The former Victorian mining town of Telluride

Touristy? Yes. Scenic? Very. A livable town? Totally. Telluride is a name that most people have heard of and for good reason. This, cute as a button village, is as close to perfect as any Main St. could be. We thought Durango was beautiful but this place wins our Beaver Cleaver Award, hands down. Victorian homes and Victorian era storefronts line the streets of this 12 block by 6 block community that time gracefully forgot.
  Telluride is located at the end of the road, in a box canyon. Here, gondolas ferry people and pets to the top of the mountain, all year long, and at no charge. Here, vehicles actually park as there is nowhere to drive except to a dead end. Here, parking is free. Here, well maintained paths follow the river through town. Here, there are more people walking and riding bikes than people in cars. Here, you can hear nature just as easily as the clamor of daily life. And here, was the first time since we've been back in the country that my children saw the benefits of living in the U.S.
   There are many inspiring places and people in the U.S. and this road trip is exposing each of us to the beauty of the U.S.A.
   Thank you, to the caretakers of Telluride, and your nice residents. Though we can't live here due to the expense, and snow accumulation, we can still visit you on occasion.   
 

Flower boxes in the middle of the street.

Taking Paco on a gondola ride up the mountain.

The kids enjoyed the view from high above the town.

Coming down to mountain village. 

We found the last patch of snow to play in.

Stunning mountains in the horizon.

Valley walls on three sides.

Quite picturesque, if I say so myself.

The government building.

Quaint neighborhoods.

Real people live here, this isn't a museum.

We liked the quirkiness of this neighborhood.

We walked along a well maintained path through town, along the river.