| Colorado offers the traveler a panorama of activities | | | | few thousand visitors a day during the peak summer |
| and delights for all ages and to suit all tastes. That is | | | | days, that doesn't mean that there's no quiet and |
| not an exaggeration! There's not another small town | | | | solitude for the weary of body and soul looking for |
| in Colorado that offers the variety of things to see | | | | some healing. Quiet aspen and spruce groves and |
| and to do and one-day trips through the most | | | | cascading waterfalls provide a wonderful balm and |
| spectacular mountain scenery. Whether you're a | | | | escape from the stresses of our hectic lifestyle. And |
| single person looking for the physically challenging | | | | again, the natural hot springs work wonders! This is |
| activity or the mom and dad wanting to share | | | | one little town of Western Colorado, tucked back in |
| age-appropriate recreation and excitement with your | | | | a box canyon, that is just plain hard to beat. Do your |
| children, Ouray, Colorado, meets those needs. A | | | | research first ( in the articles section) Check the |
| week is not too long to schedule for this "Gem of | | | | calendar of events. Look over the providers of jeep |
| the Rockies." You may discover your greatest | | | | trips and gold mine tours. If you're really adventurous, |
| challenge is to do all you want to do in a week. So, | | | | rent your own Jeep. Don't overlook the neighboring |
| what will it be today? For certain, it will begin early. If | | | | communities that provide interesting day trips into |
| only once in your lifetime you take a brisk jog or a | | | | the past gold and silver booms, legendary ski resorts, |
| meandering stroll just as the sun rises over the | | | | first-class Indian ruins of Mesa Verde, and the |
| surrounding peaks, you'll know that the next few | | | | Durango-Silverton narrow-gauge train. Is camping |
| days in Ouray will begin early. Then indulge in one of | | | | your thing? KOA hosts a beautiful camp north of |
| the finest breakfasts available anywhere. What next? | | | | town along the Uncompahgre River and the US |
| Take a walk down to the Natural Hot Springs Pool | | | | Forest Service provides camp sites south of town |
| for the morning, or reserve that for later to soak out | | | | with a bird's eye view of the valley below and |
| the knots in our legs from backpacking one of the | | | | canyon walls surrounding the valley. Now there's just |
| many hiking trails? Or take a Jeep tour over Imogene | | | | no excuse! Plan a week, or at least 3 or 4 days to |
| Pass at 13,000 plus elevation, have a snowball fight, | | | | savor the beauty of Ouray. This is one place you will |
| and then tour the gift and rock shops? OK, get the | | | | want to revisit, guaranteed! |
| picture? Ouray is the center for fun and excitement | | | | Donald Pyle is a husband, father, and grandpa with |
| for all. Granted, the majority of activities are | | | | experience in education and interpersonal relations, |
| outdoors, but the rock and gift shops offer gems | | | | helping others plan their travel needs and dream |
| and art, and it's never very far to a hot tub or | | | | vacations. He is a certified referring travel agent, |
| nature slide show. Even though this mountain hamlet | | | | association specialist, and CLIA certified. |
| with a population of approximately 800 swells to a | | | | |