The reunion ended and David and I made our way back to the little airport in Durango only to find out we couldn’t fly out that day. The plane was there and it was going to leave however due to weather conditions (very hot) the plane could hold only so many people and so much luggage. The airline asked if we would mind waiting a few more days and being rebooked on a later flight back to Austin. In return they would put us up at a nice hotel in Durango, give us gift certificates to local restaurants there for all of our meals and give us 2 free round trip tickets for future travel. It was an offer we couldn’t refuse! The Doubletree hotel sent their shuttle bus to pick us up and take us to the hotel where a first class room over-looking the Animas River was waiting for us. We spent the next two days touring around Durango, which is a lovely little town. David’s parents were still in the area so they came down one night to join us and treated us to a night at the Bar D Ranch. It was a dinner and show and we had a grand time! We had to pinch ourselves for the opportunity to extend our vacation in such a lovely place and all at no cost to us. During this time that we took the scenic loop drive and we were not disappointed. We drove up to Telluride and spent some time there and rode the tram up to the village at the top of the mountain. Then on to the cute little town of Ouray, where we stopped for lunch. It was a very touristy area and full of people. The Million Dollar Highway is located between Silverton and Ouray and is part of the scenic loop drive. We drove through the Red Mountain Pass with its high elevation over 11,000 feet and even drove thru some snow. Yes it was July and there was snow on the ground in places and on the mountain tops. At times we were above the timber line. The high elevations got the best of me and I had trouble breathing and feeling dizzy while up in the higher mountains. I wouldn’t have traded in a minute of the trip though, it was all worth it to see such beautiful scenery.
the performers at the Bar D Ranch
Joe, Lou, Linda and David at the Bar D Ranch
David on the tram in Telluride
looking down on the town of Telluride from inside the tram
the beautiful town of Ouray
Red Mountain Pass, elevation 11,018 ft
