Durango, Co
On of the reasons we decided to visit Durango and Alpen Rose RV Park was we knew that our friends, Hans and Lisa would be here this week. We first met them during our stay in San Diego in December, then got together again in January in Tucson. They arrived here yesterday and have a nice end site very close to us. They are also avid hikers so this morning we all piled into the Jeep and headed out to the Colorado-Junction Creek Trail, just outside of Durango.
This turned out to be a great hike that began along beautiful Junction Creek. Hans and Lisa had just completed a lengthy visit to New Mexico and we have been in southern Utah, so all of us enjoyed the green surroundings and the sound of flowing water.
But how can you have a blog without a picture of rocks? This had us a bit concerned, but not to worry, there was a rock formation along the trail!
After crossing a bridge over the creek, the trail headed up the side of a large hill, going through a series of switchbacks. Durango is one of the top locations in the state for mountain biking so we had to step aside a number of times to let bikers pass.
After hiking up about four and a half miles, we came to a beautiful site overlooking the valley below.
There was a long tree trunk set up as a bench on the overlook, so we had a perfect place to sit and enjoy lunch with a view.
After lunch it was back down the path to the trail head.
Today is Lisa’s birthday, so the four of us headed into town for a nice dinner at the Steamworks Brewing Company. The photographers in this group apparently quit work at five on Fridays so we don’t have any pictures of the festivities, but a great meal was enjoyed by all. Happy birthday, Lisa!
Oh, the Places They Go! 
Looks like a beautiful walk! Thanks for the photos.
Looks like you are having a great time! Perhaps Joe and I will be able to do the same thing in a few years.
I remember Hans and Lisa. So glad you had a chance to met up with them again. They seem like nice people…like us…hehe
Tell Lisa we say…happy birthday. Mine is tomorrow. You know two great people who just about share a birthday.
I think the green is a nice change. That trail looks awesome. The picture of you two taken down the middle is so cool. Enjoy all the lush colors.
It’s been great seeing you two again! Wonder how long it will be before we meet up again…and where on the continent it will be??? In the meantime may we both continue hiking and enjoying the great outdoors to our hearts content!
Happy Birthday to you too, Marsha! 🙂
Metamorphosis Lisa
What a great way to spend a birthday….great friends, exercise and views, and a nice dinner….enjoy your time with friends!
Looks like a great hike. Happy birthday Lisa. 🙂
We camped at Junction Creek, so we could walk to that trail. Brings back good memories! And the quinoa burger at Steamworks was excellent! We had to eat there twice. Glad you’re having fun in Durango.
Looks like an awesome hike! Isn’t it nice to see so much green? Glad you made it to Steamworks. We had a fantastic meal there during our visit to Durango.
It is so nice to be back and read everyone’s adventures especially yours. I have a lot of catching up to do. Indeed the green sceneries are somewhat refreshing after seeing all those incredible rock formations in Utah.
Nice hike … even if the rocks are different from what we’ve become accustomed to seeing here.