Southwestern Colorado

Trip Start Mar 01, 2009
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Trip End Ongoing


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Flag of United States  , Colorado,
Friday, May 15, 2009

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 highest peaks we've yet seen on this trip (up to 14,000 ft.).

We stopped in Silverton for a quick lunch, but did spend an hour or two walking and window shopping along the old, Main St, which boasted tourist activity despite many shops being closed for the off-season.  Ouray, known for its hot springs, ice climbing, and other winter sports, slows to a crawl during the off-season, and other than a few walks down Main St. and stops for coffee, we hibernated at Box Canyon Lodge, soaking in their wooden, mineral springs hot tubs while mavelling at the view of the mountains and Box Canyon Falls, and utilizing their comprehensive movie library for in-room viewing.
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