Our next stop was Ouray, CO, a charming town nestled in a high valley of the San Juan Mountains. We have always enjoyed camping there. The town is known as the Jeep capital of Colorado. Most people who go there, bring or rent jeeps, and tour the mountain trails. There is a large hot springs pool there, too.
Chuck took a jeep tour down the Black Bear Road, one of the most difficult jeep roads in the area. That way he gets to look while an experienced driver drives and narrated the history of the mining camps in the area. I decided to enjoy a quiet day at the campground with the dogs. You'll know why when you look at the series of steep switchbacks going down the mountain to Telluride. We drove to Montrose and did a little antiquing there. Also visited the Russell Stovers chocolate factory store...yum-yum. The next day we andered the shops in town and went to the Ouray County museum which was recognized by the Smithsonian as one of the best museums in the west. The recognition was well deserved and they have really added to the museum.
We have been staying at Ouray off and on for 30 years. Each year we wondered if they would ever restore or rennovate the Beaumont Hotel which in its heyday was a draw for the rich. For the past 30 years it was painted pink and rather a sad beacon on one of the street corners. They have now redone the hotel and it is lovely. The lower floors are shops, hotel lobby and a resturant. The lobby harkens back to the elegant Victorian days.
(After the remodel)
After 3 days at Ouray, it was time to brave the Million Dollar Highway, the scariest road in the area. The GPS screen looks like a mess of snakes as it shows the switchbacks along the narrow cliffside of the road we're to travel. The common wisdom is that tourists (especially wives )who make it down the highway are known to say, "I wouldn't drive that highway again for a million dollars." But I gritted my teeth, bowed my head and pressed the brakes on the passenger side( which was also the 400 foot straight-down cliff side) and we moved on to Durango which is famous for its narrow gauge train, which of course we had 
to ride. It was a nice trip up to 
Silverton, an old mining town, now specializing in mining the tourists.
to ride. It was a nice trip up to 
Silverton, an old mining town, now specializing in mining the tourists. We drove to Aztec, NM and visited their city musuem which had lots of things to see including 
old buildings from the past. We also rambled around Farmington which has become a large shopping mecca. Our last stop in this area will be Mesa Verde, one of my favorite parks. The campground we are staying at is divided by the Durango Silverton RR tracks. To Chuck's delight, 6 trains rumble through the campground each day. The campers stand along the tracks and return the riders waves. Ulysses does not like that black monster that makes such a loud noise and will take off if you aren't careful , leaving you on the ground behind. Autie just takes it in stride.
old buildings from the past. We also rambled around Farmington which has become a large shopping mecca. Our last stop in this area will be Mesa Verde, one of my favorite parks. The campground we are staying at is divided by the Durango Silverton RR tracks. To Chuck's delight, 6 trains rumble through the campground each day. The campers stand along the tracks and return the riders waves. Ulysses does not like that black monster that makes such a loud noise and will take off if you aren't careful , leaving you on the ground behind. Autie just takes it in stride. 
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