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.
