From near Denver we headed toward South Park for a blast from my past (highschool years). We boondocked just outside Fairplay in the San Isabel National Forest. Oddly, I never camped there when I was living in Fairplay.
Making our way through Salida we spent the next few days at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Fun fact, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison was NOT named for the color of its rock. The canyon is so deep and narrow that sunlight only hits the bottom of the canyon for a short period of time each day, hence it is “black”.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Further east to Montrose and then a lunch in Ouray which, according to my Great Uncle Ben, is the best little town in Colorado. I think these photos prove him right and I thank him for recommending that we go!
Travelling to Ouray 
Hooray for Ouray 
From Ouray, we head over the pass to the San Juan National Forrest to do some hiking.
I don’t know if it was the cold the prior night, the starting altitude, or the hike itself, but I had a teary melt down not even halfway into the hike up to the Ice Lakes Basin.
During the final steep push to this high mountain lake two super capable young women easily passed me (and thus Doug). They were chatting the entire time (me? Just trying to suck in enough air not to pass out) AND they were discussing their afternoon plans – a quick stop for tacos before they then did some standup paddle boarding! Seriously?! More activity after this hike!? I couldn’t fathom how that was humanly possible and suddenly had a deeper understanding of crimes of passion. These ladies were impressive to say the least!
Doug ranks this in his top 10 hikes because as the wind blows across the lake’s surface, it shimmers with precious metals overtones – gold, silver, copper – a swirling metallic violet blue melting pot. Ice Lake was arrestingly beautiful. Maybe even worth the cry.
Ice Lake 
“Ice Lake was arrestingly beautiful. Maybe even worth the cry.”
-Wendy Heigel
Earning a much needed break, we headed towards Durango, stopping on the way to check out the old mining town of Silverton, and then on to Chimney Rock National Monument to check out the Indian dwelling ruins.
Silverton
Pinkerton Hot Springs
Chimney Rock Ruins 
From Chimney Rock we drove towards South Fork, through Monte Vista and ended up at the Great Sand Dunes National Park. These are the tallest sand dunes found anywhere in North America!
We boondocked just outside the national park and Doug took a nice ride in the area.
Colorado left it all on the table. From the gargantuan peaks in Rocky Mountain National Park and Independence Pass; to the rainbow of colors the aspen trees provided at Twin Lakes, Aspen, and Ouray; the southern Utah-like red canyons of Colorado National Monument; the Black Canyon of the Gunnison; the white, pink and coral painted hoodoos of Paint Mines; beautiful rivers, grasslands and bouldered canyons in every color throughout the state; amazing ancient ruins; and the largest Sand Dunes in the country – our just over 3 weeks in Colorado was like my dream of a Michelin rated Vegas buffet – anything you ever wanted to sample, all in one place, and done to perfection.
“…our just over 3 weeks in Colorado was like my dream of a Michelin rated Vegas buffet – anything you ever wanted to sample, all in one place, and done to perfection.”
Wendy Heigel
