July 15, Entry #2: from Leadville to Ouray

Yesterday's blog entry, focused upon the trip from Leadville to Ouray, left out a most delightful detail which I have to remedy right away.  One of the towns we passed through on our way to Ouray was Montrose, and it was here that we visited the Ute Museum, which will close temporarily on August 1 of this year for expansion and will open again next year during the summer.  As Ann and I had visited the Ute Tribal Park and climbed the ladders of their dwellings a few years ago, we were particularly enthusiastic about finding a museum to round out a greater understanding of this Indian tribe and its Chief Ouray (who, incidentally, spoke four languages!) and his cultured, elegant wife Chipeta.  The museum was cram-packed with photographs, dioramas, and artifacts, plus some of the most beautiful, intricate beadwork I have ever seen.  The museum is expanding because the material on hand exceeds the space currently available. The gardens overlook a beautiful valley and mountains in the distance, and contain the graves of Chipeta as well as one of her brothers.  There were also at least 8 teepees open to the public, and an area across the street that had been left to grow on its own.  Cattails were prevalent, and a boardwalk lifted the visitor slightly above the landscape and provided a beautiful serenity to the place.  I took at least a dozen photos and was so glad we had rounded out our knowledge of the Utes on this visit.  
Now off to the Jeep tour.  More later.  This is a full-day road trip to Telluride and back, over a vertiginous mountain pass!  Off we go!