Durango and Silverton

This sign is the entrance to the RV park we stayed at during our Durango expedition.  It was situated right on the Animas River, about 15 miles outside of downtown Durango.

The Animas River looked a lot like the Rio Grande in South Fork.  Doesn't this picture look similar to the Rio Grande?  I took this photo right across from our campsite--just like in South Fork!

Here's another shot of the river, on a different day, with the sun reflecting off the river and the surrounding trees.

Here's our rig set up under a nice canopy of trees which, by the way, obstructed our satellite reception.  This only became disturbing to Gary when the Stanley Cup Playoffs were in progress.  Thankfully, Danny & Robin let him watch the last minutes of one of the games so he was quite relieved!

We went to downtown Durango for dinner two nights and tried out two different Mexican restaurants.  Some things are just so predictable, aren't they?  Like us and Mexican food, for sure!  Here is a picture of the Strater Hotel which is on the main drag in town just about right in the middle of town.  This is just another of many old, historic towns in Colorado.  Love these towns!

Here are Danny and Gary, studiously studying the map getting ready for our day trip to Silverton. 



The drive to Silverton was beautiful, and we went over a number of high passes.  Gary was initially thinking we would drive home this route because Wolf Pass was so high.  However, Wolf Pass didn't hold a candle to the passes we traveled over to get to Silverton.  He quickly realized it would have been a HUGE mistake taking this alternate way back to Canon City!  We passed this waterfall right by the side of the road on our way there.

Here comes a history lesson!

When you visit Silverton, a National Historic Landmark, you step back in history. The Old Town Square invites you to browse shops filled with Old West charm and rare antiques. Visit the Grand Imperial Hotel, built in 1882--a perfect example of Victorian architecture. The atmosphere may have provided the setting for several Western movies, not only to take advantage of the historic look, but to capture the splendorous mountain magic as well.

Silverton is part of the Sun Juan Skyway (with the Million Dollar Highway connecting Silverton to Ouray), home to Animas Forks and the Alpine Loop, the summer destination for the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad train ride, a recreational paradise in winter for snowmobiling, skiing, sledding, ice skating, ice climbing, and ice fishing; and in summer for rafting, backcountry touring, Jeeping, ATV and OHV riding, fishing, hiking, biking, rafting, horseback riding, hunting and camping.  Secluded at 9,318 feet, a visit to Silverton is a perfect combination of supreme natural beauty and magnificent Victorian charm.

Gold was discovered in Silverton in 1860. The greatest boom in the area was construction of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad (aka the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad) in 1882. By that time, there were seven towns, including Animas Forms which is now a well-visited ghost town in the summer.

Silverton's main business section was built in the late 1800s. Unlike many other mining towns, Silverton never experienced a major fire, and most of the buildings are still standing. The "other side" of town was centered on Blair Street. At one time this notorious street was home to forty saloons and brothels. Almost half of these buildings are still standing today.

Silverton is now the only town left in San Juan County. Its year-round population of approximately 600 is supported by tourism rather than mining. People from all over the globe come to see the magnificent scenery and to experience the rich history of the area.

 

The pink BBQ place in the photo just above is where we ate lunch.  It boasted a visit by Guy Fieri from Diners, Drive-ins & Dives.  However, Guy actually visited their other location, not this one in Silverton!  We still had a good BBQ lunch!

 

It was a good thing we brought our sweatshirts with us.  The weather up at that elevation was quite chilly and as you can see from the photos it was overcast and cloudy,

 

On our way back, the weather had improved somewhat allowing us these fantastic photos of the magnificent mountain scenery.

 

 

 

We stopped at an overlook on our way back and took a group photo.  Left to right:  Judy, Gary, Danny, and Robin.  Sadie is in front but unfortunately you can't see the Burton's little dog, Sophie.  Notice we all have our sweatshirts on!

Back at the campground, Robin is taking time out to relax and play with her iPad.

 Danny is getting the BBQ ready for a dinner of hamburgers.

And this is their trailer brightly decorated with these lively lights in the shape of trailers!  So cute!

Tomorrow's adventure?  Mesa Verde National Park!  Stay tuned for some great photos of another amazing National Park!

 

John 12:44-47

And Jesus cried out and said, "He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who sent Me.  He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me.  I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness."