Huffing and puffing, I made it to the top...twice in one weekend!
First we went to Silverton (population 531, elevation over 9300 feet). It is a quaint tourist trap and former mining town at the end of the Silverton-Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad. Tucked away in the mountains, the entire town is only a few streets. Dan got a job as Park Host for a new RV park. In exchange for a free space until the end of October, he has to check in people and answer the phone.
So we went to Silverton for his "interview". Prior to the interview, we met a couple of people who work in Silverton. We were immediately accepted as "one of them", rather than a tourist. And we didn't even have the position yet!
While we were waiting to meet with the owner, we walked around by the Animas river and Sasha enjoyed sticking her feet in. She wasn't interested in swimming. I imagine the water is cold, even for a husky, since it is snow runoff. After lunch, we hiked up a pretty good sized hill to the Christ of the Mines Shrine to the protector of the miners. The view was worth it...after I caught my breath!
View from the Christ of the Mines Shrine
Just to give you some perspective...here is where our truck is:
Yesterday we went to Chimney Rock archeological ruins. This Federally owned park is run by volunteers due to budgetary constraints. We saw excavated ruins of Anasazi Indians from 1000 years ago. The volunteer guide, Les, was great. The hike was a killer as we were so high up that there is only 30% of the oxygen you have at sea level. We took it easy and the view was incredible. Amazing to think that these people built their incredible structures so high up. Since they had no written language, there is nothing but the ruins to piece together the story of their villages.
After 40 years, I finally made it to a fire lookout station. When I was in high school, I was engaged to a very nice young man named Joey Ledet. Joey and I were going to get married and be fire lookout rangers. Being in that lookout station, I don't know how we would have done it. It was small and isolated. Ahh! The ideas of a young person. Here's to you Joey, where ever you are! I hope your life has been good as mine has been.
Lindie Hunt