Million Dollar HIghway

After leaving Colorado Springs we drove along the Arkansas River, which was in full spate and occupied by river rafters. Driving through Ouray, CO, we took U.S. 550, "the road that silver built," also called the Million Dollar HIghway, through the San Juan Mountains. The San Juans were very rich in silver, and almost impassible, so the mining companies built the road, which is still littered with the remains of abandoned mines.