Day trip to Ouray...

Trevor and I decided to spend the day in Ouray, Colorado. Neither of us had ever been, or experienced the most dramatic part of 550 between Silverton and Ouray (known famously as the Million Dollar Highway) as it curves somewhat precariously at great heights above the Uncompahgre Gorge. So, after deciding to rest after yesterday's hike, it seemed like a good day to make the hour and a half journey to the so-called Switzerland of America.

Plus, there was only *supposed* to be a 10% chance of rain or afternoon storms. Considering the drive, the gorge and the overall highway curviness (not to mention Trevor's lowlander driver status), we thought good weather would be a perk with the least amount of potential risk of embarrassment on the road. Hey, the road was high and the drop off STEEP, people!

All in all, we found Ouray to be absolutely charming. We had lunch at the local brewery, and spent the afternoon shopping and walking/driving around town. When what we thought was a passing shower hit, we sought refuge inside one of coolest, little coffee shops in Colorado and spent a couple of hours drinking chai tea and catching up on emails while sitting on deep, comfy couches. It was fantastic and very relaxing.

Unfortunately, the rain only increased as the afternoon wore on, so we decided to cut our losses and head back south to Durango.

Here are some of the day's pictures:

Entering the famous section of the Million Dollar Highway
headed towards lovely Ouray, Colorado.

Tunnel.

The Beaumont when we first arrived.

Trevor REALLY wanted to eat at Billy Goat Gruff's.
Unfortunately, there was absolutely NOTHING I could eat on their menu.
It was a sad realization for poor Tevo.

We ended up eating at the Ouray Brewery.
This was the view from their rooftop dining area.
I had the tiniest sip of Trevor's beer, and was surprised by its chocolate after taste.
I don't even LIKE beer and thought it was fabulous.
(This is really saying something)

Why no popcorn? Haters.

View of the main street through town.

The Beaumont as the weather started to deteriorate.

The Courthouse. 1888, baby!

Shops along the main drag.

Overlooking Ouray on our way out of town.

It was still sunny on the north side of town.
(If you look closely, you can see the Beaumont)

Storminess moving in.

View of Ouray from higher up 550.

The way back home kept looking worse and worse.

Clouds looking westish (I think).

Of course, the road in the OPPOSITE direction was all sunshine and blue skies.

The Switzerland of America.

Trevor requested photos of both these signs. I nearly FROZE to death taking them. The temperatures in the pass plummeted quickly as the rain started to pour.

Not necessarily the weather a lowlander wants to see on curvy and gorge(y) part of the Million Dollar Highway.

Headed back to Silverton.

I can't wait to go back to Ouray in the future. There are a bunch of hikes in the area that I am itching to try at a time when I am not held hostage by a heart rate monitor. Including two of the area's fourteeners: Mount Sneffels and Uncompahgre Peak. Hope Thor likes the mountains!