On our many drives to Denver to visit my wife's cousins and nieces we take the "uncommon" route that takes us through Crested Butte. From my first visit there I love it ! Reminded me of what a real ski town was like. Large enough but not a lot around it ! I love it and if I could afford it I would love to buy a condo there just so I could really "get away" if you know what I mean.
As far as Black Canyon goes my suggestion is to wait until the park is about to close (obviously in the summer) and then take that drive down, down, down. until you get to the very bottom. Then turn off the engine-and just listen I suspect you may never forget the experience.
I'm glad your grandson is enjoying the state. My grandson still has his sights on the Buffaloes (Univ.. of Colorado). We're saving as much as we can to help out. His grades are good and they do have a great ski racing team. Who knows-maybe a scholarship like yours ? If it was not for the ocean here I would likely be living in Boulder or some place near Denver. As your grandson -and maybe yourself-has experienced they actually have "weather" there. Not like Calif where we have sun and sometimes rain-and that's it !
