We had a restful night at the Doubletree in Durango, Colorado. I booked two nights here because in May I booked us three on a narration tour on the famous Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge train, followed by an afternoon bus ride return to Durango.
	That would not come to pass. In July a major thunderstorm hit the area creating mudslides severe enough to disable the southern third of the track and trapping six locomotives. The company running the railroad was forced to change their service in late July when they finally reopened. The narration was no longer available, and the buses were instead used to skip the disabled portion of track.

When I learned of the changes, I determined the new itinerary would not work for my children. Rebuilding that portion of track would not for weeks, maybe months, after our trip, so I cancelled our train tickets for a refund.

There's no way I could have known a mudslide would knock out miles of track when I booked these tickets and rooms, so I researched and assembled a new plan.

Time Event Range Remaining 10:09 am Departed Doubletree Hotel 216 10:57 am Arrived Animas Overlook Trailhead 180 Range/Distance ratio: 4.5 Conditions: Uphill, Several miles of gravel dirt road, 10-15 mph, 90°F

Cost to Charge: $0 Durango is embedded in a beautiful forest-covered valley of the Rockies cut by the Animas River. I looked for a kid-compatible hike nearby that was picturesque and found the Animas River Overlook Trail. I knew it was steep going up, but since I had no plans to drive far today I charged the car to an everyday level. I expected, and we did see, beautiful scenery. What I didn't really know was that several miles of the road to this trailhead was dusty, dirty, gravel road.

It was definitely a scenic tour with few others around. Other motorists were driving Subaru Outback's, pickup trucks with big knobby tires, or jeeps. Not for me; I was the only one around with a high-end all-electric car with 21-inch wheels. I just didn't expect to get the car so dirty. I drove up very slowly so I wouldn't kick up so much dirt, for the passing mountain bike riders just as much as for me.

In any case, this short paved hike at 8920 feet elevation was a cool 75°F and had fabulous views of the Animas River Valley. The only impediment to the view was haze caused by smoke from fires to the west. The three of us were all alone in the forest at this altitude.

After deciding to cancel the train ride, I booked tickets for the three of us to attend the Bar D Chuckwagon in Durango, a Old West-style family dinner and show. If we had taken the train, we would not have been able to return in time to attend this Chuckwagon. The entrance is pictured at the top of this page. Before dinner the kids played on the grounds, throwing horseshoes, roping and lassoing mock cattle, and riding on seesaws.

Supper itself was roast beef or barbecue chicken with beans, potato, biscuits, applesauce, and lemonade, but served in lines on tin plates and cups like on a ranch. The food was delicious.

Once it got dark and the food was all served, the live country music entertainment, with singers, guitars, fiddle, and bass, began. The music was absolutely perfect.

What a great way to settle into Durango.