Tom&Shelly wrote:In Durango there is the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. ...
There is a good mining museum in Silverton. There is also a mine tour (different place, but also in Silverton). The "Million Dollar Highway" ... the best part is actually North of Silverton (away from Durango) to Ouray.
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A little Southwest of Durango is Mesa Verde National Park, ... Doloras has a little railroad museum which features the "Galloping Goose (no. 5)" a gasoline powered railroad bus. ...
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Tom
Tom&Shelly hit some of my favorites
US 550 runs north n south thru the region providing some spectacular scenery
the small town of Ridgeway is where several scenes from John Wayne's movie True Grit were fimed and the True Grit cafe has enclosed the wall behind where he was 1st seen in the movie
the park in front of the cafe is where the hanging took place
heading south on 550 you come to Ouray where you can swim in the natural hot springs heated pool
http://ourayhotsprings.comthere is a silver mine tour in Ouray where you ride mine cars deep into the mountain
the mine tour also offers a great breakfast al fresco
heading on south up n over Red Mtn Pass you travel along the $1m hwy which is breath taking(pay extreme attention to speed limits/recommendations)
once in Silverton lunch @ Handlebars is a good experience
http://www.handlebarssilverton.comlotsa history in Silverton as Tom said
if you can spare the time drive out the east end of town up the Animas River toward Animas Forks as far as you care to where you will see the remains of several very impressive mining operations
south of Silverton on to Durango on 550 is a beautiful drive
once in Durango we have stayed in the United CG on the north end of town which has nice facilities and the narrow guage RxR runs right thru it
http://www.unitedcampgrounddurango.combite the bullet and RIDE THE TRAIN for a day's entertainment(ride in the cattle car and ride both ways to see both sides of the tracks) take rain wear and good sunglasses/eye protection for the flying cinders
http://www.durangotrain.comwhile in Durango eat breakfast @ the DURANGO DINER on Main St
my bride n i share THE KITCHEN SINK OMELETTE w/ the green chili on the side and have never been able to finish all of it
& we always bring a few jars of the Green Chili Sauce home w/ us
http://www.durangodiner.comMesa Verde really is worth the trip
when going to Telluride you can park free in Mtn Village on hwy 145 on the west side of the mtn and ride the ski lift/gondola over the mtn for free REALLY FUN RIDE
south of Telluride just off 145 on 63L you can find the first AC power generation plant west of the Bug Muddy in Ames
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ames_Hydr ... ting_Plantyour quest is admirable and i wish you safe travels
sw