DejaVu crew were real troopers, literally.  As soon as they came back from their whirlwind tour to northern California, out by way of the Grand Canyon and return via Salt Lake City, they trooped off with us on a 2-day loop around the San Juan Skyway.  (They probably logged 3,000+ miles of windshield time while visiting the West).

We wanted to finish showing off our cruising grounds, since they don’t get this way on their normal passages.  Once again the Mexican hurricanes played havoc with our “300 days of sunny weather in the Four Corners,” pushing a low pressure system over our mountains and trying to dampen our fun with fog, clouds, rain, sleet and finally some snow. Nevertheless, the Fall colors and alpine views shone thru the dreary moments of the excursion. We just had to outfit the crew with foul weather gear before casting off.

The San Juan Skyway, some 232 miles of our best alpine scenery, circles around from Durango to Telluride, thru Ridgway and on to Ouray and Silverton, before ending back in Durango. There are 4 major passes (Lizard Head, Red Mountain, Molas and Coal Bank) along the way, not to mention Hesperus and Mancos hills plus Dallas Divide to challenge those bike riders attempting the loop.

We generally try to introduce our visitors to Telluride by entering the town via the Mountain Village gondola just to make a dramatic entry into this hidden hot spot.  The 3-stage gondola ride is free in the off season (not sure about the Ski Season) so parking on the other side of the mountain seems like the smartest way to go.  Telluride has alway been a little too rich for my blood, but Helen found out how the locals manage by sorting thru the “free box” which has been a institutional fixture on the corner of “main street” for over 35 years that I know of.

The Ouray Hot Springs was a highlight as well, primarily because the 105° waters were most welcome to the fair weather sailors. Poaching ourselves while the sleet and snow flakes melt on our heads is always a treat. Neither of us wanted to risk a wet camera so there are no photos of the Hot Springs, you’ll just have to come see for yourselves.

We also managed to see the McKenneys, who evidently were on the same mountain area tour we were the day before and just arrived home as we dropped in.  Their house, Martha’s garden and Tom’s shop were special to see.  Martha’s crops overflowed her raised planters like the Horn of Plenty. Our visit was short because the weather changed to snow and we’d only brought the fair weather vehicle, rather than the heavy weather rig, and wanted to cross the last three passes before the roads got foul.

As per usual, there is always something to check out at the Highlander.  This time Joe and I sleuthed out a minor roof leak revealed by the two past storms. No rest for the handymen.

The crew boarded their homebound flight back to Canada for a well-deserved rest before setting out for the boatyard in Jacksonville and the Bahamas shortly thereafter.