Through some serendipitous ride arrangements and super-cheap airfare, Dan flew down to Durango on Saturday morning. Kate in her newly-tuned-up Tundra picked up Dan from the airport, stopped by Bread (bakery) for sandwiches and cookies and we headed to Vallecito Creek for some fishing.
Vallecito Creek is known for serious-committed-Class V kayaking at higher water. In September, flows are down and the fishing was rumored to be excellent. It's s short two-mile creek up the canyon to the flatwater:
The fish were plentiful and small, around 6 to 8 inches. Most were caught on large beadheads and silver copper johns, and a few Rainbows dramatically struck at a large stimmy. The character of the creek was perfect, long deep pools broken by small drops. Crystal-clear-water.
After a few hours of epic fishing, we headed into Durango and checked in to the Gable House Bed and Breakfast. http://www.durangobedandbreakfast.com/ Our host, Heather, was lovely and we enjoyed two very peaceful nights and two wonderful breakfasts at the B&B.
While in Durango, we spashed around at the Trimble Hotsprings and took a drive up Missionary Ridge, where a large wildfire had cleared the hillsides in 2002. The scruboak is growing back in and turning orange in late summer sun.
We miss Durango. Why don't we live here?
From the Gable House, we headed up the hill to the Silverpick Lodge, which was homebase for our wedding in 2006. Chris Wing welcomed us with open arms and comped our stay in the Eolus room in return for "pimping our wedding pictures on the 'Picks website for the last six years." http://www.silverpicklodge.com/
The Eolus room is one of the smaller rooms at the Pick, but it is cozy and has a wonderful view.
Near the Silverpick is the mighty Animas River. Dan had spied what he thought would be an excellent fishing hole at the Rockwood Box this spring. We hiked down to check it out.
The river was dead as a doornail, so instead of fishing, Kate took a nap and Dan stacked rocks.
We headed back to Denver via Molas Pass and Andrews Lake where we got married. The weather was quite a bit warmer than it had been on our wedding day!
Fall colors were at absolute peak as we went over Red Mountain Pass. We pulled off the road for a short hike and picnic in an Aspen Grove.
From Ouray, we sailed back to Denver under sunny skies. We're already planning a winter trip back to the San Juans!
