Leaving and exploring

Today we left Westcliffe, sadly, and drove northwards then South to make our way to the West side of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. We have been this way before but then turned south-westward through the mountains with Durango as our destination.

We made our way through gorges and tunnels and mountain passes - stunning countryside! 

A five hour drive with a break for lunch and a climb up to Chimney Rock - a national monument, not for the faint- hearted! 

Along ridges and up a stony path. Those of you who know me will understand that I kept my eyes on the rocks and not on the cliff edges as we inched our way up. We were hot and sweaty and afraid of falling 😂. 

Some spectacular country seen today on the drive and ski fields without snow but suffice to say we were high enough for them!   We spent the night in a seedy motel in Durango and had an early start in the morning to reach the Mesa Verde Cliff Dwellings.