Grand Adventure: Day 4 Route 550

This day, we set out early, rising at 5:30am to go to Durango/Mesa Verde/Cortez... we really had no idea just how far our travels would take us. DD#1 was in an incredibly great mood, bubbling with chatter. DD#2 was quiet. I think she was unsure of the drive ahead of us. Hubby wisely chose the "scenic" route. Route 550 across Colorado.

Our first pass was Wilkerson - 9,502 feet ... We topped the summit and my breath was literally taken away; my jaw dropped. The view of the Mosquito & Sawatch (?) ranges.

The rest of the drive, my jaw continued to drop - - the views were stunning. The song.... "The Majesty of the King" kept reverberating in my mind. We were blessed with clear skies and comfortable temperatures.

My jaw has road rash as it continued to remain agape throughout the drive - tee hee

The Continental Divide - Monarch Pass 11,312 feet. The snow covered peaks, the rugged terrain, the pine trees... my ears popping, needing more oxygen :) :)

Hwy 550 - a very scenic route through the mountains. The road is windy, with many switchbacks and several passes. Hubby drove through them with skill while we girls gasped at the waterfalls, the peaks, the drop offs (right next to the road and my seat!), the views.... I took pictures and then put the camera down and decided to just enjoy the viewand the ride. Even the towns we passed through were at heights of 9,000 ft. Ouray declared itself the Swiss of the Americas - this the beginning of the amazing drive. Silverton - the mining town in the middle; finally coming down to Durango at around 6,000 feet.



We continued to Cortez for the night. Hubby relaxed in the pool with the kids - he earned a relaxing evening following all the mountain driving. I did some laundry. We slept well.