it was time to take a little walking tour of Ouray. Check out the street.... the photo is level!!!
This is the Ouray County Courthouse - What a setting right?
This is the Wright Opera House. I found it so cool that all these little towns have opera houses. When we went to Leadville we saw the Tabor Opera House. Can you imagine the sophistication back in the 1800's to attend an opera?
The Wright was built around 1881 and was built to *Offset the influence of the Dance halls, Saloons, andGambling Dens"
This ( above ) is the Beaumont. There is a mine by that name too. and at one time this place was painted bright pink. it was built in 1886 and in its hey day - Theodore Roosevelt Stayed there. It is open today - well - it was closed for Thanksgiving - but it is open as a hotel today.
I think that would be fun to stay there next time.
We then headed north to Grand Junction. We decided to take the interstate home - so had to get to it!!
This is a car that was parked by the store we went to:
Some of my Kids went to college in Grand Junction - so early on we became a fan of this place!!
Gelato Junction!!!! I had Chocolate and Toasted Marshmellow and it was sooooo yummy!!!
We also hit the Loki Store. Loki is one of our most favorite brand of jackets - they have built in gloves and face masks , venting systems and draw cords too. They are the best for hiking, and then I got one this time in a heavier canvas for chores and ranch work... but!! I got Purple... I love it! (I don't have to save it for chores!!)
Saying goodbye.... and heading home.
We got home in the dark, but woke up to this!!!
And finding out the Roads we had just come over one were snowy, ice packed, and full of accidents. The canyon we drove thru had a 50 car pileup, and car had gone over the side on the Million Dollar Highway..
I would like to say that I timed it perfectly and knew what was going to happen... but I didn't - it just worked out so well for us!
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I absolutely loved Ouray over 40 years ago! It has probably changed a little since then. What a spectacular setting for a town! I have enjoyed your vacay photos so much. How fortunate you were on the timing!
ReplyDeleteOh, what a fun trip! We don't get away very often, but I love exploring new places and learning about the history when we do. So glad you didn'r get caught in that pile up - yikes!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad the timing of your trip worked out well. Sounds like a great time to me!
ReplyDeleteThe history of our country is so fun to explore. Glad you made it home before that ice and snow made travel so dangerous.
ReplyDeleteevery now and then I hear of a car going over the side of the Million Dollar Highway and so wish they would put guard rails up. it is a beautiful drive but must pay attention for sure and not go on it in bad weather. The whole area there is so pretty. When we went to Silverton we drove to Ouray one day and I do believe we found a parking spot right by that Beaumont hotel and there were public bathrooms at the side of the building - did you ever use the hot springs pool in Ouray? We did years ago and it was so nice.
ReplyDeleteI commented a couple of days ago on your Silverton post. And then I forgot to press publish. Those road sure can be scary, I'm glad you made it through safely. Your got a nice picture of Mount Garfield and the pictures of the tall dilapidated mine building (in your previous post) was frame worthy. You'll have to go over Red Mountain pass (Million Dollar Highway)in the summer sometime and see the beautiful waterfalls.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures! I love the treats at Gelato Junction!!!! The accident was not a happy part of the trip but we will not think about that now!
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking us along on this most recent adventure - so much history and your photographs really help us feel like we were looking over your shoulder.
ReplyDeleteLove the architecture photos. What a fun trip. So glad you missed the big weather change and all that went with that! Toasted marshmallow??? I'll take a large serving please.
ReplyDeleteOuray is such a cool place. So glad you missed all the drama of that Thanksgiving bad weather. We drove the Monday after and missed all the nasty stuff in Oklahoma, though there was snow on the ground and cars when we got home.
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