Ridgway-Ouray Lodge & Suites

... Both of them work winters at Saguaro National Park in Tucson, AZ.

As we drove eastward, Blue Mesa Reservoir was shrouded by a low cloud caused by the temperature differentials over the lake. This cleared up by mid morning. We returned to the Blue Mesa Dam to cross the Gunnison River and drive a little way along the North Rim of the Upper Black Canyon (Colorado Highway 92). (You can continue this route to reach the north rim of the lower canyon ...

... of the Empire State Building).

Before leaving the park we drove East Portal Road. This road takes you down into the canyon to the point where the Gunnison Tunnel diverts water to irrigate the Uncompahgre Valley around Montrose, Colorado. They are celebrating the tunnel’s centennial this weekend. The road itself was an adventure – about 3 miles of16% grade, and we have the picture to prove it.

On the way to the Curecanti National recreation Area we bumped into a family of sheep (I think they're Big Horns but I'll check that fact later) Then we hit the Dillon Pinnacles hike in Curecanti and Blue MesLake. We finished the day at The Black Canyon of the Gunnison. While not as deep as the Grand Cayon itself when you look at the pics bear in mind that the river is over 2000 feet below the photographer!! Stunning vistas. The skies in CO are awesomw. On to Mesa Verde in the morning

... return! There is another lake a little way above Ice Lake called Island Lake, and it looks just as cool. By the time we got off the trail and returned to Durango it was dark. We ate dinner at Carvers Brewery, walked around downtown a little bit, and then returned to our camp where we fell asleep immediately. The next morning we ran a couple errands in Durango and made our obligatory stop at Serious Texas BBQ before heading home.

... of hiking and sight seeing throughout the town, and ate and drank the way a group our size and age would be expected to.

Sorry I don't have more pics of the group, I was mesmerized by the scenery!

Maybe when I get together with them next I'll have some to add.

Hope all are well!

... and made the
native americans move away from the San Juan mountains because they
were mining for precious metals. The museum is on the site of Chief
Ourays property. Both he and his wonderful wife Chipeta are both
buried here.

That afternoon we ended our day in
Gunnison, Colorado where they were having a very cool car show. It is
an annual event where all and sundry turn out for a fun street party
as an opening to the weekend long fair.

... the Lizard Head Wilderness. Right as we got to the trailhead it started raining, luckily it didn't last long. It was actually kind of nice because it cooled it off a little. The hike to the lake was beautiful- it reminded me so much of hiking in Glacier. Navajo Lake is at 11, 154 ft, and I think there's about 2,000ft elevation gain on the 4 mile hike, but I swear that half the elevation gain is in about 3/4 mile! That part of the hike was ...

Family and Grandma Connie went to Ouray to drop of some tile work for art show. On the way, we stopped at a couple of abandoned mine sites and explored. Founds some cool rocks with imbedded crystals. Stayed at Box Canyon and soaked in spring fed hot tubs made from old wine barrels ...

... worth it? HECK YEAH! The color of the snow melt off water was just unbelievable. Back in town we stopped in the Silveron Brewery. I love old trucks, and The Silverton Brewery Truck photo was added to my collection. Inside the Brewery is a wicker Harley..as in chopper. We walked around town, finding not much open and no tourists. The town goes back into its "ghost town' attitude after the train has left for the day. I loved the fact that we were one of the few walking ...

... was full of stove fuel turned out to be full of the best wine I've had in years! So we toasted and sat cuddled around the fire dreaming about the future. The last day of our trip, hiking down the mountain, I got a horrible stomach ache. We'd been eating tiny strawberries and not exactly ripe raspberries as we went along and whether it was that or the tripping over myself being a girl and staring at my ring glinting in the sun that got to me, who can say, but I was so glad to ...