Curecanti National Recreation Area

Not to far from where we are staying begins the Curecanti National Recreation Area. The Gunnison River had three dams built to provide irrigation and hydroelectric power.  Three reservoirs make this semiarid location a water-based recreation area: Blue Mesa (main storage reservoir), Morrow Point Dam is the power generator, and Crystal Dam maintains an even flow through the Black Canyon of Gunnison.  As we took our drive yesterday, we really didn't realize that we were technically driving past three lakes.

Below is a view of Blue Mesa which is Colorado's largest lake.  There is easy access to all three lakes for boating, fishing, and hiking.  They also seem to have some nice camping facilities as well.

Dillion's Pinnacles

Still a lot of snow on the mountains towards Telluride.

Wild flowers are beginning to bloom.

The most exciting event of the day was that we saw a bear in the wild.  He accommodated us quite well as he seemed to be posing.

Before we knew it, we were in Montrose.  This town and area around it really reminded us of Grand Junction which mileage wise is not that far away.  We had lunch and headed back home.

On one of the many hillsides, there appeared to be a stand of trees that looked like Mickey Mouse's head to us.  Upon downloading the picture, the stand of trees now looks like a bird to me.  What does it look like to you?

As the wind seems to blow in the afternoon, here is someone making the most of it.

Again, we were surprised at the diversity of terrain in the area; some alpine areas and mostly high desert.