Visiting Durango - Any Time of Year

Hello? Anyone there? Blogging was just not happening for me during my Spring Break. It wasn't so much relaxing as eventful. One of the events was attending an Archaeological Conference in Durango, where my husband went skiing and my brother met up with me for a trip on the Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad. I have been taking this train since I was a kid and I highly recommend it if you are ever in Southwestern Colorado, or the surrounding area. The winter train goes to Cascade Canyon, instead of all the way to Silverton, but it was a beautiful trip! Here are some shots, mostly from out of train windows.

 

 

Some tips for a trip to Durango:

1) Go anytime, not just in the winter to ski at Purgatory. The train runs more or less year-round, and Durango and Silverton are both charming little towns.

2) Eat at Carver Brewing Company and pick up some growlers. It's where the locals eat. They have really great food, and they encourage you to drink beer with breakfast. They even have this special cocktail called the Razzmosa which has Raspberry Wheat beer, OJ, and Chambord in it. So good. Plus, they have real mimosas with lots of champagne, and if you drink more than one, you may stumble into the local bookstore and buy lots of books. That is, if you're me.

3) Stop by the historic hotel lobbies, even if you don't stay in one. The Strater Hotel is beautiful, and its restaurant, the Diamond Belle Saloon, has delicious food, like truffle fries. So good.

4) The skiing is good at both Purgatory and Wolf Creek. Really good. They also have summer activities so check the websites.

5) Go for a soak in Pagosa Springs (about an hour away), my favorite hot springs. There is the big Springs resort, but if you want an inexpensive, simpler soak, check out Healing Waters.

P.S. Here is a short post on a previous trip to Durango if you want more pictures.