Durango, Co. to Arches NP & Hanksville, Utah

Mon - July 6th

It was a nice 69 degrees when we left the campground in Cortez, Colorado and turned northwest. Destination - Arches National Park, Utah.

We traveled on US491 with the mountains behind us. Most of the terrain was flat, farmed, and covered with Alfalfa. Numerous very large ditches were cut around the farms for either drainage or irrigation.

We enjoyed the peaceful drive along the country highways.
Once we crossed the state line into Utah it didn't take long before we started seeing the mountains again.







We turned north on US191 and started to see what looked like solid rocks for mountains. They continued with many different shapes and colors.




We arrived at the Arches National Park after a 2 1/2 hour drive. It was already in the upper 90s and the sun was HOT!!!!
Arches are formed by water & ice, extreme temperatures, & underground salt movement. They range in size from a 3' opening (the minimum) to 360' base to base like the Landscape Arch. (the most popular arch) As time goes on new arches are formed and old ones change or disappear with the effects of weathering and erosion.
More than 20 motion pictures have been filmed here and not all of them were westerns.


The road to the Arches zig-zags up the mountain behind the motorhome.

Also the walking trails will do the same to get to the viewing areas of the Arches.





A view back down to the parking lot shows the twisting road that we used to get up the mountain. Little did we know what was in store for us later.





Here is an outstanding view of the terrain.








Sharon, with the view of "Balanced Rock" behind her. This trail was only .3 of a mile








Native Plants - Juniper. they have a strong pungent odor about them. The roots grow very long digging into cracks in the rocks for water. The tree will cut off water to some limbs, letting them die, to preserve the rest of the tree.





Look hard and you will see me and quite a few others in the north Window Arch. It was very shady underneath with a strong wind. That made it worth while to hike to this Arch.




Here's a view back to the parking lot. The trail to the north Window Arch is 3/4ths of a mile.







We continued on the trail until we could see both the north & south Window Arches.






The most photographed arch is the Landscape Arch. We drove to the parking area near here, got our water bottles, hats, and determination in check then hit the trail. It was 102 degrees in the shade and we were looking at over 1 1/2 miles of up & down terrain, sanding trails, & very little shade to get there.

Sharon at our 2nd break in the hike.


Finding some shade to cool down under was limited on this hike.

The prairie is beautiful and fitting for any postcard.






Most of the time you're looking up and will miss some of the flowers and desert creatures that live here. Here's a picture of a Spotted Lizard. I tried to find out the name but all I can find is Spotted Lizard. Guess that will have to do.




Whew! What a hike! We finally made it and believe me, it was worth it. This fragile arch may not be here for our grandchildren to see.





Red face, hot, and sweating we asked another red faced person to take some pictures of us and he took about 5 of them. We thank him and took a couple of pictures of his group before we left.

Even though we were tired, hot, sweaty, & winded we managed to keep our tempers in check and enjoy what we came here for.

We left Arches NP & continued north on US191 towards I70. We stayed on the interstate for about 30 miles. We then took Utah 24 south to Hanksville, Utah. We were both pretty tired from the miles and the heat, so we nailed a campground in the desert.





Here's a view of the campground. We were surprised by the sand spurs that were in the gravel all over the campground. These little guys hook to your shoes and end up in the motorhome. Trust me, they don't feel very good when you are barefoot. It only took one lesson to get us to police the carpet in the MH and check our shoes from now on.


When Sharon was directing me into the campsite she heard this loud noise behind her. Cattle climbing on piles of pipes to get to a bush by the fence. They must have been pretty hungry.






Check our the horns on this baby. That would make anyone a fine hat rack or a hood ornament for their truck. (haha)





I couldn't pass this one up either. Another junk pile directly behind the campsite. I guess we are spoiled.
We have noticed that out here most people collect their own junk.
The more they have may say something for their status in the neighborhood. It doesn't represent their net worth but what they have spent, used, and discarded.
Arizona, New Mexico, & Utah will have an enormous supply of metal if we ever need it.


