I was planning on my annual BDR trip through Colorado but Russ had back problems and Rick didn't feel right about going this year. I tried to arrange going with another group. It was looking good with correspondence with one of the participants, Tim, but then the leader of the group, Jack, sent me a note sayin he doesn't ride with Trump supporters. Tim called later and said he himself was a Trump supporter. I told him I wouldn't tell on him.
With no one to ride with, I asked Felicia if she would go to Colorado in the truck. She said she would so we planned a Colorado vacation doing stuff I wanted to do and stuff she wanted to do.
We drove through the reservation past Chimney Rock
We stayed at the Retro Inn in Cortez, CO the first night
We were in the 1977 disco room. This was the year I left on my mission.
Mesa Verde entrance
Tower House
Pit House
Castle House
More Cliff Dwellings ... Hopi Pueblos lived here until moving South
After Cortez we drove to Durango.
Motorcyclists at our Durango hotel
We ate at T's
Raptor Store Front in Durango
White Falcon
Walking in Downtown Durango
The next day we scheduled a train ride on the Durango-Silverton line. Because of COVID-19 they can only run half capacity and; therefore, can't afford to run the full length of the trip so they had us get on in Rockwood and run the Cascade Canyon part of the trip. This is the most scenic part anyway so I wasn't disappointed.
There was an option for a steam engine...
.. or a diesel engine.
We chose the diesel because I still have memories of riding this train as a child and needing to close my eyes because of the coal cinders from the steam boiler. Imagine riding through beautiful country and not being able to open your eyes. The diesel had none of these issues.
Amish
Reindeer for winter
All aboard
After the train we went to the Bar D Chuckwagon to eat BBQ and be entertained. I first went to the Bar D 50 years ago and really enjoyed it.
Our seats were in the back because we weren't with a group.
The Stage
Take off your hat
Thank you
The next day we drove to Telluride via Bolam Pass Rd going from Purgatory to Rico. Here is the Bolam Pass video link.
We arrived at Telluride before check in time so we drove up to Bridal Veil Falls.
Bridal Veil Falls with Telluride Power Plant on top
Telluride Downtown
Sunset on the Mountain
Dinner from Brown Dog
Our hotel was a prefab condo box called the Mountainside Inn. It was the cheapest place in town at $200 per night. Parking in Telluride is difficult so it was nice that our place came with parking even if it was a circuitous route to get there.
We were up early the next morning to drive through the snooty cabin village of Ophir and over Ophir Pass. Here is the video link for Ophir.
After crossing the pass we went to Silverton and then to Ouray.
Looking down from the Ophir Pass sign
At the exit of Ophir Pass
Airing back up
Entering Silverton
Silverton Train Depot
Silverton Visitor Center
Entering Ouray
Really nice pool and park in Ouray
Ouray Park
Picnic at Ouray
Box Canyon Falls in Ouray
We finally drove back around to Telluride via Last Dollar Road and took the Gondola Ride up to Mountain Village for Dinner.
Mountain Bikers waiting for the Gondola to take them back to the top
