We are staying in Crested Butte for the second week of August in a cabin and can't wait! The rental goes from Saturday to Saturday, and we plan to fish, hike, raft and generally chill in the area. We have most of the next week after that to explore Southwest Colorado and a smidgeon of Utah.

I've reserved am awesome cabin in the mountains near Moab/Arches for Mon. and Tues. of the second week (the only dates I could get). This begs the question: what to do with those two days in between C.B. and Moab (Sat. and Sun.)?

I was originally thinking we could camp down near Ouray/Silverton with hopes of doing the Durango-Silverton Railroad one day, but I just learned the one-way motorcoach option stops the week before. I'm not sure we can or would be willing to do the full roundtrip trip with two *active* boys (6 and 9) starting from Silverton. I fear they might get bored, which would inevitably lead to crankiness, which would not be good on an enclosed train with a tent to return to that night.

So - with this in mind - I'm wondering if we should hit Telluride instead for two days with a detour along the way to Ouray and Silverton to get a taste of the Million Dollar Highway. In this scenario, we'd hit Mesa Verde after Moab and then head home (driving) to St. Louis. We could probably sneak in the railroad after Mesa Verde, but again, we have the issue of the full round-trip.

There's also the option of driving directly from Crested Butte to Durango via the Million Dollar Highway (yes, a long day), crashing there a night, and then doing Mesa Verde the next day and the morning after that. Then, after Moab, we could head up to I70 and head home, perhaps do a day in Denver.

I just can't make up my mind, so I'd appreciate any thoughts or advice! -- nanecam

I don't know why you think the train/bus combo "stops" the week before. It is available for 4 different departure times. I would do the train up and bus back. Sit on the right hand side of train and don't wear light color clothes.

http://www.durangotrain.com/about/ne...-combo-options

Hi DebitNM, it looks like that service ends on Aug. 12th. We won't be doing the trains until a week or so later, but I'll give a call...maybe they run on a different schedule after the 12th. Sure would make things easier. We would ideally take the bus down from Silverton and ride the train back up.

Are you looking at what I am looking at? This isn't lining up to well but if you read the chart, it will be labeled better. Most trips start in Durango and go to Silverton and then back to Durango. If you are meaning the trip that starts in Silverton and goes to Durango and back to Silverton, it is just a limited time. Can't you start in Durango?

May 8- Oct 10
Bus up with Train Return 9:30 am 11:00 am 2:00 pm 5:30 pm
May 8- Oct 10 Train up with Bus Return 8:15 am 11:45 am 2:00 pm 3:30 pm

May 17- Oct 10 Bus up with Train Return
10:15 am 11:45 am 2:45 pm 6:15 pm
May 17- Oct 10 Train up with Bus Return 9:00 am 12:30 pm 2:45 pm 4:15 pm

I'd suggest stalling for a couple of days at Ouray to take advantage of the wonderful hot springs there. Ouray's hot springs are pure; free of the sulfery smell often associated with hot springs. For a special treat stay at the Weisbaden Inn so you can enjoy the Vapor Cave (like a sauna/hot tub underground) alternating with the cooler (but still thermally heated) pool. Here's a look from our trip in '05

http://www.pbase.com/peterb/co_and_nm_05&page=3


Here's their website...you can pay to use the cave and pool without staying there it seems:

http://www.wiesbadenhotsprings.com/r...a.html#springs

We loved Ouray for a couple of nights...neat town with some good dining. There's a huge public hot spring in the town park if you just want to experience it if you are just passing through:

http://www.ouraycolorado.com/Hot+Springs+Pool

On your way from Colorado To Moab: Hovenweep is a village on the head of a shallow canyon. It is an outpost from Mesa Verde, less crowded. Absolutely AMAZING. Then turn into Canyonlands on 211 off of Hwy 191. Check out Newspaper Rock. Do some desert camping Discovermoab has great listings. You will want to check out National Parks and BLM sites. Bring water and firewood.
The Colorado River runs passed Moab. Try to do a river related something. A day of rafting is around $55 for all day and includes lunch. A jetboat is around $89 for 4 hours.