Car camping in the San Juan Mountains placed me a short drive from Silverton, Colorado. That made town useful for more than sightseeing. I could come down from camp, take a shower, wash my clothes, pick up anything I needed, and eat a meal that did not come from the back of the 4Runner. Combining everything into one trip saved me from making several drives through the mountains.
Coming Down From the Mountains
Town days take on a different purpose when I am car camping. A shower and laundry may not sound like much, but both can shape the route when I am spending several days away from developed campgrounds.
Silverton let me handle those needs without moving camp or leaving the San Juan Mountains behind. Once the chores were finished, I headed downtown for pizza at Golden Block Brewery.
Historic buildings line the streets, and mountain slopes rise behind town in nearly every direction. Even a routine stop for food comes with a view.
The Gold Miner at Golden Block
I ordered the Gold Miner, a wood-fired pizza with the blistered crust and darkened edges that make this style easy to recognize. The outside had a light char, while the center remained softer beneath the toppings.
More importantly, the pizza was very good.
This was not a case of a meal tasting better simply because I had spent several days at camp. Golden Block produced a pizza that deserved its own place in the Road Trip Pizza Series.
The name also fit the stop. Between the Gold Miner pizza, Golden Block, and Silverton’s mining history, this entry practically named itself.
Bringing Rex Along
Golden Block’s outdoor seating allowed dogs, so Rex could join me instead of waiting in the 4Runner. That detail made the restaurant a workable stop during our day in town.
The patio was small, however, and the tables sat close together. Once several customers filled the space, it became cramped.
Anyone traveling with a larger dog (or one that prefers more distance from people and other dogs) may want to look at the patio before choosing a table. We made it work, but there was not much extra room to spread out.
More Than a Pizza Stop
This trip into Silverton handled the ordinary parts of road life: a shower, laundry, supplies, and a break from cooking at camp. The Gold Miner turned those errands into a stop I would remember.
Afterward, I could drive back into the San Juan Mountains with clean clothes, camp taken care of, and one more pizza added to the travel record.
Some pizzas become part of a trip because they are nearby. This one earned its place.
Follow the Road Trip Pizza Series
Pizza keeps finding its way into my travels. Follow the Road Trip Pizza series for honest stops, memorable pies, and the local restaurants I discover while traveling in the 4Runner.
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