Colorado 2013: Day 6

June 7,  2013:   Today we were up early again, to get an early start to Mesa Verde National Park. Google Maps said was approximately 2 hours west of Durango, but happily it really wasn't - it was only about 40 minutes - so we got an even earlier start than anticipated.  

The park contained beautiful vistas, and amazing cliff dwellings from the ancient Anasazi.  It was a bit of a hike to the cliff dwellings, but well worth it!  

Seen from outside the park

Entrance

Visitor Center

The photographer at an overlook

What she was looking at!

 Vista

(iPhone version of above shot)

More vista

Suz shooting (photo by Bob)

 Beautiful cliffs

Beautiful cliffs framed with wild roses

We hiked down to the Cliff Dwellings

Saw this guy on the way down

  

More Vistas from above

More Cliff Dwellings 

Yucca in bloom on the high desert

Back to Durango, after a great time exploring Mesa Verde

Dinner and some shopping capped off a wonderful Day 6!

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Colorado 2013: Day 5a

An addendum to Day 5:  Painted Lady Windows in Silverton.  I really liked these portraits, painted on many windows in Silverton.

Colorado 2013: Day 5

June 6, 2013:   Another early morning wake-up.  Today we're riding the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad from Durango to Silverton!  All aboard at 8:00AM!
 

The D&SNGRR travels 45 miles each way, from Durango to Silverton, and is an unforgettable journey along the spectacular Animas River, one of the last free-flowing rivers in the entire western United States, and boasts some of Colorado's most striking canyon scenery. The train climbs nearly 3,000 feet in its journey: from an elevation of 6,512 feet in Durango to 9,305 feet elevation in Silverton, secluded high in a valley of the San Juan Mountains. 

The Durango Depot

Inside

Pulling Out

Our Open-Air Gondola Car

Conductor

The scenery along the 3.5 hour trip was just spectacular.  It changed around every bend and curve, and I took so many photos, it would be impossible (and boring!) to post them all.  So here are some of the best.

Photographer

Steep Curve Ahead!

Animas River

Photographer (photo by Bob)

Wildflowers

Approaching Silverton

Disembarcation

Engineer

Lunch!

Walk Around Town:

A "throw-away" photo that I did some editing on:

Last look at the train 

before returning to Durango by bus!

We saw scenery from a different perspective, on the bus ride home ... as we drove over high mountain passes on a steep winding road!

We arrived back in Durango around 3:30PM, visited the Museum, and then had an early dinner at a local BrewPub.  A great finish to a wonderful day!

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