Utah

Utah

The short route northward.

We visited this Monument in 1999 but did an extensive

 tour this time while RVing in the Monument.

http://www.nps.gov/dino/index.htm

Approaching the Monument.

Our site on the Green River.

In the covered quarry.  350 tons of dinosaur bones

 were shipped to Cleveland in the early 1900's.

Many were left in the rock for all to enjoy.

Twenty miles of gravel road took us to the "other"

 side of the Monument where the views were

 spectacular and the petroglyphs were numerous.

Overlooking Island Park in Dinosaur National Monument.

Passing through the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area.

  The red rocks, blue water, and yellow flowers

 startled us as we rounded a mountain corner.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/ashley/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5212203

A couple of corners later we startled a family of desert bighorn sheep, 

but got photos as they turned back to check us out.

We visited Utah's King's Peak, the highest point in the state. 

 But had to access the trailhead from Wyoming.

http://www.summitpost.org/kings-peak/150376

Relaxing on the highpointer's bench at the trailhead.

Entering the wilderness area.

On the trail.

Soaking tired feet after the hike.  Very cold water!

Colorado 3

Colorado 3

The route

With Dennis needing a root canal (ouch) so we had extra,

 unscheduled time to tour the Grand Junction area 

while waiting for the appointment.

  This was our first visit to the Grand Mesa

 (Largest flat top mountain in the world?!)

It may have been a little cooler and a

 nice change from the valley floor.

The road back down.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/gmug

On of the many lakes.

These girls gave Judy some sunflower seeds to feed

 to the already fat chipmunks begging at the observatory

  on the Land's End road.

Heading down the graveled switch backed road-a nice water fall.

Still waiting for the dentist appointment. 

So a revisit to this Monument.

http://www.nps.gov/colm/index.htm

The ride up offers spectacular views and reminds

 of  the entrance to Arches NP.  

The pose at one of the overlooks.

Another overlook into the Monument valley.

The Mummy laying on the rock ledge.

And Judy.

Tooth repaired!

On our way out of Colorado we stopped at the

 headquarters of Dinosaur NM before camping

 in the Utah portion.  

http://www.nps.gov/dino/index.htm

Colorado 2

Colorado 2

The Route

Staying in the Blue Mesa area we were able to tour

 two National Park sites extensively.

They are numbers 350 and 351!

http://www.nps.gov/cure/index.htm

Walking to the boat tour on the Gunnison River.

Sites to see and experience.

Just want see, not experience this one!

We saw two bears, one across from the dock, and one on the tour.

The one at the dock also swam in the river for our entertainment!

On the boat and viewing the famous water fall behind. 

 The Chipeta Falls would be higher but the reservoir 

covered the bottom portion.

In Curecanti NRA above the Gunnison.

Still up there.

A water heater malfunction brought onsite technician, Fred.

 He was fair, efficient, and friendly.

A trip on Colorado Hwy 92 to the north rim of the park.

Wow.

http://www.nps.gov/blca/index.htm

Two days later, brought us to the south rim, also wow.

About 2300 feet down to the river.

At the painted wall.

The adult pool at Blue Meas Recreational Ranch, an ROD park.

http://www.bluemesarvcamping.com/

Colorado part 1

Of course, our first stop in CO!! 

It looks as though we have already imbibed! 

Our Nephew, Matt gave us a great tour of his workplace.

  He maintains the Terrapin Care Station's grow warehouse and

 even showed us the bud drying room.

Our "stash"  Most of what we bought contained the

 CBD portion of marijuana and not the

 THC part that makes you high.

http://www.terrapincarestation.com/

We enjoyed snacks, a property tour, and a great dinner

 at Matt's new place.  He is a first time home-owner.

In Pueblo we again visited 86 year old Gertie Paycheck. 

 She is Dennis' cousin. 

 When his great grandfather came from Germany, three brother

 stayed in Southern Indiana while one moved to Colorado!  

That one was Gertie's grandfather.

We've quit trying to figure out why Indiana or Colorado.

The Garden of the Gods is a must drive and hike

 if you are near Colorado Springs.

In the Garden.

At sunset.

http://www.gardenofgods.com/

On the Arkansas River in the newly formed

 Browns Canyon National Monument. (2-2015) 

http://www.fs.fed.us/visit/browns-canyon-national-monument

We picked up the passport stamp near Buena Vista.

This Monument is administered by the Forest 

Service.

Paddle boarder in the rapids.

We visited Leadville, at over 10000 ft it is 

the highest city in the USA.

  Their BOOM DAYS! celebration was just starting.

Pointing out our destination, the summit of Mt Elbert.

Starting up.

http://www.rockymountainhikingtrails.com/mount-elbert.htm

The trail head is at 10040 ft and we hiked up 1000 ft.

Of course we did not summit this 14er, 

but we did hike up about an hour.

  This is the 46th high point we have visited.