13 - 17 September 2000
A
little map showing where I live and where Colorado is. One of the reasons for the
trip was to take in the most scenic railway journey in the US from Durango to Silverton
along the Anamis river.
One of a
million excellent scenes en route from Durango to Silverton. Taken at the beginning
of the journey
It didn't
take long to get to the many, many good bits. This is taken from the last carriage.
One of
the spectacular gorges (taken from the train.)
From the
back of the train.
From a
bridge (obviously)
Passing
countryside
More...
A little
mine site in the hills. Love the location.
Our
train at Silverton with me and Andie
The
Silverton main drag. It was a mining town, now dedicated to tourism.
Ted and
Andie in some of the backstreets.
On our
way home to Durango ('Doorango')
Driving
to Telluride.
Car-cam,
taken from our trusty Pontiac chariot.
Yours
truly in the mountains
Andie
with a new found friend in Telluride. We went to see a Blues festival for a couple
of hours, but they wanted 30 greenbacks for a day pass, so we said 'bugger that' and found
plenty more to do.
Telluride is a ski town, so we caught the gondola up the mountain to have lunch in the ski
village. Pretty bloody nice.
Telluride from the top.
The 3
intrepid travellers up up to Bear Creek Falls. Photo taken by yours truly, which
accounts for the misshapen heads - that's my story and I am sticking to it!
Some
more 'standard' scenery.
The
falls. A little small for my liking, but still 'a picture.'
Looking back down the valley from the falls. Would you like a cabin with that view?
A tree
after being 'beavered', with the beaver lodge in the background.
A close up of the lodge. Note the close proximity to town. The town is very
proud of their beaver.
The
train from Chama to San Antonito. It was a 'double header' (two locomotives), but
this bridge could only take the weight of one at a time. Doesn't instil one with
confidence, does it?
The two
locos.
Another
magic site. Lovely autumn (fall) colours.
More
magic.
Some of
the narly mountain sites
Some of
the varied landscape
Coming
our of New Mexico back into Colorado.
How much
magic can one take?
Mesa
Verde National Park. Home to the Anasazi from about 1AD to about 1500 when
they left, supposedly due to a drought.
Andie
with me looking like an absolute tubber. One of their dwellings now named Spruce Tree
House. 114 room and home to about 100 people. The 3rd largest dwelling in the
park.
An entry
into one of the rooms. A characteristic shape for their doors
The room in context. Bloody strange place to build a home I think.
The
dwelling, with a kiva (ceremonial chamber) in the foreground, entered by ladder. The
timbers in the background are original - 500 years old!
Looking into a kiva without it's roof.
From
inside another kiva.
Image
living here...
Another dwelling - Cliff Palace. 217 rooms and 23 kivas.
Unfortunately we had a date with a plane, so we had to POQ. Such a shame.
We a great life experience.
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