May 23. 2012

This is taken about a mile from Ouray, and about a mile up.  We left early this morning, heading for Santa Fe.  I really goofed.  The road out of Ouray it very windy and slow.  Kind of like the trail from Canyonlands, only paved and wide enough for a real road, but with switchbacks of 10 mph.  There were pullouts, but we were focused on just driving and looking so I didn't take any pictures.  I am so sorry.  The scenery was incredible.  We started at 7700 feet and the highest pass was 11,008 feet.  The next one was 10, 980 feet.  Most of the day was as high or higher than Mt. Hood.  And we didn't cross the continental divide, there was peaks that were towering over us, around 15,000 feet.  
We came down off the mountains to Chama Village, which is about 7000 ft.  Don't think we will get very low until we get to Carlsbad.  It is about 3000 ft.  Tomorrow we will be in Santa Fe for a couple of nights and that is still around 7000ft.  Sea level is going to feel good.  Or I will get use to the high altitude.
I promise to take pictures in Santa Fe and Carlsbad.
Til Later.  You all have a great Memorial Day Weekend.