The Durango Fire continues to grow.... it's still a long way from us, but depending how the winds are blowing we do get smoke and today a bit of ash.

All the brochures and a lot of people tell you how beautiful the "Million Dollar Highway" is, so today we drove it and a little more. From what I've read the "Million Dollar Highway" is the portion of Highway 550 from Ouray to Silverton. In 1882-3, Otto Mears and Fred Walsen built the 12 miles of toll road between Red Mountain Pass and Ouray. At that time it cost $10,000 per mile to build. A toll of $5 per wagon team or $1 for each livestock was charged. It was years later that this road was called the "Million Dollar Highway".

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A view of the Red Mountains.

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I'm not sure what this wooden structure was used for but it definitely had something to do with mining because it is in front of what was a huge mining operation.

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We were closer to the fire here .... you can really see the smoke in the air.

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Ed was intrigued by the Purgatory, turned out it was a ski hill.

We saw a number of lakes on the drive.

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Silverton is a small town with a definite western feel.

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The Silverton City Hall built in 1908.

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Another view of the Red Mountains.

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A waterfall by the side of the highway.