.

Tomorrow....Medicine Lodge.....Maybe

Day 81 Moab to Durango

                                                    On the road out of Moab, more big Rocks.

Tourist trap. We didn't stop.

Did stop. This is not arches national park. It's just on the road.

Lon looks to his navigator for direction.

Another rock.

Out of Utah

Look at that big hill!

Let's get high!

It's only a 0.1mi trail.

Took 15min.

From the top of the mesa you could see Medicine Lodge.

Real high.

"Heidi, don't look down!"

Getting all the facts.

Vertically challenged.

There is a child telescope right next to it.

Then we found the cave dwellings.

Lon and Pam started down the hill to the ruins.

Then Pam realized that you have to walk back UP out of that hole.

Lon went on and got us some good pictures.

We got off the mesa and landed in Durango KOA.

Tomorrow the Durango/Silverton Narrow Gage Railroad. 

Maybe............... 

Day 82 - Durango to Silverton and back - September 19, 2011

Another early morning, which is real hard on us retired folk.  We had to catch the 8:30 train from Durango to Silverton.  We piled in the car and drove to the train station.

                                             This was a sign of how things were going to be.

                                       The train is a true narrow gauge, coal burning locomotive.

                                                   The trip to Silverton is about 3.5 hours.

                                                             The scenery is gorgeous.

                                 You probably wouldn't see this scenery unless you were hiking.

     We rode coach, but at least it was inside.  This bend was so sharp we could see the end of the train.

                    The cars are circa 1940's, charming but spartan. Regardless, love conquers all.

                         The train huffed and puffed it's way us the mountain to an elevation of 9270 feet.

                                          We made it to Silverton for our 2.5 hour exploration.

                                Went to the Silverton Brewery to sample their wears and have lunch.

                      Great menu, worst meal we've had the entire trip.  At least the beer was good.

                                                      The girls practiced traffic obstruction.

                                                   Jerry reminisced about times gone by.

Someone told the local police that Gail was a friend of Sandra Scott, they decided she should be confined

until the train left and got her out of town. "Just for public safety."

       If you need a cab in town or more importantly out of town, this is the one to get.  It'll get you there.

                             Then the train headed back down the mountain.  Another 3.5 hours.

                                                                Everybody was tuckered.

                                           But a good time was had by all.  Sore cheeks and all.

Tomorrow somewhere closer to Medicine Lodge, hopefully.