2008-04-18
Durango
by kenny
At the Durango, Colorado visitor center we were informed about a buy one, get one free coupon for the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. We also found out that the Historic Strater Hotel offers half price appetizers during happy hour. So we went into town and booked a train ride for the next day.
We had "appetizers" at the Strater. They did have your normal appetizers, but they also had full meals they called appetizers. A huge burger or chicken meal for a few bucks. The hotel is continually being renovated and they keep public up to date with a annual open house of sorts. They also provide tours, food, and entertainment. All for free. And all the next day! We enjoyed our appetizers and Laura really enjoyed her local brew (a recent interest) and then we split to find a campground.
We went to a campground on the outskirts of Durango, but it was way too expensive for our budget, so we left and went to the other side of town. We found a campground that we were willing to pay for until we found out that their water lines had busted. So we went to the local Wal-Mart, but there were signs saying "No RV Parking", so with heavy hearts we went back to the expensive RV Park. When we got there we realized that not only was it expensive, but it wasn't even ready for business. The pool was empty, the game room had no power going to it, the grounds weren't cleaned up yet, but I suppose this is why they were able to charge full price:
The next day we left the campground, parked the moho, and boarded the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. I wanted to go on the train because I had good memories of going on the train with my family when I was younger. In the summer the train goes all the way to Silverton, but we were still in the winter season and it has a different route into Cascade Canyon. The trip was fun, really scenic, and we met a nice couple from Virginia that made the trip even more enjoyable. It even snowed on us on the trip back down the mountain. The train takes you along the Animas River, high up into the canyon, stops for a half hour break, and then heads back down for a total of about 5 hours. There are nice concessions, including a mug you buy for $6 and get free refills all day. We definitely got our money's worth of cocoa, coffee, lattes, and Dr. Pepper.
Durango Train (1:39)
After the train we went to the Historic Strater Hotel for the annual open house and got in line for the free tour and celebration. The employees were dressed in period costumes and we were taken from room to room for about 30 minutes. One of the hotel's claims to fame is that Louis L'Amour wrote the majority of his books from room 222 overlooking the street and directly above the Diamond Belle Saloon. After the tour was over we were given coupons for free drinks at the bar and all the food we could eat. Entertainment was in the old vaudeville style with piano playing, operatic singing, and theatrical performances. If we could have stayed an extra day we could been there for the Diamond Belle saloon girl reunion, boasting at least one ex-bar girl over 80. We left and headed west for a campground that wasn't in a tourist town.
At the Durango, Colorado visitor center we were informed about a buy one, get one free coupon for the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. We also found out that the Historic Strater Hotel offers half price appetizers during happy hour. So we went into town and booked a train ride for the next day.
We had "appetizers" at the Strater. They did have your normal appetizers, but they also had full meals they called appetizers. A huge burger or chicken meal for a few bucks. The hotel is continually being renovated and they keep public up to date with a annual open house of sorts. They also provide tours, food, and entertainment. All for free. And all the next day! We enjoyed our appetizers and Laura really enjoyed her local brew (a recent interest) and then we split to find a campground.
We went to a campground on the outskirts of Durango, but it was way too expensive for our budget, so we left and went to the other side of town. We found a campground that we were willing to pay for until we found out that their water lines had busted. So we went to the local Wal-Mart, but there were signs saying "No RV Parking", so with heavy hearts we went back to the expensive RV Park. When we got there we realized that not only was it expensive, but it wasn't even ready for business. The pool was empty, the game room had no power going to it, the grounds weren't cleaned up yet, but I suppose this is why they were able to charge full price:
The next day we left the campground, parked the moho, and boarded the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. I wanted to go on the train because I had good memories of going on the train with my family when I was younger. In the summer the train goes all the way to Silverton, but we were still in the winter season and it has a different route into Cascade Canyon. The trip was fun, really scenic, and we met a nice couple from Virginia that made the trip even more enjoyable. It even snowed on us on the trip back down the mountain. The train takes you along the Animas River, high up into the canyon, stops for a half hour break, and then heads back down for a total of about 5 hours. There are nice concessions, including a mug you buy for $6 and get free refills all day. We definitely got our money's worth of cocoa, coffee, lattes, and Dr. Pepper.
Durango Train (1:39)
After the train we went to the Historic Strater Hotel for the annual open house and got in line for the free tour and celebration. The employees were dressed in period costumes and we were taken from room to room for about 30 minutes. One of the hotel's claims to fame is that Louis L'Amour wrote the majority of his books from room 222 overlooking the street and directly above the Diamond Belle Saloon. After the tour was over we were given coupons for free drinks at the bar and all the food we could eat. Entertainment was in the old vaudeville style with piano playing, operatic singing, and theatrical performances. If we could have stayed an extra day we could been there for the Diamond Belle saloon girl reunion, boasting at least one ex-bar girl over 80. We left and headed west for a campground that wasn't in a tourist town.
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