Durango Silverton and Animas Forks

Yesterday we drove into Durango to do a little shopping (which we quickly figured out is Little Bud's least favorite activity and one of Big Sister's favorites!).  We originally planned to take the train from Durango to Silverton, but when we tried to get tickets, they were almost sold out, and we couldn't find 4 seats together.  The lady who checked us in at the campground (where we got the last site!) told us that this is the busiest time they've ever experienced.  I think because gas prices are so low right now (on our last trip we paid almost $5/gallon for gas, we think our entire trip might cost about the same as what we paid for gas alone on our last trip!!), more people are traveling. So, I guess we'll have to ride the train next time we are in the area; which might be best anyways, since the kids will be older and better able to remember the experience.  If you are ever in the area, I highly recommend the train ride.  It is remarkable; the scenery is absolutely breathtaking. 

Since the train was out, and we had heard a lot of good things about the 4 wheel drive access roads around Silverton, we decided to drive up and check them out.  When we got to Silverton (which is a really cool old mining town where most of the architecture has survived), we decided to head along the Animas River to Animas Forks, which is an abandoned mining town or "ghost town" that has been somewhat preserved. The drive was spectacular!  Pictures don't even begin to do justice to the actual scenery.  All along the drive their were remnants of abandoned mines.  It was so interesting to check out the homes that were in Animas Forks.  I can't even imagine living somewhere so remote - especially where winters are long and harsh.  Several times the town was cut off for months at a time because of rock slides. 

 

 

The white part between the mountain is a glacier!  We weren't sure what it was until we saw one at another spot that was breaking up.  The glaciers slowly melt all summer long keeping the river flowing.  

 

 

 

 

 

To make blogging easier, I'm only uploading iPhone pictures, so the quality of all the pictures is definitely lacking.  On the trip, I'm trying to focus on capturing pictures with our Nikon, and John is taking a few iPhone pictures here and there.  Sometimes I find myself so preoccupied with capturing our family moments, that I don't fully participate in the moment, so I'm making an effort to go for quality over quantity in the picture department and spend more time looking at my sweet littles smiling faces.