January 21: Farmington, NM ~ Day Two

January 21, 2015: Back to Colorado for a day

Silverton, Colorado

Bob and Patty Stemsrud, Johns cousins, were such wonderful hosts taking us all over Farmington on the 19th and now we are spending the 2nd day with them driving back into Colorado to explore Silverton and Durango.  The other way to drive to these towns from Grand Junction is through a pass that is evidently very scarey. John said he drove it once and doesn't ever want to drive it again.  It's a "scared of heights" kind of thing for him.  Thank goodness Amanda didn't get her first job with the Senator in Durango instead!  (Grand Junction is so easy to get to and also such a beautiful drive from any direction!)  The following are two web sites about the Silverton/Durango area and the last is a U-Tube video that really shows the beauty of the Rockie Mountains.  Even though we did not take that particular drive, we took many like it. Enjoy the views.

http://www.swcolotravel.org/page.cfm?pageid=15595

Travel the San Juan Skyway in Southwestern Colorado, called "The Most Beautiful Drive in America." 

http://www.silvertonmountain.com/page/store/directions

Requires driving over the scarey mountain pass

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoUUbRv9_8o
Rocky Mountain Drive - Million Dollar Highway - Ouray to Silverton Colorado- Garden of the God's

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I just can't help myself !  
The following are more photos of the Rockie Mountains taken in the Southwestern part of Colorado on our drive from Farmington, NM. to Silverton, Co. and back to Durango, Co.  And the Sunset veiwed from northwestern New Mexico. 

 Taking a walk at Molas Pass before we reached Silverton 

Johns Cousin Bob

Driving into Silverton- Just around the bend

Silverton: Elevation~ 9318 "A former silver mining camp, most or all of which is now included in a federally designated National Historic Landmark District....Silverton is linked to Durango by the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad,, also a Historic Landmark."

John and I love this little town and are planning another trip back to the area to explore.  I can't wait!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silverton,_Colorado

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Loved this restaurant

The Wyman Hotel and Inn
I would like to stay here
(Stock photo)

Town includes many lovely 
Victorian homes.

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We headed South again to visit Durango before leaving Colorado, again!

Durango: Elevation ~ 6512    Durango was organized in September 1881 and... is named after Durango, Mexico, which was named after Durango, Spain. The word Durango originates from the Basque word "urango" meaning "water town".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durango,_Colorado

Durango~ Silverton Railroad: John and I are looking forard to the ride!  "Durango was founded by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway in 1879. The railroad arrived in Durango on August 5, 1881 and construction on the line to Silverton began in the fall of the same year. By July of 1882, the tracks to Silverton were completed, and the train began hauling both freight and passengers."  http://www.durangotrain.com/

The Beautiful Palace Hotel in Durango.
I believe a night is in our future!

           

The General Palmer Hotel
Another Beauty

Looks like fun

Just love the name

 On the return to Farmington,New Mexico, we saw the most beautiful sunset!

 It was a fabulous day and tomorrow we head to Sedona, Arizona.

Thank you Patty and Bob for a wonderful visit!

Patty saying goodbye from the porch!