Durango, Colorado-United RV Park 7/29 - 8/2 2020 Travel Tour

 From: casarollnotes.blogspot.com Tim and Linda Bunyan

Colorado Highway Route 550 is a spur of U.S. Highway 50. 

 The section from Ouray to Silverton is frequently called the Million Dollar Highway.  

It is a designated part of the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway.  The route travels through the San Juan Mountains.  It is the twelve miles south of Ouray through the Uncompahgre Gorge to 

the summit of Red Mountain Pass (Elevation: 11,018'--

--where RV's dare to tread!).  

We leave behind Ouray upon the Million Dollar Highway that connects Ouray to Silverton through the San Juan Mountains.  

We cross over these mountains that have been in our view since departing Moab!

We head out from Ouray to Silverton and our destination is Durango, Colorado.
The Highway is nicely paved and marked for safety.  Hwy 550 is part of the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway.  "The Million Dollar Highway".  Tim awarded Ron&Fran the Million Dollar Highway banner for their bravery and proving the ability of the Black Knight and RV Imagine on the road!

Imagine that!

An "overpass" for an active avalanche shute on the Million Dollar Hiway south of Ouray.

The Red Mountain is in the San Juan Mountains of western Colorado, about 5 miles south of Ouray.  The reddish iron ore rocks cover the surface.  Elevation of the Pass: 11,018.

A series of steep grades and hairpin turns.

Spectacular view of the San Juan Mountains.

Breathtaking views on the Million Dollar Highway which was constructed finally in 1924.  Historically in the 1880s, the only way in and out of the mining town of Silverton was a narrow pack trail.  Russian immigrant Mears built a toll road over Red Mountain pass between Ouray and Silverton transforming the narrow pack trail into one that could accommodate wagons. 

 Now, this Million Dollar Highway is built.

Road Grader equipment is always ready to keep the highway open in case of rock slides and rain that may wash out the shoulder of the road.

We reach former silver mining camp: Silverton now a federally designated National Historic Landmark District, Population near 700; Elevation: 9,318 feet.  Silverton is one of the highest towns in the United States.

Grand Imperial Hotel 

Downtown Silverton, Population near 700.

In 1871 miners were allowed to stay after the Brunot Treaty.  In exchange for giving up four million acres, the Southern Ute Indian Reservation received $25,000 per year.

The town is catering to tourists during Covid by setting up outdoor seating for the restaurants to serve.

Odd, resident here is working on his airstream....'inside' his garage.  Must be he owns this historic land lot that served as a fueling station in years gone by.

Off-roaders and four-wheelers come to enjoy the mountain roads where the trailhead is located at the end of Main Street.

We do not stop for any amount of time in Silverton; we are eager to arrive at Durango as we are going to dinner with Carole Rominger, our financial advisor of over 20 years!  She moved from Sacramento to this small, country setting town of Durango, Colorado..

Ski area between Silverton and Durango.  Ready for snow.

We have come from 9,000 Elevation to 6,500' Elevation to the rural countryside of the town Durango, Population 16,000.

We arrive at United RV Park, at $45.00 per night.  It is located on the north end of Durango on the banks of the Animas River.  The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Train runs through the campground.  With Covid, we canceled our train ride to Silverton.

  The sites are with water, electricity, and sewer.  Since we are here for only 3 days Tim and I opt for water and electricity and the dump station at the park at the end of our stay.

  This option (Water& Electric) (sewer as we drive out) saves about $40.00 for our entire stay.  

There is wifi available at this park.  Tim and I have such a premium, utility with our cell plan, we can view any broadcasts we choose by using our cellular hot spot.  Highly recommend this cell feature as RV parks wifi can be unreliable.  We use our cell booster and wifi booster system to improve the opportunity for RV Park offerings.

We are nestled in our spot here where shade is the premium to any site!  We've partial shade and good neighbors!  

