The weather in Durango was clear and very cool this morning. We needed our jacket liners., but didn’t need the heated jackets. After breakfast we headed north to Silverton, where we had a good cup of coffee. (Have you noticed that hotel coffee is usually atrocious?)

We stopped at an overlook on the way to Silverton. There were signs explaining the geologic history including volcanic action, uplifting, glaciers, and glacial erosion.

Silverton was a mining town, but in recent history has been a tourist town. It’s the destination of the Durango and Silverton narrow gauge railroad. We bought coffee at one of the cutsie shops.

The section of highway from Silverton to Ouray is the best part of the Million Dollar Highway. There are curves and switch backs the entire length. The road goes over two passes, each of which is over 10,000 ft. Riding the road was too much fun to stop and take pictures. It’s a route that needs a video.

Just northeast of Montrose, Colo., is the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. We followed the south rim road and stopped at many overlooks. The canyon is very deep and very narrow. It’s hard to capture in pictures just how deep it is from the rim to the water.

After lunch we rode to Grand Junction. It was sunny and 97 degrees, so we got a preview of what’s in store for us the next couple of days as we head to Reno.

We had dinner with our friends, Peter and Susan, from our days in Philadelphia (1979-1989). Peter was best-man at our wedding. It’s been 3 years since we last saw them, but we fell into conversation as if it had been 3 weeks.

Tomorrow is 4th of July. It’ll be hot as a firecracker as we head to Ely, NV. We hope there are fireworks somewhere!!!