Day 31/32/33- Orvis Hot Springs to Durango to Pagosa Hot Springs to Pueblo

Drove “the Milkion Dollar Highway” to Durango and got a room at the Caboose Motel. Had Southwest/ Mexican for dinner and went to bed.

Started the day in snow had breakfast at the Durango Diner- more green chili goodness and a Nate sticker!. 

While in Pagosa heard the road ahead (and the only road) had been closed for weather. We decided to pony up for a pricey room at the Springs Resort & Spa. Took about 10 seconds for it to be worth every penny as we donned their thick robes, towels, hot tea in paper cups and headed toward multiple natural sulphery hot hot springs overlooking the San Juan River.  Soaked til our bones were soft, got showered and walked to Kips for dinner. Note to selves: make green chili stew.

After dinner we put on wet bathing suits and robes again and soaked for as long as we could stand it. It might have been the perfect night with soft fluffy snowflakes all around. Like Orvis, the pools are only available to guests after 9pm, so we almost had them to ourselves. We drank wine and heard the river water as we drifted off to sleep, warm and cozy.  

Next morning (Day 32), Monica got in one more soak while Jason and Fern watched Andy Griffith in the room. I jumped in the ice cold river twice and then dunked in 110 degree “Lobster Boil” pot. With this and coffee there is truly no better way to start the day.  

We drove through Wolf Creek Pass through the San Juan and Rio Grande National Forests. There was plenty of snow from the night before and we saw endless snow covered Christmas trees on mountains as far as the eye can see. 

Drove through Salida and Canyon City on our way to Pueblo. Stayed at the Best Western.