September 2-4, Durango, Colorado

We left the bewitching Monument Valley,

knowing we would have to come back again to this magical land.

As we drove Hwy 160 toward Mesa Verde and Durango Colorado, we realized that we would be going right by "Four Corners" Monument. There is a point on the map where Arizona, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico meet. This point is marked by a monument so we drove to see it. How often do you get to stand in 4 states at one time!

Joe tried it the hard way, then together we stood in the four states.

Back on the road, Hwy 160, we drove on toward Mesa Verde and Durango Colorado. Our plan was to spend one night at Mesa Verde, tour the cave dwellings of the Puebloan Indians and then on to Durango. Now strange as this may seem, we had a feeling that Mesa Verde wasn't going to happen! So far ALL of our plans have turned out great, but this part just didn't set well with us. There was something about the place that made us feel uneasy. We canceled our registration and drove on to Durango.

We finally see green! For many miles it has been predominately adobe orange and sky blue, now we're in Colorado.

Our campground in Durango, United Campground, was a nice enough park but there were a few extra touches that made it great. There was a small corral that housed several miniature ponies. Joe just had to go love on them.

There was also a Trolley that would pick us up right in front of the campground office. But BEST perk of all, the Silverton Durango Train drove right behind the campground.

That one thing was worth the above average price of this campground.

We rode the trolley into town for a little sightseeing, lunch and to pick up our tickets for the train ride.

It's a nice town, but on this particular weekend, there was a large constituency of motorcycle riders. There was some kind of rally that's held here each year. But it was kind of exciting and they didn't cause much congestion.

We visited the railroad museum. The minute I smelled that diesel fuel, I felt my Dad right next to me. That's always a special feeling for me.

Our friends, Bill and Jane were not able to use their train tickets which are not refundable. They asked us to find someone who could use the tickets. We met the sweetest little family and they were not going to ride the train because there were six of them. With the free tickets, they all rode the train the next day. We had a terrific time with Melinda, James, Landon and Rolan.

So off we went for a day long train ride to Silverton, CO.

The train passed by our campground and people were out of their RVs, waving at us.

Melinda was born in this area and grew up here. She usually comes back on her birthday. This was a special treat because her oldest son had never been on this train.

The vistas were gorgeous. The train climbed to incredible heights. There were many times that I could not look down - just too high!

The train made two stops to replenish the water.

The Animas River flows down this valley in the San Juan Mountains.

This is the remains of an old mining operation, long since deserted.

Silverton was a gold and silver mining town along the Animas River during the 1800s. The train was used to haul silver and gold ore from the mountains. But soon, people realized it was the view that was priceless.

We had lunch at the Grand Imperial Hotel in Grumpy's Restaurant. This fellow probably isn't Grumpy, but he could really play that good old honky tonk piano music.

We had a delightful stay in Silverton, but at 2:00 we boarded

the train to return to Durango, a 3 1/2 hour ride.

For me, the train is my preferred mode of transportation

and I don't have to drive it!

The Durango Silverton is an historic, coal-fired,

steam powered narrow gauge train.

I caught a shot of him releasing steam. It was so energizing.

This is some of our crew.

More shots from the train.

There are many other activities available in the Durango area.

Hiking, Jeep and Dirtbike tours, Zip lining,

Gliding, Rafting.......you name it!

My favorite ........... Train Riding!