Here is the fine rooftop of our RV.  Tim is very proud and happy with the solar installation.  The solar system is doing all the battery charging since June.  It makes me happy that Tim does not need to be so concerned with keeping the batteries charged. 

Tim has not had to charge the batteries with the generator since we left Sacramento!

Ron and Fran in their 25' Imagine travel trailer and the Black Ram Knight!

MikeG and Sherry in their 35' HighCountry 5th Wheel and their new Chevrolet Black Stallion High Country truck!  You may say they are 'living high'!!!

We are happy and Tim and I meeting Carole for dinner.  Mike&Sherry and Ron&Fran getting together for their evening.

We've come to the big town of Durango, with a Walmart, and a Population of 16,000.
 The last city we experience was Grand Junction, Colorado, Population near 58,000!
(two Walmarts in GJ).

Tim and I are going out to dinner!

Meet up just outside of Durango at the Cafe Kennebec.  Carol made reservations for the patio dining.

Beautiful views of the La Plata river and mountains.  Durango Rock Shelters Archeology Site is an ancient Pueblo people archaeological site.  People from the Late Basketmaker II and Basketmaker III eras inhabited the area between AD 1 and 1000.  (Mesa Verde about 35 miles West of Durango).

The Kennebec offers an atmosphere of casual elegance in comfortable surroundings and safe Covid spacing seating.

Tim and I tend to errands and meeting with Carole.  On the return to RV Park, we stop at the highly recommended fruit stand in the high school parking lot selling local Palisades peaches and sweet corn.

We are out with the gang Mike&Sherry and Ron&Fran at a local, safe seating, BBQ restaurant located near our RV Park.

The next day we go to one of our favorite things to do an outdoor music concert.  This is at a local winery: Fox Fire Farms.  The stunning location on a 900-acre ranch provides the perfect backdrop for dinking a glass of wine and an afternoon music special event. 

An afternoon to get away from it all.

Beautiful girlfriend, Sherry, looking especially good surrounded with flowers.

We have a table but the boys went to the truck to retrieve our extra comfy chairs.

The next day we take a countryside drive on U.S. Highway 550 in the Animas Valley.  The "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" film crew converged on the Durango area, making a big splash.  This is the rock cliff where the famous cliff-jumping scene was filmed.

Here is Mike with Baker's Bridge in the background where Old Shalone Road crosses the Animas River.  It's where Paul Newman and Robert Redford jump from a cliff into a river.  (through editing, they land in a different river, not the Animas, in the film).

The (Butch Cassidy and the SunDance Kid-movie filmed here: Newman and Redford jumping scene was shot on Sherwood Ranch at Baker's Bridge. 

 Many still come to the Animas River to jump in!  There is Mike climbing up to the rock....for a view...not jumping in!

There's one guy not going to jump in!

We end the day just as dark clouds threaten with rain.  We moved our lunch place from the outdoor picnic table to the grill patio at local James Ranch.

Here at James Ranch Market, it is open and well-stocked. We purchased grass-fed and whey=fed beef.  I purchased eggs produced from pastured hens.

10 miles out of Durango in the beautiful Animas River Valley.  Busy families, who utilize organic growing practices bustle in the day-to-day operation of the ranch and their enterprises.  It has been a peaceful, green visit to Durango.  Nice to enjoy the valley and countryside.  

Now off to some more "Rock Stars"!!.....following the early Puebleans from Durango to Mesa Verde.

Tim and I are moving on to Mesa Verde National Park for $20.00/night.  No concern for us to be without services.  We have our generator should we need air conditioning.  We expect to hike around the ruins on most days.  Mike&Sherry and Ron&Fran will join us in a couple of days.  They like their electrical plugin, water connection, and sewer connection, and Wifi availability.  We can plan to be comfortable by Tim running the generator for air conditioning, refilling the water supply, and sewer/dump station is available at the NP.  As it happens, we also have an uninterrupted Wifi signal at the NP from a 'repeater' on the restroom building.  "Home Sweet Home" .

