On the road again- Durango, Colorado

Durango, Colorado, was established as a boom mining town in 1881 by the railroad which hauled gold and silver ore out of the mountain mines to the smelters in town. City Fathers soon learned they had an equally precious commodity with tourists visiting the area.
At an elevation of just over 6,500 feet, Durango sits in a transitional zone between mountains and high desert. This diversity lends itself to a wonderfully temperature climate and an incredible variety of natural beauty.
Durango’s amenities are a nice surprise for a small town. Because of its world-class reputation as a “must see destination” visitors can choose from a wide variety of lodging, restaurants, entertainment, shopping, galleries and activities to suit every taste and budget.
The train was responsible for founding the town and has been in continuous operation ever since. No visit would be complete without a ride on the world famous Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. This steam-powered, coal-fired time machine carries passengers along the same route established 120 years ago. during the summer months, the train travels north to the historic mining town of Silverton and back for a full day of entertainment. Winter passengers enjoy a half-day ride with services to the Cascade Canyon Station and back.
The train travels on a 36-inch track high above the roaring Animas River. Passengers see telltale signs of yesterday’s mining and railroad activities as they ascend into the majestic San Juan Mountains. About three hours later, passengers arrive in the old mining town of Silverton, Colorado.
During a two-hour layover, visitors enjoy a relaxing stroll down the historic streets, shopping in the many gift stores, and having lunch in one of the many fine restaurants. the San Juan Historical Society sponsors walking tours of Silverton’s historic buildings, and the San Juan County Jail is an interesting stop.
The train is considered a living museum, but also offers visitors two additional museums with a variety of historical memorabilia and railroad artifacts. Special excursions like Brass n’ Barbeque, and Cinders, song and Sauvignon, and a full calendar of special events like Railfest and the Fall Photo Special keep the rail fans happy. Thomas the Tank Engine makes regular appearances annually at the D&SNGRR appealing to youngsters.
For the adventurous type, consider renting the Railcamp, a modified boxcar/recreational vehicle pulled by the train to a remote Cascade Canyon area and used as a base camp for exploring.
Reservations are recommended as more than 200,000 enthusiasts ride the rails each year. For reservations call
1-888-872-4607 or visit their website at www.durangotrain.com.
Mesa Verde national park is another “must see” in the Durango area. The park is located just 45 miles west of Durango, and has hundreds of Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings and archeological sites for viewing. Mesa Verde was designated a World Cultural Heritage site by the United Nations and rated the #1 “historical Hot Spot” by Historic Traveler magazine. The Park offers over 52,000 acres of high desert, mesas, canyons and a large variety of native flora and fauna for exploring, year-round.
Durango’s distinct four seasons enhance a wide array of activities. Winter offers alpine and cross-country skiing at Durango Mountain Resort as well as snowshoeing, snowmobiling and sleigh rides. Springtime in the rockies is magical as flowering trees begin to bloom and the Animas River begins to rush with spring snow melting. The river is popular for rafting, kayaking, fishing and other water sports all spring and summer.
Summer is very active in Durango. Visitors can enjoy horseback riding, camping, four-wheeling, mountain biking, Durango Mountain’s Alpine Slide and summer activities, championship golfing, miniature golf, rock climbing, and entertainment with the nationally recognized Bar D Wranglers and the diamond Circle Melodrama. Vallecito Lake is a popular boating, fishing and water sports hub.
Sunny and crisp fall days produce some amazing fall foliage in the Durango area. So colorful, it’s referred to as “Colorfest.” There are many special events during colorfest that celebrate this special time of the year and the golden aspen.
Year-round, visitors enjoy the natural mineral springs and pools at Trimble Hot Springs. durango’s new state-of-the-art fitness and recreation center, the slots, blackjack and entertainment at Sky Ute Casino in Ignacio and the shops and boutiques located on historic Main Avenue surrounded by Victorian architecture all create a home-town feel.
Cultural and heritage travelers will surely enjoy the numerous art galleries and museums. Fort Lewis college’s new Center for Southwest Studies is a state-of-the-art museum and research facility. Fort Lewis college’s Community Concert Hall also provides an excellent entertainment venue with music scheduled throughout the year.