Sensory Overload

Headed to the Grand Canyon on sensory overload.
We make our way to the next stop, Dolores, Colorado, probably the smallest town I've every spent time in.
Dolores is what is left of a stop on the rail lines. The center of the "square" is the old train depot.
The Dolores River runs through the town. It was named by Spanish Catholic priests in 1776- "Rio de Nuestra Senora de las Dolores"- the River of Our Lady of Sorrows. Seems a bit of a negative cast to the humble beginnings of this area. In 1891 a railhead was established here and in the early 1900's Dolores thrived as a major stop on the rail line. The town served the surrounding mining communities as well as the farming and ranching folks and became the commercial center of the county. Hard to believe as I look out at so many ghost buildings. Unfortunately, as seems to be the sad fate in so many small towns, the rail line was abandoned in the early 50's. As I've traveled the rural areas I see many abandoned depots that would be great fixer uppers-B&B or a neat little coffee and tea emporium. Dolores still has a draw as a recreation destination but honestly, there are about 4 small businesses and I 'm amazed that they are in business at all.

We spend the night at a B&B called the Rio Grande Southern. Its historical place ranking comes from the fact that Teddy Roosevelt spent the night there when he visited a nearby area he was crowning with national park status. Zane Gray ( the famous, prolific writer of Western novels) also stayed there.
Accommodations are adequate. made all the better because we're the only takers. But the tiny little hole-in-the wall restaurant on the ground floor... now that's another story all together. The owners are chief cook and bottle washer and are so friendly and accommodating, I think I could come down to breakfast in my PJ's and they would be totally and it won't phase them. Just feels like home folks. Great hickory smoked beef brisket salad in case your wondering.
(By the way, it has really surprised me that every restaurant we've eaten breakfast in so far has had grits on the menu.)
Dolores gets the distinction of being the first time I've seen a medical marijuana dispensary. Welcome to the West. Had to have a picture of that.
Next stop- on to the big ditch.