Colorado Day 4: San Juan Skyway, part 1

 After a fabulous morning at Black Canyon of the Gunnison and lunch at the Rib House in Montrose, we headed south on 550, to Ridgeway, CO, and the beginning of the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway. At first it was a nice highway in a wide valley with steep mountains on either side. Ridgeway is another of the old mining towns that are typical in the area whose 19th-century Main Street has been preserved along with a lot of delightful old houses.

But soon the valley narrowed and the road began to climb. This is the major route from Ridgeway to Durango, but it isn't fast. It IS awesome.

The town of Ouray is another of those mining towns turned tourist center. We didn't stop on Main Street for a picture, but there was a look out at the top.

We climbed over three separate 10,000+-foot passes.

It the peaks had not clouded over we would have been blinded by the glorious aspens, and I would have been begging Steve to stop for more pictures. Believe it or not these are all I took in the afternoon. 

We arrived in Cortez a little before 4:30. I'm beat. Ready for a quiet evening. Steve is watching the Lynx basketball and I'm getting ready to read my book. 

Tomorrow is the goal of our journey--Mesa Verde.

Part 2 of the Snn Juan Skyway won't be until Wednesday. Hard to believe it will be as spectacular as this afternoon.

Today's route: