http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Colorado/Durango/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from North America , United States , Colorado , Durango en-us Thu, 07 Jan 2010 03:10:27 +0000 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 03:10:27 +0000 From Silverton we headed to Durango. The aspen trees were way passed peak in this area of the state. Temps were definitely colder. The road traveled over several mountain passes and Frank enjoyed them because he collected alot of rocks. We didn't stop in Durango we started home. We had decided to return home by the southern route. We spent the night in New Mexico and pushed home from there http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Colorado/Durango/blog-446509.html We started our day with a round of 18 holes of golf. It was a bit cold when we started at 8 am but by the time we finished at 1230 pm it was hot and we got a bit sunburned The golf was fun if not exactly professional quality in fact FAR from it but we had a blast After golf we went to a lovely caf and had a nice lunch and then Ken and Frank went to JC Penney to buy some pillowcases for the http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Colorado/Durango/blog-424377.html We got a pretty early start to head back east through Zion through the Navajo Indian Reservation in Arizona and on into Colorado. After a lovely breakfast of Southwest Eggs Benedict we set out. The scenery was mostly uninspiring and flat but the roads were good and not very much traffic. We ran into a huge thunderstorm in Arizona and drove right through the middle of it. By the time we reached t http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Colorado/Durango/blog-424243.html Got up at 6am again it was cold at 50 degrees. Ken made coffee I had made omlettes and bacon last night and put them in the refrigerator so all I had to do was warm things up and make toast and put them together as sandwiches. I wrapped them in foil packed a change of clothes and we left. We arrive at Outlaw Tours in the town of Durango around 830. It is such a pretty town in the San Juan Mo http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Colorado/Durango/blog-419304.html Said goodbye to Longmont and Theresa and Keith in the morning and headed into the mountains. It was a long day of driving but some very nice scenery along the way. I stopped for lunch in Leadville and dinner in Silverton. Silverton looked like a cool place but things were mostly closed down for the night when I got there around 700. I decided to drive about another 50 miles to Durango after http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Colorado/Durango/blog-406883.html This was really our first official trip as a couple. We decided to drive to Durango for the weekend. It is about 3 12 hours north of Albuquerque. We really were only there for an overnight so not much we could accomplish.Durango is a small miningtown nestled in between the mountains in southwest Colorado. Lots of outdoor stuff to do biking rafting skiing hiking camping etc. Well to our http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Colorado/Durango/blog-406054.html We started out day three of our honeymoon by missing a turn in town and going the wrong way for about 10 miles before I could turn around P oh well Once we got back on track we stopped at the Great Sand Dunes National Park. It took us a while to get there because we were forced to follow this Ford Festiva that was going at least 10 miles under the speed limit the whole way there When we finall http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Colorado/Durango/blog-393638.html We had done a lot of hiking and wanted a change from the National Parks. The Rocky Mountains were within a one day drive reach and we checked for the snow conditions in the ski resorts. Like in Europe the ski season runs until mid of April and there was more than 1m snow. The nice guy at the Monticello Welcome center told us about a ski resort he had visited a year ago. It was in the South part o http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Colorado/Durango/blog-391938.html Wednesday September 24 2008Two days ago in Moab we looked at the weather in various places before deciding where to go next. Moab was great up lsquotil then but a bit too hot for physical outdoor activities. With high winds whipping up all around we were starting to eat and breathe serious dust. Time to move on. Arizona and southwest Utah are still in a serious heat wave with temps 36 C plus http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Colorado/Durango/blog-327205.html After the wonders of the Grand Canyon we continued on our journey across the country into the land of the Indian reservation. These area's are quite unique in that they dont really belong to the states that they are located in and they have their own governments and laws one thing that we all know but might not realise. The Simpsons and other popular culture references has taught us this with th http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Colorado/Durango/blog-314755.html Another beautiful morning in a WalMart parking lot I had to fight my inner shopping demons but I won I was thiiiiiis close to a WalMart but I didn't go in I decided to sit at the dinette table and finish up some last minute post cards while Tim showered and prepared us for takeoff. We hopped on Highway 550 and drove south about 45 miles where we crossed over into New Mexico and landed in http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Colorado/Durango/blog-298638.html Let me just say that although I grew to love the highways of central america what with their beautiful views potholes insane bus drivers roadside tamale and banana saleswomen and the occasional military checkpoint yes my car is a piece of shit thanks for reminding me AK47 wielding 19 year old it was damn good to be back on the most epic of highway systems the crazy scattered grid that http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Colorado/Durango/blog-272315.html 10507I slept pretty good and got up to use their wifi for awhile before leaving. Mr Coole is a computer science guy but is working on bikes currently. I think that is cool that he is doing something that he really enjoys. Not many people can say that. Good for him. He was actually leaving as well and I offered to take him to the bus station which he agreed to but then after researching th http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Colorado/Durango/blog-236492.html The Black Canyon is a nice small canyon. Several interesting overlooks and not too far off the highway. If you have time it's worth a visit. I then made my way down the East side of the Scenic Byway thru Silverton and on down to Durango. All the towns up here in the mountains have picturesque old downtowns that are thriving with little shops and restaurants. Ski Lifts are on the edges of the to http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Colorado/Durango/blog-183938.html Hey everybody I just wanted you all to know that I stayed a little later in Durango to post all of my pictures so far. Well I'm off to Mesa VerdeSoarpheat http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Colorado/Durango/blog-159095.html A large volume of adventures may be grasped within this little span of life by him who interests his heart in everything. Laurence Sterne 51307 Start 500 AM Eastern time Louisville KY 642 ft above sea level Finish 1000 PM Mountain time Des Moines NM 6452 ft above sea level Distance traveled 1200 miles States Kentucky Indiana Illinois Missouri Kansas Oklahoma and New http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Colorado/Durango/blog-158894.html Christina hereOn the last leg of our Amazing Race we had a quick visit with David in NYC where we talked into the night and sampled a great New York deli. Then we were picked up by the Malones in Denver which turned into a mandatory rest stop we needed sleep where we were pampered with incredible gourmet food and great visiting before we made the drive back to Durango.I'm gonna wash that j http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Colorado/Durango/blog-143455.html Christina here.That's us in our yard. I just ate some snow off the tree. Yum Sheryl I keep thinking about the 95degree weather in Ongole and about the humidity. Brace yourselves girls. Dave and Ruby see us off. Today we drive up to the Malones' house in Denver where we'll catch a plane tomorrow morning. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Colorado/Durango/blog-131423.html Christina here. Sheryl I are almost ready to gowe'd better be anyway. We leave town Wednesday morning. This is a test blog. I'll make sure this works before we send our link out. I'm going to try to attach a map of our trip to the orphanage. If you don't see one I just haven't figured this thing out yet. http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Colorado/Durango/blog-130883.html Dedication We would like to dedicate this Blog entry to the memory of Carlrsquos brother Kevin. Kevin was riding his motorcycle late Sunday night November 5th when he encountered a Deer unfortunately he did not survive the encounter. Kevin was 40 this past May.Blog Entry Brrrhellip It was chilly this morning so chilly that there was frost on the windscreen of the truck. Thankfully the s http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Colorado/Durango/blog-101218.html