Colorado Canyons

September 16-17; Friday-Saturday

We traveled to Grand Junction, Colorado, the largest Colorado city on the Western slope.  It’s an interesting place…the area is loaded with fruit growers and wineries, and even has a special “Fruit and Wine Byway” to route drivers through the orchards, gardens and vineyards. Two rivers converge here, making the soil a fertile area.  We never would have imagined finding green areas among the rocky area that surrounds the city.   When we checked in at the campground, they asked if we were here for the Winefest…hey, we didn’t even know about it!  We went to check it out, and found 23 wineries and distilleries in close proximity to the city.  We did stop at a few places—the Peach Street Distillers and Palisade Brewing Company to check things out  and sample the products!

 

 

 

 

We got a little confused with the map because they have funny street names—like F5/8 road, 32 1/2 road, 33 3/4 road…very weird, and never did find out why they are named this way.

After breakfast on Saturday we took off for a drive through Colorado National Monument, along the 23-mile scenic Rim Rock Drive.  Interesting factoid: the difference between a National Park and a National Monument, is that a President can declare a National Monument, whereas it takes an act of congress to declare a National Park.  All of the oversight and funding is the same through the National Park Service.  This park was named a national monument by President Taft in 1911.

There are 4 large canyons that run through the area providing stunning views of the towering cliffs, and interesting rock formations.  Spot even enjoyed the views!  There is one tall rock formation called Independence Tower which is 450 ft. high.  Each year on the 4th of July, a group of climbers scale the tower and places an American flag on top—bet that’s neat to see.                            We spotted some bighorn sheep on a rock shelf above the road.  With the color against the rock, they almost looked like the petroglyphs we saw in Arches!

 

A photographer at work provided a neat picture with a view across the canyon. It’s amazing that this area is nestled behind the rocks, so close to town.  It is obviously popular with cyclists, as we saw probably 25 hard core (crazy?) bikers tackling the winding hilly roads through the park. (We aren’t that brave!)

Update on the wallet mystery—I got a call from the owner’s wife with a thank you for returning the wallet.  Apparently he pulled out his drivers license and park pass when he entered the park, and put the wallet between his legs.  It must have fallen out unnoticed when they got out at the visitor center.  Someone picked it up, took out all of the charge cards and tossed it out the window.  Makes you wonder what kind of a person would steal charge cards in a national park?  But, I felt good that at least they got the rest of the stuff back and didn’t have to worry about losing that too.