Note: There are quite a few photos on this page
This was one of those particular trips where we did not have a destination in mind. We just decided to head south on highway 50 and see where the day would take us.
We stopped at the Russell Stover Candy factory/outlet store in Montrose and checked out all the great chocolate candies. Since it was hot (above 90) we decided it might not be too good of an idea to stock up on chocolates to put in the saddlebags. So we settled on a couple of small chocolates to eat right there in the parking lot.
| We headed on down to Ouray (pronounced Your-ay). It's about 100 miles south of Grand Junction. It's known for it's spectacular scenery and many 4 X 4 jeep trails up in the San Juan mountains. Larry took me up to a place that many people may not know about when they are just passing through. It's a campground called "Amphitheater" that is located off the highway right after you leave town. You go pretty high up the mountain to reach the campground area. There is a trail that goes to an overlook of the entire town. |
| We also stopped and toured Box Canyon Falls - right outside of Ouray. This 285 foot waterfall plummets into a narrow canyon with walls overhanging the falls by nearly 100 feet. |  |
Larry at the bottom of Box
Canyon
Larry at the summit
After that we headed over Red Mountain Pass. We saw several deer and enjoyed the beautiful mountains and took quite a few pictures. It is chilly at the top as it is around 12,000 feet above sea level. Thankfully we were prepared with leathers (even though it was the middle of July) which we quickly put on as we started to run into a little drizzle. It was still only about 50 degrees on the pass. Back in Grand Junction it was close to 100. We figured that there is a drastic temperature change when we reach around 10,000 feet. For every 1,000 feet in elevation, it's the same as driving north several hundred miles.
Near the top of Red Mountain Pass
Over look of Silverton, Colorado
Silverton is a historic mining town nestled in the San Juans. It offers many tourist shops and restaurants. The Silverton/Durango train ride originates here.
Main street of Silverton
We decided we better head back home as it was already six o'clock and we had a two/three hour ride ahead of us. It was chillier going home over Red Mountain Pass. By the time we got back to Ouray we were both in need of a hot cup of coffee. Unfortunately, we ended up at one of those foo-foo coffee shops and ended up with some strange type of brew - YUCK!!!
Silverton-Durango Train
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