July 3 – 7
Picasa web album link:During the drive to Durango the landscape changed drastically. We have left the desert and were now viewing green valleys and rocky mountains. It was beautiful and also cooler. We passed through town and headed for the RV park on the north side of Durango. This park is located along the Animas River and also the train tracks for the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway. This was awesome, as the train only passed through 3 times going north in the morning and the return trips around 5 pm.
After getting setup, we boarded the Durango Trolley to take
us into town. This was a great, free service to get around town and not have to
drive and park. Durango is very much a tourist town, even though this was the
Fourth of July weekend, it was not too crowded. Also, the locals were very
friendly and helpful; they really understand that tourism brings money to the town!
We checked out downtown, stopped in a local bar and had a drink on the outdoor
patio. We found the trolley made it so easy to get around, with multiple stops
along Main Street. Our plan was to take the trolley into town the next day for
the July 4th Celebrations.
The next day we did take the trolley into town to check out
all the activities for Independence Day. There was a breakfast, family events, barbeques
and various other venues for the holiday. We walked around town and did a
little shopping. We also checked out the local mountain biking trails. The Animas
River flows along the town, which we found was great recreation for rafting, paddling
and tubing. The town created a “whitewater park” on the Animas River south of
town, which was a lot of fun for watercraft to challenge the manufactured rapids.
We headed back to the RV for lunch and returned later to town for the rest of
the celebrations. We decided to drive into town as the trolley did have limited
stops and times due to downtown Main Street being closed off for the holiday.
We were able to park for free at the train depot parking area, which turned out
to be perfect viewing for the fireworks. The parade was at 6pm along Main
Street and in true western style was filled with local personalities, tractors,
horses, fire trucks and marching bands. After the parade, we hung out in
downtown until the fireworks began. We were able to setup our chairs by the
truck and watch the fireworks in comfort! It turned out to be a great Independence
Day celebration.
The next morning we headed out to go mountain biking at a
local trail, Horse Gulch. Since the town is down in the river valley, all
trails go up the mountains, which is a grind to start off with. This trail
began with a ½ mile, very rocky double track uphill! It was more of a bike-hike
for me, but once we got though that climb, we were in a beautiful meadow and valley.
The trails were pretty difficult, so I stayed on the easier ones while Kurt
went on to the technical trails. After an hour the temps got hotter and we
headed back downhill to the trailhead. It was not one of the more fun bike
trails we have ridden, but we still got some great exercise. After returning to
the RV, Kurt drove north along the Animas River to find put in and take out spots
where we could run the river. I decided that I would shuttle him and let him
get on the river upstream, as this was the calmest part of the Animas.
We decided to stay an extra day in Durango so that we could
ride the train from Durango to Silverton and back. This would take about 12
hours total time for the trip, so I went in search of a pet sitter that could
come to the RV and walk the dogs during this time. After several calls I was
able to find a great pet sitter. She actually came by the RV later in the day
to meet the dogs and get all the instructions. She was so friendly and also is
a vet tech. I could tell she is a true dog lover! We were now set to get our
tickets and enjoy the train the next day.
Later in the morning, we drove to the put in and Kurt got on the river.
I would pick him up in town at a local boat ramp. Later, we went back to town
to take the dogs to a local leash free dog park. They had been cooped up for a
few days and needed to run. They really enjoyed the freedom and met some new
doggie friends. Then we went to the Whitewater Park and sat along the riverside
watching the people on rafts, kayaks and tubes shoot through the rapids. Almost
all those on tubes were dumped in the rapids and lost their sunglasses, hats,
shoes, etc. It was very entertaining and
funny.
Our last day in Durango was spent on the train trip. This is
a historic train run that began during the mining days in the area. The train runs
mostly along the Animas River and many views were looking down into the Animas
Canyon. Despite the cloudy skies, the views of the mountains, forests, river
and canyon were amazing. The train staff was very friendly and accommodating. After
a 4.5 hour ride, we arrived in Silverton, an old mining town. This was the quintessential
western small town. It is now a tourist based economy, as there were many
restaurants and tourist shops. We had a great lunch at a local barbeque place,
which was awesome! We walked around town for about an hour and then we boarded the
train for the return trip. Along the way, we saw some scenery that we didn’t
see on the way up. After 4 hours, we were back in Durango. We were so fortunate to be able to take this
trip, as this is the only way to see the Animas canyon and the surrounding mountains.
When we returned to the RV, the dogs were well taken care of
but still happy to see us back. The pet sitter had texted me after she had
walked and played with the dogs. What a great experience! We then began
preparing for our departure the next morning, heading to New Mexico. There we
will stay a few nights at Abiquiu Lake and then on to Albuquerque to visit my
sister, nieces and husbands and all their children.