An early start to the day and all aboard the Peter Brown sightseeing express to avoid the Memorial Day crowds.
Our first stop, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. It surrounds part of a deep, steep-walled gorge carved through Precambrian rock by the Gunnison River.
Our photos stops were kept to the minimum and no souvenir stops on this tour.
We managed to see 3 of the 7 designated viewing spots before driving back down the Mountain towards Montrose.
We did get to see a gorgeous little deer and speak to an Aussie couple who were doing a six-week road trip around the USA. It was lovely to hear the familiar Australian accent.
Yesterday we were going to visit the Museum of the Mountain West (historic western memorabilia and buildings) but our enthusiasm was a little lack. Today we passed it going to the national park, got the photo, saved a buck.
Our destination today is not far from Aspen but we have a few miles to drive before we get there.
We also have to find accommodation. Originally we had pre-booked the next two nights campsites at Grand Junction due to the Memorial Weekend, however, my begging to see Aspen or Vail has changed our plans.
We will stay in Grand Junction in a few days time.
We passed the small town of Delta where we stopped for fuel, Safeway food shop and a removal of the poor bugs on the windshield.
Hopefully the photos today will not have big black splats on them…
We passed gorgeous farms and ranches with cattle and horses, the mountains looming on the horizon.
Through the small town of North Fork and then onto Colorado 133 North for 90 miles or so.
Up the mountains, we went. All I could say was “it’s bloody beautiful everywhere you look!”.
Note: I am not sure if I will get many stops at ‘points of interest’ today.
Past the town of Paonia and then the landscape was filled with stunning farms and orchards filling the valley of the mountains.
We followed the North Fork Gunnison River and Railway into Somerset, a small coal-mining town.
Up the mountains again and passed the spectacular Paonia Reservoir, more winding around the mountain roads, over the McClure Pass into the Gunnison National Forest, the White River National Forest and then following the beautiful Crystal River.
We stopped at the Hays Creek Falls, passed the small river town of Redstone and then we finally arrived at tonight’s destination Carbondale/Crystal River KOA.
Carbondale is a small town nestled in the Elk Mountain Range of the Rocky Mountains, our campsite runs along the Crystal River about 5 miles out of the town.
Once we had set up camp we decided to get the bikes out and ride along the cycle path into Carbondale. The weather was fairly warm but there was a gentle cool breeze. The cycle path followed the Crystal River into Carbondale and it was wonderful to be out on the bikes again. The scenery was also wonderful riding along the river, between farmland with cows grazing, the cute log cabins, and farmhouses.
Carbondale is a sweet little town with pretty houses, a small downtown, and great feel. We rode our bikes around the quiet street, had a quick photo stop and then jumped back on our bikes to return to the campsite.
Tacos in the motorhome for dinner and then time to relax amongst the beautiful mountains.
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