The Gunnison River State Wildlife Area

 I’ve been visiting Gunnison since I was just a little kid so making the decision to go to college here was only natural. I knew there were a hundred different things to do, a hundred beautiful places to be, and a hundred different things to see. It’s amazing to me that you can find them right in your backyard, too. The Gunnison River State Wildlife Area is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the University and somewhere I’ve been plenty of times, but it never ceases to amaze me. It’s definitely not hidden; it’s located right inside Char Mar Park.  Once you’re over the bridge you can choose to go one of three ways, or come back again later and do them all. To the left is a lane that lets out to the road, to the right is the beginning/end of a loop trail, and straight leads straight to the river. Half way down the straight path the trail diverges again, the trail to the right being to one that connects the loop. One of my friends and I took a walk out to the river where the sun was shining like nothing else and the wild flowers dotted the fields on either side of the trail. Telephone wires swung over our heads as bulls grazed next to the fences. It felt like a “real adventure” after we drug our feet through mud and sludge, jumping over ditches, and occasionally tripping. It’d be putting it mildly to say we shoes were soaked. The river water was cool and beautiful, one raft went by. The trail wasn’t busy but for a few fishers and the occasional runner. It’s different to see culture and nature touching on each other so closely. But beautiful to see it side by side.