I’ve driven the route between Albuquerque, New Mexico and Salt Lake City, Utah dozens and dozens of times in the last few years. Sure, you might be able to mix it up just a little bit here and there, but for the most part the choices are very limited on the open roads of the American West.  Getting from point “A” to point “B” by car, you’d almost have to try to get lost.

Last week, on a whim, Greg and I decided to take a detour from our usual way to Salt Lake City. ( We’re such rebels.) Heading off the beaten path in Mancos, Colorado, we took a right onto Colorado Highway 184, bypassing the city of Cortez. What a treat!  We drove through rich green farm land and rolling hills with the majestic Rocky Mountains as their backdrop. We passed by grazing horses, a small herd of buffalo, fields of bright yellow sunflowers and (slam on brakes here) a beach!  A tiny beach. We had to turn around!

Big Surprise, Tiny Beach! (©Jody Diehl)

A small group had set up under the one shade tree, the perfect spot to sit and enjoy the beautiful view. Some people were enjoying a swim.  Others were zipping around the water on jet-skis.  Everyone was having a great time.

CO Hwy 184 (Photo: Jody Diehl)

All those trips, and we had no idea that this tiny beach was hidden here.  So, does this qualify as a treasure beach?  Well, it was a jewel of a find for us.

We haven’t been able to find a link to the tiny beach.  This is the closest we could come:  A page from publiclands.org.

It did get me wondering though.  Just where is the world’s smallest beach? -J-