Durango is brilliant.

Yesterday was an incredible day here in Durango. The 77ºF high, with no clouds and very little wind, on a Saturday... it would have been a crime not to take a drive into the San Juan mountains. A little past Fall peak colors, but I was not up for a long drive until recently, but I was ready this day!

We drove to Purgatory ski resort and went up into the mountains via a route suggested by local friend. He recommended a much longer route, but we will save that for another day. We wanted to see how the Hyundai Palisade handle the rocky gravel roads (it did well). Turns out 578 takes us behind the backside of Purgatory, where we skied all last winter. We went 15 miles in, taking our time and stopping often. Then we turned around, stopped at James Ranch Market for lunch on the way back to Durango.

What a great day!