We travel into Utah and Colorado.

As we crossed over into Utah, we saw some very interesting rock formations
and the weather was getting cooler.


When we crossed over into Colorado the weather caught up with us.

It began to snow! We were on Douglas Pass with 10 switchbacks with a speed limit of 15-20 miles per hour. They even counted the switchbacks for you as we drove through the pass - 9 more to go, 8 more to go etc. It was very, very frightening pass.

Our next stop in Colorado was Gunnison. This is where our friends, Dick and Jan live. We spent a few days with them. They showed us the sights and beautiful scenery around Gunnison.

The aspen and cottonwood trees were turning and just beautiful. We understand, however, another week and they would have been in full color. We did learn after leaving Colorado that this had been an exceptionally bad year for the aspens. Many have died and the fall colors were just not as brillant as in the past due. The good news is that there are millions of acres of healthy aspens, and many of them are putting on their annual, colorful show right now. You can read about this in the following link. http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20071001/NEWS/71001004

They say this is the mandatory shot of the aspens.

Dick and Jan also took us through a town not far from Gunnison - Crested Butte.

The world record Rocky Mountain elk was shot in Crested Butte. Scored by Boon & Crocket at 442 and 3/8 points. It is on display in the Chamber of Commerce as pictured below.

The morning we left Gunnison it was 23 degrees, so it was starting to get very cold.

Burrr.......

This is the Gunnison River.

Our next scenic destination was the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. No other canyon in North American combines the depth, narrowness and sheerness of this canyon. At one point the gorge is 2,772 feet deep.

Our next stop was Durango, Colorado where we spent the night and had dinner at the Strater Hotel/Saloon. The Diamond Belle Saloon was a very typical cowboy establishment.

The Diamond Belle Saloon

Very beautiful furnishings in the hotel.

The piano player was quite good and kept everyone entertained.

Public transportation in downtown Durango.