Day 1: to Ouray

Slight change. In the map it shows us going to Telluride. We actually went to the nearby old gold mining town of Ouray.

We left Grand Junction, which is at an elevation of about 4,500 feet. After about 30 miles of paved road and some climbing we hit dirt roads and continued climbing. We were at about 8 to 9 thousand feet up in the Aspens and Ponderosa pines. From time to time we rode past mountain meadows with wild flowers.

the tour company puts together a nice spread for lunch from the back of the Sprinter van.

the town of Ouray is an old mining town in a valley from the gold and silver mining days.