Durango!

We love Durango!  We have been coming here long enough that it feels very familiar and comfortable.  The weather is fantastic, 70's almost 80's in the day, and down into the low 40's at night, and of course, all without humidity.  The views, even from the campground are inspiring, and downtown is bustling.  We've never been here this early in the spring, so there are waterfalls everywhere from melting snow, and the Animas River is pounding!  The economy seems pretty good also, more and more restaurants opening each time we come and you can see signs of increased development in the area.  Not that that is all good:-)

We are only here a short time as we make our way west, so we wanted to do one of our favorite hikes, Spud (Potato) Lake, then go up to Silverton.  I have mentioned it before.  It's a nice and fairly easy 1.1 mile one way hike to stunning Spud Lake, actually Potato, but I like Spud, the name everyone here uses.  It is off a rough dirt road about halfway between Durango and Silverton.  We were the first people there, which was icing on the cake.  It's a popular hike.  

Beginning of the trail

Beautiful overlook on the way up

Peaceful, quiet, serene in the aspens

A small pond on the way

We popped over the rise and there it was, and best of all, we were absolutely alone.

Breakfast

We even saw a beaver swimming by.

What a spot!

We went all the way around the lake and by the time we were ready to head back, there were already two other couples there, and we passed at least 20 people or so on the trail back.  Excellent timing on our part I must say.  The hike ended up being 2.75 miles with the loop around the lake, just right.  Then off to Silverton to find some lunch.

We ran into Karen with her friends, Bob and Barbara, had a short visit, helped along the economy, at least in the jewelry area, ate a good lunch, and walked around.  Just for reference Durango and Silverton are about 50 miles apart, and you go over 2 passes in between, Coal Bank Pass at 10,620', and Molas Pass at 10,910'.  It is a wonderful drive on Rte 550 just south of the famed Million Dollar Highway that goes from Silverton north to Ouray.  I am now able to drive that road, but unfortunately it is closed for some repair.  

After we poked around for awhile, we climbed out of Silverton and decided to stop at Molas Pass to have some coffee.  Jan has coffee every day, at least almost every day about 3pm, and if we are out and about we usually bring some with us.  We are very fortunate to have had afternoon coffee in some spectacular spots, some of which I've shared with you.  This was no exception.

Coffee stop

A better perspective- Molas Pass

It was a gorgeous day as you can see.  Down we went, and right there on the road we encountered a couple Bighorn sheep that appeared to be licking the salt off the road.

A young male

Small female

You can see she is losing her winter coat

On down the mountain we went and stopped for a few minutes at another special spot, recognize this, Brett?

It turned out Karen and her crew went up to Animas Forks before coming back and reported spring had not yet sprung up there in the higher elevations.  Just as glad we decided not to do that trip this time, although that whole off-road paradise north of Silverton is one of our favorites.  We all got together for drinks and had a nice visit before heading off to our respective rigs for the evening.

Tires are still not paid for.