Pagosa Springs, CO

After three weeks in and around St. George it was time to move on.  This is a great town, with lots to see and do, and the whole World Senior Games production an amazing experience.  But, honestly I was ready for a change.

The beautiful St. George Temple

Howard had asked a while back, "Where would you like to go for your birthday?".  My answer, somewhat selfishly, was Pagosa Springs.  I wanted to soak in natural hot pools, enjoy the mountain air, see the fall colors.  I felt somewhat guilty about the price of fuel and adding these extra 500 miles, well 1000 by the time we return on a westerly course.  The route would take us mostly along backroads through reservation property, predominantly on US-160.

At Glen Canyon Dam

Our first day's drive took us through Kanab, UT (I saw no Ducks) and Page, AZ.  We stopped for lunch at Glen Canyon Dam in a misty rain which did not deter me from taking a photo or two.  

The rest of the day is now comical, in retrospect.  We arrived in Kayenta, near Monument Valley about 3 pm (remember the Rule of Threes?).  I suggested we might want to stop for the night as there wasn't anything up ahead that I could find.  Nah...let's keep going!

By 5:30 pm, Happy Hour by most folks' standards, with fading light and nary a Walmart in sight, much less RV parking, we arrived in Teec Nos Pos (pronounced Tease-Nhas-Phas..Navajo for circle of cottonwood trees) and population...not many. Howard went into the Trading Post and asked if we could park in their large lot overnight; absolutely, be our guest.  Day One....

Look familiar?

We arrived in Pagosa Springs, east of Durango, early the next afternoon on a beautiful crisp, fall day.  Our step-daughter and her son had driven up from Santa Fe to meet us, and celebrate our birthdays, a day apart. We stayed at the Healing Waters Resort & Spa because it's right in town and has 5 full hook-up RV sites.  The price of $42 per night is usually not in our budget but it does include full use of the 3 natural mineral hot pools, one swimming pool and two soaking tubs, which is $17 per day....and yes, they do smell like rotten eggs!  

Caitlin & Lynda

 For 3 days we sunned and soaked, enjoyed a great dinner with Caitlin and Jordan, walked through town along the San Juan River, and even attempted a hike of a couple of miles though we couldn't breath at 7000+ feet; minor detail. 






I had a wonderful birthday in a most beautiful location with dear people....what more could one ask for!  Now we need some ocean time!

From a hill above town...