Colorado and Utah Bound!

On August 27, we loaded the car, and headed out early in the morning for Colorado and Utah. We had a long drive the first day, across Texas and spent the night in Dumas, Texas in the Texas Panhandle. Back on the road the next morning we soon crossed into New Mexico, enjoying a yummy lunch in Taos at Orlando's. We had some excitement as we got delayed by a film crew shooting a movie....The Lone Ranger with Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer. Arriving in Durango at Country Sunshine B & B we were warmly greeted by old friends, Walter and Jodi. It was great to be back and they began to spoil us as usual, especially Walter with his fantastic breakfast, warm cookies, and desserts at night. Jodi had booked our Durango/Silverton train tickets and we caught the train at Rockwood the next morning after Walter's wonderful breakfast. The weather was great and much warmer than our previous trip. Arriving in Silverton we walked over to Handlebars for lunch, then we walked around Silverton taking photos. I made sure to get a "After" photo of Dale with the wooden cowboy to compare with a previous pre-knee surgery photo I had taken of him in 2009. Soon it was time to board the train and return to Rockwood. We stopped in Hermosa and picked up a Calzone and salad to take back to the B&B for dinner on the porch. A glass of wine and a soak in the hot tub ended the day. The next day we booked a half-day Animas River float....even though the river was low we enjoyed an afternoon on the river, and our guide was very good...he even endured Dale's financial advice. Dinner that night was at Zia Tagueria in Durango...yummy Fish Tacos. Walter put on a show that evening serving all the guest Bananas Foster over ice cream....awesome! Our three night stay completed we packed and said our goodbyes heading onward and upward to Ouray. The drive up the million dollar highway provided breathtaking views and lots of photo opportunities. Arriving in Ouray we stopped to have a picnic lunch in a park....but the rain forced our picnic to be in the car. Spangler House B&B was our next stop and we checked in and unpacked. I had a surprise in store for Dale and told him I was taking him out for steaks at the Outlaw Restaurant for his birthday, which was the next day. Dinner was good and we were stuffed! I gave Dale his birthday card with his surprise...an all day jeep tour with San Juan Tours the next day. After a soak in the hot tub, we turned in early since we had to be up early the next morning for our tour. I had requested a driver called "Wild Bill"...little did I know he was 85 years old and quite the character...a Texas boy to boot. We had 3 other folks on the tour and off we went with "Wild Bill" at the wheel over Black Bear Pass to Telluride. OMG....what a ride it was...the road better known as a "Goat Trail" was narrow and very steep with numerous switchbacks...all which Bill handled like a pro! We had a few sprinkles and then we had a few minutes of hail on top of the pass. Dale loved Bill, who was an old WWII veteran and they really bonded. Arriving in Telluride Bill dropped us off for lunch at the Floradora Saloon, where the owner had a table ready for us. Bill joined us after he parked the jeep...more tall tales and stories kept us laughing with lunch. Back on the road we were headed across Imogene Pass at 13,114 ft., a very rough ride with what seemed like large boulders in the road...but Bill handled it like the skilled driver he was. We arrived back in Ouray about 5:30 p.m.....just in time for Happy Hour Bill said! It was a great day, Dale loved it and we had a fantastic time with Bill. The next day we decided to visit the Ouray Hot Springs for a long soak in the hot water. Since it was a weekend it was kind of crowded but we enjoyed our soak until lightning forced us out. After walking up and down the main drag we decided to have dinner that night was at O'Brien's Pub & Grill. Our stay ended we packed and prepared to leave the next morning for Grand Junction. The drive to Grand Junction was pretty bleak, not much to see in this arid, dry part of Colorado....Grand Junction sprawls across the Grand Valley and is an oasis. The Grand Mesa in one direction and the Colorado National Monument in the other. Sam and Judy were waiting for us at Bookcliffs B&B and welcomed us into their home. WE enjoyed visiting with them and listening to how they had made their home into a B&B. After breakfast the next morning we drove out to the Gateway Car Museum. We were lucky, that an elderly gentleman took us under his wing and showed us each vehicle...complete with the history of the vehicle. It sure did make our time at the museum special, and we got to see the latest purchase...a Oldsmobile F88 that they paid 3.2 million dollars for....WOW! After a picnic lunch on the way back we drove over the Grand Mesa, a beautiful landscape with Aspens already displaying their fall colors and home to more than 300 lakes. A stop in Palisades, Colorado the home of the famous peaches and lots of vineyards ended the day. Our final day in Grand Junction was spent with a drive out to the Colorado National Monument. A breathtaking drive with lots to see and lots of photos to take! We made another stop in Palisades to tour the orchards, vineyards, and wineries....plus pick up a few more goodies. Saying our goodbyes we were on the road again to Utah. We picked a drive to Moab along the river and were rewarded with a beautiful scenery and breathtaking views. We arrived at the Mayor's House B&B and were greeted by Dave...he quickly showed us around the place and we unpacked. The B&B had a large heated pool and an inviting hot tub with a beautiful red rock backdrop. After a yummy breakfast the next morning fixed by Carey, we drove out to Arches National Park. I've never seen so many red rocks....arches, windows, towers, plus other formations Mother Nature has carved out. I got some great photos and even attempted to get a photo of me holding a giant boulder...like Hercules! Dinner that night was Mexican food and then a swim and soak. After enjoying breakfast the next morning with all the guest, we packed up again and left for Colorado. The drive to Pagosa Springs took us by Mesa Verde, but we decided to skip it this trip and went on to Mancos for lunch at the Absolute Bakery & Cafe...a very good choice! Arriving back in Pagosa Springs we stopped at the grocery store for a few items, then headed out to our cabin at the Fireside Inn. Our cabin was so cute, we loved it. Relaxing down by the river was so peaceful and a great spot for a glass of wine. Driving back into town we went in search of the "Balloon Glow" that was taking place in the park. It was fun to see them fill the balloons and the "Glow" was very pretty after dark...got some good photos. Up early, early the next morning, temperature was about 39 degrees....5:30 am to be exact, we were off to find the Colorfest Hot Air Balloon Rally launch. Dale followed some balloon trucks and trailers and got us a good spot for the launch. Soon 17 ballons were in the air...OMG what a site!!! The setting was beautiful...the greens of a golf course, a small lake, the mountains in the distance, and lots of green pine trees. I was going crazy trying to get pictures with all three of my cameras. We even followed two ballons and saw them touch down and let the air out of the balloon....it was great! The next day we planned to visit the Pagosa Hot Springs after a yummy pizza for lunch. The Springs were not crowded, the weather was perfect and we had a relaxing last day in Colorado. We ended the day down by the river with a glass of wine....a perfect ending to a wonderful trip. Up early, we were off to Fort Stockton, Texas...the first leg of our trip home. It was a long day of driving and we pulled into the motel about 6 pm. After a good nights sleep we were back on the road and headed home to Victoria. Safely we arrived home after over a 3,200 mile trip. Dale had done a great job of "Driving Miss Daisy" ...that is what he likes to call our road trips. Colorado was beautiful, the temperatures were a welcome relief after our hot Texas summer. The Bed and Breakfasts were all different and unique....we saw many things, made new friends, and had a GREAT time! We are truly blessed to have experienced such a wonderful trip!