Ouray, pronounced YOU-ray, Colorado

Our first full day in Ouray, Colorado!

Bayfield CO to Ouray CO

 A day of travel and marveling at the scenery.

Vallecito / Bayfield / Durango CO

Cañon City to Vallecito / Bayfield / Durango CO

• Crossing the continental divide (again)
• Windy!
• Stopping at the overlook
• Finding a Poorwill in the road to the house
• Being dazzled in the morning at the view in Vallecito - the lake, the mountains
• Hiking the Saphira trail
• Steam fog on the lake
• Deer in the yard
• Golden Mantled Squirrels everywhere
• Hiking the Vallecito Trail in the San Juan National Forest
• Bear scratch marks on the trail
• Elk sausages from the country market
• Stargazing/ telescope touring
• Gary biking Durango
• Morning coffee on the deck, enjoying the view and birds
• Ferruginous hawks 
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Cañon City, CO / Royal Gorge

Cañon City, Colorado, USA

“Another day, another day of not knowing where things are.” -Gary

This made me laugh so hard, because it is entirely true. This is the 15th day of our Wild West trip. Things have moved to different parts of the car, to different bags and backpacks, and to many different rented homes. It is the most fun we have had in a very long time, despite the logistical challenges.

• Breakfast outside in the sun
• A day at Royal Gorge:
• Crossing the Arkansas River via highest bridge in the world, allegedly
• Riding the gondola across the gorge
• Getting rained on in an unexpected squall
• Watching lightning 4 miles away
• Enjoying delicious barbecue at the cliffside cafe
• Watching the baby bighorn sheep
• Riding the zip line back (alleged #1 bucket list item in Colorado)
• Finding new plants and creatures
• Walking the bridge and seeing all the State flags
• Braving the Skyline drive
• Gary mountain biking 
• Everyone finding dinosaur footprints. Amazing.
• John’s catch of the day fish dinner! Three different trout. Perfectly prepared.
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Crossing the Great Divide: Cortez to Cañon City, Colorado, USA

A great, long and challenging day:

• Hiking and mountain biking at Canyons of the Ancients, observing parts of habitations, making new lizard friends, watching birds fly away before becoming friends
• Long long drive winding across and through mountains …
• … in heavy rain
• … with enormous lightning in every direction
• Crossing the Continental Divide!
• Arriving late evening to our destination in Cañon City, being met by patient and welcoming family 💙