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Durango Weekend Stay: The Rochester, Built in 1892

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  • Durango Weekend Stay: The Rochester, Built in 1892

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    <title>Wed Oct 04 2006 06</title></head><body><b>
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    <span id="subject0">Durango Weekend Stay: The Rochester, Built in 1892</span>
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    <img height="75" alt="" hspace="10" src="http://forums.chef2chef.net/avatars//11169.jpg" width="65" align="left" vspace="10">
    She sits as she has for over a century. Rock solid, built by craftsman,
    host to dignitaries, politicians and, if the wall photos are correct, a
    whole host of Hollywood stars! The old line stars, ones that cared about
    the public and loved the USA, not this new breed of chin drivel that
    seems to scream &quot;look at me, look at me!&quot; Anyway on to the story; we
    were down for the parent visit weekend at Fort Lewis College. My
    daughter attends the school as well as my son's girl friend, so we
    decided to take a trip down and have a visit. The weather was great
    allowing us to take the
    <a target="_blank" href="http://www.procheflifestories.com/prochef/2006/milliondollarhwy.htm">
    Colorado Million Dollar Highway</a> down to Durango. What a drive and
    the color, but that is another blog! Back to the story after an
    uneventful drive we pull up to the Rochester Hotel. My wife knows I like
    to stay at the old places, they ooze history and I like to sit and think
    about what people long since passed on must have thought during their
    stay at the Rochester? I mean did they think, &quot;wow this is the best of
    times!&quot; Did they have the same ideas and dreams we all have today? Did
    they enjoy a meal at one of the local restaurants with the same
    attention to what was being prepared and how? I would love to hear the
    walls speak! Oh sorry off subject again, so I wheel the jeep into the
    parking spot in front of our getaway temporary housing and she is what I
    thought she would be!<br>
    <br>
    <img src="http://www.thecowboyandtherose.com/pics1/rochester/rochesterfront.jpg">
    <br>
    <br>
    Stately and solid, one he11 of a gal this Rochester Hotel! Built in 1892
    she has transformed and changed but always housed travelers. And as a
    bonus she has an older art deco sign. I have traveled as far as South
    Beach Miami to look at the wonders of the art deco era! And this is a
    little gem right in our southwestern corner!<br>
    <br>
    <img src="http://www.thecowboyandtherose.com/pics1/rochester/rochester2.jpg">
    <br>
    <br>
    <img src="http://www.thecowboyandtherose.com/pics1/rochester/rochester.jpg">
    <br>
    <br>
    And set up for comfort, she sports a beautiful relaxing courtyard. Next
    visit I am bringing the portable cooking gear and we will have our own
    little restaurant for a couple hours of dinner!<br>
    <br>
    <img src="http://www.thecowboyandtherose.com/pics1/rochester/CourtyardRochester.jpg">
    <br>
    <br>
    An Antique clock on the street side of the courtyard!<br>
    <br>
    <img src="http://www.thecowboyandtherose.com/pics1/rochester/clock.jpg">
    <br>
    <br>
    If you want to get around town the owners have taken the time to restore
    a couple dozen cruisers you are welcome to borrow for the trip! Although
    town is one block to the north, some people travel further than the
    saloon at the Strattor. I personally don't see the sense in that, I mean
    the one block to the saloon and the steakhouse across the street, life
    is good! But to each their own, you wanna bike to a different area of
    town have at it, I am the one in the saloon window watching you peddle
    your butt off with the martini listening to the old guy play the he11
    out of that upright piano!<br>
    <br>
    <img src="http://www.thecowboyandtherose.com/pics1/rochester/Rochesterbikes.jpg">
    <br>
    <br>
    Coming back to the room after a visit to the Strattor's Diamond Belle
    Saloon, having imbibed in a few bombay sunlight martinis, one is treated
    to the real magic of the Art Deco Sign!<br>
    <br>
    <img src="http://www.thecowboyandtherose.com/pics1/rochester/RochesterHotelNeon.jpg">
    <br>
    <br>
    The stay was great, the visit was great, we ate at Sue and Dave's a nice
    steakhouse on main street! Fillet mignon for most, I did damage to two
    boneless pork chops. Food was excellent, wine was great, company was
    extraordinary! We had a great time. Early the next morning I am awaken
    to the sound of the old steamer getting ready for the 8 Am run to
    Silverton. As most of you know I am trying to put together a fund raiser
    on this train. But I need a $25K underwriter to pull it off
    successfully. I continue to plan, plot and scheme! And so I leave you
    with the image that haunts my brain constantly trying to figure out how
    to put it together and pull it off!<br>
    <br>
    <img src="http://www.thecowboyandtherose.com/pics1/rochester/train1.jpg">
    <br>
    <br>
    til we speak again, stay someplace unusual next time you travel, I could
    have saved 30 dollars by staying at a Motel 6 but it just does not have
    the history!<br>
    <br>
    Chef Bob Ballantyne<br>
    The Cowboy and The Rose Catering<br>
    Grand Junction, Colorado </font></p>

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    Tour the New Rig Here!

    Sgt. USMC '79-'85

    S-M inmate number 12

    RIP ronP


  • #2
    AMEN... stayed at a place in Beaver, AR where jesse james and the cole younger hid out on top of the general store...


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