Unlike Silverton or Ouray, Durango felt like a real town instead of a tiny tourist resort. Then again, it should as it is home to about 14,000 residents (still too small for me as a primary residence, but I promised a buddy I’d check it out for him a little). To my surprise, Durango had a remarkably down-to-earth feel to it underscored by reasonable real estate prices and “southwest Colorado’s busiest Walmart”.
Quite a bit south of Montrose, CO, US Highway 550 starts out lush and green with just a tinge of yellow on this mid-September day.
Going through the town of Ouray, dubbed "The Switzerland of America". This is where the scenery really starts to become impressive.
Following an Ouray Jeep Tours vehicle through a tunnel.
A lake, yellow aspen, rocky mountains... you have it all here.
Aspen starts to become even more brilliantly yellow!
Look at the sign indicating how the upcoming turn will be like (like the '~' character). There were plenty of these!
Red rock mountain.
At this altitude the forests start thinning out...
Now, a horseshoe-shaped corner!
Dirt mountainsides and a butte ahead.
Lots of sweeping curves on this highway.
The view ahead of the driver's seat of the Alfa Romeo.
