Stay Dry and Safe Riding the Colorado River in Google Street View

If you've never been to Colorado and you have an opportunity to visit, you should do so -- it's a gorgeous state. Unfortunately, little things like time, money, and work have a tendency to interfere with travel plans, but thanks to Google, you can still explore places you might not otherwise be able to using just your Internet browser. The latest locale waiting for you to jump into Street View mode is the Colorado River, which flows through parts of Colorado and half a dozen other states in the U.S.

"For 6 million years, the Colorado River has flowed through the heart of the desert southwest, its waters slowly carving out a canyon so vast it can be seen from space—yet so remote it didn’t appear on early maps of the region. It wasn’t until 1869, when John Wesley Powell led a small exploration party on a rafting trip, that the natural wonders of the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon came fully into view.

"Now with Google Street View, you can ride the whitewater rapids, cruise the sleepy river bends, and discover the side canyons that make the Colorado River a treasured resource," Google stated in a blog post."

Colorado River in Street View

There's a lot to see by taking a virtual visit. You can gaze at formations like the Hermit Shale and Tapeats Sandstone, spot big horn sheep wandering about, and ride the whitewater rapids flowing through Deer Creek Falls, to name just a few of the sights.

If you have a kids, this is a great way to teach them about geography and how important the Colorado River is. Google provides some facts on its blog post, such as the Colorado River being the source of drinking water for 36 million people from Denver to Los Angeles.