In my neck of the woods, lakes are wildly popular attractions. People travel many hours and miles to reach them. Big dollars are invested in toys to enjoy them. Children grow up around them. Property near goes at a premium.

Here in Colorado, not so much. For starters, lakes as we know them in the South are scarce.

When I moved to Colorado the first time in 1980, I was excited locals told me of a wonderful lake just on the outskirts of town not far from where I lived. I remember rushing out first opportunity to see the lake, only to be disappointed to find what Arkansans would call a cow pond. It was called Cherry Creek Reservoir.

Since then, I have been on a quest to find a real lake reasonably close to the Denver metro.

I like a lake with big fish, nice marinas, a good little waterside café, clean campgrounds, secluded coves, smooth skiing water and kindred lake trash who smile, wave, honk boat horns and eagerly tug you back to the marina when your boat won't start.

Chatfield Lake is only twenty minutes from our house here in Douglas County. We love it for what it is. It has a lot to offer for a mere Colorado reservoir. However, secluded coves are out. So is smooth water for skiing. If you ride behind a boat on anything at all, one has to be prepared for frighteningly close boat traffic and waves reminiscent, sometimes, of the Pacific Ocean.

After two decades, I was nearly ready to forsake my quest to find a real Colorado lake. Thank goodness our family decided to check out one more we had seen on our recent drive to Ouray. It is called Blue Mesa, just west of Gunnison.

Last week we loaded our camping gear, hitched our vintage ski boat to the back of my husband's Expedition and headed west on Highway 285. Our five hour drive ended at Elk Creek Campground, space 43.

Elk Creek Campground is first class. Views of the water are panoramic. Though trees are scarce, we were fortunate to have one cottonwood large enough to shade our tent during the day. The marina is top notch. Bathrooms and showers are convenient and clean. Grounds are patrolled by rangers in carts, helping ensure visitors are quiet and respectful.

Blue Mesa Reservoir has 100 miles of shoreline, making it the largest body of water in Colorado. We enjoyed glass-smooth fingers of water nestled in spectacular rock canyons. Though widely rumored to be cold, we found the water temperature comfortable. The fishing and the water skiing were superb. Boat traffic was minimal.

Weather failed to cooperate fully during our four days there. A little wind and rain might have dampened our campsite, but not our spirits. We fell in love with the place.

I am stumped by the lack of crowds around this lake. Could a difference in recreation culture account for this? Perhaps people born and raised in this part of the country are not deeply appreciative of a lake such as Blue Mesa. Maybe those with Colorado histories and lifestyles are not widely seekers of lake life. I am surprised.

Blue Mesa Reservoir has everything to offer lake worshipers. Spread the word.

Check out Blue Mesa Reservoir at:

www.bluemesares.com