Nestled into the mountains, on scenic highway 550, lies the pretty town of Ouray. I learned that it is pronounced ‘Ooh-ray. We caught our first and only sighting of a majestic elk, standing prominently in from of the historic Elks lodge. Brew pubs appear to be popular throughout Colorado, but since we arrived at lunchtime and had miles to drive and a canyon to visit, we forwent the pleasure and had deli sandwiches and soft drinks.
I learned that because of the heavy snowfall and the extended period of rain this summer, wildflowers lingered into August in the valley of Crested Butte, Colorado.
Between Durango and Silverton are a scenic highway and scenic railway. We saw mountains with traces of snow in August, waterfalls, lakes of melted snow, fishermen, kayakers, motorcyclists, ski resorts, and off-road vehicles. Silverton’s elevation is 9,318 feet, one of the highest towns in America. According to a full-time resident Silterton had over 100 inches of snow and as many avalanches last winter. Only a few hundred people remain all year. We met a group of motorcyclists from the Netherlands, who rented Harleys in Denver and were enjoying the dry and sunny weather. Once a wild silver-mining town, it now appears to be a family-oriented destination. A jewelry store features Astorite, from a nearby mine formerly owned by John Jacob Astor. The gem’s rose color comes from rhodochrosite.
