What a truly scenic drive it was to Silverton and Ouray from Durango!!! Steve and I are constantly in awe of the beauty that G-d created in this amazing country of ours.
San Juan National Forest
Storm Clouds Rolling In
Rain’s a comin’
Scenic Drive to Silverton and Ouray
As I mentioned in my previous post, we had been to Silverton before. Our first trip there was in 2007. At that time we took a tour that got us to Silverton and then, after spending a couple of hours wandering the main street, we took the train back.
Log Load
Beautiful lake and campground in the Eastern Rockies corridor
I remember how spectacular that train ride was, and have some great photos to help with those memories. But once you’ve taken that train ride there’s no real reason to spend, what is now a small fortune, again. So the Pitts and the Axelrods piled in the car and drove that Million Dollar Highway to Silverton and then continued on to Ouray.
Silverton
World’s Highest Harley Store
Acres of Trees
Comin’ ‘Round the Mountain
The drive alone is worth the trip. It has to be one of the most scenic drives in America.
It’s the middle of June and there’s still snow on the mountains!
Do you see the puppies in the clouds?
Light and Shadow
Starting with our delectable lunch at Thee Pitts Again BBQ and some great shopping we learned a bit more about this old mining town, Silverton.
The Grand Imperial Hotel in Silverton CO
Piano ordered from John Wannamaker’s Department Store in Philadelphia
One of the highlights was the Grand Imperial Hotel. In the lobby there’s a gorgeous piano that I had an immediate connection to because it came from Philadelphia. The piano was purchased from Wannamaker’s Department Store in Philly. There’s a sign sitting on the piano that says: “John Wanamaker, department store founder, traveled to Silverton in the late 1800’s. The piano was ordered, then shipped, from Philadelphia to San Francisco,, where it was met by John Wannamaker, who personally traveled with it for delivery to the Grand Imperial Hotel sometime around the turn of the century.
Gray and Tan
Study in Purple and Gray
Scenic and Scary
Wannamaker’s was always special to me. When I was a teenager I would take the subway to center city after school ever Tuesday to meet my Mom by the Eagle on the main floor. Then before we’d shop the sales, we’d head to the café for Rum Raisin Ice Cream.
On the way to Ouray
Approaching Ouray CO
Another western town that takes us back in time
By the time we got back in the car we had shopped till we dropped. We were all happy to be seated on our way to Ouray. Once there we did go to the Visitor’s Center, then just drive around to get a feel for the town.
Rushing Waterfall
Trickle
Outliers
On our way home to Durango we got to stop and enjoy a couple of waterfalls which made our scenic drive to Silverton and Ouray absolutely perfect!
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