The ancient Puebloans........without electrical power!

Ridgeway, Colorado-Ridgway State Park/Ouray and Telluride 7/23 - 7/29 2020 Travel Tour

From: casarollnotes.blogspot.com 
Tim and Linda Bunyan

Ridgeway State Park/Pa-Co-Chu-Puk division in Colorado with a full hookup at 30.00/night. 

This State Park is located just outside Ridgway, Colorado.  The proximity to Ouray and to Telluride make it a perfect space.  We've our Colorado State Park Pass utilized at James Robb State Park in Grand Junction which provides savings per night spread out between these two State Parks in Colorado and the number of nights.  Each State Park offers a laundry room too.

We are in a wide-open space, with cliffs, and along the Uncompahgre River with Mike and Sherry in the next space to us.  The State Park was full at the time Ron and Frannie were able to make reservations; however, they are in the next Ridgeway State Park (NO Electric!) from us, on the other side of the reservoir several miles apart.  

Ron and Fran come to our space for frequent visits.  This pic is our Potluck Pot of clam chowder!  We planned for each of us to contribute ingredients to the mix.  Frannie and Ron also brought bread and Mike grilled it perfectly on the BBQ.

Sherry also brought a wonderful appetizer of brie and jam and delicious nutcrackers.  Ron likes it and we are all trying to fatten him.  This is my lace tablecloth I love....very vintage, and plastic!!!

Here is our rig at the Ridgway State Park with beautiful scenery and wide-open spaces.  

CHEERS to Happiness!

We decide to set off to Ouray, Colorado, 10 miles from our RV Park (Population: 1,000; Elevation: 7,792) for our first day.  Surrounded by 12,000 feet peaks in the San Juan Mountains, Ouray is known as the "Switzerland of America".

This Victorian-era mining town, Ouray, is as authentic as it gets.  

We walked up on side of Main Street; crossed over and walked the other side.  The delightful shop called the Tumbleweed was an exceptional gift store with handmade items.

We joined Mike and Sherry for an afternoon coffee break at the sidewalk table.

In the Ouray Historic District is the Ouray County Courthouse, constructed in 1888.  The courtroom was used in the John Wayne movie True Grit.  

Ouray City Hall and Walsh Library on the National Register of Historic Places.....also has a public restroom available.  Built in 1900 and restored as a miniature replica of Independence Hall.  Thomas Walsh, the founder of the Camp Bird Mine, donated a library that occupied the second floor.  Sherry is reading a book about the Walsh family, written by the miner's daughter.

We meet up with Ron and Frannie for dinner at the Red Mountain Brewery.    MikeG is in high anticipation for some of the dessert: Pecan Pie, Ron's favorite.

Red Mountain Brewing is the newest addition to the area's dining selection.    World-class views from the patio.  We wait in the easygoing brewpub for an outside table to become available.    Masks ON unless eating or drinking.

We have our matching flamingo masks ON.  Sherry made each one.  No plan, we just all wore the same one this afternoon!  

Wrights Opera House 1888, the brothers built this theatre to be provided with cultural opportunities to offset the influence of the dance halls, saloons, gambling dens, and houses of ill repute.  It remains an event center with plays scheduled to begin in August.  The Box Canyon Falls, a 285' waterfall helped the city of Ouray establish itself as a permanent community. 

We met up with Ron and Fran and visited the Ourey Elks Lodge.  We were given a casual tour and told of the history of the Elks Lodge.  Here is a photo of the bowling alley where patrons still come to play.

Ouray is self-proclaimed "Outdoor Recreation Capital of Colorado" with some of the best ice climbing in the world.   We plan to recreate outdoors and have scheduled a four-wheel-drive into the famous

 Box Canyon, the San Juan Mountains to Yankee Boy Basin.  

We pass many vehicles returning from their trails; rain predicted.

FOUR WHEEL DRIVE TOUR

The road is very narrow.  

