August '08    Page  5            | back | index | forward |

Friday, August 8

We moved to the trailer to Lake Fork campground, at National Curecanti. $6 a night or 2 nights, no hookups. But a great view of the Blue Mesa Reservoir.

View out of our back window...

In the afternoon, we drove along 92 just past where we will be taking the boat ride tomorrow. Then took the road up to two of the Forest Service campgrounds, Ponderosa and Soap Creek.  Picnicked at Soap Creek.  Sun came out on way back  - good photos. 

At the soap creek campground.

Isn't this area beautiful?

This is the dam that holds back the reservoir.  The river in front is the Gunnison river, that we have reserved a boat trip tomorrow, and it is the same river that is in the Black Canon of the Gunnison, and further downstream, in Grand Junction, Colorado, joins the Colorado to flow through the Grand Canon.

Tonight, we took in a ranger program on sheep.

Saturday, August 9

The boat ride on Morrow Point Reservoir.

After taking about 140 steps down to the water level, we walk about a half mile to the boat along a path with stark high walls, that was originally (you guessed it!) the narrow gauge Denver and Rio Grande Railroad.

 The story is that Gunnison first came through here looking for a way to build a rail through here, but was discouraged and thought it couldn't be done.  General Palmer later came, and pushed his way through. 

This leg of his railroad eventually became a tourist destination, and the logo on the company crest actually had a drawing of this rock that was in this canyon. 

Beautiful waterfall along the way.

Saw a few mergansers along the way as well.

Now, that's a new way to go camping....

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