Great Sand Dunes NP

Great Sand Dunes is another National Park “off the beaten path”.  Located in south-central Colorado, away from major populations, it is definitely a destination spot (i.e., you have to want to go there). 

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Our main reason for a week-long stopover in Montrose, CO, was its proximity to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP.  This park was on part of our plans for travel this summer, even before the article about it in Sunset Magazine April’s edition. 

Ouray, Colorado

Elevation of 7792 ft, downtown a “designated historic district”, promoted as “the Switzerland of America”, located on a scenic byway north of Silverton – these were the informational tidbits I had before our daytrip to Ouray.  Gary knew a bit more due to his readings of the Box Canyon Blog.  I really did not know what to expect.

Grand Junction, CO

Leaving Moab, we traveled NE into Colorado and spent a week in the Grand Junction area.  The town name was based on the junction of the Grand River and Gunnison River (the Grand was later renamed the Colorado River).