Pagosa Springs to Durango

Pagosa Springs and San Juan River
August 1, Durango, Colorado
Jack enjoyed his golf and our dips in the pools of the mineral springs at Pagosa. I enjoyed massage, watsu (massage in the pools) and periodic dips in the pools as well.

It was a relaxing couple of days in a funky little town at 7000 feet elevation. Pagosa Springsis pretty busy during the mild summer months and a little less busy in skiseason. The town has less than 2000 residents and as we explored beyondthe main street, we found mostly very modest homes outnumbered by trailerhomes. The conversations we overheard among locals were about their trucks,their repairs or the recent head-on collision of several young “cowboys”with another vehicle. Not much going on outside of hot springs and fishing.

This morning we had a lovely brunch at a Victorian tearoom and then packed upand headed west. We deviated from the main route to Durango and went througha valley past Chacoan era ruins, farms, rivers and lakes. Simply beautiful and peaceful.




The landscape also included "car farms!"
We arrived in Durango at late afternoon and wandered through the stores, visiting a friend briefly in her store. This was our day without a plan so we had to scout a hotel. We found that most hotels were sold out, but found the General Palmer Hotel (built in 1890s) had a room or two available. I had stayed here several years ago and found it charming. This time, they had teddy bears on the beds!
After checking in we stopped at the other “gay 90s” hotel, the Strater, and listened to a ragtime pianist for a short while before going to my favorite Durango restaurant, Red Snapper. We were not disappointed by our meal there: food and service were excellent. We toppedoff the night with a walk around town.
Sunset in Durango
Tomorrow, we traverse the Rocky Mountains to Aspen where we meet up with my partners to conduct the Aspen Family Business Gathering.