Sept 4, Saturday Anxious to reach Ouray we were up and off at 7:30. We followed State Route 50 West though mountain cuts and twisting canyons alongside the fast-moving Arkansas River and railroad tracks. There were back-to-back recreation sites and occasionally the canyon widened out to accommodate a small community – not really a town. After 60 miles we reached Salida – a real town. Past that we scaled Monarch Pass, elevation 11,312 feet, where we stopped at the top. Having been to Pikes Peak yesterday we did not take the 20-minute/$10 gondola ride to the viewpoint. But we did do the gift shop, and Pippa Joy came out with some new PJ’s! I resisted the tea-towel and the collection of canvas and leather backpacks, tote bags and purses! At Gunnison we stopped for lunch, and saw several signs that Route 50 was OPEN for the Labor Day Weekend across to Black Canyon of the Gunnison where we turn South to drive to Ouray. Oh! It had been closed? Our reservations for the next six nights are at Ouray Riverside RV Park. We arrived at 1:30, were greeted and escorted to our spot. It is basically a large gravel parking lot, but one side of sites backs up to the Uncompahgre River and a river-walk that goes to the Ouray Hot Springs, and we back up to a stunning view of the mountains. On site there are very nice amenities including the Ouray Café. We set up camp and headed for downtown Ouray a few miles away to scope it out. This included several drives thru the town, as well as a shopping/walking tour of a few blocks of shops and boutiques. Ouray is a really nice town, billed as “Little Switzerland of America.” It lives up to this reputation with a Victorian-era charm combined with the Old West spirit and plenty of surrounding natural wonders. There was a drive up into the hills behind the town, and we drove that far enough to get pictures of the little town down below. We booked reservations in the campground Café at 6:30 – following a relaxing hour with a bottle of wine sitting outside the Silvermine. The Cafe was everything a small fine restaurant should be, and just at the other end of our parking lot! I ordered the Chef’s special Prime Rib Chunks with Blue Cheese Sauce, and Tom ordered the Rainbow Trout. Incredible! Now for the “rest of the story:” The Chef at the Ouray Café lived in Ouray when John Wayne filmed the movie True Grit. He was just 10 years old and caught the attention of John Wayne. Wayne and his wife stayed in Ouray, while the rest of the cast was flown in by helicopter every day. Bombie’s mother acted as John’s personal Chef while he was here, and Bombie was able to be up close and personal with his very favorite cowboy hero!
Bombie came out into the dining room and we asked for a picture; he smilingly complied. At the last moment a man jumped in the picture and I didn’t have the heart to ask the Chef to pose for another picture (without the jerk!) That is Chef Bombie on the right. Here is a link to a great little video interview of Bombie recounting his memories of John Wayne. https://ourayriversideresort.com/ouray-cafe-and-steakhouse.html
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October 2021
We don’t go camping any more . . . we go ‘streamin’ ! The “SIlvermine and His” is our 2018 25' Airstream Serenity with Salsa interior and front twin beds., and ‘streamin’ is the name we use to describe our adventures. Stream along as we document everything from weekend trips to longer summer excursions and full-blown vacations. You know what they say: if you’re not in an Airstream – you’re just camping!
Tom & Ella Brown |