The Silverton Hotel is where we picked up our Jeeps. We also came back to the hotel and had lunch after the jeep ride.
The first place we stopped was the Mayflower Mine. This is where the gold ore from the mines was taken first to get gold out of the ore. It operated until just a few years ago and was just closed down, all the equipment is still there. Now the historical society runs it as a tour.
How do you like this little cabin in the mountains? The waterfall behind it is spectacular. I couldn't see how you got to the cabin. No roads. Guess you hike in and out. I don't think anyone lives here now!
This is the ghost town of Animas Forks. The two story building in the center of the picture is supposed to be where the famous Unsinkable Mollie Brown stayed. We are on a road high above the town headed to Cinnamon Pass. We actually went into the old Hotel when we stopped.
We were taken up to this high pass. Cinnamon Pass at 12, 620 feet. As you can see it was still very cold with snow still in pockets in the crevices. The green in the background is actually tundra like in Alaska. It was very cold, even if the sun was out.
This was our "Jeep" and driver, John. The vehicle is actually a swiss made vehicle. It was made to go into the Alps and holds 12-13 people. 
After lunch we did the walking tour of Silverton, and of course we had to visit the original jail. Frank is in the cell in Silverton, CO just like at Alcratraz. What a jail bird! The town of Silverton is a historical site. The entire town is located so high in the mountains that when there is a big snowstorm the roads in and out of town are closed off. The Blair Street area was the notorious side of town and some of the Bawdy houses are still there along with their second story balconies where the "ladies of the evening" plied there wares. At the end of Blair street is where we caught the narrow gauge steam driven train.
Frank waving and holding a hot cup of cocoa. It rained hard just as we were boarding and of course, it was very cold to us!
The train made one stop on the trip back to Durango to take on water. Just like in the old days.
As we go down the mountains the train has to let off steam. Frank took this picture of the train letting off steam while crossing a trestle over the Animas River. Awsome scenery.
We are looking straight down on the road bed at the retaining wall that holds the tracks above the long way down the canyon.
This is the rear of the train going right over the retaining wall that keeps the tracks and train from falling down the canyon into the Animas River. The rapids and falls on the river below the train, while going through the canyon were spectacular.
The train came right through the RV park where we were staying. That is our Coach right behind the tree. We are in the second row. We took this picture as we rode through the park on the way to the Durango Station.
This is what the train looks like from the park as it comes right through the middle.
Good bye Silverton Railroad. We had a good time and will always remember this spectacular area of our great country.
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