Vagando Photography: October 2010

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Gateway Getaway Part II

Leaving Gateway headed south you encounter an entirely different landscape. Large granite mountains are replaced with towering sandstone canyons. With motorcycle and classic car club drivers for company, each turn in the road provides wonderful new picture perfect vistas.

Unaweep Canyon

Hanging Flume

The hanging flume was an engineering marvel in the late 1800's. Designed to carry water to the placer gold mining operations some six miles from its source, the project was never fully completed. It is still a marvel to contemplate from high above the Dolores River.

Friday, October 22, 2010

A Weekend Getaway to Gateway

Have we mentioned how fortunate we are to live in western Colorado? We recently took a day trip to Gateway, which is an incredibly beautiful valley located about an hour from Grand Junction. It had been a couple of years since we had visited that oasis and we were amazed at the changes that had been made to the Gateway Canyon Resort. The resort was developed by Discovery founder John Hendricks and includes his prized car collection. Its worth the visit just to see the car museum.

We were so taken by the place that we decided to return the following weekend and spend the night. The resort is absolutely gorgeous and boasts an outstanding restaurant. The pictures from this little adventures had to be split into two posts. There is just too much to share in a single post, so look for part II next time. The pictures in this post were taken over two weekends: October 2nd and 9th, 2010. After looking at them, I think you will see why Mr. Hendricks was so taken by the area...

The Road to Gateway

Soaring granite towers, incredible valleys and farm land, and an occasional ruin mark the highway to Gateway.

In the early 1900s, the Driggs family spent four years building their mansion beneath this impressive granite peak, only to abandon it after a few weeks.

Gateway Canyon Resort

As previously mentioned, the resort is located in one of the most awe inspiring places in Colorado and is immaculately maintained. This sounds like an advertisement for the property, but it is truly worth the trip.

For a look at the car museum, check out their web site: http://www.gatewayautomuseum.com/

Thursday, October 14, 2010

A Bridge To Fall

We are summer people. Long hot days and warm nights... But, inevitably, the beauty of summer gives way to fall in a glorious explosion of color. There is really no better place to welcome in the new season than on the Grand Mesa. At 10,000 feet, fall comes early to the largest mesa on earth. Everywhere you look there are beautiful lakes surrounded by evergreen pines and golden aspens. If summer has to end, then lets celebrate it on the Mesa.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Playing Tourists in Our Home Town

Not only do we live in one of the most beautiful areas in the world, but we also call home one of the most interesting communities. We frequently steal away for an enjoyable couple of hours to wander around our unique version of Main Street -- wonderful restaurants, quaint shops, art on the corner displays, and dancing.

Every Thursday during the summer, the streets are filled with locals and visitors sampling the produce, music and art on display at Farmer's Market. On a quiet Saturday, you can enjoy the streets almost as your own, interrupted occasionally by an impromptu concert or the happy conversations of fellow wanderers on their way to a delicious meal in one of the amazing local restaurants. I think its time to take a drive down town...