Monday April 13
My friend and travel buddy Lynne is the very best at researching trips and has done such a fantastic job for us on this one. Fortunately for me, she likes doing this research and sharing the results! So here we are in Durango, Colorado for four days. If we have a "main" attraction for this trip it is Mesa Verde National Park -- but more on that later.
Susan was sweet enough to drive us to the airport, leaving home at 3:35 a.m.!! Lynne and I "knew" we would get there a bit early for our 6:10 flight but that was fine as it would allow Susan to miss the commuter traffic on her drive to school/work. I ended up in the slowest of all lines to get through security check and upon exiting on the other end, the announcement said ten minutes to boarding for our flight. What? What happened to being very early??
Oh well, we were at least there on time. Once landed in Denver, we had a mere 30 minutes (which turned out to be 22 minutes) to get to our connector flight to Durango. We boarded that plane and all was well. We rented our car at the (quite small) airport in Durango and drove the 15 miles to our (fantastic) hotel.
Lynne's research uncovered the Historic Victorian Strater Hotel.
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| Check in here |
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| The entry lobby of Hotel Strater |
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| Sitting room with fireplace |
The hotel opened in 1888 and thrived during the railroad and mining years. The most famous person that I know who stayed here was Louis L'amour of Western novel fame.
After checking in to our room, we went to the Diamond Belle Saloon, part of the hotel, to have a late lunch.
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| We didn't arrive by horse but had fun none the less |
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| Current waitresses wear these costumes |
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| In the bar |
We were directed to Pedal the Peaks bike shop, got a good deal from Cliff and Jason on rentals, and took off for some exploring. Found our way to the Animas River Trail and got information and a map from Cynthia at the information center located along the trail.
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| The Animas River |
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| Handpainted characters in the bike tunnel depict the many activities in Durango |
This is quite the fly fishing river so I had to have a photo for Susan...
Lynne and I did not do any mountain bike riding but I had to take these next three shots for Jaydon. I think he is an upcoming mountain biker.
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| Mountain biking hills built alongside the paved River Trail |
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| Getting ready to rrrrrrummmmble... |
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| The kids are having great fun. |
This long and active day was a good recipe for a soak at Trimble Spa and Mineral Hot Springs. Ahhhhh -- so nice on our tired muscles. An end to a wonderful and full day.
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