The next morning, we went downtown to explore. As may be evident in the name of the town, (Pagosa means "healing waters" in Ute, who vied with other tribes for ownership of the springs) it was built around the hot springs that bubble up at 140 degrees on the edge of downtown, flowing into the San Juan River. It became a popular spa area in the late 19th century. Today, there are several spas open to the public. At dinner our first evening, we ran into a couple from Durango who drive the 50 miles every week to use the springs, which are purported to have medical benefits. We explored several options to use the springs, but could not overcome the very strong stench of sulfa... we had used the outdoor hot springs in Steamboat Springs, but these seemed overly commercialized, and very crowded!
We wandered up by the large resort hotel that has the "mother spring" on its property- very pretty. lots of native plantings around the building, and a number of awards for sustainable practices. Several of the public buildings downtown use the springs for heating.
There was a nice river walk area, with several greenhouse buildings near the end, where they are experimenting with different growing options. The Audubon had a "native bee" house to attract native bees to the plantings.
After lunch, we headed over the the Chimney Rock National Monument, which I had on my list, but had forgotten was so close to Pagosa Springs. Chimney Rock is located on top of a high mesa, and is the home to ancestors of the Pueblo Indians. This location has what I have decided is the cutest little visitor center we have yet seen. After driving 2 1/2 miles up the mesa, we a self-guided walking tour around the area, where remains of pit houses and a kiva are visible. They do offer a ranger guided tour to the top, where there are ruins of what they believe was a ceremonial building, but the last one for the day had already left. There are great views from the top, as well.
Golf was next on our list, so Wednesday morning we headed for the local course. The course was pretty, well maintained (except for dodging the goose poop from the resident Canada Geese...), and had nice views. We have truly lucked out with weather this trip- have not had any reason to pull out the rain jackets. It was not a particularly easy course, made more difficult by elevation- 7105 feet- also the name of their restaurant. We did OK until half way through the second nine, which seemed to do us in. Overall, not a bad way to spend a day.
This was a good break for us before beginning our trek back east. Tomorrow, we will head to Oklahoma.
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