The Score: PB&J=1  McDonald’s Iced Tea = 8

Well I am now in Durango, Colorado.  I really like the town it’s does a very nice job mixing both new and old elements together to make a cohesive whole which is overall satisfactory.  I saw some very beautiful country today coming through the San Juan National Forest.  I have been trough several lovely little towns all with with various styles of architecture from traditional midwestern style wood buildings to Mexican Style Adobe type buildings with flat a flat roof. I am currently staying in a hostel called the “Durango Hometown Hostel”.  Candace the proprietor is very nice and keeps the place very clean.  The guests are very quiet and keep to themselves.  For $30 a night it is a very awesome experience.  You have all the conveniences of home, a large community bathroom as well as use of a kitchen and a common area with three computers and free access to wifi.  There is also a back deck which seems inviting.  I will check it out later.  It’s funny that tonight I have the best accommodations I have had since leaving Tennessee Thursday and now am really to tired to type much.  I’ll give it a go anyway.  I just got back from eating at “The Irish Embassy Pub” where I had a pint of Strongbow and a Shepard’s pie.  While the meal wasn’t the best irish food I ever ate the atmosphere was probably number 2 on irish ambiance.  It is hard to beat Fado’s Pub in Atlanta for food and atmosphere.  The embassy has a multitiered dining atmosphere which really is nice with lots of nooks and crannies to get your irish on in.  The music is the best there is a mix of U2, Coldplay, and other irish contemporaries.   If I was opening a irish pub which is one of those lottery willing dreams I would base it on a mix between Fado’s pub and the embassy.  Definitely with Fado’s food, who doesn’t love Bread Pudding with Guinness Ice cream and Brown Bread Bread Ice Cream (with caramelized onions believe it or not).  Am I hungry again.  I just found out Fado’s has multiple locations in some major cities.  I may have to stop in Denver on my way home.  If I’m not Irish I sure ought to be.  Can you tell I like food?

Tomorrow the plan is to drive the million dollar highway and end up in Monument Valley.  I think spending $80 to take the narrow gauge railroad and burning up 9 hours is a bit much for this trip.  I would love to but I would have to stay another night in Durango and as lovely as Durango is and my desire to see it more this trip is but a glimpse of the west and unfortunately I cannot stay too long in any one place.  I hope I will be able to get some camping arrangements in Monument Valley.  I really want to photograph there.  It is one of three have to locations on this photo safari along with Grand Tetons and Glacier National Park.  I can only hope the weather is perfect and not sure what that is because there are multiple weather scenarios I would love to photograph there. 

Well I could continue longer but I am really just to tired, I didn’t sleep well in the car last night at all thanks to be thrown out at Great Sand Dunes for potentially sleeping in the car.