No matter where you stop, the scenery is photo worthy.
Fall color envelops an RV on the Million Dollar Highway.
Snow comes early in the San Juan mountains.
wooden mining-era buildings around town. On our return to Ouray, driving through autumn’s glory once again, we stopped frequently to take pictures. When snow fell in the mountains a fewdays later, the whole area was transformed into a peaches-and-cream winter wonderland. The Million Dollar Highway can be traversed by big RVs, and semi tractor trailers drive over it all day every day. However, there are sharp turns and very steep grades, so be sure your RV’s engine and brakes, as well as your own nerves, are up to the task. We found that driving it with our truck first before towing our fifth-wheel really helped. The arrival of fall’s sumptuous colors is a feast for the eyes in many parts of the country, but the dramatic landscapes in this special corner of Colorado are among the best and are well worthy of an RV road trip.
The few dirt streets of this town, laid out in a classic grid, are home to just 639 people; however, tourists swell the ranks every day. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway chugs up the mountain delivering passengers into town after an exhilarating 45-mile ride up from Durango. The train travels only between Durango and Silverton, making a round trip up and down the mountain once to three times a day between May and October. For those who don’t want to tackle any mountain driving, taking a trip on this train into Colorado’s alpine heights is a relaxing way to see the sweeping views. Once a year, over Memorial Day weekend, the Iron Horse Classic bicycle race pits cyclists against the train in a man- versus-machine race up the mountain from Durango to Silverton. And every year, a few cyclists beat the train to the top. This crazy race was first run decades ago by the Mayer brothers when older brother Jim, who was a train brakeman, challenged his brother Tom to jump on his bike as the train passed their house going to Silverton. After we arrived in Silverton, a stop at the Avalanche Brewing Company, where they make their own “elevated ales,” was a must. Brightly painted in primary colors, with a picket fence made of snow skis out front, the inviting front porch of this little eaterie was the ideal spot for lunch. Afterwards, we enjoyed a stroll past the old,
FOR MORE INFORMATION Black Canyon of the Gunnison : nps.gov/blca/index.htm Ouray Colorado : ouraycolorado.com Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad: durangotrain.com
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