Blackwood Canyon of the Gunnison

Early in August Wally and I  took a weekend and headed to the Western Slope of Colorado.  It was sort of our Anniversary get away.  Our original intent was to ride the motorcycle and kind of prep me for a longer ride  that is yet to come in October.  I’m not really “motorcycle mama” material, but I’m trying!  Wally had ordered a trailer and we were hoping to try it out.  But  there were issues with the order and it did not arrive in time.  Since I am not the motorcycle mama, I was planning to take a curling iron along, and a few other things that just were not going to fit in the saddlebags.  So we trailered the bike and I packed to my heart’s content and off we went.  We had reservations for a new Bread and Breakfast in Paonia.  It was recommended by a couple here in the Polo Club.  But you know, Paonia is kind of a depressing town.  Everyone there was big into vegan.  And there was a lot more green in their lifestyle than their scenery.  We backed out on our second night’s reservation and headed to Montrose.

On the way there, we stopped in Hotchkiss…which was more of what I was expecting Paonia to be.  We have old friends who bought a cherry orchard there about ten years ago.  We had a delightful time catching up with them.  I came home with a big bucket of their cherries and peaches that Don had picked just the night before. 

Later in the day we set out on the bike.  Wally has this idea he wants to ride all the mountain passes in Colorado.  We did three; Red Mountain, Molas, and Cole Bank.   We rode through Ouray and the mountains were gorgeous.  I think The last time I had been in this part of Colorado, our youth group took an eight day backpacking trip in those mountains!  

A scenic overlook on the way to Ouray~

This is Silverton and I took the picture while we were passing by…pretty good don’t you think?

On our second day we took in the south rim of the Blackwood Canyon of the Gunnison.  It was beautiful!  The canyon is narrow and steep and the
Gunnison River runs at the bottom. 

We started by riding the bottom of the canyon.  It is a 16%grade.  I’m not sure what that means exactly, except that it was really, really curvy.  Wally said we dropped about 2,500 feet in elevation in about three miles. 

Our shadow!

Back on top we took in several of the overlooks to view the canyon~

Running below is the Gunnison River~

Kayaking…for experts only. The info said “Kayakers run the river at their own risk…Class V rapids and some sections are unrunnable.” 

The Painted Wall section of the canyon~

Have to have shot of the bike~

and bikers~

This week we had our first lesson at Bible Study in Genesis 1. Looking at these photos again I am overwhelmed with God’s amazing creative power. I love what God spoke to Job in Job 38:3-7~

“Now prepare yourself like a man;
I will question you and you shall answer Me.
Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
Tell Me, if you have understanding.
Who determines its measurements?
Surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
To what were its foundations fastened?
Or who laid its cornerstones, when the morning stars sang together…”

Amazing Beauty, Amazing Creator!