Saturday, September 27

Montrose, Co.
Another blue sky morning. Carol fixed a wonderful breakfast for everyone this morning, sour dough waffles, bacon, strawberries and cantaloupe. After breakfast we went downtown to the Farmers Market. Carol did find a few things to buy, beans, corn and some very neat wine glasses. After the market we visited Russell Stover, needless to say we both found plenty to buy here. Later in the afternoon we to drove up to Olathe, Co. and toured the Mountain Meadow winery just west of there. They also had a huge orchard so we picked some delicious Fugi apples. After we returned to Montrose we all went out for Italian food at a local favorite. Everyone was ready to turn in early because we leave tomorrow. We have had a wonderful time in Montrose and have thoroughly enjoyed the company of our new "Creeker" friends. Montrose's Centennial park downtown. The turquoise tiles represent the Gunnision river and it's direction of flow

Carol making a purchase at the Farmers Market.
Loads of fresh produce.Inside Russell Stover factory store. WARNING! enter at your own risk. Mini golf course at RV park.


Carol picking apples.

I've found a tree loaded with large Fugi apples.

One of the wildest things I've ever seen. Look at both photos of this motorcycle (?) closely. Elk and deer antlers, Sheep head with horns, mountain lion head, coyote head, bear head, Bobcat head, the head of an alligator and much more. I didn't hang around to see the owner but he must be a dandy.

Siesta time at the orchard, two dogs were asleep and notice the little kitten on the chair.

I couldn't resist this shot of the little kitten sound asleep.

Friday, September 26

Montrose, Co.
This morning we all sat outside and enjoyed our coffee, a few donuts and visited about this and that. Around 11:00 we left for our day at "Black Canyon" of Gunnison National Park. Just after we have made one of the most scenic drives in America, we tour Gunnison N.P. . Black Canyon is unbelievably beautiful. I stand on the edge and it takes my breath away while I look in awe at this geological wonder. It is so deep, so sheer and so narrow that very little light can reach the bottom. If you have never been to "Black Canyon", here's another one to add to your list.
After our visit which included a 3 mile somewhat strenuous hike we headed back to Montrose. We enjoyed a BBQ and the company of our "Creeker" friends. After sitting outside relaxing with friends we went to bed late. Tomorrow we plan on going to the Montrose Farmers Market, Russell Stover Factory and store and a local winery. "Some are longer, some are deeper, some are narrower, and a few have walls as steep, but no other canyon in North America combines the depth, narrowness, sheerness and somber countenance of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison".

The Gunnison river below, the river drops 480 feet in one two mile stretch.

Carol standing at one of the look outs over the canyon.

Driving from Montrose north or east you wouldn't have any idea this geological masterpiece is here. Earliest recorded information of the canyon wasn't until 1874.
Looking out from Warner Point.

"Our surroundings were of the wildest possible description. The roar of the water... was constantly in our ears, and the walls of the canyon, towering half mile in height above us, were seemingly vertical. Occasionally a rock would fall from one side or the other , with a roar and crash, exploding like a ton of dynamite when it struck bottom, making us think our last day had come".

-Abraham Lincoln Fellows, 1908

I use this quote because I feel it adequately describes "Black Canyon".

Carol and I at the Gunnison Point overlook.

Thursday, September 25

Montrose, Co.

We left Durango around 8:00 AM and headed up over the "Million Dollar Highway". Starting around 6500 feet you climb to almost 12,000 feet. Crossing over 3 passes, Coal Burn Pass, 10,600 feet, Molas Pass 10,900 feet and Red Mountain Pass 11,900 feet. The scenery is unbelievable, this has to be one of the most scenic drives in America. If you haven't made this journey, add it to your list.

Go from Durango to Ouray in the fall. The fall colors were stunning.

We arrived in Montrose around 3:00 PM and set up the Creek at the Cedar Creek RV Park. Spent the evening visiting with our new Creeker friends and enjoyed another delicious Mexican dinner. Tomorrow we plan on visiting "Black Canyon" at the Gunnison National Park, and then a BBQ at the RV park.We took some great photos of the Durango - Silverton Narrow Gauge train on our trip over the mountains. This one shows 2 locomotives pulling, ours only had one. Mountain views as we journey up the first pass.The fall colors were beautiful.Views down a canyon from the top of Coal Burn Pass.The truck and Creek taking a break on top of Coal Burn pass. Our Ford diesel had no problem climbing these passes with the Creek.One of the many lakes that decorate the landscape on top Molas Pass.You could see forever on top of the passes.The town of Silverton viewed from the road above as we descend down to around 9000 feet.Back up on top of Molas Pass, notice the road on the far mountain side. The long and widing road.

Going down from Molas pass. Very steep drop off on the side and very few guard rails. They don't put up many guard rails because they try to keep the road open in Winter and need somewhere to push the plowed snow.Another sharp turn and beautiful view. Mark, Sandy would love this drive.........LOL! Decending from Red Mountain Pass to Ouray.

The only tunnel, 13'9", coming down from Red Mountain Pass.

Coming into Ouray, the area is called "the Swiss Alps of America".

Tuesday, September 23

Durango, Co.

Monday was finish up laundry day and we just wandered around downtown Durango. We found a local micro-brewery, Steamworks Brewery, had dinner and a couple of local brews.

Tuesday we were up early and down to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad office, store and museum. We had purchased our tickets on Monday for the trip up and back to Silverton. We debated on getting tickets for an enclosed car our the open car. If the weather is even just bearable, the open car is the only way to go. You'll get a little sooty from the coal burning locomotive, but the scenery, the photo opportunities and just the atmosphere of being in the open car is worth it. We have added this as one of our top five side trips. If you're ever in Durango, this little trip back in history is a must. We journeyed up to Silverton, 9300 feet, from Durango, 6500 feet, a pretty good climb. You have time for lunch and to wander around a bit in Silverton before the train leaves for Durango. Silverton an old mining town "The Silver Queen of Colorado". Prospecting started here around 1860 and then the town followed shortly after that. http://www.silvertonhistoricsociety.org/ We returned to Durango around 6:30 PM, both of us were tired and a little sooty. We picked up something for dinner and returned to the Creek. What a great day! Engineer is getting the locomotive ready building up steam for the long climb. This was at the station before we left.
Heading up the Animas Valley toward Silverton.
Much of the trip the rail was built along the Animas River.

Beautiful fall colors in San Juan National Forest. Animas River winding through the forest and mountains.

Stopped at Silverton at the end of the tracks. After passengers unload, then the train backs up to a rail yard were it turns around on a loop and is ready to head back to Durango.
Main street in Silverton. Reminds me of some place else we visited this year. (remember the Orchid Lounge!)

Beautiful views as we depart Silverton.

Snow capped peaks far up a canyon on our way back.

Large rock slide area next to the tracks.

Fall colors along the Animas River. Notice the smoke in the upper right of the picture from locomotive.


We made a few stops going up and back to take on water for making steam.

Several miles of the trip are along very steep cliffs. The Animas river way down there.

A shot of the remainder of the train behind our car as we make a turn around a rock ledge.