Romance In Durango

Daily Mileage=161 Trip Mileage=2,603

Today we took our time driving from Alamosa,CO to Durango,CO. Once again it was a beautiful trip. We had Bruce Springsteen blasting away as we drove up and down the mountains. (Even though he's an East coast guy, his music seems to fit in these wide open spaces.) However, today a good portion of the trip was through a valley with 8,000 foot tree lined mountains. It was delightful.

We spent the afternoon just walking around enjoying the historic downtown part of Durango.

Although the Anasazi Indians were here for centuries, the town was started back in the late 1800's by a railroad company to transport both freight and passengers from the mining town of Silverton. Today the Durango & Silverton (narrow gauge) railroad still makes the run but for tourists only. It is a western town with a rather upscale flavor. Close by there are lots ranches and ski areas. In fact one is called Purgatory and since we've been to Hell (Grand Caymans) we're thinking we may have to visit it on our way to heaven (wherever that is).

It was rather quiet day although we did manage to find yet another micro-brewery, Steamworks. It claims to have perhaps the best lager in the country. I'd have to say it was pretty darn good. Don't know about the best, but I would definitely recommend it. There are 3 other micros in this small town. Colorado may have almost as many breweries as bison (which by the way is their real name for buffalo).

We're seeing all kinds of interesting things so we just want to fill you in on a few signs we've seen along the route so far.
One sign outside a small business said, "Open now and then. If not now, well maybe then."

Another sign selling property said, "Fourteen Acres for sale. 56Cents a square foot." Rich said that sounds really cheap except when you do the math it's equal to $330,000. No so bad for out in the middle of no where.

Well that's it for now. We have a really busy day tomorrow climbing up ladders and through tunnels to see the cliff dwellings. More about that tomorrow.

Love, Mare and Rich

PS It's been suggested we tell you all what we're reading on our audio books while we travel. We started out with The Tipping Point, which was quite interesting. Then we read/listened to an anthology of Mark Twain's favorite short stories (since we were driving through his country). It was fun listening to the old humor. We then did John Grisham's The Last Juror. (Typical Grisham which we enjoy now and then.)

In between we've been listening to some great music. All of this is brought to us via our IPOD. I said today we listened to Bruce Springsteen. Yesterday through the majestic Rockies we listen to Vivaldi and Sarah Brightman & Andre Bocelli. Such a mix... Got to get to the country western songs next!

SO DO YOU KNOW WHO SANG/WROTE ROMANCE IN DURANGO? IF SO, LET US KNOW. HINT: MALE, FOLK SINGER, ONE OF THE EARLIER GUYS AND STILL AROUND. ANSWER ON TOMORROW'S BLOG.