A Paradox in Colorado

I drove through Paradox Valley for the sole reason of visiting new post offices and photographing more American communities. Paradox was an unexpectedly beautiful village; so much so that it made up for the surprisingly low 25-mph speed limit coming around the mountain from Utah. (Hey, I'm a New Yawker.)

"A Place Called Peculiar: Stories about Unusual American Place-Names," page 38, by Frank K. Gallant reveals the origin of the town named Paradox in the far western reaches of Colorado. The town was named "in the early 1880s after Paradox Valley, so called because the Dolores River cuts through the canyon walls at right angles, an unusual geological formation. Early settlers found the valley almost inaccessible... The only way into it was to unload all the wagons, dismantle them, and then lower the pieces by rope to the floor of the valley."

You can get a bit of a taste of the landscape with this satellite view (here, southwest of Paradox):

You know what? The best way to share the visual experience with you is to just show you photos taken along the way. So let's have at it! Starting with where Utah Route 46 becomes Colorado Route 90 at the state border heading east.





The village of Paradox in the distance:


View of Colorado Route 90 past the turnoff to Paradox:


Loving the old store in Paradox!


Of course, here's the Paradox post office:


Paradox Community Center:


Telephoto of Paradox from Route 90:


Hope you enjoyed! 'Til next time,
Evan