Hi! Lindi here. I’m so excited to introduce you to my sweet friend, Mindy Obenhaus. 
Mindy and I have been friends for a long time. She writes amazing romances for Love Inspired. If you’ve never read one of her books, I’m sure you’ll want to after meeting her here today.
The Great Escape
Half the fun of reading is escaping to another place. So today, I’d like to take you on a journey to one of my favorite escapes. A place that’s unique, where one can slow down and enjoy the simple things in life. Oh, and it also happens to be the setting for my books.
Ouray, Colorado (pronounced You-ray) is nestled in the San Juan Mountains, a high, rugged range of the Rockies. It’s a quaint little town at the northern end of the Million Dollar Highway, brimming with Victorian charm.
I learned about Ouray from my late mother-in-law. Her parents owned a photography studio there in 1920, near the end of the gold rush. At one time, this town of one thousand was home to more than ten thousand residents, most of whom worked in the mines that still dot the area. People who’d come from all over the globe in search of riches and a better life.
Today, people still travel from all over to explore the old mine roads that zig-zag through the mountains around Ouray. Known as the Switzerland of America and the Jeeping Capital of the World, Ouray still holds the allure of a bygone era, inviting guests to explore all it has to offer.
What is it that draws people to Ouray?
One of the things that strikes me every time I’m in Ouray is that the mountains are right there. They’re not a backdrop; the town is literally enveloped by them. Best of all, it’s all God. There’s nothing manmade about it.
Aside from being surrounded by some of God’s most majestic handiwork, there’s not a fast-food restaurant to be found in Ouray. There are no drive-thrus. Life moves at a less frenzied pace, leaving locals and visitors plenty of time to stop and smell the wildflowers.
Ouray’s Fourth of July Celebration is like no other. You can start your day with a fundraising pancake breakfast, walk or run it off in the Ourayce 10K before watching the Main Street Parade. Then you can wander down to the park to enjoy some games with the kids until it’s time for the Fire Hose Fights.
For more than a century, teams of two have battled each other with full pressure fire hoses. There’s a women’s competition, a coed competition, as well as junior and senior men’s competitions. It is truly a sight to behold, one that’s unique to Ouray.
While summers in Ouray are meant for exploring, winters are made for ice climbing. Believe it or not, Ouray is the ice climbing capital of the United States. A natural gorge is the perfect setting for the Ouray Ice Park and home to the Ouray Ice Festival. Ice climbers from all over the world descend on Ouray each January to participate in the annual competition.
And whether it’s winter, spring, summer or fall, what better way to unwind after a long day than with a soak in Ouray’s famous Hot Springs Pool. The recently renovated pools are enjoyed by both guests and locals alike. Best of all, there’s no sulfur smell.
Ouray has been an integral part of each of my books and my upcoming release, Her Colorado Cowboy is no different. Socialite and city-dweller, Lily Davis, brings her two children to Ouray for the summer to expose them to a simpler way of life. Though she soon finds that she’s fallen in love with the town, right along with her hunky hero.
Lassoing the single mom’s heart…A Rocky Mountain Heroes story
Socialite Lily Davis agrees to take her children riding…despite her fear of horses. But now widowed cowboy Noah Stephens is determined to help her get comfortable in the saddle. And, at her children’s insistence, Lily finds herself promoting his rodeo school. As Noah and Lily work together, will Noah continue to shield his heart…or can they discover a love that conquers both their fears?
I’m giving away a copy of Her Colorado Cowboy to one lucky commenter. U.S readers can choose between print or ebook. Ebook only for international readers. Simply leave a comment telling me if reading is an escape for you. If it is, has a book ever prompted you to visit the setting you read about?
It took Mindy Obenhaus forty years to figure out what she wanted to do when she grew up, but once God called her to write, she never looked back. A three-time Carol Award finalist, Mindy is passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren at her Texas ranch. Learn more at: Mindy Obenhaus
USA Today featured author Lindi Peterson lives in north Georgia, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with her husband and a lively array of cats, dogs and birds. She loves sharing life with her family and friends. Her passion for reading led her to writing, and then God spoke words of love into her heart and changed her life forever.
Hi Lindi and Mindy:) Thanks for sharing about Ouray- I have never heard of this town before, the photos look amazing! The mountains are calling out to be climbed and hiked! Our local fire brigade has what we call a ‘running team’ that competes with other ‘running teams’ from other brigades. They couple/uncouple hoses in a particular sequence, climb ladders and shoot water at targets- sadly, no fire hose fights (they sound fun!).
