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SHOOTOUT IN DURANGO

July 25-31, 2010

    Location: Durango, Southwest Colorado

Durango!  Even the name evokes images of the Wild Old West. Nestling in a beautiful valley beneath the majestic San Juan Mountains , Durango is one of the top destinations for adventurous travelers in the Rocky Mountains . Combine this natural beauty with the fascinating history of the Four Corners (the only point in the US where four states--- Colorado , Arizona , Utah , and New Mexico meet), and the photographic opportunities are nearly endless.

We’ll spend much of our time amidst the grandeur of the San Juan Mountains, the most extensive and highest range within this country’s Rocky Mountain system outside of Alaska.  Just north of Durango, thirteen peaks rise above 14,000 ft., more than in the rest of North America combined. And many more are just slightly less.  The streams and waterfalls in August will be flowing with snowmelt and meadows will be alive with wildflowers and white-trunked aspens.

Ghost-towns from the mining days of the 1880’s such as Red Mountain, Irontown, and Animas Forks will add variety, history, and nostalgia to our mountain journeys. We’ll also enjoy the “ Americana ” in Silverton, where Bat Masterson and Wyatt Earp once roamed the streets, Ouray, the “ Switzerland of the Rockies”, and Durango, which will be our home base during the week’s travels.

We'll spend time with local cowboys working with their horses, we'll ride an authentic stagecoach deep into the canyons for a steak dinner, photographing the action along the way, the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow-Gauge train provides exciting photographic opportunities as it chugs and steams into the depths of the San Juans, and we'll marvel at the ancient Anasazi ruins such as Chaco Canyon and Hovenweep, where the spirits of the Hisatsinom, the "Long Ago People" of the Hopi, can still be felt.

This week coincides with "Fiesta Days", Durango's yearly celebration of the old west. Although our itinerary doesn't include any of the week's scheduled events except for the parade on Saturday, the 31st, which always has interesting photo possibilities, there is a nightly rodeo, barbeques, etc., all with the flavor of the old days. This is a week full of photographic variety amidst spectacular scenery and visions of the Old West, and few locations can compare with what is available around Durango.

 CONTACT/QUESTIONS/COMMENTS 

Cost: $1,525 --- Single Supplement: $75 

To register, please  fill out the  tour application and  payment options forms. You may reserve a space (50% deposit or full payment) with your credit card or Pay Pal account or send a check to: Branson Reynolds, POB 3471, Durango,Co 81301.`````    

Arrival/Departure Point: Durango, Colorado

Nearest Large Airport: Durango, Colorado, Albuquerque, New Mexico (4 hr. drive from Durango)

Frequently asked Questions: Details on lodging, transportation, equipment, etc.