Pagosa Springs, CO - Beer & Hot Springs

Pagosa Springs, CO
East Fork National Forest


We were really hoping to get a nice boondocking spot along the San Juan River so we could have some easy access for fishing, but the road was narrow, bumpy, rutted and didn't have any place to turn around.  It was a difficult turn around once we found one, but we didn't want to chance it by going any further.  So we went with our second choice and were lucky enough to get one of the only spots big enough for us at the East Fork campground in the National Forest. $18 a night, no utilities.

It was a tight a tight squeeze, but we fit.

 

Pagosa Springs sits at 7,126 feet of elevation surrounded by the San Juan mountains.  It is known for its world-famous hot springs, "Pagosah" is the Southwestern Ute word for "healing waters".  They have a great river walk for biking, walking and great photography opportunities as it weaves through some wetlands.  There were some folks fishing, but the river was still running very fast.  Lots of kayakers though. 

 

 While were familiar with the different trout in this area, this is the first I've heard of these Chub, Pikeminnow and this type of sucker.

 

The area is surrounded by hot spring soaking hotels and establishments along the river.

  

This guy knew what he was doing.  He would paddle up to the wave and purposely roll it.

 

Lots of very pricey homes here with spectacular snow capped mountain views.

 

The three breweries here, Wolfe, Riff Raff and Pagosa Brewing had some great microbrews, according to Steve.  I don't drink beer, hate it.  I try it each time and each time I can't help but make a face.  Yuck!  It always taste so bitter to me.  At Pagosa Brewing they had the largest brew sampler, 16!  (They were out of 2 so that's why you see the upside down glasses).  We ordered some of the Smothered Fries to go along with it.  You get some hand cut fries with bacon, beer gravy layered with beer-bq pulled pork and topped with house-made green chili.  We asked for 1/2 red chili and 1/2 green chili.  Both were delicious!

 

I know it probably looks like all we do is drink beer, but normally you only get a few of these and they are small.  All together, it's like drinking 2 beers.  And yes, I drove after this visit!

 

The day we chose to go back into town in the late afternoon to try out one of the hot springs establishments it was getting very stormy.  We picked the Overlook Hotsprings because it had a rooftop terrace with a soaking pool overlooking the town and mountains.  The threat of thunderstorms had passed so we tried it out.  It was $12 per person.

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They had several indoor pools as well.  All at different temperatures promising a tranquil soak in naturally hot, therapeutic mineral water. Eh, it was ok.  I don't like cold water but I can't do really hot, Jacuzzi temps either.  Guess I'm just picky that way.  You have to shower off and wash your swim suits really well or they'll smell like sulphur.  Yes, there are clothing optional places as well as some right in the river itself.  Something for everyone!

Someone has some very nice property!  We drive past this to get to and from the campground.  You always see elk in the pastures.

Here are the elk.

We enjoy taking drives on any dirt road we come across.  Here was one that followed the East Fork of the San Juan River.  It was a nice day.  We tried a couple of fishing spots but the water was still running too fast.  Beautiful rock formations along the road.

At one spot where we got out to admire the river and the pretty view, we found this memorial marker alongside the bank, just out of view from the road.  It must've been a special place for this person.

There were several small waterfalls that flowed over the road along the way.

 

It doesn't show too well, but there were pretty colors in the different rock layers.

 

Aspen just leafing out at this elevation in May.

Lunch at Riff Raff Brewery.  Beer sampler for Steve, some Foo Foo drink for me.

 

Some of the random hot springs throughout town.

 

A late afternoon walk along the bike path after lunch was a nice way to walk off some of those calories.

Mostly weeds now, but I'm sure in a few more weeks it'll be all planted.  I love community gardens.

  

Hurley wondering where is Gramma going without me and how come I'm stuck with Grampa!

Che faccia! ("what a face" in Italian) 

I heard that a lot growing up.  Followed by, "Be careful or your face will get stuck that way!"

While we were geocaching in town one day I thought I'd play with the water a bit.

 

 

I love the details you see when you get really close and blow up a picture.

Next up, some great hikes in the San Juans!

 

Durango, CO - A Drive to Silverton & Fun at the Slater

Durango, CO
La Plata County Fairgrounds


We had a pretty nice week weather wise so we were able to do some small hikes, bike rides and sampling the town.  We had a great Italian meal with real authentic food and my favorite Spritz cocktail that I loved in Italy.  Steve sampled quite a few micro brews. We really had a great time in Durango.

 

With a few days left, we thought we'd take a drive up to Silverton to check out the road and possible boondocking spots.  It was a cold rainy/snowy day.

 

Just outside of Durango you pass this large, blob on the side of the road.  It is a real hot springs, but the blob was built by the Department of Transportation several years ago to keep the discharge of water from destroying vegetation on nearby private property.

 

We also found a geocache hidden nearby.

We were hunting for a special cache and found that a pine tree it was hidden near had fallen down.  You can see the lid of the cache in the picture.  It was in memory of a beloved dog and had lots of doggie goodies inside as well as a picture of the dog.

As you get ready to wind down the road into Silverton, you see some colorful mountains.  No doubt due to mining. We will be spending a couple of weeks or more here later in the summer so we'll find out more info then.  And hopefully it will be much warmer than the 30s and NOT snowing!

The cute town of Silverton down below and surrounded by beautiful mountains.

Colorful buildings on Main St.

Teeny tiny sized church

 

Silverton sits at 9,318-ft. elevation.  It is a wonderfully preserved mining town set in a high mountain valley surrounded by 13,000-ft. peaks.

We decided to stop in the Brown Bear Café and get a bowl of soup and warm up before heading back to Durango.

I just love the architecture and details of these old bars.  The woodwork is beautiful as is all the crystal and tiffany lights and tin ceilings.

On the drive we saw many little waterfalls coming down the mountain sides from the snow melt.

The Aspen are just starting to leaf out.

 

Before we leave I found out that fellow bloggers, Jim & Judy of The Meandering Maddox's were work camping nearby.  I contacted them and we had a nice meet up.  First they showed us all around the nice RV park they work at,  The Alpen Rose.

Then we went to a nice BBQ place down the street.  The food was really good.  They were planning on going out to the Historic Strater Hotel for drinks, munchies and entertainment and invited us to come along.

 

 

We met some of Jim & Judy's friends.  There was Donna, Ken, Gina, Mike and Mark.  Sorry, I can't match up the names with the correct face.  We all had a great time though!

The old saloon bar, The Diamond Belle.

Lots of appetizers.

This was a sundae served on a pancake (or something similar).  Again, I'm not a sweets fan, but I had a few bites :-)

Next, on to Pagosa Springs for a soak.