Work is the curse of the drinking class

Well we're here. Currently posting from the historic Strater Hotel in Durango.

The snow turned to sunshine an hour into our drive yesterday, making for a beautiful drive through the sunshine over Wolf Creek Pass. The sunlight combined with the fresh snow on the pines turned much of the trip into a mobile Ansel Adams photograph. Truly spectacular.

After arriving in Durango we made it over to Kaye Book's house for some delicious Burl-B-Q. When we walked in we were treated to an impromptu set from the 'Dusters with Burle and Robin Davis joining them right in Kaye's living room. Ma Book couldn't be a nicer woman and better hostesses. She opened her home up to over 20 people, many of us (I'm sure) strangers. She dotted on her guests as any proud mother hosting a party for her son would. Within 2 minutes she knew your name and was handing you a plate a food. After the presentation of a birthday cake for Travis the 'Dusters headed to the hotel to relax, while the rest of us continued the pre-party.

Highlights of the evening included Benny "Burle" Galloway's bbq as well as his many, many tall tales; especially those concerning the old days of the Stage Stop and Leftover Salmon. Unfortunately none of those stories are fit for publication.

Up early and over to Carver's brewery for a great breakfast and even better Bloody Mary's and then to the Strater and the Diamond Belle saloon. The DB is as old as the hotel (120+ years) with intricate wood work and gold leaf in abundance. We finished up a few rounds of whiskey drinks and checked in to our room.

So here we are, ready to go. The first 'Dusters set starts in about 5 hours.... we can see the plume of smoke of the historic Durango-Silverton train right outside our window.

Game on!