Travel to Montrose and trip to Black Canyon

On our trip over to Montrose we started early like we like to do.  By doing this we were pleased to find minimal traffic as we traversed the mountains.  This was a much better climb than I was anticipating.  The road was beautiful

following a nice river all the way to the top.  As we started down we realized that Telluride was just few miles away.  Since neither of us had been there we drove into town.  We were amazed at the activity in town as early as we drove through(9:30 am). There were joggers and cyclist using the bike path from town out to the main highway.  I was surprised how many were not being affected by the altitude.  The little town was bustling with open air coffee shops

and early shoppers. 

Since there is only one way in and out we drove to the end of town and turned around in a parking lot.  The drive down to Montrose was extremely easy, following a large RV that appeared to be afraid of his shadow.  He road his brakes continual down into Montrose.  It looked like he had not driven an RV anyplace but on flat curveless roads.  He would even brake going uphill.

Again and early start, we drove across town to a city park along a river to do our morning walk.  Jan was lucky enough to be greeted by an overly friendly 100# miniature mastiff with his buddy.  He jumped on her and nearly knocked her to the ground, I caught her from falling.  The owner was very apologetic and concerned. On we went for a nice walk

along the river. 

After this we drove up to Black Canyon of the Gunnison.  This is a park that, if you are anywhere close, should not be missed. 

The color, the steepness, and the texture are very hard to describe and I hope my pictures help.

We met a couple of folks from TN and KY while driving the rim and met a ranger that made us feel right at home.  He, even, pointed out a group of emergency trainees that were doing steep canyon rescue practice.  It was cool to look across the canyon to see their practice. 

I was able to get, my afraid of heights, Jan to a good place for a fun picture.  She was so afraid at other places that she would grab me to try an stop my getting too close to the rims. 

On Monday, we drove to a National Park that we had never ever heard of, Colorado Monument NP. 

This is a beautiful park just west of Grand Junction, CO.  Driving through it, the views of the canyons were spectacular. 

The canyon was a lot like the canyons of Sedona, AZ ;and also the Grand Canyon.  The color of the walls and the texture of them was interesting.  The campers next to us, from Green Bay, WI, told us about this gem.  While driving the rim a kid desert sheep walked across the road in front of us.  He proceeded over to a rock where he jumped up on to a ledge.  I turned around and looked up

and there sat a male desert sheep overlooking all that was going on.