Change of Plans

As we were sitting around the campfire last nite, I asked Mimi if she "Really, really wanted to go on the train ride Monday". Turned-out she didn't. I was also ambivalent. Our thinking was: We have to get up very early, drive 30 miles to Durango, find the Depot, and hope that they have seats. If they do, it would cost close to $200 for the ride. You go to Silverton, and are held captive there until the train leaves to return to Durango. Naturally, Silverton is a tourist town with $10 hamburgers, etc. I don't know, maybe we're getting burned-out, but that tour didn't sound attractive any more.

Instead, we will go into town, restock on groceries, water, etc. and get ready for our final push - the parks of eastern Utah. Several years ago we toured the western Utah parks (Bryce, Zion, and Capitol Reef). It was a great trip, but we had to return to work. This time we will try to see Arches, Natural Bridges, Canyonlands, and possibly some others.

So today we went to Durango to do some touring and restocking of supplies. Mimi wanted to see Fort Lewis College, since it had good memories when she last visited it when 12 years old. Her dad took some summer classes there, bringing the family.


The college had grown tremendously over the years, with many new buildings. The background of the Rocky Mountains is beautiful.




The clock tower in the center of the campus indicated almost lunch time. I decided to treat Mimi to a Burger King lunch in town. Lucky girl !

Mimi checking-out the lilac blossoms.

A nice view from the student life center. My college was downtown Chicago - with a much different atmosphere. These kids are very fortunate!



Sculpture of Potter Women on campus

Giant sculpture of a Horny Toad. Must be their mascot - notice the shiny front leg which is rubbed for good luck. Or someone has a very strange fetish...



The campus is on a mesa, overlooking Durango. Durango used to be a nice town, but it is overrun with with traffic. Geographic constraints keep if from expanding much.

On our way back to the Mesa Verde campground, we passed by the Hogan Trading Post. There were giant arrows sticking out of the ground, surrounding the building. Fearing that they were recently attacked – possibly by the fabled Pueblo Grande tribe, we pulled into the souvenir shop and breathlessly asked if they were OK. The manager laughed – the arrows were just telephone poles painted like arrows and set into the ground at an angle. Whew ! That was a relief ! While there Mimi bought a wooden cane. Perfect. She could use it as a fire poker, and, when her knee goes out – a cane. Now that’s a practical souvenir