BLACK CANYON

SATURDAY, 28th MAY.

A fabulous day.  We left the motel this morning after enjoying a complimentary continental breakfast and drove up the Main Street and round the corner to the Visitor Centre, passing a Farmers' Market on the way so decided to call in there on our way back.  The lady in the Visitor Centre was extremely friendly and helpful and we left armed with useful information and maps, then walked back and through the market and up Main Street, calling in to the Heirlooms for Hospice shop (Op Shop) to have a look at the terrific collection of furniture, knick knacks, clothing etc., before driving out to Black Canyon, a 20 minute drive away.  Another canyon but different from the others we've visited, the Gunnison River can be easily seen way down below many of the viewing spots, most of which are along a track just a short distance from the road.  A picnic table affording magnificent views of the canyon was where we stopped for lunch and when we thought that perhaps we'd taken enough photos we made our way back to the Park Visitor Centre where we saw Boris' cousin (a Hymer B564) from Switzerland in the carpark and were briefly overcome with nostalgia.  Moving on, we drove back almost to the entrance gate and turned onto the Portal Road, following its curves and 16% gradient to the Gunnison River, where we watched two fly fishermen casting their lines and 'felt the serenity' of the river and the sheer rock cliffs on either side.   Camping is permissable by the river, fishing, canoeing, perhaps swimming in the summer all possible.  Perfect!!

When we'd had our fill of all these wondrous sights, we drove back to Montrose, settled in to our airbnb and met our fellow guests Matt and Janet from Michigan who are on a similar road trip to ours though travelling in the opposite direction, and permanent guests Jullian from Alabama and Dan from Massachusetts, both of whom are Occupational Therapists working in the area on contracts.

After our  evening meal, we walked around the corner to the Horsefly Brewery & Bar for a couple of beers.  The bar staff consisted of at least eight young people, all cheerful and hard working, rushed off their feet for a time serving drinks and meals.  We got talking to the Denver couple sitting next to us at the bar and chatted happily to them until it was time for us to leave and retire for the night.