DAY SEVEN - Durango, CO
Durango, CO
Where I stayed
Taos Inn, Taos, NM
DAY SEVEN
May 24, 2015
From: Taos, NM
To: Durango, CO
Miles: 201
Time: 10:00 am - 3:00pm
I'm writing today from the fourth floor of the historic Strater Hotel in downtown Durango, home of the Diamond Belle Saloon. Louis L'Amour found the hotel so inspirational that he frequently booked rooms here to work on his Western novels.
Our day began with breakfast in the Taos Inn. Enormous portions of breakfast burritos with red and green chili sauce were plated for some while others opted for more rider-friendly eggs and toast. We packed up and rode out right at 10:00 am heading for Pagosa Springs and on to Durango.
The temperature was comfortable, but as we began to rapidly climb into the mountains. We made frequent stops to add another layer of warmth and to upgrade to warmer gloves. By the time we reached a scenic view pull-off at 10,500 feet in altitude, we had donned just about every piece of clothing we had with us. Cindy observed that we all looked like the Michelin Man. Billy and Kim were unrecognizable in all the garb and Ben and Virginia were still cold even with the multi-layers of protection. It was cold. Snow was around us but not on the road. The good news was we had reached the summit and would be heading back down in a mile or two. Hopefully to a more pleasant temperature.
Back down to 6,500 feet, we warmed up a little. We pulled into Pagosa Springs for a short break and to see the famous hot springs.
We check it all out, warmed up in the visitor center, and the launched out to Durango. The ride was scenic and the roads were pretty smooth except for some bridge work here and there. We stopped for gas one last time just outside Durango so we wouldn't have to bother with it in the morning. We found the Strater Hotel and quickly checked in. It is a really cool place if you like the old west look. Period pieces everywhere. Creaky floors and angles that had been created over time through sagging and shifting.
We met later on in the Diamond Belle Saloon and made dinner plans. Cindy knew of a place called Seasons and made us reservations. After relaxing and rehashing out day on the road we walked a block to Seasons. We were eagerly met by Vale, the manager, and seated in a cozy and private room. Our meal was really good, however, I misunderstood Michael, our waiter, when he described the specials as I ended up with a 32oz sirloin covering my plate. OMG!
It was time to call it a day. We paid our bill, thanked Vale and Michael for a great meal and we all felt we needed an evening stroll around Durango before we hit the sack. The walk was refreshing and did the trick as sleep came very easy.
PS: Billy got his bike fixed in Durango!!
Tomorrow we are off for the Grand Canyon! (And warmer weather?)
Buzz