Jett's Day 8: Jeeping from Ouray to Telluride and back

 This morning we were so thankful to wake up and find sunny skies and warmer temperatures! The agenda for the day was to take a Forest Service road called Last Dollar Road and head over the mountains to have lunch in Telluride. 

This photo was taken at the end of the day -- Jett soaking in the hot springs tub at our hotel.This was a reward for a hard day of four-wheeling. They loved it and and didn't want to get out.

Okay--back to the day.

Yes! This is what we woke up to! Blue sky.

The breakfast room with a hot buffet breakfast included in our room cost.

I may have overdone it!

This was our jeep. Her name was Ava (dealer named her). We kept it in 4 WD once we hit the trail.

This creek had several beaver dams.

If you look carefully on the rock on the left, about halfway down, you'll see a marmot. He was sitting on the side of the road when we came up on him, then scurried to a hole in the rock. I took several pictures but this was the best.

One of our first sights!

The following pictures are all from the trail (forest service road). 

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Fields of dandelions

Mama cow nursing her calf.

Twin Peaks

There were 6-7 birds sitting on this branch when I first spotted it. By the time we stopped and I had my camera in focus ... they'd all flown away!

Columbine

Lupine

Paul walked over to take a peek at the peak

Yeah. Short legs.

Weird bark

Yeah, our road.

Growth looked like fire

Boppa making friends. He got so engrossed in the conversation, he forgot to load my stepstool and promptly ran over it!

Civilization! Telluride airport

Herd of elk on the way in to Telluride

Going into Telluride, you can see Black Bear Pass trail zig zagging up the mountain. It is a very difficult trail and is closed right now. Only hardy souls travel it.

Telluride

Brunch/lunch at the Hotel Sheridan.

I may have over-ordered. Luckily Paul helped me finish it up.

Window shopping.

For my brother, Jack.

Muddy Ava

Jett enjoying the hot springs tub

They did not want to get out!

Dinner -- rib eye!

We didn't even eat half this pizza, but still cheaper than ordering two separate meals1

My neck, shoulders and upper arms are sore from all the bouncing around and clutching the arm rests!

We are now headed to Silverton which is only 25 miles or so south. Tomorrow we will be taking the narrow gauge railroad following the Animas River. Should be fun!