PARTICIPATING IN SKYWATCH FRIDAY. Thank you to the Skywatch team for hosting this meme, which starts its 5th Season with todays posts.
We drove the Million Dollar Highway between Ouray and Silverton Colorado before and after we stayed at Silverton -- and rode the train between there and Durango.
The scenery from the Highway was almost as spectacular as it was from the train (at least for the person not driving).
Here is an excerpt from the Wikipedia article about this portion of Highway 530.
Most of U.S. 550 in Colorado is two-lane mountainous highway. It is one of only two north–south U.S. Highways in Colorado which runs west of the Continental Divide The other route is US 491. The route travels north through the San Juan Mountains.
The Million Dollar Highway stretches for about 25 miles (40 km) in western Colorado and follows the route of U.S. 550 between Silverton and Ouray, Colorado. It is part of the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway. Between Durango and Silverton the Skyway loosely parallels the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.
Though the entire stretch has been called the Million Dollar Highway, it is really the twelve miles (19 km) south of Ouray through the
Uncompahgre Gorge to the summit of Red Mountain Pass which gains the highway its name. This stretch through the gorge is challenging and potentially hazardous to drive; it is characterized by steep cliffs, narrow lanes, and a lack of guardrails; the ascent of Red Mountain Pass is marked with a number of hairpin "S" curves used to gain elevation, and again, narrow lanes for traffic—many cut directly into the sides of mountains. During this ascent, the remains of the
Idarado Mine are visible. Travel north from Silverton to Ouray allows drivers to hug the inside of curves; travel south from Ouray to Silverton perches drivers on the vertiginous outside edge of the highway. Large
RVs travel in both directions, which adds a degree of excitement (or danger) to people in cars.
[2] The road is kept open year-round. Summer temperatures can range from 70-90 degree highs at the ends of the highway to 50-70 degrees in the mountain passes. The snow season starts in October, and snow will often close the road in winter. Chains may be required to drive.
[3] 
That is a beautiful road, we've driven it several times.
Posted by: Martha | July 18, 2011 at 02:02 PM
;))) I just finished telling my husby about this hwy on Friday as we will be heading out that way late September. I have to show him this post now too, great suff!
Posted by: Mary Howell Cromer | July 18, 2011 at 02:49 AM
Beautiful shots from the road. I love mountains and you captured them very well.
Posted by: Carver | July 16, 2011 at 10:37 AM
Your trip was wonderful ! I like a lot these long roads is so beautiful landscapes !
Posted by: Annie | July 16, 2011 at 06:06 AM
We have done this trip looooong ago, but the landscape hasn't changed ! Beautiful !
Posted by: Gattina | July 16, 2011 at 02:37 AM
love the way that sign points to the mountain
Posted by: Kel | July 15, 2011 at 05:59 PM
We have traveled that highway too but never while towing our Fifth Wheel. No way could I do that. But that whole area is so incredibly beautiful. We especially like the little town of Ouray.
Posted by: Margot | July 15, 2011 at 12:57 PM
Stunning!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Posted by: Boom & Gary | July 15, 2011 at 11:12 AM
Sallie, "Million dollar" shots from your trip. Such beautiful country you traveled through. Hard to ever get any better scenery that those beautiful mountains in Colorado. Sounds like you had a wonderful time--I think your "fellow bloggers" are all envious ( I know I am)! Take care and have a great weekend. Mickie :)
Posted by: Mickie Brown | July 15, 2011 at 09:51 AM
The scenery is stunning!
Posted by: Lady Fi | July 15, 2011 at 08:24 AM
Beautiful! I drove through Colorado about 15 years ago and loved it, though I couldn't wait to get back to Oregon!
Posted by: Mike B. | July 15, 2011 at 07:20 AM
OH yes Ive driven that highway--BUT the day we did it was raining--one of those All day rains--Looks like we missed some spectacualar landscapes!!
Posted by: Sondra | July 15, 2011 at 05:21 AM
wow, what a place! amazing shots :)
Posted by: pip | July 15, 2011 at 01:38 AM
Such a gorgeous place and your photos are superb! Haven't been there in a while, but your pics brought back lots of wonderful memories! Thanks!! Happy SWF! Have a beautiful weekend, Sallie!
Sylvia
Posted by: Sylvia Kirkwood | July 14, 2011 at 08:17 PM
Wow! beautiful shots of the place. Very much scenic.
Posted by: Rajesh | July 14, 2011 at 06:20 PM
beautiful! the purple mountains in that one photo are just spectacular! :)
Posted by: TexWisGirl | July 14, 2011 at 05:27 PM
You weren’t kidding....these sights are drop dear gorgeous. What a heavenly spot. Think I would love to ride out there on a train. A bit romantic, I think. Genie
Posted by: Genie Robinson | July 14, 2011 at 05:21 PM
WOW, what a gorgeous view of the mountain. Thanks for sharing this lovely tour. The photos are great. Happy skywatching!
Posted by: Eileen | July 14, 2011 at 04:38 PM
Thank you for this lovely mini-trip. We have a big train trip planned--I can't wait, and you know i'll blog about it.
Posted by: Clair Z. | July 14, 2011 at 02:05 PM
so jealous! i want to drive through there. what million dollar views you saw.
Posted by: Ewok | July 14, 2011 at 02:04 PM