It took two and a half days to get to Durango. We camped along the Snake River at the Oregon/Idaho border the first night, then outside of Provo, Utah the second night. The time passed pretty quickly as we talked, played some car games, listened to music and read. Clara's favorite car game was "Car Hunt". Someone would choose a color for the game, then anytime you saw a car or truck that color you got a Mike & Ike. We had to limit this game to once a day for twenty minutes or so depending on the car color! Along the way we read Little House on the Prairie. Clara loved it and we have since read a couple of the others from the series.
We arrived at Diamond Campground outside of Provo as it was getting dark. We had stopped in Provo for dinner when we realized there was an In & Out! That might have been the highlight of my day! It was a welcomed surprise after 8 hours of driving that day! The next morning we woke up to a beautiful sunrise and surrounding landscape. We packed up and had breakfast on the road. (By day two we had learned that eating in the car was a good way to pass the time with the girls! Stops were inevitable, but not spending an hour or two stopping to eat AND stretch helped a lot.)
Clara loves to camp! This was her favorite camping spot. We woke to the sound of cows mooing. They sounded like they were right outside our tent, although they were across the river. We also spotted wild turkeys that morning.
We drove out of Utah and into Colorado that day. In the laste afternoon we drove through Ouray and through the passes to Durango. It was a narrow road (with no guard rail!) with steep drop-offs at points. Once we got through the first pass we were greeted with brillant colors of fall and pulled over to get some pictures.
Upon arrival in Durango we settled into the house where we were staying for three nights. It felt nice to be able to unpack (and reorganize!) after a couple days on the road.
We spent the next couple days exploring Durango. The house was just a quarter mile from the Animas River walking trail which led to town. We took off on the first morning to walk downtown and check out the Silverton/Durango Steam Train Museum. It was a beautiful day and was great to be out walking around!
Clara has been really into taking pictures. She took these two pictures. I was happy we were actually in them! But the one below was pretty impressive!
The next day Clara and Matt road the Silverton/Durango Steam Train. Clara was so excited she hardly slept the night before! She was all smiles at breakfast, but she looked exhausted! The train left at 8am and it was a cold morning. That didn't stop them from sitting in the open air car as planned. As they made the trek to Silverton for their lunch stop, the snow began.
Looking a little blurry-eyed at lunch in Silverton and the saloon.
One of my favorite pictures of her from the day! What a fantastic memory for her. And she loves spending time with her Dad!
Love this one two. Just so joyful! My favorite moment of the day was when the train pulled into the station. Matt had Clara's window opened (they were in an enclosed car for the return trip) and she stuck her head out of the window. I was holding Maggie and when she saw Clara she laughed and wiggled with excitement. She was so glad to see her sister after a long day apart, it just warmed my heart! Clara was just as excited (and I was too, for that matter!).
Snuggling up, making up for a day apart! =)
Next stop Colorado Springs!