Thanks for sharing about your books and their amazing setting Mindy,
Blessings:)
Here’s what our Aussie version is like if you are interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMIxeL9xLp8
Yes, reading is an escape for me. It takes me to places I can otherwise not visit , also. THis town looks and sounds so beautiful. Thank you for sharing! :D
Hi Lindi and Mindy! Reading is an escape and a chance to travel the world. In 2006 as an American literature teacher, my readings of Mark Twain prompted me to visit and explore Hannibal, Missouri and cruise down the Mississippi River in a steamboat. As a German teacher in 1996, I not only explored Berlin, but read and interacted with seven East German authors, who gave their perspective how their works influenced the fall of the Berlin Wall. I always enjoy reading about familiar places – Aubrey Wynne’s Paper Love with its Chicago setting. My favorite Inspy Romance series is Tuscan Legacy, which has the reader traveling the world and the Tuscan wine region of Italy – no passport required. Best wishes.
I’ve never heard of Ouray. I looks beautiful. Yes, reading is definitely an escape for me. I can’t think of any place that I’ve visited because I read about it though there have been many I would love to see.
Ouray sounds like a really fun place and great setting for a book. I can’t imagine fire hose fights. Talk about intense. I’m curious how you say Ouray.
Hey Mindy! I’ve known her from our old critique group.
So glad to know she is still writing books and remember her reading stories based in Ouray and enjoying them.
Happy to see you pop up here, Mindy.
Welcome today. Ohh, what a fascinating place this must be. I love to live simply. My husband and I imparted this to our two children. They in turn live as simply as possible also. This seems like a fabulous place to put things back into perspective. Yes both reading and sewing/quilting are escapes for me. I love to read about different places and times.
Thanks for visiting Inspy Romance, Mindi! Ouray sounds like such a fascinating place.
I’ve been to Ouray! My mom’s side of the family had a family reunion in Durango, and we spent one day driving to Ouray (fabulous mountains!) and then swam in the hot springs pool. The only problem was that a thunderstorm came through, and we all had to get out until any chance of lightning was past :-(
I do love to escape into books!
Thank you for sharing the video. What fun!
Hi Mindy, I’ve kept up with you/your books through Seekerville! I do escape through reading…love it. I enjoy reading books featured in places I have visited!
Keep up the great writing! Anxious to read your new book!
Im glad she’s here, too. :)
That is so interesting, Wemble. I’m quite impressed that they simply connect into places in the street. Here I’m used to seeing above ground fire hydrants, so this is quite different. Perhaps even genius. Thank you for sharing that. And thanks for stopping by. Yes, the mountains of Ouray do beckon one to come and explore.
Hi, Sabrina! When simple snapshots show the beauty of a place, you know it has to be even better in reality. Reading is one of my favorite forms of escapism. I can forget all of my worries when I get lost in a book.
Hi, Renate! Oh… Tuscany is on my bucket list. Preferably a culinary tour, since I love both cooking and eating. The and the French countryside.
I love how you’ve lived out some of your readings. What an opportunity.
Sherri, reading can take us almost anywhere. Another place, another time… Only one of the many reasons we love it so much.
Hi, Shannon! It’s pronounced You-ray, named after a Ute chief. He used to summer there because of the natural hot springs.
JACKIE!!!! I was hoping I’d run into you over here. :D
Lori, when you’re surrounded by so much natural beauty, it just kind of puts things in perspective. Of course, I don’t think I’d want to live quite as simply as the pioneers did. I could if I had to, but there are some modern conveniences I really do like, such as indoor plumbing. ;-)
It’s great that you’ve passed those values onto your children, though. In our instant-gratification world, too many kids are always looking for “things” to satisfy them.
Hi, Valerie! Thank you for allowing me to join you ladies.
Margaret, that’s an interesting drive, isn’t it? Can you imagine doing it in the winter? So beautiful, though.
Aww, thank you, Jackie. Nice to see you here. So what are some of your favorite reads featuring places you’ve been?
I read to relax and enjoy reading about new places. Mountains are inspiring. I’ve enjoyed Harper’s Ferry and Gatlinburg. Gatlinburg’s skinny winding streets going up the mountain are a little scary though. When we drive to Nashville its a pretty drive through mountains but on a much wider road.
