What Are Men to Rocks and Mountains?

"What are men to rocks and mountains?" - Jane Austen

The Gunnison  River Valley, which in past years has been my least favorite part of the trip to Ouray, seemed different today.  Time of year or maybe the clouds or the light?  Not sure but it seemed each direction we turned there were shades of blue, and light bouncing off the arid landscape.

After many years of driving past, and not taking the short detour, today we went north off Highway 50, and climbed up the switchbacks to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.  My last visit was as a preteen.  Many summers I spent exploring the back roads of Colorado with my Aunt Kathleen and Uncle Al.  They have certainly improved the accessibility to the park, which made for some easy walks to breath taking overlooks into the canyon.

And then back through Montrose, where we found a great Brewpub for lunch.  Then the short trip south, where you can see the San Juans long before you arrive.

And now after strolling up and down Main Street a few times, we're safely tucked away in the Captain's Quarters of the China Clipper Inn.  Sometimes you want to go, where everybody knows your name.................okay not everyone, but enough people to make you feel like you're in a second home.

You know the only thing that's hard?  Leaving our Tucker behind.

But he's being spoiled by our neighbor and his namesake (middle name) my stepson.