It may be fall but...\

The mornings are crisper, the skies are bluer, and "fall" is definitly in the air. 

Golen Gunnison River
Gregg Morin photo

Our abundant early autumn rains put a slight damper on the glorious golden 

Biking Hartman Rocks
Gregg Morin photo

and red aspen leaves we typically enjoy but it is still more than worthwhile to get out and enjoy the Gunnison Valley. 
Walking, hiking and biking are superb on the VanTuyl Ranch trails or at Hartman Rocks south of town.  The cool fall air is invigorating as you pedal your way through the granite boulders lining the bike and hiking trails.  And those pesky summer mosquitos are but a vague memory.   
Although the seasonal low water levels in the Gunnison River make kayaking and rafting more challenging at this time of year, fishing is still in full swing.  There's nothing like casting a hand-tied fly out over the riffles in pursuit of the whily rainbow trout.  Or just dangle your feel in the cool water, find your zen-center, and watch the golden leaves raft their way down river to Blue Meas Reservoir. 
You can hike, road bike, mountain bike, rock climb or just enjoy the great outdoors in a serene moment.  When evening stars to fall, head indoors at the Gunnison Community Center for swimming, sliding down the water slides, climbing on the indoor wall, play basketball in the gym or challenge the kids or friends to a game of pool in the game room. 
If you can't wait for winter, get acclimatized by strapping on your ice skates and playing hockey or practice your sitz spins at the indoor Jorgensen Ice Rink. 
Bottom line, there's lots to do in the fall in Gunnison - your Base Camp to the Rocky Mountains!

We Made it to Friday!

For those fortunate enough to have a 5-day business week - we've made it to the weekend!  And there is a lot going on in Gunnison this July weekend. 
Starting tonight at 5pm, there's the First Friday's Art Walk and Music summer series.  8 venues are participating tonight.  Start at the Gunnison Arts Center, view the western heritage-inspired art work and listen to the music of Chris Coady on the Arts Center patio.  Then stroll around town to the following participants:  Gunnison Gallery, Castle Creek Guitars, Rocky Mountain Frames, Beth Marcue Studio, Mochas Coffeehouse, Blue Thunder Circle_Art Lab and the Brick Cellar Bar & Bistro.  Enjoy the visually intriguing art work, music and refreshments. 
After the Art Walk and dinner at one of the great Gunnison eateries, head south on Gold Basin Road to the Gunnison Valley Observatory, located across from the Hartman Rocks Recreation Area.  The Observatory is open Friday and Saturday evenings, starting at 7:30pm, for public viewing.  Tonight's topic will be "The Summer Triangle".  Classroom presentations start around 8:15pm and admission is by $5.00 per person requested donation.  Reservations are not required and remember to bring a jacket.
Tonight also is the start of Gunnison's 112th Annual Cattlemen's Days.  This event takes place from July 6th through 15th.  Tonight starting at 6pm at the Fred Field Western Heritage Center at the Rodeo Grounds is the KICKOFF dinner and dance.  Music will br provided by "Better Late Than Never" and the scrumptous chicken dinner is sponsored by Slogar.  Put on your dancin' boots and start Cattlemen's Days in style!

Rafting on the Taylor River

Saturday morning starting at 9:30am, downtown by the IOOF Park on East Virginia Avenue, is the weekly Gunnison Farmer's Market. After coffee or breakfast at one of Gunnison's morning cafes, visit the market booths and pick up some fresh Western Slope grown produce, baked goods, wine or crafts.  It's always a congenial event. 

Saturday is also the start of the weekend-long Annual Wet Grocer Softball Tournament at the Jorgensen Softball Fields.  This event raises money for local youth recreation scholarships.  These teams always seem to have a great time playing ball. 

Saturday also sees the 4-H Horse Show associated with Cattlemen's Days starting at 8am at the Rodeo Grounds.  For more information on all of the Cattlemen's Days events, go to http://www.cattlemensdays.com/ 

And of course, take advantage of Gunnison - the Base Camp to the Rocky Mountains!  There's boating, fishing, kayaking, rafting, rock climing, hiking, wildflower and wildlife viewing, mountain biking, road biking and so much more.  Remember, NO open fires or smoking in compliance with the Stage II Fire Ban.  We want to keep our Base Camp adventures safe!  Have a wonderful Gunnison High Country Weekend! 

Busy So Far

It's not even officially summer yet, and there's been a lot happening in Gunnison.  Even with the strong blustery winds, everyone seems to be enjoying our Valley.

Fishermen Cody & Sparky Casebolt



Amerigas Fishing Derby "Grillers"



Mayor Houck at the Start



Saturday, May 26th saw the City-sponsored annual Kids Outdoor Recreation and Fishing Derby.  A variety of wonderful community organizations set up educational booths for the kids to learn about everything from archery to turkey calling to experiencing wildlife.  Each participant received a fishing pole and had the opportunity to catch fish in PacMan Pond.  With the 30+ mph winds, the kids did well to cast with the wind from the west side of the pond!  The event culminated in lunch grilled by the dedicated volunteers from Amerigas on the "Big Giller".  Thanks to all of the participants for making this annual event a fun experience for all of the kids!