I’ve seen Ouray mentioned in other posts, but never been. It sounds like a wonderful place. I love to read for enjoyment as well as currently to take my mind off troubles. I love reading cowboy books set in the West, but I also enjoy reading about Gatlinburg where we have vacationed my entire life. I loved Karen Kirst’s Smoky Mountain Matches series.
Diana, winding roads/streets and mountains are, indeed, a scary mixture. I’ve always thought the area surrounding Nashville was very pretty, but I usually fly there, so I haven’t been able to do any exploring of the mountains. I might need to remedy that.
Linda, reading is a great way to take our mind off of our troubles. Losing ourselves into another time or place allows us to relax. Well, unless it’s some heart-pounding suspense scene, then all bets are off. Still, it can sometimes make our own problems pale in comparison.
Yes! Reading is an escape for me and I have visited a place a read about in a book. I visited a wild sanctuary that was mentioned in one of Liz Curtis Higgs’ novels and even ended up “adopting” a wolf!
Thank you so much for the introduction!
Love learning new things from you and the other authors who post on here!
Wow, Ellie! You adopted a wolf? That may have been a calling. That’s so cool that you went to the sanctuary. You were obviously inspired.
Hi, Paula! It’s nice to “meet” you. :-)
Pam, anytime we authors can touch a reader, it makes all our hard work worth while.
Ouray sounds like a delightful place. It’s not too far from my home in Utah, so I’ll need to plan a trip there soon. Our beautiful valley is surrounded by mountains, too. I love it here. I’ve read several books lately set in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I’m hoping to visit them next month.
Thanks for the fun post, Mindy. I’ve been seeing your book pop up in different places on social media, and it looks fabulous. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
No need to enter me in giveaway since I have this book but just wanted to say that I finished “Their Ranch Reunion” and really enjoyed it! Love Ouray and the people who make up the town!
You’re right, Winnie. Ouray is in southwestern Colorado, so not far from Utah at all. You’ll have to let me know if you get an opportunity to visit. I would love to visit the Blue Ridge Mountains, too.
Hi, MJSH! I’m so glad you enjoyed the story. Hope you enjoy Her Colorado Cowboy just as much.
Hello ladies. I travel through reading. Thank you for sharing.
Reading is definitely an escape for me, but I don’t think I’ve ever visited somewhere simply because I read about it in a book.
Well, that wasn’t where I meant to post my comment. Oops!
Reading is definitely an escape for me, but I don’t think I’ve ever visited somewhere simply because I read about it in a book
Reading has always been an escape for me. Instead of being inspired to see places I’ve read about, it’s usually the other way around. I like to read about places I’ve visited.
Yes reading is my escape from my own life. And I would love to visit some of the places I read about but financially it just isn’t going to happen for me.
I like how you said that, Lucy. Travel through writing. :D
Hi, Melynda. I like how you spell your name.
A lot of people do that, Dianna. Whenever I’d travel with my mother-in-law, she’s always buy at least one book on wherever she was. I extends the joy of your trip and allows you to revisit whenever you like.
I hear you, Cassandra. Darn that money thing. Thank God we have books, right?
Thanks for introducing a new author. Sounds like a promising read.
Hello Lindi! Thank you for introducing new author to me :)
Nice to meet you, Mindy!
Reading is definitely an escape for me!!! It’s so interesting to read the books if you are familiar with the setting – a town you know or visited. I’d love to go to Montana territory…may be one day :)
Hi, Priscila! Thanks for stopping by.
Nice to meet you, too, Natalya. I’ve never been to Montana either, but would love to explore that and Wyoming someday.
Hello Lindi very beautiful picture’s sounds like a great place!
I love cowboy stories! Yes, I would love to visit some of the amazing places that I have read in stories.
I don’t necessarily think of reading as an escape, but I enjoy traveling to different settings through books. I haven’t had the chance to visit Colorado but Ouray sounds really neat.
I enjoyed learning of this author and enjoyed the great pics too!
Hi, Sarah. Thanks for stopping by.
Susanne, there’s just something about a cowboy that’s hard to resist.
Jessica, reading is definitely the easiest way to travel. No packing, no travel time. Simply open a book and you’re there.
Hi, Angela! It’s nice to “meet” you, too.