Telluride, Colorado

Posted on November 1, 2012 by Nicki

Located in the San Juan Range of the Rocky Mountains, in the southwest corner of Colorado. It was a stop for us along the San Juan Skyway.

Telluride Colorado Photo by Andrew Leggett

Several friends of mine try visit Telluride annually and it is easy to understand why.

Telluride Colorado Hike and Bike Trail Photo by Andrew Leggett

It is surrounded by the twelve and thirteen thousand foot peaks of the Uncompahgre National Forest. Loved by skiers in the winter for the variety of skiing options, hikers in summer because it is in the midst of nature, and it is about 100 miles northeast from the Four Corners, which is the intersection of Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah; making it easily driveable from four states, and Denver is easily accessible by air.

View from Bear Creek Lodge Photo by Nicki Hurd

The prices were reasonable, and it has a relaxed and accessible feeling that I imagine is unique for a ski town. We stayed at Bear Creek Lodge in Mountain Village, which is a pleasant gondola ride away.

Telluride Colorado Mushroom Festival Photo by Andrew Leggett

Our visit was during the Mushroom Festival. Growers compete, artisans sell their creations, and a parade marches down the high street. It was lovely to see folks of all ages in costumes enjoying themselves.

Telluride Colorado Photo by Andrew Leggett

My favorite part was looking for bears; cycling on the Hike and Bike Trails that follows the river through town and continues out to a variety of trails that lead to water falls and other adventures. We passed a beaver dam, some ducks, and followed some paw prints, but did not see any bears.

Beaver Dam on Hike and Bike trail Photo by Nicki Hurd

August, 2009

Mushroom Festival 2009: Telluride, Colorado

Posted on October 21, 2012 by Nicki

Mushroom Festival Photo by Andrew Leggett

The information center informed us of the mushroom festival.

Mushroom Festival Photo by Nicki Hurd

Of course we had to go.

Mushroom Festival Photo by Andrew Leggett

Media was out to cover the event.

Mushroom Festival Photo by Nicki Hurd

The parade was full of characters.

Mushroom Festival Photo by Andrew Leggett

It was good fun for all ages.

Mushroom Festival Photo by Andrew Leggett

It is a delicious memory. August, 2009

Bear Creek Lodge: Mountain Village, Colorado

Posted on October 19, 2012 by Nicki

Located in the midst of birch and evergreen trees.

Bear Creek Lodge Photo by Andrew Leggett

The architecture blended beautifully with nature.

Bear Creek Lodge Photo by Nicki Hurd

Mountain views from all around.

Bear Creek Lodge Photo by Andrew Leggett

Even in August the fireplace was a nice visual.

Bear Creek Lodge Photo by Nicki Hurd

We explored the woods in the back and soaked in the hot tub.

Bear Creek Lodge Photo by Nicki Hurd

It is very soothing to be high in the mountains so close to the sky.

Bear Creek Lodge is in a quiet place surrounded by nature. The Mountain Plaza is nearby, has eateries and a market, and it’s just a short walk away. The lodge offers a shuttle ride free of charge, and there is a funicular from the lodge to Mountain Village Plaza. Riding on the funicular and taking in the view was our favored way to travel. When it was not in use we hopped on it.

The shuttle was driven by a lovely young lad from eastern Europe, working there for the summer. We had a discussion about bears as it is called Bear Creek; I was hoping to catch a glimpse of one. He told us they are known for being a nuisance. If they get into the rubbish they make quite a mess. Guess it hasn’t occurred to those bears that if they tidied up after themselves, they would have better relationships with the locals. Telluride was near enough for a meal, and it was enjoyable looking around from the gondola as we flew over the trees.

It was relaxing when we stayed in and stirred something up in the kitchen, and enjoyed the feast in the dining room. The condo was lovely with a gourmet kitchen and a jetted bathtub. The sun beamed in through the large windows that had no blinds, warming the room and pleasantly lighting the condo throughout. It was not too hot to be unbearable with the windows open, but it was just a little warm for me during the night because there was no air conditioning. That was surprising for such a luxurious place, but to others it might not be uncomfortable. Living in Texas with the chronic heat may have caused me to have a warmer core. :- ) I always look forward to cooler climates. As I recall reception said, “most of their business is done during the ski season and heat is the primary concern”. There is so much gorgeous nature around, and it is a temperate climate during summer, that it is a summer holiday pick for me. It was so nice that we stayed one more night than planned.

August, 2009

Mountain Village, Colorado

Posted on October 19, 2012 by Nicki

Elevation is 9,540 feet, making it a favored skiing destination, with slopes from easy to treacherous.

Mountain Village Photo by Nicki Hurd

It is higher than Telluride, which is just northeast.

Mountain Village Photo by Nicki Hurd

The village is only roughly three square miles. It has a plaza with shops, restaurants and a market.

Mountain Village Photo by Nicki Hurd

Even a call box if you need to ring someone.

Mountain Village Photo by Nicki Hurd

Staying in Mountain Village was a good choice for us. Telluride was just a gondola ride away from Mountain Village and the gondolas were just a short walk or funicular ride away from our Lodge.

Funicular Mountain Village Photo by Andrew Leggett

It is a very scenic way to travel. August,2009

Durango, Colorado

Posted on October 18, 2012 by Nicki

Durango is the first and the largest town on the San Juan Skyway “Road to the Sky”.

Road to the Sky from Durango Photo by Nicki Hurd

It was founded in 1880.

Skyway from Durango Photo by Andrew Leggett

It was established as a hub to haul precious metals from the mountains by rail, and to send supplies back.

