Sep 17 - Visiting a Nearby Canyon

After settling into our new digs in Crawford, I think the verdict's in...no long term stays in Crawford. Lotsa reasons for the decision, but mostly it's just a bit too remote. We spent most of the morning riding between Crawford, Hotchkiss and Paonia just looking for places we might eat or buy groceries. Pretty limited, I must say.

So...next we headed out to see some of the nearby countryside. Every place is different; every place has its charm; every place has its drawbacks. But, by following a path named Black Canyon Rd., we came in the back door to...well...Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. We've made many a trek along Hwy 50 which parallels the Gunnison River and its gorgeous canyon vistas. But, we'd never actually visited the "Park" that is 15+/- miles east of Hwy 50 and Hwy 92 which leads into Crawford and Paonia. Black Canyon Rd. quickly becomes gravel making its way to North Rim Rd. North Rim is not the official "park road," but we felt obliged to partake of its scenic sights and wonders, nonetheless.

Here's what it looks like riding along Black Canyon Rd.

I love the flaxen grasses that grow alongside the road; it's reminiscent of Big Bend...

...and the yellow Brittle Bush that borders just the roadside.

Hey...I understand that I'm a bit strange, but my mind goes crazy trying to figure out why the brown grass and the yellow Bristle Bush line this remote roadway so precisely? Were they planted there...hmmm? Or do they just respond well to carbon monoxide? If the highway department or park service planted them...then...wow...thank you! However, is all of that time spent planting the reason we now have to spend so much time repairing every road and highway in the nation? Nevermind...I can't go there right now.

I suppose the Black Canyon of the Gunnison holds a similar fantasy or curiosity for some folks as the Grand Canyon. For some, it's a must see, explore, visit and revisit as often as possible. The beauty and grandeur is just overwhelming. Here's a couple of examples:

Truly striking as you approach a lookout point and gaze down the canyon.

Breathtaking in scope and grandeur.

The area is replete with Gunnison Gals...also quite striking! Hard to choose where to look.

That said, I find it not unlike many other natural wonders including, but not limited to: Blue Ridge Parkway, Pacific Coast Hwy 1, British Columbia, etc., in that after a while it is as though someone is going before you and replacing the upcoming landscape with the same scenes you've just traversed. Does that make any sense? It's not intended, in any way, to detract from the magnificence or the beauty and wonder. Rather it's a pledge of allegiance to the mantra, "Variety is the spice of life." If you disagree, that's fine!

I also find it quite a worthy challenge in an area such as this to take photographs with diversity. Pretty soon, every breathtaking vista becomes just one more digital image. However, I'm always up for a good challenge, so here, then, are a few of my efforts to break the photo-monotony.

First, let's try come good ole contrast.

This is balanced rock...according to the sign.

Next...let's get a bit more dramatic with the lighting...

This canyon really ROCKS! (pardon the pun)

Looks like the engineers quit halfway through their construction project. Quite striking.

What lurks beneath???

Then...there's always plenty of color to be found in nature...

Turn up the exposure and these rocks have plenty personality!

The guys have been planting the flowers along the roadside again.

Nothing to see here...just rocks folks...nothing to see here.

Anyone up for some rock climbing...geesh! And, a river runs through it.

Someone left their rocks laying up here.

Well...I hope you didn't get too bored. Like I say, it's hard to find enough ways to fully express and expose your inner canyon, but...hey...it's worth a good ole' college try every now and again.

Jethro says to tell everyone, "HOWDY!" He solicited some envious gawkers along the trail.

Couldn't resist snapping this guy on the way home. Reminded me of the three little pigs and the house made of sticks. Just sayin'

Tomorrow...Rimrocker...yee-ha!