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  3. TRAVEL: 2007 through 2011
  4. JULY AND AUGUST, 2011

TO DURANGO!

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Brazos Cliffs, north-central New Mexico.
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Brazos Cliffs, north-central New Mexico.

brazoscliffs

  • Brazos Cliffs, north-central New Mexico.
  • We are looking north toward the cliffs here. Use the "Map This" feature above if you are curious as to where this is.
  • Here are the cliffs from the valley to the west (looking east). These Precambrian quartz cliffs are among the oldest rock in New Mexico. Base to top is more than 2,000 feet. From doing a few Google searches, it is apparent that this is a popular rock climbing area.
  • Vallecito Resevoir in southwest Colorado. Surrounded by rocks which give a hint as to how Colorado got its name (Colorado is based on Spanish for "Color Red.")
  • Beholding a masterpiece, I'm sure.
  • Untitled photo
  • Bev and her dog.
  • Bev and her other dog.
  • Untitled photo
  • That night, Paul showed us what he has learned from watching all the HARRY POTTER films. Amazing, Paul!
  • Bri shows that she's no slouch in levitating bean bags, either! I thought maybe one had to have an English accent to do this!
  • Breakfast at the Pura Vida Cafe (on Vallecito Resevoir). Definitely among my recommendations. <br /> <br /> See their website at <a href="http://www.puravidavallecito.com/index.html">http://www.puravidavallecito.com/index.html</a><br /> <br /> You can see their menus there. They don't take reservations, but you can call (970) 884-2766 to make sure they are open, etc.<br /> <br /> I can highly recommend their sour dough French toast stack!
  • Then to Honeyville, the Land of Elk and Honey. This is an apiary with lots of honey and honey-based products, including mead ("honey wine"). Delicious stuff.
  • Amazing that these little critters can put together something so delectable.
  • You can see the queen bee upper central part of your screen.<br /> <br /> After you press the triangle above, you may need to allow some time for the video to buffer (click on the "Pause" button on the pop-up video screen).
  • Then, on for a round at the Durango Brewing Company. Nice selection of brews.
  • Beautiful, historic, folkloric, downtown Durango.<br /> <br /> The word "Durango" originates from the Basque word "Urango," meaning "Water Town." Durango, Colorado was named after Durango, Mexico, which was named after Durango, Spain. I guess I was named after Durango, also, but that's just because I was born in 1957 and Durango dates back to 1881.<br /> <br /> Anyhow, in the early 1880's the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad (D&RG) needed a depot to serve the mining communities of this part of Colorado. Animas City (just north of here) was the obvious choice, so D&RG asked Animas City for funding for the new depot. When the city refused to pay, D&RG decided on a place to the south and organized the city of Durango.<br /> <br /> These two towns apparently maintained a healthy rivalry until the 1940's, when it became apparent that the best way forward was for them to merge into a single city.
  • After a few hours shopping in Durango, we settled on the Carver Brewing Company for a bit more rejuvenation. I'm not sure which brewery is better. Both seemed to have some mighty fine brews.
  • From Downtown Durango we proceeded north to the Bar D Ranch, where Mom and Dad had already purchased tickets for a Western Chuckwagon Show.
  • Prior to the show, the musicians come out to this little booth and give an "up-close-and-personal" preview. They take requests and visit with the guests. Historically, Western and Cowboy music have not been my favorite genres, but these guys are excellent, and it was a distinct pleasure to be able to watch and listen to them, and then to be able to converse with them between songs.<br /> <br /> Pardon my videography, especially on this first video, where the focus got a little off for most of it (As an eye doctor, I have no excuse, I guess). I am quite pleased at the quality of sound, however -- considering that I have a simple, inexpensive, camera-mounted microphone. Of course, the excellent sound is more of a testament to the wonderful musical tones of the Wranglers than it is to my video skills or equipment!<br /> <br /> Turn your volume up before you play these videos!
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