We reach Yankee Boy Basin nestled beneath some of the San Juan's most breathtaking peaks; in the background is Mount Sneffels.  Sherry is delighted with the open basin and the breadth of scenery.  The Uncompahgre River snakes through a deep and narrow gorge.

Miners blasted a road thru the top of these mountains......Why? to get to the other side: to Telluride.

The wildflowers were everywhere and lovely in Yankee Boy Basin.

Yes, the road had been closed yesterday evening due to washout from rain; but this machine grader is making it all good and clearing the road for our and others passage.

The officer is very busy letting us know of the road closure on the other trails: Imogene Pass Trail (the unpaved road connecting the towns of Telluride and Ouray); the one we did not choose to go on today!

The canyon walls.

Our 4-wheel driver told us about the Ouray Ice Park, an ice climbing mecca....a human-made ice climbing park located in town.  The 2021 Ouray Ice Festival will be held on January 21st to 24th!  People travel from around the world to celebrate the growing sport of ice climbing.  You can watch the climbers from the top of the Gorge.

This is the 4-wheel drive office where we met to pick up our driver....and 4-wheel drive Gladiator!

We love our Gladiator.  Plenty of room.  Could sit inside and or outside.  Tim and I rode outside in the back, it was a great location for taking photos.  Everyone was comfortable and our driver told us stories.

The Yankee Boy Basin....just a bit of it that would fit in this photopic.

Our driver told us of the miner family: The Walsh Family.  

Sherry and Mike are in awe of the views.

Mike displaying the altitude 12, 064' Elevation!

The road is cut out of the overhanging mountain edge.

With the previous rain, some of the road was washed out, but we were safe in our 4-wheel Gladiator!

Tim and I are very happy on this excursion!

Water washing the road away.

Water a bit deep here, but we did not get wet!  Almost!!!!

Here we go!

We spotted a fox with a vermin catch; heading down the trail to get back to a safe dining den.  Mike took this perfect pic!

All safe and coming down thru the forest and wildflowers.

We've had a merry 4 hours and we are all happy and proud ...... we got thru this 4-wheel drive trail without any scrapes or bruises.

One last view of  Mount Sneffels; the highest summit of the Sneffels Range in the Rocky Mountains.  Elevation: 14,`158' located in the Uncompahgre National Forest.

What a fine afternoon ride!

Next Day:

We are going to the other side of the San Juan Mountains by Black Stallion to: Telluride, Colorado. It is 30 miles by Highways 62 and 145.  (Population 2,484; Elevation 8,750'.  Here we are on Main Street, at the Post Office.  Telluride is a beautiful mountain town tucked in a remote corner of southwest Colorado.  It is known as a world-class ski resort.

A beautiful place to pause.

Another pause at the Telluride Elks Lodge; it is closed.

The spectacular Bridal Veil Falls ae the tallest free-falling falls in Colorado.  We were enticed to adventure up the four-wheel-drive trail located east through the town of Telluride along Colorado Avenue toward the east side of the box canyon.  We did not need to reach the top.  The Black Stallion proved it is a four-wheel drive and we were high enough for an expansive view. 

Street Scene in Telluride, Population 2,480.  Elevation 8750.

The town's historic district houses landmarks like the Sheridan Opera House, built in 1913.  This bar is inside the hotel in the lobby.

We met for a tour at the Telluride Historical Museum, which showcases local history in a converted hospital built in 1896.

The Galloping  Goose was a rail service to the remote mining communities high in the San Juan Mountains.  The Galloping Goose carried the U.S. Mail, passengers, and freight until the 1950s.

Oprah, Tom Cruise, and Jerry Seinfeld (he sold his mansion for $18M) own second or third homes here at Telluride.

Next Day, back at our RV Park, we bike ride to Ridgway, Colorado (Population near 1000, Elevation: 6,985') on a bike trail along the Uncompahgre Wildlife Refuge from our RV Park.

