Today we made our way over to Paonia in search of the Cherry Festival. On our way we encountered Eckert, Hotchkiss, and Orchard City. There were some beautiful valleys to admire and many orchards and vineyards. Paonia is a combination of Fort Morgan mixed with the free spirit of Boulder. We finally found the city park where the Cherry Festival was but there was not a cherry in sight! We got to talking with a local man and he explained that the cherry harvest was slim this year due to an early frost. But I think this festival is similiar to the Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival (no carnations) and the Arvada Harvest Festival (how many Arvadans harvest?) It is just a great chance for the town and vendors to get together and create a shopping experience for me! Yes, I did find some baubles!
We stopped at the Black Bridge Winery on the way back and Don fell in love with the place. It was on the North Fork of the Gunnison (great fishing) with a vineyard that grew Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Reisling grapes. The only thing missing in Don's opinion was a For Sale sign! I told him that we were too old to run a vineyard and he disagreed...uh oh! Promise me friends that you will visit me if we move to the middle of nowhere and would be willing to pick a grape or two!
Another "had to" stop for Don was the confluence of where the North Fork of the Gunninson and the Gunnison come together...stunning!?....
I have lived in Colorado for all but six years of my life and I am still amazed that there are so many places that I haven't seen. I guess that is why we bought the Tajma-haul!
Don found some cherries...and wine...at the winery!
Enjoying the North Fork of the Gunnison after wine tasting...except for Paige....being only 20 she had to dog sit!
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