No sooner did we cross into Colorado, in the area of Grand Junction, when Gary looked up and said "hey, look at that big bird" - and there was a Golden Eagle sitting on a lightpost - and he spotted it while driving! That was our welcome into Colorado. Not that Utah doesn't have Golden Eagles - we just never saw one! First stop was the visitor center which was right next to the Vietnam Vet Memorial.
First views of Colorado mountains, as we drove out of Montrose on the 50 Hwy:
Staying at Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch; the Blue Mesa Reservoir is the largest body of water in Colorado. What a contrast in scenery, to our last stop in Moab. Quite a bit cooler too! Many things to do in the area - Telluride, Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP, kayaking the Gunnison River, Crested Butte.... but the FIRST thing we did after hooking up (and before even putting out the deck!) was to jump into their brand new outdoor pool and jacuzzi. Woo hoo! Sure missed that. We'll be in that hot tub every night.
From Windy Point Overlook, a view of the triangular peaks of the Big Blue Wilderness (also known as the San Juan Mountains, including Wetterhorn Peak, Matterhorn Peak, and Uncompaghre Peak). This viewpoint also overlooks the Slumgullion Earthflow which created the lake over 850 years ago:
Beyond Spring Creek Pass is North Clear Creek Falls, 100+ feet, which are believed to be the most photographed falls in Colorado:
Just beyond the waterfall, is Bristol Head, towering over Clear Creek Canyon, which reminded me of Half Dome over Yosemite Valley.
We returned to Blue Mesa via Catherdral Valley via Forest Service road 788:
Colorado Bluebells, and a valley near Powdermass:
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