Beautiful Ouray, Colorado

Drive from Durango to Silverton--beautiful.  Quick look around town and onto to Ouray which has to be one of the most beautiful little towns ever.  It is snuggled down in valley with towering mountains and cliffs on all sides with yellow aspen and red oak and tall Ponderosa pines covered in snow.  Getting there was a thrill with a good road but hairpin turns (see pciture)---felt very safe but wouldn't do this in bad weather.  Our campsite (Four J RV Park) was 6 feet from river and like the town surrounded on all sides with gorgeous mountains.  It even has it's own bear that comes down at night looking for food so glad the RV has a toilet---I am not getting out of this RV alone at night!

Durango to Silverton Color

Watched the OSU-Northwestern game in TV room and made popcorn.   Suddenly heard this horrendous thundering sounds--like the place was being bombed.  It was was so scary  that if I hadn't been sitting on the toilet, I would have peed my pants!  We went outside and it was Ouray fireworks for Octoberfest and the echos off the mountains were like nothing you've never heard before...the booms were in 3D.  More spectacular than Red, White and Boom.  It was truly awesome!

All along the trip we meet wonderful people who give us great advice on what to see, hikes to do and where to eat.  Ouray was no exception.  It has this neat boxed canyon that we visited.  $4 to go on spectacular iron walkway back into mountain where this 200 foot waterfall and hot springs starts---not for those with fear of heights!  Then we hiked up 1/2 mile on another rocky trail to the top of the waterfall.  We had to try out our new hiking shoes!  See Pete on trail below.  Then onto the Ouray Mineral Hot Springs which is supposed to cure all ills.  $10 to use three large pools from 75 to 97 to 106 degrees.  The idea is to boil old frogs slowly.  After an hour, we were dead meat,  all shriveled up but very relaxed!  Dinner at Maggie's touted as best hamburgers in Colorado.  We couldn't decide between the 420 burger or the chile pepper and cheese burger.  No one would tell us what was in the 420 burger so we went with the mild chiles and it was the best hamburger we've ever had!

To box Canyon Falls

Box Canyon above falls

Trail to top of falls

What a joy this trip has been.  We look at each other and can't believe we are actually doing this.  What a blessing!  On to Telluride tomorrow.  Weather warmer so out with the antifreeze and back to good water.