Update: Rich and Debbie will be leading a caravan on Friday at 9:00 AM departing from the Anthem Outlet Malls.  From there, the plan is to have lunch in Flagstaff and stop by a photo a Four Corners.  The return will be through Farmington NM for breakfast at Jim Walker's house, and then back via I-40, including a stop in Winslow AZ (for a photo "standin on the corner").  Click here for a google turn-by-turn map.

The New Mexico Roadsters is hosting a regional overnight event called the "Ticket to Telluride" Tour.

The Route: The total Durango-Telluride loop is 231 miles, about 5.5 hours of driving time at slower mountain speed limits. The ride will begin in Durango , where we are in the process of arrange group hotel rates. From there, we will drive up the Million Dollar Highway to the historic mining towns of Silverton and Ouray (70 miles total) and stop for walking and shopping and an early lunch. After that, we will drive another 50 miles to Telluride where we will spend the afternoon touring the city and breathing in the mountain air. From Telluride, it is 111 miles back down the hill to Durango, and we may stop along the way for dinner. For turn-by-turn directions, click on the map to the right.

Million Dollar Highway: MSN Today lists the drive to Silverton and Ouray as one the best drives in the nation: "Despite varying explanations as to the origin of its name (one claims it cost $1 million a mile to build in 1924; another says it contains $1 million in gold ore), there's no disputing the fact that the 75-mile stretch of scenic highway known as Million Dollar Highway is a breathtaking journey through the majestic mountain passes of western Colorado. Crossing part of the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway, and following route US 550 between the old mining towns of Silverton and Ouray, the route's twists and turns wend high above the Red Mountain Pass at an 11,018-foot-high collapsed volcano whose lava flow was found to contain gold in 1860 and past the deep Uncompahgre Gorge, into which flow several waterfalls. As you continue to slice through the mountainside, winding along hairpin switchbacks (which tend to lack guardrails) and following old stagecoach paths, this route bears witness to the area's now-defunct mining operations; you can even stop in Silverton to admire the town's historic Victorian style buildings, some of which date back to 1874. That said, the real beauty of this trip is its elevated "million dollar" sights: Stunning views of the never-ending country-side, landscapes of springtime wildflowers, and vast terrain where elk, mountain goats, black bears, and deer roam freely and truly the picture-postcard image of the great American outdoors."

Caravan(s) from Phoenix: From Phoenix, the drive to Durango Colorado (the start and end of this loop) is 450 miles and will take about 7.5 hours. Rich says that he is planning on leaving at about 9:00 AM taking a more liesurely pace, stopping along the way, lunch in Flagsgaff, pictures at Four Corners, etc. Another group, however, may leave after work (or get off early from work). The drive home will be on Sunday, which we can also do at a fairly leisurely pace.

Cost: This is event is free to participate in, except for the cost of food and lodging. The more the merrier -- EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

Accommodations: We are working on group lodging rates in Durango. We will post them after this is done.

Preview / Photos: James Walker, who will be leading this ride, went on an exploratory trip and took some photos along the way. Click here to view the photos. Also, you can learn more about each of the towns by clicking on the city links in this article.

How to RSVP: To RSVP for this ride, simply fill out the RSVP form on the Phoenix site so that we can include you in caravan discussions, and the RSVP Form on the New Mexico Roadsters site, so they can get a full count.