Durango, CO

Durango is the closest to the "four corners" (intersection of four states: Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah)that I've been to so far - it's in a valley of the San Juan Mtns about 6 hours south of Denver and only 20 minutes from the border of New Mexico. The famous Silverton 10 gauge train lives here and takes tourists to Silverton and Ouray daily on a 3 hour trip. Durango has an historic downtown, one that reminds me of the old "West" and the beautiful Animas river meanders around and thru its city limits. Alot of folks float on the Animas; in fact that's what my daughter, Jenn, was doing on the afternoon I drove into town. Cowboy boots and hats abound along with belts studded with silver buckles and gems.... Durango is somewhat of a college town with Ft. Lewis College and Pueblo Community College in its midst. Yesterday we drove to Farmington, NM, for a prebirthday shopping trip - the closest "mall" 45 minutes away. It's sunny here 300 days a year; last nights rain was a rarity and it really helped lower the temperature...