Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2008 - (Page 16) Southwest Regional Overview TheCulture In many ways, Southwestern Colorado has a feel distinct from the rest of the state, in large part because of its historic isolation. And while today you can fly into Durango or Gunnison, or get there by car in no time, much of this spirit of individualism remains in the region’s friendly towns. Strong mining, ranching and especially Native American roots deeply influence the ambience of the area, and sometimes it almost feels as if you’re stepping back in time. Be sure to join one of the dozens of yearly festivals that celebrate the area’s history, culture and love for the performing arts. TheDraw Southwest Colorado is home to many of the lively resort towns you hear about again and again — Telluride, Durango, Crested Butte — but perhaps have never had a chance to visit. A trip to towns such as Silverton, Ouray, Gunnison and Lake City is an opportunity to discover where the Colorado of yesterday and today meet. There are also the hidden-gem communities of Pagosa Springs (with its thermal baths) and Paonia (home to dozens of cherry-bearing orchards). ©J.C. Leacock/Aurora Photos ©O’Hara Photography ©Matt Inden/Weaver Paonia’s orchards and vineyards outhwest S Marble Cedaredge Paonia Hotchkiss Crawford Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP Crested Butte Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Skiing at Telluride Cycling near Crested Butte ©Eric Wunrow ©Doug Berry The historic downtown of Silverton the TheLand Southwest Colorado boasts some of the most colorful terrain in the state, rang- ing from the ocher mesas of the Four Corners area to the seemingly painted summits of the San Juan Mountains, to the fields of wildflowers that ensconce Crested Butte. Other postcard-worthy landscapes include the volcanic neck of Lizard Head Peak, the plateaus near Mesa Verde National Park and the mystical gorge known as the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, which was christened as a national park in 1999. Mesa Verde ©Sterling Stevens/istockphoto.com Delta Olathe Montrose Gunnison 50 Ridgway Ouray Telluride Silverton 491 Lake City Hovenweep NM Canyons of the Ancients NM 550 Cortez 1 160 160 Mancos Mesa Verde National Park 1-800-Colorado | Durango Bayfield www.colorado.com Pagosa Springs http://www.colorado.com
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