DAY 17...Green River, Wyoming

We said goodbye to our friends Mark and Wilma from Cedaredge and headed for Colorado National Monument, just outside of Grand Junction, Colorado. This is a National property that has incredible red rock canyon views along its 23 mile route. It reminded me of a miniature Grand Canyon, without the river at the bottom. One thing that is especially nice is the visitors center. Most of them have films about the area, and this was no exception. They had two, one on the geology of the area and the other a photo essay of the area, both very well done and enjoyable.
See some of the sites below.




We took a little side trip to Dinosaur National Park, only to find that the quarry where all the fossilized dinosaur bones were, is closed. This is all part of the preservation activity that is taking place. All we saw were these replicas of actual bones that had been found in the quarry some time ago. Still, nice to see.




After viewing these beautiful formations we headed for Green River, Wyoming where we will stop for the night before getting to Jackson, Wyoming and some REAL white water rafting!

Day 16...Crested Butte

Today we took a long drive to Crested Butte, which is a touristy town in Colorado. Along the way we went through Paonia, Kebler Pass, and Hotchkiss. On the return we followed the Gunnison River through the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. We saw the Blue Mesa Dam, Lost Lake and many wonderful canyons.


I was on a mission to capture by digital image some of the varied wildlife here in Colorado, but sad to say I have been unable to do so. Here is a picture of the most exciting stuff I have seen so far...


Two bulls having at it before attacking one of the cows that I saw further on down the road. Where are the Bear...Fox...Big Horn Sheep...and other really wild things?


We found Lost Lake, actually it was never lost...Just a name given to this beautiful lake, you can camp in the vicinity if you are so inclined, it is incredibly peaceful

Well, I have looked and looked for wildlife and here it is...

Day 15...Cedaredge and environs

We got up early and had a blueberry french toast casserole, Umm...ummmm....good! Wilma can sure cook!



Then we went sight-seeing in the city of Delta, Colorado on Tuesday. the city was so nice because they have potted flowers in every conceivable place!


Chuck found one potted arrangement with an interesting metal sculpture in it.



Each arrangement was different and more beautiful than the previous one!




We had a great lunch at the Cafe Roubideau I found Pasta E'Fagioli in the backwoods of Colorado...AMAZING! Everyone else was pretty happy with their selections as well!

On the way back we went through what they call the 'Dobies, a never-ending series of huge adobe material mounds...you get the feeling that you are on the surface of the moon after a while. Very interesting scenery and views.

Day 14...On to Cedaredge

Today we bid goodbye to Glenwood Springs, but not before walking the downtown one more time and doing a quick tour of the Colorado Hotel...the oldest and most gracious one in town. We had breakfast at the Village Inn (surprise! I've never been to one before!) It was great, but alas, too early to try one of their famous pies.



We also stopped to do a short half mile hike up to the Pioneer Cemetery which is where Doc Holliday is buried. We were not sure though..at the bottom they indicated that his grave was in the cemetery, but once up there, they said it was 'some where' in the area... oh well, I guess at this point it doesn't matter, he is dust in the universe.




We stopped at Grand Junction along the way and did a 13 mile ride on the River Front Bike trail which also melded into the Heron Trail. It meandered along the Colorado River and through some low lying areas. The temps were a little warm for me 94 degrees ( I know...I know, it is still cooler than Arkansas )




Then up the Mesa to Cedaredge to visit friends.

