WebDurango Special Sections: Southwest Summer Guide 2004

Durango's "Must-see" List

11th Annual Main Avenue Arts Festival - Historic downtown Durango's Main Avenue comes alive with color, aromatic foods, live music and everything from pottery to jewelry to sculpture. It's an exciting experience for adults and children alike. See the arts! Enjoy the crafts! Sample the food! Get yourself something to take home that will lift your spirits. It's all there. This summer marks the 11th Annual Main Avenue Arts Festival. The festival is a major fundraising event for the 38-year old non-profit organization - the Durango Arts Center. There is no admission charge for this two-day event being held on August 14th and 15th. Saturday hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. If you want more information, call 970-259-2606.

Bar D Chuckwagon - Get set for a great meal in a beautiful setting followed by a terrific western music and comedy show. The Bar D Chuckwagon keeps cranking out quality food and entertainment and is entering its 35th season. You'll get to choose between sliced roast beef or chicken breast simmered in barbecue sauce accompanied by potato, baked beans, biscuits and more. (Steaks and "combo" plates are available, but call for details.) There's no fiddlin' around when it's time to eat! When they say they serve at 7:30 SHARP - they mean it! (700 guests go through the serving line in about 20 minutes.) The music the group of four puts out is first rate with a champion guitar player, a hot fiddler and great harmony in the vocals. The comedy that is "wrangled" up is delightful. Other things to see and do at the Bar D include a little train that goes around the property, nature trails, record shop, gift shops, a chocolate shop and more western fare. It's a pleasant drive to the Bar D. Head north from Durango on 550, turn east (right) on to County Road 252 past Dalton Ranch and golf course, then turn north (left) on to County Road 250 and continue on it until you come 8080 County Road 250 and you're there! For details or to make a reservation, give the "wranglers" a call � 970-247-5753.

Music in the Mountains

Music in the Mountains - Here's a treat for music lovers! Music in the Mountains celebrates its 18th season as a world-class festival of classical music in the stunning setting of the San Juan Mountains. Hearing is believing, so if you're fortunate enough to be in the area sometime between July 18th and August 8th, then you can attend a performance. The three-week festival will feature more than 30 concerts performed by world-renowned musicians in several different venues. Music in the Mountains offers orchestral, chamber and pops concerts, as well as free performances for children and their families. Be advised that some performances do get sold out well in advance so to avoid disappointment, call the festival office. For more details on concert sites, tickets or other information the festival office number is: 970-385-6820.

The Diamond Circle Melodrama and Vaudeville Revue will be celebrating its 43rd season this summer and the entertainment continues to be a real crowd pleaser. The audience gets to join in the action by cheering the heroes and booing the villains. The shows this year are Under the Gaslight (or Life and Love in These Times) and Hazel Kirke. The Vaudeville Revue is a music and laugh-filled segment of the evening and follows the main show. If you've never gone to the Diamond Circle Melodrama � you must. If you have attended, you know what to expect.

The melodrama is located in the historic Strater Hotel at the corner of Main Avenue and 7th Street. Time magazine has rated the Diamond Circle Melodrama "one of the top three melodramas in the U.S." It begins June 5th and runs nightly (except Sundays) through September 25th. (There are no shows September 6-8.) Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the fun starts at 7:45 p.m. For details about show dates, ticket information or purchase, call 970-247-3400.

The Four Corners Gem and Mineral Show - Even if you aren't a rock hound, you will love this show! For over 50 years this event has been a part of a Southwest Colorado summer. The Four Corners Gem and Mineral Show is a perfect place to get acquainted with the beauty of rocks and minerals. There are educational displays that fascinate and inform. Dozens of quality gem, mineral, fossil and jewelry dealers will be showing their wares too. Check out the fabulous blacklight fluorescent display. And how about those really interesting demonstrations! Expect plenty of fun for the kids too - and there are even food vendors to round out your day. The Four Corners Gem and Mineral Show is free and open to the public, so make it a point to attend. It is held at the La Plata County Fairgrounds in Durango at 25th Street and Main Avenue on July 9-11. For information, call Marie Wester at 970-247-9468.

The Durango Cowboy Gathering is an exciting, fun-filled event with evening performances and Saturday daytime sessions. Poets and musicians from throughout the country perform classic and contemporary poems and songs that will bring tears to your eyes and keep you in stitches at the Diamond Circle Theatre in the Strater Hotel.

Ropers compete at the rodeo

Durango Pro Rodeo - See Southwestern pro bull riders take on the really big guys � Brahma bulls! Also see team roping, barrel racing and more on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights � June 30, July 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 14, 16, 17, 21, 23 and 24 at the La Plata County Fairgrounds at 25th Street and Main Avenue. Stock is provided by Mercer Rodeo Stock Contractor. Gates open to this Wild West action at 5:30, there is a western barbecue at 6:00 and the rodeo begins at 7:30. (Advance tickets are also available at the Appaloosa Trading Company in Durango, 970-259-1994.) For ticket prices and more information call 602-909-2346 or 602-909-1615.

The San Juan Skyway is a "must" while you are in southwest Colorado. Using Durango as the starting town, head north on Highway 550 to Silverton. You will climb over Coal Bank Pass and Molas Pass before descending rapidly down in to the old mining town of Silverton. Continuing on 550 between Silverton and Ouray ("yur-ray"), known as the "Million Dollar Highway," you will top the 11,000-foot Red Mountain Pass. Even at this pass altitude, you will see massive mountains rising still higher on either side. The road seems to cling to the cliffs in some places.

When you drop down in to Ouray (the "Gem of the Rockies" in "Switzerland of America") you will be charmed by the town with its Box Canyon Falls, architecture, and a hot springs pool.

Skyway near Chattanooga

The road flattens out for just a short bit, then the Skyway turns west at Ridgway via Colorado Highway 62 and crosses the Dallas Divide offering views of Mt. Sneffels, one of several 14,000+ peaks in the area. At Placerville, go south on Highway 145 and take a very worthwhile 4-mile side trip into Telluride, "The City of Gold." This town is surrounded on three sides by awe-inspiring towering peaks. Originally a bustling mining town, it is now known for its Victorian charm, superb skiing and it arts and music festivals.

Continuing south on 145, you'll cross 10,222-foot Lizard Head Pass - named for the pointed, tall peak to the west of the summit that looks like a lizard's head. Next, you will come to the towns of Rico and Stoner along the Dolores River and see parts of McPhee Reservoir. Beyond Dolores, you'll enter the city of Cortez and Mesa Verde country. Take Highway 160 out of Cortez back in to Durango.

Maps, books, information and more are available at the Public Lands office at 15 Burnett Court in the Tech Center complex in Durango. Call 970-247-4874.

Glider Rides - The silent crafts with the long, slim wings flying over the hillsides of Durango are gliders. From your single seat in front of the pilot's, you will have some of the most spectacular views imaginable. The Val-Air Gliderport is located in the Animas Valley off of Highway 550. For detailed information and rates, call 970-247-9037.

2004 National Off Road Biking Association Finals - World-class mountain biking returns with the NORBA National Finals, held August 26-29 at DurangoMountainResort. Check out the fan favorite downhill on Purgatory Mountain, or test yourself against the world�s best or in events throughout the weekend. Classes for all age groups and levels in Downhill, Cross-country, Mountain Cross and Short Track. For more information, call DMR at 970-247-9000.