Up on the western slopes of the Colorado Rockies, west of Gunnison and along US-50 is the huge reservoir known as Blue Mesa. It's a popular fishing and boating lake up in the beautiful high country that I have visited often. The lake is oriented east-west and can be a bit rough when the winds kick up, but last time I was there it was calm as a mill pond and a delight to paddle. My old pal and I headed for a launching area half way down the lake on the northern shore, not far from a state park and a private campground. Since I had the only boat, my faithful 17-foot Eddyline Wind Dancer, we took turns paddling and exploring.
The water was down a little this season, not nearly as high as we've seen in past summers. Last winter's snow pack was a little less than normal and the Gunnison River is a major source of the lake's water. There are several smaller streams tumbling down from the high country that help fill the lake, many among the country's finest trout fishing waters. As young folks say, "been there and done that".
My friend, Bill, has paddled canoes and kayaks of various types over the years, but he was particularly taken with my Eddyline. It handles like a dream and soon he was off and away across the lake. It wasn't until later that I got a turn and brought my camera along to document the trip.
Down at the western end is a huge dam, one of several that form lakes upstream of the famous Black Canyon of the Gunnison. The forest service operates boats that take tourists down the next lower lake, a delightful ride through deep canyons and fabulous scenery. I think they are still doing that.
It's always a treat for me to go up to Blue Mesa and to visit the town of Gunnison and some old friends living there.