Southern Colorado Part 2: Durango

With Durango, Colorado only a one hour drive from where we were staying in Farmington, New Mexico, we were able to visit several times during my three month contract. And we absolutely fell in love with the mountain town. The weekend before Thanksgiving, however, we were finally able to spend a few days in town. My parents drove up from Texas to join us for a long weekend, and we had such a blast showing them around. 

Ever since we had first laid eyes on the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Durango, with its direct access to the river trail, we had dreamed of staying there. Keith and I checked in on Friday evening, then went to Fired Up Pizzeria for supper. Little did we know that just that day all dine-in had been shut down for all of La Plata County. New Mexico had reinstated lock-down measures state-wide earlier in the week, but we hadn’t known of Durango locking-down until we got there. So we ordered a mushroom and green chile pizza and veggie stuffed mushroom to go. Apparently, lots of people were also ordering pizza that night, but it turned out okay because we got half off our order due to the long wait. 

Worth it. 

Saturday morning we had booked tickets on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad – Cascade Canyon Falls. It was a five hour round trip ride, with very beautiful views once we got up in the mountains. I had never ridden an old fashioned trail like that before – it was very cool. We packed a snack lunch and ate at a picnic table overlooking the river during the 45 minutes we were at our destination. During that time I also had to snap a few quick photos of my parents. I couldn’t help myself. Can you blame me? 

That evening we ordered supper from Steamworks Brewing Co. Mom, Dad, and I got the Greek quinoa burger, and it did not disappoint. Then we played a game of Apples to Apples (I won).

The next morning we ate some fruit in the room for breakfast, then hit the shops (which were not closed, just limiting capacity). We went to so many cool shops and got some really great Christmas gifts as well. For lunch we stopped at Chang Thai Durango, which is a food truck. I got Thai tea and drunken noodles – 10/10 recommend! For supper that night we ordered from Gazpacho, a Mexican restaurant. I got spinach enchiladas – very good. Then we played a game of Phase10.

Monday morning we woke up with no plans for the day (they had changed due to closures from COVID). So we decided to drive out to Mesa Verde National Park (a 40 minute drive from Durango). Before leaving town, we got some bagels from Durango Bagel. I got an everything bagel with chive cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and avocado in it. SO GOOD. Then we went into (re)LOVE, a consignment store next to Durango Bagel. I found three books to buy, and then we left for the national park.

On arriving at the park we were able to buy some stickers from the gift shop (it was closed on our previous visit). On the way to see the ruins (they are on the opposite side of the park from the entrance), we saw some wild turkeys, which was very on theme for our Thanksgiving Vacation. 

Neither Mom nor Dad had ever been to Mesa Verde before, and they loved it! They have decided to make a return trip once ranger guided tours into the ruins have reopened (after COVID). 

For supper Keith and I ordered a pizza from Father’s Daughters Pizza after Keith got a haircut and I found another book at Second Story Books – which is a very secluded used book store on the second floor of a very old building. That night we played a couple of hands of Rook, which is always my favorite. 

On our final morning in Durango, we finished off the snacks we had brought for breakfast, packed up our things, and said our goodbyes. It’s always sad to say goodbye to those you love, but we were left with so many great memories and the promise of seeing them again soon. 

I’m a wife, a dog mom, a foodie, a wanderer, a registered nurse, and a couples/intimate wedding/elopement photographer … and this blog will cover it all! If you enjoyed this post, first of all thank you, and second of all please follow me on Instagram + Facebook to get updates on future blog posts, see sneak peeks of my amazing couples, and so much more! If you have any questions about elopement photography, my journey from nursing to photography, or my time spent as a full-time RVer, drop a comment and I just might write a blog post answering your question (but I definitely will)!

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