Day 3: Western Colorado

Head South 11 miles on Hiway 50 and pick up Colorado 141 South at Whitewater


141 north of Gateway is mild, with ranches and spectacular glacial? valleys.


Atique gas pumps at Gateway.


141 South of Gateway follows the Dolores River through canyons and mesas. Lots of tight flat turns, relatively empty.


Photo op at the hanging tressles, a wooden mining aqueduct.


Brian's Z3


My MR2

Pick up 145 East at Naturita through Norwood and Placerville.



Pictures only begin to convey the beauty of the road to Telluride.


Stayed at the comfortable Johnstone Inn bed & breakfast. B & Bs are like being at home; a welcome change from motels.

Great dinner at Campagna a two block walk down the hill from the Johnstone Inn. The Denver Post called this the best Italian resturant in Colorado. I'd call Campagna one of the best anywhere, with anywhere including Tuscan Italy. Brian remembered seeing their wine list, a collection of great but unflashy Italians, in Wine Spectator magazine. I had milk-fed Colorado veal, lead by fried aparagus for antipasto, Italian Broccoli, scampi risotto. The risotto had a savory flavor and just right texture, but I thought the shrimp a tad fishy. Italian Broccoli is a dark leafy vegie, and a little too bitter for my unaccustomed tastes. A great Italian red wine offered bravado accompaniment for all the courses. Brian had the cheese plate, I the gelati and sorbeti selection. The latter were perhaps the best I've ever had. The smooth texture and clear, rich flavors of the chocolate, pistachio, chocolate mint, watermellon, mango were a treat for an already very happy palate. Desert was well complemented by a muscat wine with a slight carmel flavor. All in all one of the better meals one may experience. Food and wine portions of the bill were over $100, and well worth it, as Maxwell Smart might add.

Go to Day 4