Weekend Adventure

Scenery just before Telluride

It's been a while since David and I have ventured out of our little abode in GWS.  But this past weekend, we journeyed off toward Southern Colorado.  We made stops in Telluride and Ouray, Colorado...two of the most unique, gorgeous, and Mayberry-like towns you could see in CO.  We drove through Paonia and Montrose, making our way to our first stop in Telluride.  We had lunch at “Baked in Telluride” where all their breads and pastries are homemade.  We had plans to ride a 20 minute gondola ride up to Mountain Village.  Unfortunately, it was closed that day for maintenance.  So we headed over to see Bridal Veil Falls, which is a 365 foot waterfall and the highest in Colorado.  The waterfall is next to Black Bear Pass…easily one of the most dangerous trails in Colorado.

Stopped by Hays Creek Falls on our way to Telluride

Hays Creek Falls

Beautiful downtown Telluride

Bridal Veil Falls Telluride, Colorado

Another image of Bridal Veil Falls

I can't take credit for this photo, but I wanted you to see Black Bear Pass.
You can see the 365 ft. fall next to all these switchbacks or "steps,"
which is Black Bear Pass.  Unbelievable and crazy, but people really do drive this.

From Telluride, we traveled about an hour up to Ouray.  We fell in love with this little town’s beauty and peaceful feeling.  We stayed at Timber Ridge Lodge which was a very pleasant stay.  The room was clean, cozy, and just the nicest, friendliest owner a guest could ask for.  In Ouray, we saw the Box Canyon waterfall...amazing.  The walls around you are enormous and extend up about 100 ft. past the waterfall.  The sound of this waterfall is incredibly loud, letting you know how powerful it is.  

Box Canyon Ouray, Co

Enjoy this look around the Box Canyon!

In the Box Canyon

 That evening we had dinner at the Ouray Brewery and then headed over to Ourayle House Brewery.  This brewery is ran by one man, Mr. Grumpy Pants, who brews his own beer made with local natural ingredients.  This was a interesting and homey place.  David and I enjoyed trying a taste and playing a game of “Bananagrams.” 

Beautiful downtown Ouray

At the brewery...admiring downtown Ouray

Mr. Grumpy Pants' Beers...We chose his #2 and #5  :)

Fun game of "Bananagrams"

A night out in Ouray

The next morning we grabbed a bite to eat at the Artisan Bakery and then made a short little hike to see Cascade Falls, which is right off the main drag in Ouray.  It’s definitely worth the hike to see this waterfall shoot out of the red canyon. 

Cascade Falls...Ouray, Colorado

After leaving Ouray, we headed back toward GWS, making a pit stop at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison..a national park along the Gunnison River.  There is lots of God’s masterpieces in this park.  Along the parks’ stops, you see huge canyons with the Gunnison River flowing below.  One of the main attractions here is the Painted Wall.  This wall is the tallest canyon wall in Colorado (2,250 ft).  If the Empire State Building was standing beside the Painted Wall, the building would almost reach half way. 

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

At Black Canyon of the Gunnison

This is the painted wall...Gunnison River just below

From here we made our way to the largest mesa in the country..the Grand Mesa National Forest.  The highest point in elevation is approximately 11,000 ft.  The weather changed once we made it to the top... the temperature dropped about 20 degrees and it started snowing.  Lakes were still frozen at the top...

We had a fabulous weekend together and enjoyed seeing some more beautiful places!  

Hope you enjoy our pictures of this little adventure!