They call it the Switzerland of America, Joe! That's it's official nickname. And it is SO beautiful. Growing up there, you never take that beauty for granted. It gets in your blood -- a truly magical spot on the planet, with one of the most remarkable water aquifers in America. I've written at some length about that aquifer in my latest novel. The town itself was named after the Ute Indian chief -- Chief Ouray, who was a most excellent and relaxed and learned man -- and there's also a Ouray, Utah, which is named after this same chief.

Thank you for reading and thank you for Googling it. It's been many years since I've lived in Ouray, but I was born and raised there, graduated high-school there, and Ouray has a indescribably special spot in my heart, and it always will. The spectacular beauty, the rarified air, the wildness -- it shaped me profoundly. My mother still lives there -- I'm the youngest of 14 -- and you pretty much nailed it.

Here’s a real photo of it from above, around Christmastime.