Driving Narrow, Winding, Beautiful Million Dollar Highway

We drove over the Million Dollar Highway in western Colorado twice in the past week, once to visit Silverton from Ouray and then, with the trailer, moving from Ouray to Bayfield. 

Why is it called the Million Dollar Highway?   I thought it was because that is how much it cost to build. Google tells me it is because of the views.  And they are impressive.

Much of the highway is narrow with lots of curves and no shoulder or guardrail.  It is certainly not for the faint-of-heart and must be really difficult for the many Texans who come to Colorado in the summer.

Last winter brought lots of snow and there were numerous avalanches along the highway.  Here we could see the trees knocked down and the dirt left from the snow that came down the mountain.

This view from our GPS shows us what the road ahead looks like.

The hillsides are often very green.

This is a view of part of the San Juan Mountains.

This area of Colorado saw lots of silver mining in the 1800s.  There is still some evidence of the mining buildings.

As if the GPS view wasn't bad enough, look at this sign--a 10 mph curve.  And obeying the speed limit is a very good idea.

Another spectacular view.

More evidence of avalanches.

Beautiful red mountain.

We both grew up in Colorado and were often in the mountains.  Since we no longer live here, it is sos good to spend a lot of time enjoying those mountains during this summer's travels.

Ouray Box Canyon

A must-see location near Ouray is Box Canyon.  Creek water has cut through the rock to create this narrow and deep canyon.  You can see from the pipes along and across the canyon that water from the stream is diverted to town.

A little further up the trail we could really see the rushing water below.  Colorado had impressive amounts of snow last winter, leading to heavy snow melt.  We have also had several days with rain since we arrived

In the winter, this box canyon is used for ice climbing.  This sign at the base of the trail/canyon illustrates where the ice climbing can be done.

In town, we saw sporting goods store with ice climbing equipment.  I wouldn't consider either rock climbing or ice climbing.  Scary--and really cold on the ice.

Enjoying Ouray

From Montrose, we moved on to Ouray, a mountain mining community not far away.  As we walked around downtown, we saw flowers everywhere.

We've seen Little Libraries in many communities.  You can pick up a book and leave a book.  This one in Ouray is the most attractive we have seen.

More flowers, in an old ore cart.

A mural wit flowers.

Guess what?  More flowers.

I love the weather vane on this building.  I think it is the county courthouse.

This the interior of beautiful St. John's Episcopal Church in Ouray.

And one of their many stained glass windows.

There are many old buildings in town that have been restored.

More flower baskets.

Everywhere you look,their are spectacular mountains.

This metal gate is truly a work of art.

Visiting Ouray

After going to Telluride, I said we would not visit Ouray on a Saturday. So, what did we do? Last Saturday we drove to the mining town of Ouray. But this time we got an earlier start. After walking the streets, appreciating the Victorian architecture and having lunch, we drove out of town just as the streets were beginning to fill up. In fact, we were so early most of the restaurants hadn't opened for lunch when we were ready to eat. We had to wait for the Timberline Deli to open before we could order our sandwiches. The early bird may have to wait for the worm but it beats the crowds.

The drive to Ouray could be just as beautiful as that to Telluride if it weren't for the haze caused by forest fires in Oregon and Montana.

We happen to enjoy old carriages, especially when they were once a funeral home hearse. This really beautifully restored one was parked in a garden along the main street.

Ouray was once a prosperous town and many ornate buildings were constructed.  These first two photos show the Elks Club.  Sorry, no RV campground at this one.  But the stained glass windows are great.

The surrounding mountains are a good backdrop to these structures.

We rarely buy anything when we go shopping in gift shops. But I do get inspired when I see wonderful turned vases and bowls.

It was a good way to spend a Saturday (of Labor Day Weekend, no less) morning.