Durango

Destination Grand Canyon.  Tim, Rich and I planned a road trip which would take several days and see several sights.

Leaving the fair city of Denver and heading to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison  (Wikipeadia) via Fairplay, which is near the famed South Park.  After visiting the rim of the canon we arrived at the city of  Montrose we went down highway 550. While the whole route that we had take today was very scenic: Mountains, plains, lakes, and weather, this was a spectacular route: it had several high Passes (well over over 10,000 ft - 3048m above sea level) (Mt Cook/Aoraki in New Zealand is 12316 ft - 3754m in contrast).  The mountains are very grand.  The valleys and slopes covered with trees, all covered with a fresh drop of very white snow: it was very christmas card perfect.

We stayed in the town of Durango at the Strater Hotel, which as you can see is a Victorian fabulousity of mid western America. It was very comfortable and affordable (being off-peak time).  My hotel room:

From Durango we go to the Four corners monument and head to the Grand Canyon.