Silverton

Silverton Grocery Store

Following Ice Lake, we lunch in ancient silver mining town Silverton (9,305 feet), which is nearly cut off inside the San Juans - The only access via 550 from Durango or the treacherous Million Dollar Highway from Oray, which is often closed by snow or rockfall.  The closest hospital is 400 miles and errands and shopping not much better. I imagine Silverton attracts a certain type.

It is not lost on me that the Griswolds visited Durango in the 1983 classic, National Lampoon's Family Vacation.  Too close for comfort.

Spotted from the road:
Grand Junction: "Pawn Shop, Guns and Goodies!"
Grand Mesa: "Pawn & Gun, the area’s best! We exchange for guns of any kind."
Montrose: Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, $299. Affordable and local.