June 18: SW Road Trip Day 40: On the Million $ Highway

We arise to greet our last day in Durango. Amy has gone to the river path for a morning jog. I arise later and begin departure preparations. Once she is back to our room, we set out for breakfast. We find the Jean Pierre Bakery. We are seated at the Queen’s Table. The bar is lovely.

Bar of the Jean Pierre Bakery

Amy has the Fruit Bowl …

… and I have the Crepes.

It’s all delicious. After breakfast, we go forth in search of sandwiches for lunch on the road. We find Schlotzky’s Deli. Hey, It’s Father’s Day, so I get a “free” Dad’s day sandwich! We head back to the Jean Pierre for some treats to have with lunch. We then head back to the motel to rest up, pack our car and check out.

We drive north on US 550. There is gorgeous scenery all along the route. We continue to be stunned by our gorgeous country. We stop often on this beautiful road to take in the scenery and snap some pictures.

US 550 in Colorado

Somewhat before Silverton, we stop at a scenic overlook and eat our sandwiches amidst beautiful surroundings.

South of Silverton

At Silverton, we turn west, go uphill a short way, then start a harrowing drive downhill toward Ouray. This road, a twelve mile stretch from Ouray up the canyon toward Silverton, cost $1 M to build in 1884 and so is called the Million Dollar Highway. That was a huge amount of money at the time and it is easy to see why it took such a sum. A deep, steep canyon with very little room to build a roadway. Lots of excavation into rock walls required.

On the Million Dollar Highway

It is warming up as we descend. We continue on to Montrose and check into our motel. Amy scopes out possible running routes for the morning. We drive around the neighborhood to make sure Amy knows where to run. This is a fairly lovely town, but it is hot. After getting settled in, we walk to the Safeway next door to get some groceries for dinner. The heat is making me tired. We have a very relaxing meal in our room.