Vacation: The Relaxing Journey Part II

Ouray was the destination, Cortez a midpoint in the journey. We didn't want to get stressed, didn't want to be rushed, and wanted Galen to have some fun. Taking a day to reach Cortez turned out to be the right decision. After we laid Galen down to sleep, we adjourned to the stoop, got out some chairs and enjoyed the cool evening.

I'm not sure who woke up first, but I made it to the bathroom first. Eventually we were both up and about, quietly that is, 'cause Galen was still snoozing. Naps are occasionally problematic, but he sleeps well at night. After walking the dogs, visiting the office for coffee, and getting some things repacked Little Man finally woke up. So far, so good. He had been an excellent traveler up to now. With a little luck...

Our truck is decidedly slow and ponderous compared to some others. With 2/3's of the driving past us, beautiful mountains just in front, speed was no longer an issue. Here is where our fellow travelers were to meet up. First up was Preston. He arrived fresh in Cortez after four to six hours of sleep in the past few days. He joined us at the Anasazi Inn for breakfast. Shortly afterwards Travis, Misty, Brodie and Christian arrived and our band was complete. Ouray, here we come.

Here is were things get a little thin the documentation side. Between the stop in the Painted Desert and inside the condo in Ouray I did not take a single photo. Use your imagination...

Leaving Cortez, we wound eastward along SH 160 towards Durango. The horizon was getting closer, higher in the air as world changed from the flat plateau & butte land of the Four Corners to the mountain foothills of San Juan Range of the Rocky Mountains. I was happy. And Galen was snoozing again.

That meant our next stop wasn't until pass number two between Durango and Ouray, the Molas Divide. As far as mountain passes go, this one's pretty well stocked. There's a scenic pullout and a restroom - all at 10, 910 feet above sea level. The restroom wasn't one to deserve a photo, but the remainder of the view certainly was. As we climbed out of Durango, the air grew moist, trees more plentiful, and the peaks more dramatic. And we won no speed races. Leading our convoy, we slowly crept up and down through the curves, gully's, rock walls, and scree fields and SH 550 fingered north towards Ouray.

Racing (yeah, right) downhill from the Molas divide were found precipitation and the town of Silverton. But we were close to our destination, the children were all rested and willing to sit after our stop at the Molas Divide so we cruised on towards Ouray. One of these days I will stay in Silverton awhile, but now was not the time.

Technically speaking, we had been on the Million Dollar Highway since leaving Durango. But to me, it the downhill from Red Mountain Pass into Ouray that make it a Million Dollar Highway. The views are beyond my ability to describe. And then there's the sheer drop-offs just two feet from the tire into the chasm, and no guard rail. The sheer walls of rock, trees growing in impossible places, waterfalls, all combine to one of the most scenic drives I've ever had the pleasure to drive.

We were in Ouray, the condo had been secured, dinner was started, and our adventure was about to begin.