Ouray or bust

Ouray is a very quaint mining town about 75 miles north of Durango. First you drive to Silverton, which is about 50 miles and then another 25 miles to your destination. We decided to head for Ouray and thoroughly enjoyed the lovely scenery along the way. You climb up several thousand feet just getting to Silverton. We kept stopping and taking pictures, since the Aspens were in full fall colors of yellow to golds. It was spectacular, especially the further north we went. Once we arrived in the outskirts of Silverton, Ron suggested that a potty break was a good idea and seconded by the rest of the travelers.

Onward toward Ouray, we drove by a State Route 14 which is a dirt logging or mining road. Our friend Byron suggested that we take this side road as it was a good roadm and we would enjoy the scenery. We turned the car around and drove back to the entrance and started up 14. It quickly wound up the mountainside, and we began to wonder exactly what we were getting into, but with few turn around places we kept proceding. There were no guard rails which was all right as long as we were in the trees. Soon we drove out of the trees and began a climb above the treeline. We finally stopped at an abandoned mine and stretched our legs and took more pictures, of course. By the time we drew near the top of the mountain we were at approximately 12,000 feet. By now the road, if you can call it that, was wide enough for only one vehicle. We did meet only one truck along the way in a wide spot, which was very lucky since no one had to back up to let the other by. The road degenerated into two ruts and lots of potholes. By now Byron's name was being taken in vain. We kept going.

The downhill trek was even more harried than getting to the top. At one point going up we almost did not make it since the car barely crept along and that was with the accelerator to the floor. The toughest part of going down was the "s" curves and the poor road combined. We kept going and finally came to the end of this road and rejoined the road to Ouray. All heaved a sigh of relief. We even thought about stopping and kissing the ground for arriving safely. By now Byron's name was mud or worse. We drove onward to Ouray, stopping for some roadwork where they were blasting dirt so that it would not cascade onto the road. In Ouray we stopped and walked about this cute town which is nearly at 10,000 foot elevation.

We had lunch at O'Briens Cafe and ate outside enjoying the Irish stew and fried pickles but especially Guinness Beer. We even looked up an art gallery where we had previously bought some good art. Finally with it threatening to rain, we headed back to Durango. On the way it rained, snowed and sleeted, and we were presented with thunder and lightening. Thank you, Byron. It was good to be home. Happy travels.