Monday morning, we set off early in the RV to follow up some leads Chuck has developed for us to get our bedroom slide fixed (i.e. Not hanging out when we drive down the road).
We found everyone sympathetic and helpful, and by 9:30 had a guy at the NAPA Diesel Repair shop in the RV working on it. By noon, life was good again and the RV looked right when it went down the road. I've not experienced the can-do attitude of this place in a long time. They just said, sure we can do it - and they just did it. Pretty good for a place that works on big diesel trucks, not RV slide outs.
We've settled in a real nice RV park about 12 miles North of Durango - Durango Riverside RV Park. It's quiet, has all the amenities and is next to the river. We weren't sure we'd stay here, but everything has worked out and we like it.
Tuesday, we cleaned up the RV, made a few minor repairs (An RV on the road does have little things break or malfunction). Then we went to the community recreation center for a nice swim in their first class facility. THIS IS A CITY OWNED FACILITY. A first class lap and competition pool, a kiddie pool on the level with a mini Great Wolf Lodge, and a large hot tub. Plus a first class gym, exercise machines, meeting rooms, walking and bike trails, soccer and baseball fields and the list continues.
I've often read and heard that Colorado is one of the healthiest states in the country. And I'm told that Durango is one of the healthiest cities in the state.
It is no wonder. Here and many other communities we have traveled here in Colorado have first class recreation and park facilities - all paid for by taxpayers.
I cannot imagine a municipality in Carteret County, or a county in NC for that matter, that would invest in the personal health of its citizens like here. It is a priority among the citizens and the politicians to have healthy citizens and less health care costs. Wow! What a novel idea. And they have relatively low tax rates.
Thursday, we took up the Carson's recommendation to go to Pagosa Springs, about 50 miles east of Durango and visit the hot springs.
We did and we're glad. What a place. They have 23 individual, naturally-hot mineral pools, including a full size pool.
I got in another long swim, although the water was a little too warm for swimming very long - 94 degrees. But we relaxed for the afternoon and had a great time.
Friday, we had a morning of relaxed enjoyment of downtown Durango. We took a nice tour of the Railroad Museum.
We had planned to go hiking in the afternoon, but the weather looked threatening, so we went back to the RV for a relaxed afternoon.
While downtown, we started following up on Durango Cowboy Poetry Gathering that is being held this weekend. We checked and found that the events start tonight, so we bought tickets to the Cowboy Mystery Theater, which turned out to be a great evening of singing and poetry by some very talented amateurs. We thoroughly enjoyed the evening.
Friday, Sept 30
We met Chuck and Cheryl for a tour of the mountains, and quite a tour it was. We hit the peak of the aspen and cottonwood trees turning in the high elevations. We went on a loop that included Telluride, Ouray and Silverton. We once again traveled the "million dollar highway" that we had done in the RV a few days earlier when all I saw was the yellow centerline of the road. It was a lot more fun this time.
There were thunderstorms on some of the mountains, which at the higher elevations (13,000 ft +) was producing snow. Some of the pictures actually do capture the beauty of the mountains and the leaf change.
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| Downtown Silverton |
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| The "million dollar highway" |
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| And they really mean it!! |
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| Snow on the mountains |
Saturday, October 1
We finally are really leaving Durango. We have really enjoyed 1) Chuck and Cheryl 2) The incredible scenery and experience, and 3) relaxing without moving the RV. It was wonderful.
But before we left Saturday morning, we stopped in downtown for the largest non-motorized parade in Colorado. It is part of the Cowboy Poets Festival. It was all horses and walking.
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| The Marines |
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| Horse and Buggy (the real thing) |
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| Grandpa and the kids on horseback |
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