Crested Butte, Colorado

We were shooting for Black Canyon of the Gunnison when we planned our stay at the Gunnison KOA. Needless to say, it was the only overshoot I'd made on our trip. I didn't realize that the Black Canyon ran just outside of Montrose, where we'd flown into and out of, and not 50 miles away, where we were in Gunnison!

It was truly a pleasant surprise. We'd spend the day exploring Crested Butte instead! What a joy it turned out to be! Crested Buttle is about a 30 minute drive north of Gunnison. In winter, it appears to be a ski village, but in summer, it claims to be the wildflower capital of the world!



We spent some time really getting into the thick of it...driving right into the heart of Gunnison National Park on what Joe thought was one of the most amusing parts of our whole trip - we went off road....well, sorta..it was a dirt road, not really made for small cars, but just fine with our Jeep!



We ate at the most amazing little pizzeria! Considering a lot of "mountain food" is apparently fried, and we saw Rocky Mountain Oysters on an actual menu, no joke, it was refreshing to have some good freshly made pizza that wasn't FRIED! Pesto and meatballs! YUM!




We walked around and explored town for a bit before heading back to camp in Gunnison! What an artsy little town Crested Butte was!



Sometimes, things don't quite work out the way you initially planned, but end up surprising you in the end. Isn't that the case?

Silverton, Colorado

Who knew places like this still existed in the United States?



Surely, Silverton is a town that takes you right back to the Gold Rush of the late 1800's. With it's dirt roads and saloons and Main Street feel that hasn't really stepped much farther than time allowed, it surely was taking a step back into history! Let's not even mention the Silverton-Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad - aptly our destination!



This was by far one of the most remote areas of the United States I've ever been to. Our drive from Ouray to Silverton originally had me thinking, "There will be homes and gas stations and perhaps other towns between the two!" Boy was I wrong!

As we drove through the switchbacks of the San Juan Mountains, there truly was nothing! Sure, as you got closer to Silverton (where they brought out Silver by the Ton), you'd see old mines off the side of the road, but it was certainly a serene and peaceful drive.



Before we went, I wasn't so sure the switchback drive was for me coming back from Silverton after dark. It really was a white knuckle drive, with the mountain on one side and a vast drop on the other - with no guardrail!



When we reached the top, we were rewarded with views of Red Mountain. I can't even begin to tell you how amazing it is to drive around one corner, only to be confronted by the most breathtaking mountain in front of you, glaring in reds!



This trip was for Patrick too...and that boy of mine, he does love his trains! So we bought our tickets in the old train station for a one way to Durango (we'd take a motorcoach back). As we stood there, the rain began to fall, and off in the distance, we could see the train coming down the tracks towards us. One thing came to mind:

I wish i was a headlight, on a north bound train;
I'd shine my light through cool colorado rain.
-Grateful Dead

I know the Dead often sang about Americana, but this gave it new meaning for us!



Patrick really enjoyed the train. I'm not sure, though, if he realized fully that he was ON the train, and that it wasn't just in front of us! He'd see the locomotive off in the distance and announce to us, "choo choo!" And when we deboarded in Durango, it was all to do to explore without every other thought being of going to see that choo choo that he remembered seeing when we got off the train!



Our trip through the wilderness was amazing! It was beautiful and awe inspiring! I kept looking for wildlife, but we weren't so lucky. When a tour guide in Durango asked if we'd seen anything, he was quick to say that many of the train passengers lately have been seeing bears! Where were our bears!? Ahh well, perhaps next time we'll see a bear!

Ouray, Colorado

After a few days of camping, what better place to go than Ouray! A bit of relaxation and a comfortable bed would surely do us well. (Also very thankful that the bears would be locked out!)



Ouray is famous for its hotsprings, and of course, we were certain to partake in them! The pool is divided into several different spaces and temperatures. We spent some time in each, but even the chilliest at more than 85 degrees felt rather cold compared to the others!



Ouray is nestled amongst some beautiful mountains, with plenty of hiking to be found. It is often referred to as the Switzerland of the Americas. It certainly didn't disappoint!



Easy trail? Really? And they are still worried about losing hikers! We knew we were in Colorado!

Telluride

As we drove into the mountains, I knew what to expect. I'd seen pictures over and over again. It was a beautiful place! Up and up we headed, and the mountains kept coming! But when I saw the waterfall, I just knew...there it was, Bridal Veil Falls...We were finally here!



It's been many years since we have been to a Phish festival, and even though this wasn't exactly an official festival, it certainly felt like one! There was an incredible vibe in the town. Everyone felt lucky to be there! As did we! You could tell it was going to be a great weekend!



The first night threw us for a curveball, though. In all of my planning, never did I imagine that Patrick, of all people, would suffer from altitude sickness! The poor little thing. He certainly wasn't feeling well, and we always said that we'd do what we had to do at Phish to make him comfortable. Being at the show was not there...so we headed back to our tent after the first set to cuddle in and listen from there.



Luckily the second night, he was a bit better. Tylenol seemed to help. So did a familiar playmate, our friend Jude from Vermont! We walked out of that show feeling very much complete after a disaster of a first night!



Telluride was amazing! Everyone was there for the shows, as was quite evident. We'd all travelled so far to be there...we were all together in one place. Special is truly an understatement!