Durango visit April 10

 

The La Plata Mountains

Our first stop was the gallery, "Studio & Gallery"  - a co-op of different artists from the area.

Kendra and I liked this art book, with an interesting new story line. I wanted to buy it for her, but missed my chance. Don't go away (I now say to myself) and think you'll go back to get it! I left the money for it with  my son, and hope he has a chance to purchase it for me, since he works in Durango sometimes. Most of his work is from home these days.

Kendra (daughter-in-law) window shopping. But ahead is one of our destinations in Durango, the Artisan Ice Cream Shop with their own concoctions. I had Belgium Chocolate, while my son had Espresso ice cream in espresso coffee. Kendra had the Belgium Chocolate and something pink. (see below)

I kept our table while they did the orders, and I spied an old sign, the La Plata Jewelry store.

Durango had lots of shops, but my breathing was limited, so not much strolling that day. It's about 6300 feet above sea level and I had had pneumonia 2 weeks before. So most of my tourism was by car.

The Strater Hotel is from the early days of this mining town.

There were many beautiful old houses to be seen as well.

I was curious about this very grey ridge, with no vegetation on it's sides. Tai has gone mountain biking on part of it and he said it's all shale...very slippery to bike on.

Sharing with Skywatch Friday

Today's quote:

Everything changes when you start to emit your own frequency rather than absorbing the frequencies around you..

..when you start imprinting your intent on the Universe rather than receiving an imprint from existence.

~Barbara Marciniak

Back to Black Mountain NC

 Personal update:

Came home Tuesday..I'd say afternoon, but had to wake up at 4:15 am to catch the 7 am flight from nearby (1 hour drive away) Durango to Denver. Caught some breakfast at 9 in a Starbucks in Denver airport. Then somehow missed having lunch since I arrived in Asheville around 3:10 pm.

Dawn in Durango, getting ready to take off.

The last views of snow covered peaks.

The huge Denver airport...thank heaven for the cart to ride in between gates 

Much of central US seems to be these checker board fields, with an occasional circle based on irrigation methods.

Finally we passed over a river, and saw some tree covered hills/mountains.

ARRIVAL:

That landing was one for the books...probably the Captain has sore arms from holding the plane steady as possible with cross winds. He'd announced over the speaker about 30 minutes before that the airport was telling planes to go to Atlanta because there were gusting 51 mph cross winds on the runway.

But even though we all were holding on, (and probably lots of prayers were being said internally,) with all the bumps we had the plane landed safely. And did we let out a big sigh of relief? Nope. There was a round of applause in the full cabin!

My seat-mate for this flight was "Squirrel" - that's her name apparently. I asked if I could take her picture with the Steam Punk hat. She was interesting to chat with, and we found a few commonalities. For instance, we both have lung conditions (and I wore my mask all the time except when snacking).

HOME AGAIN:

So I took a nap that afternoon, and ran out for a fast food dinner. I've been spoiled the last week with wonderful home cooked meals by my son and mainly by my daughter-in-law! Anyone want to come be my partner and I'll cook for you, but you must clean up the kitchen afterwards! I have at least two sons who have those arrangements with their spouses!

Sharing with Thankful Thursday!

Now back to my usual routine of downloading photos!!

Today's quote:

We open the door of the unknown together. We invite each other to experience the miracle of being. Guillermo Cuéllar 

Telluride and Rico CO

 A wonderland valley of snow clad mountains, Telluride

Mines were the attraction originally to bring people to these mountains. One still exists close to the end of Main Street in Telluride.

As we came back into the town, we got to see this wonderful herd of elk right next to the road!

Very little traffic that day!

So the crew was out painting the lines on the street.

As we returned down the mountain, we passed another old mine in the very small town of Rico.

Sorry, I didn't get out to read the sign.

Today's quote:

Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity.

Pema Chodron

Ski town in "Mud-season"

   Telluride is very busy in winter & summer but not spring!

First snowball went to my son’s back, purposefully missing him. So he took this of my very cold hands! My big achievement, a snowball on April 11 In Colorado mountains! We continued on up to the ski resort of Telluride.

The lift gondolas were working, and here one leaves it's shadow on the stream below.

There was more...so I'll post tomorrow some other photos. 

Today's quote:

Your very own inner wisdom should be valued more than any other and will always guide you in the direction you need to travel.

Telluride to see snow

 

Day trip to Southern Ute Museum

 

Leaving Cortez with the La Plata Mountains in front of us.

I enjoyed seeing the early spring trees with mostly yellow tones.

On the right, you see three cottonwoods But I’m not sure what the yellow ones are.

The Sky Ute Casino

Museum building back side

Entrance courtyard to museum

The arbor framework finishes the circular entrance court area, much as it would at many indigenous tribes’ pow-wow ceremonies.

 

Central to the indoor lobby is this totem.

Once we entered the actual museum displays we saw this teepee.

When you sit on the logs a few recorded voices give details about it. This was the technique used throughout the museum.

I enjoyed seeing the construction with all these huge wood columns.

I liked this woman’s dress with cowrie shell decorations but was a bit dismayed to see some plastic beads strung at the hemline. These larger beads didn’t look like glass to me - but I could be wrong.

I had used up my energy by then so missed much of the displays about the Utes after Western Europeans arrived in the area.

Today’s quote:

Your very own inner wisdom should be valued more than any other and will always guide you in the direction you need to travel.