We stayed here a couple of days, no cell, & no Wi-Fi - just rest and relaxation. When we leave here we will travel to Capital Reef NP & then to Bryce Canyon NP.
Hopefully, not too many more trails but if necessary, we will tackle them too.

Stay tuned and Happy Trails.

Durango to Silverton, Colorado

Sun Jul 5th
We climb out of bed early this morning, skipped breakfast, and drove 43 miles to Durango, Co. to catch a train. We had to be there to check in by 8:30 and since we arrived 10 minutes early, we decided to have breakfast at McDonald's.

We picked up our boarding tickets and climbed on the train. We opted for the San Juan car which was closed in, with good seats, and windows. We were 3rd car from the end of the train which is a good choice. This is a coal burning steam train and the soot, cinders, & smoke need time to blow away before it gets to us. Of course, as the temperatures went up, so did the windows. When we were at our highest point the temperatures dropped considerably and so did many of the windows.
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is coal fired steam engine that is enjoying 128 years of service. They have several restored cars from open air coach to the Victorian splendor of the Presidential Class. We opted for the Deluxe Class of the San Juan coach. A refurbished 1887 coach, which has a closed vestibule for viewing, and reversible comfortable seating. A narrow gauge train railroad tracks are 36" vs. 56 1/2" on a standard track. This enables the train to make sharper turns.

The train ride goes through spectacular canyons with breathtaking views of the Animas River & takes about 3 1/2 hours to reach Silverton. This includes about 4 stops, two of which are for water for the train. The elevation changes from around 5200 feet at Durango to 9300 in Silverton. We spent about 2 1/4 hours in Silverton, the train was reversed, and we got to see the other side of the view on the way back to Durango.

We both enjoyed the entire day including lunch and a stagecoach ride in Silverton. Check out their website: http://www/durangotrain.com

Okay, enjoy the pictures below, and the comments. Remember, you can view the pictures in full size, by just clicking on the pictures.



Train Station at Durango, Colorado









Sharon with the train in the background. See the black smoke! The Conductor will provide eye wash if you need it.







I'm leaning out the window, ducking the tree limbs, so I could get a good picture of the train as it rounds a curve. Naturally, after many pictures like this, I had to get some eye wash before we arrived in Silverton.







Check out the white water rapids in the Animas River in the canyon below.







The river started to look a lot smaller as we climbed to higher elevations.









The Conductor, while collecting tickets, did mention that it is a long walk back if you don't have a ticket.







When you are up high there are usually places a lot higher up than you are. Check out this beautiful scenery.







Silverton Train Station - Elevation 9273 - Est. 1874
After 3 1/2 hours we arrived in Silverton. This is an old silver mining town. Mines are now worked out & closed. The train brings about 140000 tourists to the town today. There is also two ski areas in Silverton. Using the Saloons for movie sets, several movies were shot here which include, True Grit, Run for Cover, & Across the Wide Missouri.



Sharon smiling and getting off the train. A long ride and a great experience.








We decided to take the stage coach ride to see the town.









Yep! That's me getting off the stage coach.

"That's one step for mankind and one "Giant" step for the old man.





Town Square - a 126 years ago there was a lot of fun on Blair Street. (developed as the red-light district)








Here's a good picture of the horses and stage coach driver. A little bumpy, but a good ride, on the dirt streets of Silverton.










Sharon posing in front of the Shady Lady Saloon.

In the good old days, there were 22 saloons. In the 1940s, most of the saloon ladies, citing competion, left after the local girls who "gave it away", in fits of patriotic fervor during WW II.




The old car blended well with the rest of the town.









Sharon boarding the train. I think she was ready to go!








Now here's a RV owner who has found his little piece of Paradise.





I mentioned in the last update about a couple of new friends. Larry & Trudy were camping at Mesa Verde and decided to come into Durango for dinner. After dinner they went to the train station to watch the DSNGRR train come in. When they went to the parking lot to pick up their truck they spotted us at the motor home getting ready to leave. What a small world this can be. Good to see you both, again!


We left the parking lot and said goodbye to Durango. Our next trip takes us to Utah and to the Arches National Park. Until then............
Happy Trails!