Ouray Colorado

by Sean
(Boulder, CO)

As a Colorado native, when I think of a Colorado vacation, I think of Ouray. This little town of about 1,000 people embodies the best qualities of our state. It's nestled in the San Juan mountains along the Uncompahgre River, and surrounded by the Uncompahgre National Forest. Although the town itself has plenty to do, the real reason to come here is to get outside, away from anything that resembles bustle, and drink in the perfect serenity that can only come from being situated in the center of unspoiled nature.

Back in August, my wife and I spent a week vacationing in Ouray. We were able to find a beautiful, breathtaking private place to camp about a mile to the southwest of town. Each day we would head to the main street of town, eat a delicious breakfast, and spend the rest of the day in the forest. Around Ouray are some of the best hiking trails in the state. The Cascade Falls are spectacular, and the Box Canyon Falls are especially beautiful. Both waterfalls are located just outside town, on the northeast and southwest corners respectively.

But my very favorite thing from the whole trip was to take a tour of the mountains on horseback. We rode through a forest, climbed up a little hill, and suddenly the ground opened up before us and we were overlooking the lush valley of Lake Lenore, cradled with powerful mountains on all sides, and feeling overwhelmed by the landscape as a work of art. Standing in the middle of it, there's no substitute. It makes me feel so lucky to have been born on this planet.

This little corner of the world is such a gem, and will always hold a special place in my heart.