Quick Trip to SW Colorado

I had a book signing at Maria's Bookshop in Durango Tuesday night so left Steamboat at 9 am for the 6-7 hour drive. The cottonwoods along the way were absolutely radiant with fall color but I had places to go and couldn't take the time to stop and photograph. By the time I got to Ridgway though, I just had to take a quick side trip to check out Dallas Divide and much to my surprise, there was still some good color left. Then on to Maria's for a presentation and book signing set up by Libby Cowles (thanks!). Next morning it was off to Mesa Verde (never been there, but since I was in the territory) but along the way the colors in LaPlata Canyon were incredible so I made a quick jaunt up the road there. Mesa Verde was uncrowded but I was battling harsh light until later in the afternoon. Still, I got a few acceptable photographs of the ruins. Then on to Cortez to meet good friend and fellow photographer John Mumaw for dinner. Yesterday, I headed home by driving the west side of Colorado through Dolores and Unaweep Canyons back to Grand Junction, up north to Rangely and then on Hwy. 40 back to Steamboat. A little over 1,000 miles in three days and a number of stops for the photographs you see here, so it was worth it!