Overall we drove a total of 3555 miles. Gas prices were between $3.99 in Green River and $3,43 in Canon City per gallon. The dollar exchange rate was 1 Euro = 1.44 USD.

We were quite lucky with the weather, up to 27 °C. There were a few thunderstorms but never where we were.

The landscapes amazed us once again. Coyote Buttes, White Pocket, Yellow Rock, Red Top and Big Horn Canyon are all absolutely fascinating, a photographer's paradise. We love the red rocks and impressive canyons and arches. But Colorado as well with its beautiful fall colors and its ghost towns of a time long gone is absolutely worth a visit.

We also had a number of animal encounters: a Bighorn sheep, Pronghorn antilopes, marmots, coyotes, collared lizards, and a black bear as the final highlight.

We had booked the flights ticket with Northwest Airlines via KLM www.klm.de/NWA_tickets (601 Euro each) and the rental car (Alamo Equinox) via www.usa-reise.de (418 Euro) in February.

On 1st June we got lucky with permits for the Coyote Buttes North and South ($5 each per permit). We booked accommodations approx. 3-4 months before departure.

Useful Links

http://www.ouraymountainadventures.com/OMA_maps.htm Map of backroads between Ouray and Silverton
http://www.narrowgauge.org/4x4/html/4X4.html 4x4 Adventures Colorado
http://www.byways.org/explore/states/CO/ Colorado Byways
http://www.coloradobyways.org/ Colorado Byways
http://www.gasbuddy.com/ Gas prices
My personal USA travel tips and links to travel communities, etc.