What a day we had today! It certainly didn't go as planned, but ultimately we couldn't have planned it better.
The day began with a stop in Colorado Springs to visit the Garden of the Gods. Really a spectacular site. My pictures won't begin to do justice to it. It was pretty chilly and rainy, but worth getting cold for.
The day began with a stop in Colorado Springs to visit the Garden of the Gods. Really a spectacular site. My pictures won't begin to do justice to it. It was pretty chilly and rainy, but worth getting cold for.
We visited Manitou Springs, had breakfast at a great little place, Mo's, and then visited a couple of at galleries. We had heard someone say that the rain was going to turn into snow, and a check of the weather confirmed that in fact, a blizzard was moving in, with 8 to 12 inches due. Since we were headed northwest toward Salt Lake, we decided we'd better get going. We didn't get 20 miles out before the blizzard hit us. We decided that maybe New Mexico would be nice, and we turned around and outran the storm.
Then we changed our mind again and headed for Durango CO. We ran across a little town on the way called Fort Garland, and pulled in at what we thought was the visitor's center, but instead turned out to be the White Mountain Trading Post. Quite the unexpected place! We were warmly greeted by Melina, who told us about the place and gave us a tour, which included meeting Sammy, the Macaw.
Then we changed our mind again and headed for Durango CO. We ran across a little town on the way called Fort Garland, and pulled in at what we thought was the visitor's center, but instead turned out to be the White Mountain Trading Post. Quite the unexpected place! We were warmly greeted by Melina, who told us about the place and gave us a tour, which included meeting Sammy, the Macaw.
Browsing through the shop was like visiting a southwest Wonderland. There was a prodigious collection of native and local crafts, jewelry, antiques, and low and behold, a dulcimer! Khrysso plucked at it a bit, and before I knew it, he had
6 or 8 of the family members standing around enjoying his music. One very talented young woman, Amy, brought her violin out and together they kept us entertained for more than an hour. It was wonderful!
6 or 8 of the family members standing around enjoying his music. One very talented young woman, Amy, brought her violin out and together they kept us entertained for more than an hour. It was wonderful!
Thanks to Melina and all the family for the ice tea, hospitality, and for sharing music with us. And thanks to Amy for being willing to share her music--she is entirely self-taught, and is most impressive. Oh, and I can't forget to mention the beautiful German shepherds that are bred and raised by Eleeshea, another of the family's businesses. Yep, there's just too much there to cover it all, but check out their website at www.wmtpmuseum.com.
Back on 160, we got as far as South Fork when the snow started to move in. Plus we were hungry and had just about despaired of finding a restaurant open on Sunday night on this lonely strip of road, when we came across the Rockaway Cafe...it couldn't have been more perfect. The ambience was warm and cozy, and Barb, our hostess, took good care of us. She warned us off trying to get through to Durango over the Wolf Creek Pass tonight, and told us about a place just up the road that would be a good place to stay the night while we waited out the storm. Bob and Sherry Mason made us feel right at home here at the Wolf Creek Ski Lodge. It's a nice, cozy place with comfortable rooms and tomorrow is another day...night all.
Back on 160, we got as far as South Fork when the snow started to move in. Plus we were hungry and had just about despaired of finding a restaurant open on Sunday night on this lonely strip of road, when we came across the Rockaway Cafe...it couldn't have been more perfect. The ambience was warm and cozy, and Barb, our hostess, took good care of us. She warned us off trying to get through to Durango over the Wolf Creek Pass tonight, and told us about a place just up the road that would be a good place to stay the night while we waited out the storm. Bob and Sherry Mason made us feel right at home here at the Wolf Creek Ski Lodge. It's a nice, cozy place with comfortable rooms and tomorrow is another day...night all.