Here is Mark, insisting that the old cameras and film is the way to go; Wilma is just laughing at the concept ( I think)

Day 13...Hanging Lake and Glenwood Canyon

This morning we left to hike up the Hanging Lake Trail. Basically the trail ascends 1,000 feet over a 1.2 mile distance. This is the equivalent of about 100 stories in a tall building in any large city. While the hike to Hanging Lake is strenuous, it is also quite beautiful and well worth the effort. As the trail climbs along Dead Horse Creek, it passes a wonderful riparian plant community. In addition to such shady deciduous trees as box elders and cottonwoods, an interesting variety of undergrowth can be found at trail side. Perhaps most alluring are the many ferns that form along the stream bed. Their presence, along with moss-clad boulders, attest to the humid conditions of this ecological niche. Benches along most of the route provide nice rest spots from which to enjoy the canyon. Upon reaching 1.5-acre Hanging Lake, hikers are immediately rewarded with is secretive, Eden-like ambiance. Walled in by limestone cliffs and leafy cottonwoods, Hanging Lake resulted from the collection of water in a geologic fault. Because the lake's fragile shore has been built up from carbonate deposits, visitors are required to stay on the boardwalk that rings the south shore. Dropping into the north end of the lake is Bridal Veil Falls, a small but beautiful cascade of water. Of special interest are the schools of trout that teem in the lake's clear waters. Because of the fragile nature of this lake, both swimming and fishing are prohibited. Follow a short side trail just west of the lake to visit nearby Spouting Rock, a waterfall that has cut a passage through solid limestone.
I found myself resting many times on the way up, no matter how good and strong I seem to be getting, this one was taking me to task. I did make it though and thoroughly enjoyed the views at the top.

This is a shot of Chuck and the many small stream waterfalls that we saw on the way up to Hanging Lake



Hanging Lake in all its glory.


Behind the falls at Hanging Lake

There is also another interesting Falls called Spouting Rock just above Hanging Lake, This of course means climbing up another several hundred feet... After getting to Hanging Lake, what's another short climb?

Chuck at the spray at Spouting Rock



A shot of Hanging Lake from up above at Spouting Rock


Chuck at the Spouting Rock sign...just another few hundred feet up.


Here is a shot on the descent of Hanging Lake Trail, just to give an idea of how steep it really is.


Finally...lunch! Here is my nice cold beer! It's times like this I am glad Chuck doesn't care to drink.


Lunch...Shrimp and Ribs and some bodecious mashed potatoes! I ate it all up!


Chili's is serious about people parking too long in the "pick up only" section!


We did another 17 miles on the Glenwood Canyon Bike Trail after lunch, then on the way back we found this horse sticking his head out of the trailer that he was in.

More Day 12

We walked into town for dinner. To our disappointment all the advertised places were filled with 45 plus minute waits. On our way in we passed a restaurant with a fellow standing just outside the door urging us in...we thought we would rather select our own place.
We came back and decided to give Fin's Grille and Raw Bar a try.
It was perfect. Immediate seating, nice decor, background guitar music and fantastic food. We could not have done better if we tried!

I had the grilled salmon over salad
They also served yummy warm french bread with a whole bulb of roasted garlic....WOW!


Chuck had grilled salmon dinner with perfectly steamed veggies and two kinds of rice: curried and plain.

Day 12...Glenwood Springs

We left Salida, Colorado this morning for Aspen and then Glenwood Springs. Of course before getting to either of these two places one has to go through Independence Pass. There we were at about 12,125 feet elevation. The temperature was 55 degrees and it wasn't bad until the wind kicked up, then I wish I had my fleece and jeans on instead of light summer clothing.
We drove through Aspen, was an interesting experience. We would have parked and strolled the main streets, but no spots were available so we moved on to Glenwood Springs, which is a really cool place. The temperatures here were in the mid eighties...how do they change so quickly? We were lucky to get a hotel room at a reasonable rate at the last minute for the Labor Day weekend. We spent the afternoon riding our bikes on the Glenwood Canyon Trail. It goes on and on, we did not do the entire thing only 17 miles of it. It is the only place I know that you can ride UNDER and interstate highway (70), alongside a great rafting river...the Colorado and just on the other side are train tracks for Amtrak and freight trains, at the same time. All this through a glorious canyon on a specially built bike trail that is kept separate from vehicular traffic. Just perfect...(except for the rain at the end, but oh well!)