Road to the Sky Photo by Nicki Hurd

It has a lot to offer but we only had lunch here. After having Thai food and a very short walk, we returned to the road to make it to Ouray before dark. August, 2009

Pagosa Springs, Colorado

Posted on October 17, 2012 by Nicki

Thirty minutes west of the Continental Divide is Pagosa Springs.

Pagosa Springs, Colorado Photo by Andrew Leggett

Pagosa means healing waters in Ute.

Natural Hot Springs Photo by Andrew Leggett

We stayed at Canyon Crest Lodge in the Balmoral Castle suite.

Canyon Crest Lodge Photo by Andrew Leggett

The lodge overlooks the Martinez Canyon. The redwood deck was well suited to the surroundings.

Canyon Crest Lodge Photo by Andrew Leggett

We were only here overnight and it was a rainy day, but the gardens and the area were lovely. The charming English hostess was there to greet us when we arrived. It was newly built with a fireplace, and natural stone arches, borrowed from styles of English castles. We met the architect who is also English. It is located in a quiet wooded areas with nothing else around, but not too far from the town square.

For dinner, we went around the town area and had Chinese take-away on a patio outside of a closed Subway Sandwich Shop, where we gazed at the sky which had cleared, and was full of stars. Breakfast was served in a gourmet kitchen looking out into the mountains. While we feasted, our host and hostess filled us in on Pagosa Springs and Colorado.

The vigorous rain stopped us from soaking in the natural springs. By midday we headed for Durango, the start of San Juan Skyway.

August, 2009

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Posted on October 15, 2012 by Nicki

The Mustang horses were brought to North America by the Spanish, and were descendants of Iberian horses. Some of these horses escaped or were captured by Native Americans. This guy looks like he has been here awhile.

Santa Fe, New Mexico Photo by Nicki Hurd

We had good timing, there was an artisan festival in the main square.

Santa Fe, New Mexico Photo by Andrew Leggett

Santa Fe, literally means holy faith in Spanish

Santa Fe, New Mexico Photo by Andrew Leggett

We stopped here on our way to Colorado, had lunch and a look around. Santa Fe is easy on the eyes, and I am hoping for a more lengthy return in the near future. Even the overpasses of the highway were colorful and attractive. The affluent neighborhood that we passed through first was full of beautiful homes of contemporary southwestern architecture, and natural landscaping well suited to this area. The southwestern lunch was tasty, as we sat on a Territorial-style balcony overlooking Santa Fe Plaza and took in the mix of architectural styles including Adobe, Pueblo-style vigas, and the Romanesque architecture of Saint Francis Cathedral. There is a deep beauty to witnessing the imprints that all of the different cultures have left on this region.

As we traveled on to Colorado, it was tempting to stop and take pictures everywhere. It’s easy to see why Georgia O’Keeffe got inspiration from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The mountains were magnificent, and have a redder tone than in Colorado. We were trying to make it to Pagosa Springs where we had reservations for the night, before sundown. August, 2009

Roswell, New Mexico

Posted on October 15, 2012 by Nicki

Roswell is home to the New Mexico Military Institute.

Roswell, New Mexico Photo by Nicki Hurd

It is known for the 1947 UFO incident.

Roswell, New Mexico

UFO Museum

Roswell, New Mexico Photo by Andrew Leggett

There was a crash, and conspiracy theorists claim it was an extraterrestrial spacecraft with alien occupants, and that its occupants were captured and held by the military. We were convinced. ;- )

It has made this small town a tourist attraction and a fun place to stop when traveling from Texas to Colorado. There did not appear to be many other options for interesting stops, until northern New Mexico so it was a lucky thing for us. Along the highway it seemed baron and depressed. It may be difficult to judge as highways tend to not be in the favored parts of towns. August, 2009

Box Canyon: Ouray, Colorado

Posted on October 14, 2012 by Nicki

Box Canyon by Nicki Hurd

A ravine with steep vertical walls.

Box Canyon Photo by Nicki Hurd

The Belly of the falls with rushing water falling eighty feet to the bottom.

: Box Canyon Photo by Nicki Hurd

Groups of these adorable chipmunks gather around a feeder at the entrance.

Box Canyon Photo by Andrew Leggett

The walkway

Box Canyon by Andrew Leggett

The side view

Box Canyon Photo by Nicki Hurd

The tunnel

Box Canyon Photo by Nicki Hurd

Box Canyon is a must-see with many hiking opportunities with various adventures. There are bird feeders and furry little creatures all around the visiting center. At the start we followed the walkway up the mountain trail to a suspension bridge, we made our way around and down the cliff-side pathway, with views of cabins and evergreens layered down the side of the mountain, through a tunnel, and ended outside in the surrounding forests. August 26th 2009

Bachelor-Syracuse Mine Tour: Ouray, Colorado

Posted on October 14, 2012 by Nicki

We ventured in on a mine cart…

Bachelor- Syracuse Mine Photo by Nicki Hurd

listened to mining lore…

: Bachelor- Syracuse Mine Photo by Nicki Hurd

until the cart got stuck.

Gold Hill by Andrew Leggett

Ouray was founded around 1870 when gold and silver was discovered in the in the San Juan mountains, the gold rush lead to the many mining communities that are now small towns.

After having the miner’s breakfast they offer, we traveled by rail into Gold Hill and got stuck in the pitch black darkness. It added to the intrigue, although I felt bad for the guide who had to wade back out through the water covering the floor of the cave, and get something to lever us back onto the track.

According to the tales, the miners were immigrants from Ireland that worked very hard and did not have it easy. Some things never change, like exploiting immigrants, but it lead to the establishment of the communities along the Skyway. August, 2009