After our journey to Silverton via The Million Dollar Highway, we did a bit of pet supply and human supply shopping, dropped off the goods at the motorhome, checked on Fritz and Jake, and decided to take the KOA staff up on their recommendation for dinner at Ted's Steakhouse only to get there around 5:45 p.m. and the restaurant was closed (open Mon-Sat). Thom suggested we "run up" to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park because we weren't able to do that on Saturday because of the rain. Thank goodness Ted's was closed!
We decided to take the East Portal route first rather than drive the rim. We were told it was a 15 minute drive down and 15 minute drive back up with 1 mile of riverfront below.
16% Grade? And we thought the Million Dollar Highway was a bit of a challenge at times!
Whatever - here we go!
Do you see the face in the rocks?
Again, Thom did a fabulous job driving the Jeep on a road that was quite crazy. We met a couple from Colorado who nearly died when we told them we had just taken the drive to Silverton via 550 and felt the drive down to the river/dam area here in the canyon was an easier drive! We did not agree with them at all!
A very lovely family from Illinois took a photo of us, since we don't have many with the two of us in them.
Time to go to the rim - see where we just came from?
At the top and on our way to drive the 7-mile south rim of the canyon gorge. What an amazing place. We really didn't want to leave but time was not on our side, neither was the sun. So many photos taken but the sun ruined them. Another time. We shall return!
Gunnison Point
Tomichi Point
The only wildlife we saw all day and we saw many running across the road as we were leaving the park.
Painted Wall - we stayed here to see what the sun would do as it was setting. It is truly a magnificent view.
We returned to the Painted Wall and you can see how it changed in just a few minutes.
Thom used me as a prop to take this photo - it was a stunning area, where we walked 207 yards to get to the viewing area. Some of the viewing areas are as far as 700 yards from the road. If we had had the time, or if it hadn't rained on Saturday, we would have been able to visit each of the 12 viewing areas on the 7 mile drive along the south rim. Another time.
As the sun began to set, more of the brilliant colors this canyon holds became visible.
Thom's favorite sunset view - Montrose valley in the background.
Bonnie's favorite, the rim of the gorge.
This Sunday "afternoon drive", that turned into an all day journey was a great ending to an otherwise somber day. My Mom's brother, Uncle Jim, is now a painter of the skies after battling a long illness. It was also my Mom's birthday.
Until next blog ...
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