I knew the road from Ouray to Durango was a beautiful, curvy scenic drive which I didn't want to miss, as I had done it once before with my kids, but I knew nothing of the storied history of the “Million Dollar Highway”. I picked up bits and pieces from historical markers, but finally found this PBS documentary that really added context to the drive. Only in retrospect can I imagine the hundreds of workers exploding the mountainside, the economic boom and bust of silver mining, the expulsions of the Utes, and the silent majesty of the mountains looming over history. As I mentioned about hiking (and acting), when driving a road such as this, you'd better not get distracted by the scenery! Two pics from the early days:
After the smoking brakes at Black Canyon, I wanted them looked at, and needed the tires rotated in any case. I pulled into a place in Durango and they were able to do the work same day, but would take all day. So I had a day in Durango. I went to the train museum and learned about the narrow gauge line to Silverton. Durango and Ouray were competing for the supply line to Silverton, with the end result being the Million Dollar Highway.
Once on the road with new, heavy duty brakes I drove to Mesa Verde, and explored the park the next day. This National Park is about the anthropology of the ancestral Puebloans who transitioned from nomadic to agricultural life and cliff dwellings between 700 CE and 1500. When the area was first being explored, the story was of “the Lost Civilization”; as if the people mysteriously disappeared. With more research and consult with descendants, the understanding is simply one of migration. The reason could have been drought or depleting resources, but some migrated south to the Rio Grande, others north into Ute territory. The signage illustrated how the technology and engineering improved over the centuries to enable eight story dwellings that are still standing 800 years later.
The next stop was Moab, UT where I was meeting up with my old friend Kenny. He took me up on the idea of flying out, booking AirBnbs and exploring together! Utah is packed with National Parks. We did Arches the first day, then Canyonlands, then left Moab for Monroe and did Capitol Reef. All along the drive were epic viewpoints and astonishing cliffs and canyons. One spot had great reverb so I had Kenny record me on the native flute.
When traveling solo, you make all your own decisions. It has been a pleasure to travel with someone and enjoy being flexible. You don't get to see that part of yourself if there's no one around to be flexible with.