Saturday and Sunday morning heralded the Rage in the Sage Weekend "Gunnison Growler" mountain biking races.  Saturday was the 32 mile half-growler that started at 9am.  Mayor Jonathan Houck started each morning's race with a shotgun blast.  He says it's one of his favorite "Mayoral" duties of the year.   Sunday's race was the "Full Growler" 64 mile bike race and it started bright and early at 7am.  Monday morning, a contingent of hearty souls undertook the 25k and 50k running races on the Hartman Rocks trails.  What a "refreshing" way to start the day!  A great deal of thanks goes out to the race organizers, "Gunnison Trails",  all of the course volunteers on all three days, and of course, the dedicated race participants.  We hope to see you all back later this summer for more fun in the Gunnison Valley!

Start of the Half 32-Mile" Growler Mtn Bike Race



Busy Weekend Ahead

There's a busy spring weekend ahead in Gunnison and the weather is predicted to be FINE!
Start your weekend off this evening with the 1st Friday Gallery Crawl in downtown Gunnison. The Gunnison High School Senior Excellence Art Exhibit is showing at the Gunnison Arts Center. After viewing these young artists' fantastic work, head north on Main Street to the Gunnison Gallery. View the displays, enjoy some music and munchies, and then select and vote for your favorite USA Pro Cycling Challenge "Gunnison Queen Stage " Commemorative Poster. There will be several, locally created posters for you to consider. After voting for a poster be sure and stop by the other interesting Galleries participating in hosting artwork for the Gallery Crawl. These are Rocky Mountain Frames, Mochas, and the Brick Cellar. After viewing the art, select one of Gunnison's fine restaurants, bistros or brewpubs for some delicious dinner.
Saturday, head over to the Gunnison Community Center at 11:30am for the Annual Underwater Easter Egg Hunt known as "Eggquatics". See the blog post below for additional information.
Happy Easter on Sunday! Local churches are conducting Easter Sunday services and many of Gunnison's restuarants will be hosting yummy Easter breakfasts and brunches.
One last ski day! Crested Butte Mountain Resort will be closing for the season on Sunday and is hosting a lot of fun activities. Sunday evening, head over to the WSC College Center North Ballroom for the showings of the films "The Greenhorns" and "Truck Farm". These films are being sponsored by the Mountain Roots Food Project.
If you don't want to be inside this fine spring wekend, hit the trails on your bike or on foot. The City-owned Van Tuyl Ranch trails are open to bicycle and foot traffic. No motorized vehicles are allowed and all dogs must be leashed on the trails - woof! Also open are the Hartman Rocks Recreation Area Trails located north of the powerlines. The area south of the powerline is CLOSED to protect the Gunnison Sage Grouse nesting areas. Please respect these closures. The Gunnison River is also open. Hit the water in your raft, canoe or kayak from the North Highway 135 bridges to the Gunnison Whitewater Park west of town. If you want to fish, Blue Mesa Reservoir is also largely free of ice. Ice still covers the Elk Creek Marina Canyon area. Remember and follow the National Park Service rules for launching any boats. Information can be found on their website. http://www.nps.gov/cure/index.htm
Have a great Gunnison Weekend!

SUMMER RECREATION!

Summer Recreation Programs are starting. Most are beginning this week. If you are interested in signing up - now is the time! You can dig in the dirt, fly through the air, get wet, hurtle down a hill, and just have FUN!
The following programs are being offered:
Gymnastics; Basketball; Youth and Adult Tennis; Sporties for Shorties; Water Fun Day at the Park; Baseball; Indoor and Outdoor Rock Climbing for Youth and Adults; Outdoor Pickleball; Youth and Adult Tae-Kwon-Do; Aerial Dance with Hoop and Fabric; Youth and Adult Hula Hooping; Fly Fishing Camp; Three Rivers Raft Trips; Youth Mountain Bike Classes; Get Fit-Stay Fit; Zumba; Mountain Roots Garden Summer Camp; WSC Track and Field Day Camp; BMX; Swimming Lessons; Private and Semi-Private Swim Lessons; Diving Lessons; Jr. Lifeguard Training; First Aid/CPR/AED Training; and Water Aerobics.
If you would like to register, please call 641-8060 or go online at http://www.gunnisonrec.com/

Kids Fishing and Outdoor Sports Expo

The 2011 Kids Fishing Derby and Outdoor Sports Expo will take place this weekend - Saturday, June 4th starting at 10am at Jorgensen Park. This is a FREE event for all kids under 15 yrs. Lunch is provided as well as ready to use fishing poles.


In addition to fishing there is a laser shooting booth, archery, practice casting and educational booths by the US Forest Service, BLM, the Wild Turkey Federation, National Park Service, Division of Wildlife, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Gunnison Kiwanis Club and MORE! This is a great opportunity to get out and fish and learn about outdoor sports.

Hope to See EVERYONE there!