How do you pronounce 'Ouray?'

Above, Highway 550 through the center of Ouray, Colorado. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Nine miles south of Ridgway, Colorado is the municipality of Ouray.

Ouray is known as the “Switzerland of America” due to the high mountains rising on three and a half sides of town.

It is a mecca for winter sports and off-highway vehicle (OHV) driving. There's several Jeep rental businesses in town.

Many people have trouble pronouncing "Ouray". Most common is "ore-ray".

To give people a little education, here's a short video on how to pronounce "Ouray" courtesy of 9News.

It is yur·ay

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

Above, the Durango train at High Line. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In 1981, I was browsing the various vacation-oriented vendor booths at the H. Werner Buck Enterprises Sports, Vacation and Travel Show when I came upon the booth of the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad of Colorado. Looking over their displays and gathering literature, I became interested in riding the train. I was planning a vacation trip to the Four Corners region, so this fit in perfectly.

Above, the Durango Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The first time I rode the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad was in 1982. The round-trip price was around $50 (give or take). That was during the days when Florida citrus grower Charles Bradshaw Jr. owned the railroad. It was formerly a line of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. I have taken more rides on the train over the years since.

Today, the D&SNG is owned by American Heritage Railways.

Above, the museum at the Durango Station roundhouse. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I last rode the train in September 2020 on their Cascade Canyon excursion trip. Part of tracks were washed out and there were no train trips to Silverton during the time it took to repair the tracks. I will be taking a trip to Silverton next month with my former roommate on the train. It is an easy 2 1/2 hour drive from my home in New Mexico.

The current round-trip Standard Class fare from Durango to Silverton, Colorado is $105. Although $105 is a lot of money, the ride is still worth the expense (it's about 90 miles round-trip). There is a concession car on the train for food and drinks (the last car on the train). 

Above, a view of the Animas River below High Line. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There are two free museums, one each in Durango and Silverton, on the D&SNG. I have been to the one at the Durango station (it is at the roundhouse). It is well worth a visit.

The steam locomotives have been converted from coal-burning to oil-burning. Although oil is more environmentally friendlier, I missed the smell of burning coal.

Above, the Durango train traverses in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The official website to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad can be reached by going here.

5 Signs of Highway Hypnosis

Above, on Colorado's Million Dollar Highway in the San Juan Mountains. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When some people I know drive for long distances with no or few breaks, I have to shake my head in wonderment.

For myself, since I am getting older, I make brief stops here and there. I even did this while younger. Dozing off, even for a split-second, is scary. I keep a Thermos of coffee with me or I stop and get a cup somewhere.

RV Life has an article on the five signs of highway hypnosis.

They begin it with:

You’ve probably heard of the common term for highway hypnosis, white line fever.  Highway hypnosis happens when we are driving a monotonous route, and our brain gradually slips into a semi-conscious autopilot state.  After we have been driving in a hypnotized state, we can suddenly arrive at our destination safely with no recollection of having consciously driven there.  

To read more, go here. 

10 Best Road Trips To Take In The USA

Above, approaching an avalanche snowshed on Colorado's
Million Dollar Highway sourh of Ouray. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since the "Great American Road Trip" has regained in popularity (and, in some cases, necessity due to the pandemic) by either car or RV, more articles on road trips have become numerous.

The latest is an article on 10 best road trips to take across the USA by the United Kingdom's Far Out Magazine. I have been on several of the ones listed. 

Before getting into the ten best road trips, they begin with a lengthy introduction.

Here's a snippet:

The idea of the American road trip as an antidote to the alienation of the modern world continued well into the 1940s and ’50s when Jack Kerouac wrote his Beat manifesto, The Road. For Kerouac’s characters, America’s highways symbolise the exhilarating pursuit of escape: escape from the weekday grind, escape from societal norms, and an escape from the persistent reminder that one’s life is but a fleeting moment.

Today, our understanding of the great American Road trip is still imbued with the writings of Hunter S Thompson, the gonzo journalist who, like Kerouac, had an innate affinity for America’s ocean-wide highways and the freedom they represented. In his red convertible, Thompson’s alter-ego Raoul Duke burns a trail across the modern wild west, chasing the last glimmerings of an American dream rapidly sinking below the horizon.

Now, we’re not saying you should arm yourself with your darkest Fear and Loathing memories and hit the open road in a wave of hysteria akin to Hunter S. Thompson’s imagination, but you certainly should try and explore at least one of these top ten selected road trips.

To read more, go here. 

Telluride, Colorado

Above, a view of Telluride, Colorado during my 1984 visit. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We didn't make it to Telluride, Colorado during last year's trip to Durango, Silverton, Ridgway and Ouray, but I did manage to visit the town in 1984 with a couple of friends.

Condé Nast Traveler has an article on what Telluride, Colorado has to offer to visitors.

They start it with:

With its pristine snow and quirky mountain town vibe, it’s no secret that Telluride is a cold-weather paradise for downhill skiing and other winter adventures. But it’s when the temperatures start to climb that this historic mining community in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains really shines.

From beloved bluegrass and film festivals to vibrant wildflower hikes, Telluride comes alive in the spring and summer. The town is home to a robust art scene, yet its location, some 330 miles southwest of the hustle and bustle of Denver makes it the perfect place to recharge.

Here, you’ll find a mix of creatives, avid outdoorspeople, naturalists, successful retirees, celebrities (Oprah Winfrey is among those who reportedly own second homes here), and just about everyone in between. Despite its popularity, Telluride has (thankfully) also managed to hang onto its free-spirited character throughout the years and remains a favorite, down-to-Earth Colorado destination.

Here’s how to plan a weekend trip to Telluride—and what to do once you arrive.

To read more, go here.