Gipatik: 10.07.2018
Contrary to all predictions and due to different statements, we set off this morning on the originally planned tour to Ouray via Highway 550.
Right after Durango, we went up into the high alpine area and followed the Million Dollar Highway - as the 550 is also called - mile by mile and meter by meter of altitude. 3 passes up to 3500 meters and one with just under 4000 meters put a smile on all our faces, because finally we could go for some 'cornering' and really challenge the Harleys. The road is called Million Dollar Highway because allegedly the construction costs per mile were one million dollars.
The special and also somewhat scary thing is that there are no barriers between the road and the abyss. Directly next to the asphalt, it goes down sometimes vertically and several hundred meters. You can feel your heart beating a few beats faster...
Stopover in Silverton, visit to the highest Harley dealer in the world (about 2800 meters high) and further through the Red Mountains to Ouray, a small, alpine and magical artist town in the middle of the mountains. Ouray was also our destination for today, which we reached in the early afternoon.
All roads were cleared and the weather held up as well.
Conclusion of the day: Rocky Mountains is one of the most beautiful alpine landscapes in the world, or in other words: The Alps on a grand scale!