Advertisement
We left the desert of Taos New Mexico for Southern Colorado, destination Durango. The trip started out eventful as we had to get Sasi over the Rio Grande Gorge Suspension Bridge (the second tallest suspension bridge in the US) and the scene of the pictures from my hike the prior day. Once over and after a short hike along the rim, we were sucked into our first tourist trap of the trip, Earthship. For the ripe fee of $16, we got to tour 2 rooms of sustainable housing. It could have been really interesting except it ended before it started.
The next step was more fruitful in that we had a great lunch at a picnic area with fantastic views of the Colorado Mountains. The scenery and topography had already changed from desert to much more green and the mountains have increased. The RV was like the little train that could and even if we were going a little slow by the top, we made it. No trip is complete without the requisite ice cream stop and as Danielle said ‘Mom this restaurant is sure dirty and yucky but they make good ice cream’. The scenery was really pretty on
this drive and we had lots of altitude and lots of green. I think the whole family enjoys being back in green opposed to the desert. I don’t think any of you will be writing to us in New Mexico as a permanent address.
We pulled into Durango at dinner time which is good because we were hungry. We all wanted to relax at the campground and have a simple grilled meal. Mom and Dad checked into their hotel downtown and we pulled into one of our best campsites yet, Lightner Creek. The entire campground is wooded and the creek runs through it. Our site is on the creek and the kids were in it in a flash. Then before we could set up the RV, our youngest came back for a bathing suit which was a little late as far as I could tell by the drips. The made a friend in about 5 minutes flat, had her in the creek as well in 6, and were on their bikes and circling the campground within 15 minutes.
Ed and I did our first ‘full setup’: the awning, the screened tent over the picnic table, the picnic tablecloth,
the comfy chairs, the rugs, etc. Quite the homey place. Our neighbors across the way are really nice and we made friends as well. They are from England via Texas via Phoenix to borrow the camping trailer from her brother. As he mountain bikes, it didn’t take Ed any longer than his daughters to get comfortable.
All I can say is that the salad, the hamburgers, and the potatoes tasted awesome (Grandma Sasi’s touch combined with a great location). The wine went down well as did the cheese and crackers and a great meal was had by all.
After my parents left for the night, Ed took the kids swimming and I did the laundry. Passout time was shortly thereafter but a great day was had by all.
Unfortunately for us, we had an early wake up to get to Mesa Verde and by 7:30 am we were on the road. We passed a bike tour that had 2,500 folks going 470 miles in 5 days. It was fun to watch them and we got to for the entire hour to Mesa Verde. Once there, the road got to be switchback fun for about 20 minutes and
we had the wrong person in the front seat (Sasi). Once ticketed for the guided tours of the ruins (the only way to see the ruins), we switched seats and Grandma drove in the back which was much better.
If any of you have never been to Mesa Verde, all I can say is you need to. It is a magical place and one that I never tire of. The ruins and the description of how the people lived is amazing and it certainly is incredible how they were able to live and what they left behind. We toured Cliff Palace first and then later in the afternoon toured Long House on the Weatherill Mesa. It was another 30 minute drive taking switchbacks until we reached the tallest plateau and then driving along the upper ridge (Danielle occupying Grandma Sasi with word games to keep her mind off the drive). Of course every time my Dad took his eyes off the road or hand off the wheel she was right on him so I don’t think she was really distracted.
The kids enjoyed seeing the ruins as much as we did and really listened and asked questions. By
now though it was 4pm and had been a long day. We didn’t get back to Durango until 6pm and wandered around town looking for a restaurant that didn’t have a forever wait.
Now folks, back into 1987, when I was in Durango on my cross country tour with Shannon, we took an old fashioned photo that I still have today (as does she). My kids were aware of the picture and when I told them we had taken them in Durango they asked if they could as well. I said yes if we could find it and would you believe, right there on Main St was the same place. They were so excited to take the picture they were jumping up and down like crazy. It was a bit of a wait but it was a real family experience and we had a blast dressing each other up and then deciding which one to buy. Of course, pass out time came again and by 10:30 we left the conscious world to finish our second day in Durango.
After waking up very late to compensate for yesterday, we lolled around the campsite while Ed went mountain biking. The
kids biked and played in the creek and just relaxed which was what we all needed. Lunch was with Mom and Dad, and then goodbye as they made their way back to Albuquerque for their flight. About 1 minute after we had pulled out, Danielle said she missed them already.
We drove up for Purgatory Ski Resort and had a good time. The kids loved the bungee jump and we all loved the Alpine Slide. We would have stayed longer but once again we attracted the rain (and hail) and they closed down the attractions so we headed home. More creek playing, more biking, and some pool swimming. Another great grill out and hanging out with Nicky, Andy, and their kids (family from England). Durango is a great stop for us and we are enjoying just having the time to play and not drive all the time.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.09s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 12; qc: 59; dbt: 0.0591s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
deleted_19393
deleted_19393
wow! looks like an awesome part of the country
Great update Lori ... sorry, I tried to load a picture to this blog of you in the saloon girl outfit from 1987. I can't figure out how to load a pictures. A loss for your viewer!