Friday, August 25, 2017

Hooray for Ouray~Colorado Part 2

After leaving Grape Creek RV Camp in Westcliffe, Colorado, we moved on over to the KOA Campground in Ouray(If you missed the first post about Grape Creek, you can click HERE to read it.) 


As usual, I'm inviting you 
to come along on our trip.
It's a 3-weeker this time. 

"Weeker" 
I made that word up.  

Two of our three weeks will be 
spent at this KOA Campground in 
Ouray, and then we'll move down 
to Durango for the final week. 

We think these KOA sites are a bit 
too close but the treed view outside our
back window (the living area) is pure delight!

Beneath the trees we find 
a lovely narrow stream.
(Sorry about the inside reflection here.)

I cherished the early mornings, 
drinking coffee, 
doing daily devotions
reading artsy magazines,
and all while enjoying the happy view!

Of course, I wasn't reading and looking out the window at the same time but please know that if I was capable of reading with one eye and looking out the window with the other, I would have done it!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Now let's go into Ouray (population 1,000 as of 2010 and, as I mentioned in my previous post, it's pronounced Yoo-Ray). It's a short five mile drive so that's a good place to start out. 

Surrounded by the San Juan Mountains on three sides, Ouray is known as The Jeeping Capital of the World. In fact, the guys went jeeping twice but that's another post. 

After a bit of shopping, my friend 
Linda and I spotted the guys 
seated atop the Ouray Brewery.
(Rick was with them but left to go catch 
up with Carrie who was still shopping.)
  How about we go up and get a birds-eye view.

Look right.

Look directly across the street.


Now look to the left.
You've just seen Main Street, Ouray, Colorado.
Small and very cool!
Don't you love those mountains 
in the background?
I sure do!

Of course, there are side streets and a few backroads that run parallel to Main on both sides, some of which are not paved but add to the charm. That is, unless it's raining! In that case, I suspect it might lose some of it's appeal and we wouldn't enjoy it as much, would we?

A summer feature is the Hot Springs Pool & Park at the end of Main Street which you did not see when you looked to the right (above). 


Don't go back up there to look! 
"Why?, you ask.
Mainly because I'm concerned that 
if you stick your head out too far,
STRETCHING,
STRETCHING,
trying to see the pool, 
you might 
smash it,
smack-dab 
into your computer screen! 
Ouch! 

Instead, click here 
and you'll find an 
excellent aerial photo of the 
pool, park and Main street, 
along with some info. 
It's much gentler on the old cranium!

Below is Ouray from the
Million Dollar Highway 
(U.S. 550). 
This pic was taken in 2010 and 
from the opposite end of where
we traverse in and out of Ouray 
to and from our current campsite.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Meanwhile, 
back at the Brewery...
Here's Geo and Joe enjoying the view.

And Linda smiling as always!
She's fun!

I'm sitting with Geo & Joe now.
Somebody's gotta do it!
LOL!

We grabbed a bite to eat at
O'Brien's Pub and Grill 
where we sat outside
to relish in the warm weather.

For the moment it was warm.
It changed all the time 
throughout the day, 
almost every day
while we were in Colorado.
We loved the cool temps!

No pics of O'Brien's but it was very tasty.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

About a week later, the four of us explored a couple of Ouray's side roads during a stroll to check out an RV park. Passing some colorful, spots along the way, we found it necessary to take advantage of the photo op.

Joe & Linda affectionately carrying their 
sweet owners--Tootie left and Harley, right.

Harley on a bridge over busy water.
Definitely not troubled water!
Just busy.

The wild flowers and rock-lined 
bank makes for a nice view!
The pic really doesn't do it justice.

My, my but aren't we colorful!
I hope you're not blinded by it!

We didn't see any chain restaurants or shops in OurayThey all seemed to be friendly, down-home entrepreneurs -- very nice! It's a lovely little town in which to shop, eat, roam, and hang out a bit. 

That's it for now.
I hope you enjoyed it!

We'll do more of Colorado very soon.



Smiles & Hugs,
D~~~~

Monday, August 14, 2017

Colorado Time! ~ Part 1

We spent our first night in Westcliffe, Colorado at Grape Creek RV Park, a very small and cozy little park with a gorgeous view of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. We met up with our friends, Joe & Linda and Rick & Carrie there so we could all enjoy Colorado together.


Early morning view out 
the back of our RV (the living room).
Left

Right

Panoramic view.

The Grape Creek Park stop was merely an overnight stay. It's off the beaten path, and the town of Westcliffe is very small but it looks like a fun place to do a little bit of exploring in the future. 


The next morning, we all headed to camp about 5 miles outside of Ouray (the locals pronounce it Yoo-Ray). 



This purple barn quilt was a cute 
goodbye as we pulled out of Grape Creek.

Outside of Salida, CO.

A pretty photo taken near Gunnison
but, of course, everywhere is pretty here.


Elmer with his butt plopped on  
George's chest the first night.


See ya soon.

Smiles & Hugs from Ouray,
D~~~~