After seeing Vail, I wanted to visit another well-known ski resort. On the way from Moab, we drove to Dolores, Colorado so we could take the San Juan Scenic Byway (Hwy 145) through Rico up to Telluride. Snow-covered mountains greeted us as we drove along the Dolores River. Nearby Mesa Verde National Park near Cortez beckoned us. However, research showed that the cliff houses weren’t open for tours when we were there. Unfortunately, the Spruce Tree House, which normally is open year round, temporarily closed after a rock fall in October 2015. We still could have done the scenic drive, but we were looking at 80 miles out of the way and just couldn’t squeeze it in. (more…)