This is the area where much of True Grit was filmed.  Ron took his Black Knight on a 4-wheel drive through this countryside at Owl Creek Pass Road OHV Route is 18.5 moderately trafficked point to point trail.  Ron returned very proudly of the muddy tires and Black Knight rode well!

Tim and I and Mike and Sherry take a final bike ride around the town of Ridgway, where we are staying at the State Park.  We ride the bike trail from the RV Park into town .....on the hunt for ice cream.

This group of dads and sons are at the Park and ready to fish the Uncompaghre River.

This is Ridgway, Population near 1,000; Elevation: 6,985'.  The park plaza hosts a gazebo and amphitheater for summer music events.  It is only 5 mile bike ride from our CG at Ridgeway State Park.

Biking to town from the Ridgeway State Park, about 5 miles.

We come into the town at the Plaza Park

Ridgway, once a railroad stop on the Uncompaghre River in the northern San Juan Mountains.  This rail museum remains a reminder of the town's history.  Steep forested mountains and cliffs surround Ridgway.  The Uncompaghre River flows thru town into the Ridgway State Park and Reservoir where our RV Park is located.  Ridgway served as a RailRoad town to the nearby mining towns of Telluride and Ouray.

The museum is 'covid closed'.

This authentic western town section of the main street is where the True Grit Saloon restaurant is located.  Inside the True Grit is the wall that is in the opening of the film: True Grit.  

This wall at the True Grit Cafe in Ridgway, Colorado is seen in the opening scene of the John Wayne film, True Grit.  The movie was filmed out at Owl Creek Pass

 (where Ron took his 4-wheel truck for a day drive.).

True Grit Cafe, Ridgway, Colorado a western town.  John Wayne memorabilia on the walls.

Photo from the filming of True Grit, autographed by John Wayne.

Ridgway and the surrounding area have featured most notably the area is the setting of John Wayne's western movie True Grit and other movies, ie: How the West Was Won.

Streat Corner at Ridgway, Colorado

The Brewery at Ridgway, this town is an easy place to live.

Art does abound within this small town.  Metal sculptured benches placed around town are an indication of the welcome this town provides for the visitor.

A walkup Patio Bar

Around town, Artist's poem can be found if one wanders.  Tim and I walked about and found this one on a fence in the side alley.

This is an outside patio where (during Covid) patrons can be served food.  Note the trailer is utilized as a service bar.

The Ice Cream Store was closed, so MikeG headed into the local grocery store and came out with ice cream sandwiches.  We went across the street and ate them at the park picnic table.  This is small-town life!

Tim and I came across this 80-acre Park nature preserve and reparian.memorial along the lush Uncompahgre River corridor while on a bike ride.  The bronze sculpture weighs 2,800 pounds and has a wingspan of over 20 feet.  There are stones, stacked as "cairn" often contain prayers or tributes to loved ones.   

An eagle soaring over a sacred stone stack is a tribute to environmental activist and TV actor Dennis Weaver, best known in "Gunsmoke" as Chester.

Along the Uncompahgre River corridor is a magical place of reflection and relaxation.

Tim playing the freestanding keyboard; a place to be spiritual and serene.

As Dennis Weaver, the man, this small, friendly town of Ridgway, Colorado shows its

 "Come sit a Spell" welcome

 with various benches made by local artists.

The little town of Ridgway, Colorado is also the home of the Grammy Awards where the Grammy Awards are made.  This small workshop sits in town in the San Juan Mountains.  John Billings and his team of three craftsmen cast, hammer, polish, and assembly each of the little gold gramophones.

Grammy Awards built here.

We have been at Ridgway State Park to visit Ridgway, Ouray, and Telluride in the San Juan Mountains.

The San Juan Mountains are a high and rugged mountain range in the Rocky Mountains in southwestern Colorado.  (Highest point: Uncompahgre Peak).

  We are on our way to visit the other major towns in the San Juan Mountains:

 Silverton and Durango to the South via: The Million Dollar Highway!.