Where the Fog Lifts and the River Sings, Ouray, CO

Oh, wow, that was a cold night (28°). I was able to stay warm, but my face was frozen. It’s a good mindset to remember that this is all temporary. In a few hours, I will be warm again.

I wake up again to a view of nothing. The heavy fog is so low that I cannot see anything around me. At this point, I have waited long enough that another hour or two for the fog to lift makes sense.

Finally, by 9:30, the beautiful skies with fluffy white clouds appear, and the fog is lifting, exposing the stunning mountains around Silverton.

I started driving on the Million Dollar Highway. Most of the time, I am on the inside, hugging the road. When you drive south, it is mostly like that. The few times I am on the edge, I send my prayers. :)

I stop on the side of the road as inspiration from this breathtaking landscape comes to mind, and I want to capture my raw emotions as I feel them at this moment.

Many times I have been asked what my favorite place is that I have visited so far. Of course, I put deep thought into the answer, and this is usually what I say: I realize that if I choose a favorite, I cheat myself out of the whole experience. Every place is different and unique in its own way. Each has its own beauty and has contributed to the greater landscape of our planet. Yes, there are places that stole my heart in a way others didn’t, but they all come together to create the whole of my journey.

It is hard for me not to see the correlation between us, humankind, and the landscape.

How we all, as individuals, are unique and different in our own way. How if we each contribute to our universe with love, kindness, and peace, we can create a peaceful landscape for all of us to enjoy.

The hatred we experience in these times creates a fog for all of us, making it difficult to see the beauty that we can bring to each other.

How I wish we could all see the world as I see it—beautiful, kind, and loving. A place where we all equally have the right and the privilege to breathe in the beauty of the creation of the universe.

Somehow, it feels right to voice my heart. Now I can keep driving.

As I drive toward Ouray, I keep an eye out for places to call home for the night. After I pass the scariest part of the Million Dollar Highway, there is no way I am driving south on that road again. Beautiful as it is, I am done. :)

I have a few hikes in mind to help me explore Ouray. One recommendation is from Jackie and Bob, whom I met on the trail a few days ago—the Silvershield Trail. It is considered hard, but it is less than 5 miles, so I'll go for it.

From AllTrails: Head up the steep Silvershield Trail in the hills of Uncompahgre National Forest. This trail offers epic views of the valley, allowing you to see the scale of this beautiful area!

At the top, you are rewarded with a unique glimpse into the past: with a continuous set of around 137 steps of a well-preserved dinosaur track.

That is such a neat experience. Yes, the hike is challenging, with a steep incline of 1,696 feet in elevation over less than two and a half miles. The view is epic, and the dinosaur tracks are fascinating to see. I am glad I followed the recommendation.

Okay, now the question is, where will I find my little corner to call home tonight?

Back in Silverton, every time there was a short break from the rain, I went for a walk. At one time, I entered an office with a BLM sign. That turned out to be such a helpful stop. The two ladies there showed me options I hadn’t saved in my Google Maps folder. One is just outside Ouray. Since I am not planning to go back on the Million Dollar Highway, I drive to check it out. I know it is already off the main road, so the level of noise can be a problem.

However, when I arrive, I am sold right away. I am parking next to the Uncompahgre River. After the rainy days, it is gushing and loud. I cannot pass up the chance to fall asleep to the sound of a river flowing into the night.

Good morning sunshine! Not bad waking up to 45°. Having my coffee sitting on a rock next to the stream is a perfect way to start the day.

First thing on my agenda is to find a public bathroom with hot water to wash up. Those moments always make me laugh at myself. In my wildest dreams, I would never imagine doing the things I do today.

My plan is to hike the Ouray Perimeter Trail, which encircles the entire town, passing by waterfalls and a creek. I start from the visitor center and proceed clockwise. The loop is supposed to be 5.4 miles. However, it ended up being 6.2 miles.

Any other time, the sound of a bustling little town while I am hiking would annoy me. But here, the sound of people getting on with their lives, driving to where they need to go, adds an extra magic to this beautiful trail.

So many times I had to face my fear of heights on this trail that I struggle to recommend it. Yes, the mountains around Ouray are stunning and beautiful. I can see why they call it the Switzerland of America. However, everything here seems to be on a narrow path and very close to the edge. There were many times I wished I were somewhere else.

My next stop is a must: Box Canyon Falls. There is a small fee to enter this section ($7), which I felt was fair, as it gives you a way to get closer to the falls safely, walking on metal flooring with guard railings. It is fantastic to witness such power rushing through a canyon. Truly fantastic.

Tonight I am back at my little corner next to my stream, and tomorrow, I am heading to Telluride...