Spiral Staircase Condos - 1 Block From The Oak Street Lift-Rq Telluride

... return! There is another lake a little way above Ice Lake called Island Lake, and it looks just as cool. By the time we got off the trail and returned to Durango it was dark. We ate dinner at Carvers Brewery, walked around downtown a little bit, and then returned to our camp where we fell asleep immediately. The next morning we ran a couple errands in Durango and made our obligatory stop at Serious Texas BBQ before heading home.

So I just get back from Colorado where I hung out with old friends for a buddy's bachelor party.

It was an amazing trip. We were very blessed to have a free condo to stay in which was plenty big enough for the 7 of us. A special thanks to the Jays for letting us stay there.

We did a ...

... and made the
native americans move away from the San Juan mountains because they
were mining for precious metals. The museum is on the site of Chief
Ourays property. Both he and his wonderful wife Chipeta are both
buried here.

That afternoon we ended our day in
Gunnison, Colorado where they were having a very cool car show. It is
an annual event where all and sundry turn out for a fun street party
as an opening to the weekend long fair.

... off to Cortez!
We had allowed ourselves some time to check out the fair before the gates for the demo derby opened, but we soon realized that we were there WAY early. Every time Silas and I have gone to a fair together (Western Montana fair in Missoula, Marias fair in Shelby, MT, and this fair- the Montezuma County fair) I have been very disappointed with the animal barns and the midways. I always end up saying something to the effect ...

Family and Grandma Connie went to Ouray to drop of some tile work for art show. On the way, we stopped at a couple of abandoned mine sites and explored. Founds some cool rocks with imbedded crystals. Stayed at Box Canyon and soaked in spring fed hot tubs made from old wine barrels ...

... turned out to be a good idea because when the fireworks got over traffic in town was COMPLETELY backed up.  
  After we found a parking place (NOT as easy as you might think) we rode the gondola up to Mountain Village.  Last time we were in Telluride it was cloudy and rainy so you really couldn't see too much from the gondola, but it was a clear day and the view was beautiful. 
  After we rode the gondola we decided to get dinner at another of Silas' favorite ...

... wanted to stay longer, but the weather was not cooperating and Kristi was feeling worse with sinus troubles, which the high altitude did not help.

We chose to drive to Ouray to try out the hot springs. We made it to the hot springs and jumped in for about two minutes before lightning was sighted and everyone was told to get out. We could either wait for twenty minutes after the last ...

Day 3: Durango to Silverton on the Narrow Guage Railway, (overnight in Cortez) We checked out of the grand old General Palmer at the crack of dawn, and caught a vintage steam locomotive in the rain to Silverton on the narrow guage railroad. The ride was great fun for all of us, and especially so for Keith, who is a real railway buff. We all had assigned seats in one of the covered ...

An overnight stop in Durango (a very cool town, which we would have liked to explore more of) and on to Silverton and Ouray (Victorian, mining towns), gave us a chance to slow down and adjust to the higher altitude of Colorado's San Juan Mountains. The winding mountain roads exposed alpine valleys, snow melt pour-offs, and the ...

... in a hammock sipping sandia juice. I can go to college. Or not. I can choose who to love, who to share my self with, who to ignore. I learned that the universe is on my side. If only I'll let it be, allow risks to turn out fine and get me to Telluride before dark. I learned that people are, overwhelmingly and unabashedly, good natured and ready to help. That I am in control of my destiny and that I don't need to worry ...