My camping equipment

My camping equipment
Campsite setup

Friday, July 29, 2016

Vacation 2016, Ridgeway State Park, Orvis Hot Springs, Red Mountain Pass, Silverton, CO, and Telluride, CO

Ridgeway State Park is located just north of Ridgeway, CO in the foot hills of the San Juan mountains. Barbara and I have stayed here in the past and find the park a great place to stay with scenic views and good facilities. We love the central location close to Orvis Hot Springs and Ouray, CO, two of our favorite places to visit when we are in this area of southwest Colorado. The Red Mountain Pass Highway over to Silverton, CO is located just north of Ouray, CO following a old wagon trail known as the Million Dollar Highway both today and when it was built back in the late 18 hundreds. It was a toll road back then with the owners charging 5 dollars a wagon which was a hefty fee back in those days. We also visited the famous silver mining community and ski town of Telluride, CO which is located just 37 miles away from Ridgeway State Park. Telluride is also known for the many special musical festivals that are held here every summer. We also decided to extend our stay one more day beyond the three days at Ridgeway and camped out at Orvis Hot Springs to soak in the warm hot springs one more time. We spent the first day we arrived at Ridgeway State Park soaking as well. I guess you could say you can get to much of a good thing. This special place beckons travelers to relax and enjoy the sheer beauty of the surrounding mountains. The following images provide a insight to many of the beautiful areas that make up this majestic part of Colorado which is dominated by the 14,000 foot peaks of the surrounding San Juan mountains. There are so many places to explore in this area that a traveler could spend a month here and not see it all. Or even perhaps a life time. 


Ridgeway State Park Reservor

View of San Juan mountains from our campsite at Ridgeway State Park


Our Campsite at Ridgeway State Park


Orvis Hot Springs 

Because this is a clothing optional hot springs I could not take pictures of the springs. I must say the grounds our beautifully landscaped with mountain flowers and the springs our natural and beautiful especially at night under the bright stars.

View of the San Juan Mountains at Orvis Hot Springs


Similar view looking north from Orvis Hot Springs

Our Campsite at Orvis Hot Springs, 8-2-2016

Ouray, CO

Main Street in Ouray, CO

Cascade Falls, Ouray, CO

Ouray Brewery

The Western Hotel in Ouray, CO

This image and the following images are views from the Red Mountain Pass Hwy. also known as The Million Dollar Hwy. 






Abandon Silver Mine near the summit of Red Mountain Hwy. 


The Idarado Silver mine which is not in operation today

Red Mountain Pass, 11,018 feet

Silverton, CO, City Hall

American Legion Building in Silverton, CO

The Shady Lady Saloon

Miners Memorial in Silverton, CO from a distance

Main Street in Silverton, CO

This image and the following images our of the famous Durango & Silverton narrow gauge steam engine run. These two old steam locomotives were ready to take their passengers back to Durango, CO






Main Street in Telluride, CO

Barbara in front of The County Courthouse in Telluride, CO


Galloping Goose Engine #4 used on the Rio Grand Southern Railroad years ago. This engine is adjacent to the court house in Telluride.


Tram ride up to Mountain Air Village in Telluride, CO


View of Telluride, CO from the tram

Mountain Air Village from the tram




San Jaun mountains back drop as seen from main street Telluride, CO



Colorful rainbow as seen our drive back to Ridgeway State park from Telluride






Thursday, July 28, 2016

Vacation 2016, The Mine Shaft Inn, Rico, CO

Rico, CO is a lovely old mining town located high in the foot hills of the San Juan mountains of southwest Colorado. We stayed at The Mine Shaft Inn an historic hotel and hostel that has been restored back to it's original state from the early mining days when this community thrived. Today it is a travel destination for those who love the remoteness and out door activities that surround the area. The rooms there are reasonable and the atmosphere is very inviting providing for a comfortable and relaxing stay. Barbara and I like to take a break from camping out at least once or twice during our trips to enjoy the comforts that are not available to us when we are on the road. We explored Rico touring the small museum, waundering down to the hot springs near town and viewing the old water tower that was restored from the days it was used for the Rio Grande Southern railroad. The railroad is no longer operational having been used during the boom times long ago to haul ore out from the silver mines.



The Mine Shaft Inn, Rico, CO


Restored Railroad Water Tower

Rico Hot Sprins




Pancho (Proprietor), Huckleberry, Barbara and Doug 




Main Street, Rico, CO