Durango, no rain on Sunday 7/3, so we took a long stroll on the Animas Trail that winds along the Animas River from the Durango Community Recreation Center. There were so many people walking dogs, riding bikes and just strolling with their kids. We found the Trail but looking up the local Volksport Walk and started out on the 5 K. The trail took us by the Fish Hatchery, a new library which faces the river with balconies and chairs to sit in and read while over looking the Animas. The river was alive with rafts, kayaks and canoes filled with determined paddlers. The current is fast and there are just enough rapids to make it fun. The river is crossed by several pedestrian bridges and fronted by, not only the trail but parks along the way. Deer graze along the way with only a little concern for the humans. We spotted the Animas Brewery along our route a couple of miles out and decided to return to this dog friendly place when we finished the walk. This brewery placement is brilliant. It is right along the trail and bikers and walkers filled the place. You can tie your puppy just outside the patio fence and then stop for lunch and fresh draft. So since we are also researching the quality of the Durango craft beer scene, we were impelled to check it out. Fun place, dogs and bikes surround the place, everyone mellow including the pets that are provided with shade and water.
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| Jim doing a scientific comparison of Durango brews at Animas Brewery. He is checking out their Amber in this shot. Bikes were leaned on posts that surround this outside patio. This brewery had a most wonderful location, right off the long River Walk. |
On one of the posts to the patio next to us, someone had created a very detailed lego construction that went around the pole. There was also one outside near the bike rack. I got a picture of that one. We decided that finding the Volksport Walk for cities we visit is just a wonderful way to not only get exercise but see the detail of a place. This one includes the trail, a walk through the historical downtown and back around to the Recreation Center.
Saturday, we had great plans to board Rose and spend the day touring Mesa Verde. We were up and out early, left Rose off for daycare and headed to the Park. We thought others would be doing Fourth of July weekend stuff but no, the park was overwhelmed with persons like us known as tourists. By the time we arrived, all the tour tickets for the day had been sold. We enjoyed the Center, and got to see a Hopi Dance group perform the Deer Dance. Jim got some good video. (too many megs to post) This Hopi family comes from their reservation in Arizona once a year to perform at Mesa Verde. After spending some time at the Park, we decided we will return at a better time and made our way back to Durango. Had lunch at Carver’s Brewery on Main Street which is one of the oldest and best regarded breweries in Durango. The locals, who had tasted all, gave us recommendations as we waited to get in. Saturday gave us some good thunderstorms and heavy rain for periods of time. It was beautiful and warm in between.
Durango seems to be peopled by many younger people involved in the dirt biking, rafting, kayaking and hiking. It reminded us a bit of Moab, Utah but Durango is also a place with much urban planning it seems. The infrastructure with trails and areas built for walking reminded me some of Portland but without the public transportation. We met a couple from Southern California on the trail who became nomads 15 years ago after they sold their house. They lived in a big RV for several years and now rent vacation homes for 3 months at time in different places. They return to Durango each year now. They said Durango also houses summer nomads from different states for it’s many summer activities.
Fourth of July dawned with clear skies so decided on a trip to Silverton about an hours drive from Durango. The narrow gauge trail runs from Durango to Silverton and back through the Animas River Gorge. It was the choice, on hind sight, would have been better taken instead of Mesa Verde on Saturday. So, we drove to Silverton and saw beautiful views and high mountain passes.
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| Mounts of the Women's Precision Riding Drill Team of Durango, Decorated for the Parade, Note the Harleys Preferred Bike of Colorado. Silverton Hosts the Highest Harley Davidson Shop in the World |
Our Geology of Colorado came in handy as the geologic layers of rock date to very early geologic eras. Silverton was busy with celebrating people and many dogs. Many of the puppies were as decked out for the 4th as there people. The town which produced both silver and gold from nearby mining is at 9400 feet and is accessed through Coal Bank pass at 10, 290 feet. The train has been the main connection to Durango almost from the beginning. Main Street is paved but other roads in town are not. It has many restaurants, breweries and stores for the tourists which come by train and car to visit. We walked with the crowds, ate pastries, and visited with Coloradans who live about an hour away but come up to camp at Sliverton for a week every 4th of July. The whole area from Durango up to Silverton is a big ski area in the winter.
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| Lego Sculpture on Sign Post at Animas Brewery Next to Bike Rack |
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| Lovely sculpture in front of a Durango City office dedicated to the Search and Rescue Dogs of 9/11. |
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