Durango/Silverton/Chama...Labor Day Weekend 2013

Let me tell ya...we had one fantastic Labor Day Weekend! It started off on Wednesday afternoon, when Dad and Mom Stafford arrived with their Airstream. Come Thursday around 11:30...we all headed out with our trailers...destination Durango, CO.! The journey to CO. was a beautiful one, and we did encounter a huge thunderstorm along the way. We showed up at our Durango Riverside RV Resort just before 8:00, and got all settled in. For having two nights, and one full day in Durango, we sure did a lot! Friday we headed up to Silverton, and had some lunch, and watched the steamer come into town. Something that was  very special for Dad and Mom, was, we took them up to Animas Forks (the old ghost town above 11,00 ft.). They had never been up any of the off roading roads, to experience the heart of the San Juans, that is, until we took them. It was amazing up there! We encountered more rain and storms, and it brought that much more to our experience. It felt great to get back up to the San Juans. Boy have I missed it! We all went into the old homes and structures of Animas Forks, and remained in one of the old homes, with a metal roof, as it was down pouring! You could just imagine how it would be, back in the day, living up there, in the middle of a storm. That evening, Mom and Dad treated us to the "Bar D Ranch" dinner and music show, in Durango! Oh man! I have never laughed so hard in my life! These four gentleman played their instruments, and sang their western songs; and their humor...it was one of the most enjoyable shows I've been to. The food was great too...BBQ beef, baked beans, baked potato, biscuit, chunky apple sauce, and spiced cake! I have always wanted to experience a dinner like that...it was good fun, great performers that weren't afraid to NOT be "politically correct," and a beautiful setting. Come Saturday morning, we loaded up our trailers again, and headed to Chama, NM.! We got there earlier in the day, and enjoyed the campground, and the boys checked out the steamer (of course). I made my cheese enchiladas, and Mom made guacamole. Tasty! Sunday morning, we walked on over to the Chama train station. It was a "double header" day, and positively fantastic! We all boarded that train, and just took in the scenic beauty, which God has created for us. The smell of the coal smoke filled the air, the cool late summer breeze brushing up against our faces...we were all in our bliss. Jeff and Dad hung out in the outdoor car the whole train ride, because they wanted more of that coal smoke experience. We went to the pass, and they had a hot lunch waiting for us...turkey dinner with all the fixins'! It hit the spot. After lunch, we could walk around a bit, before boarding the train, for our ride back down to Chama. The boys stuck around the yard house, and watched the steamers, while Mom, Samantha and I checked out a couple of shops. That evening, we just hung out by the fire, and enjoyed our last night together in Chama. We always enjoy camping with Dad and Mom, and it was so wonderful, that they could have their Airstream back out, enjoying the West! We arrived home last night, after a long drive home. It feels great to be home. Thank you Lord Jesus, for a weekend full of blessings.