This area is where the wild mustangs range so we decided to spend some time looking for them.These were the only horses we saw but we did see piles of wild stallion dung marking their territory and hoof prints coming down to the creek.It was a beautiful hike even without the wild mustangs! We met up with friends from Denver in Palisades for lunch – and a bit more wine tasting!Bookcliffs winery had a vineyard tour before the WineFest in Palisades.We had the opportunity to compare and taste the different grapes – Tempranillo, Merlot, Sryah, Cab Sav! We learned the first day of frost is usually mid November and last is mid April so a long growing season – perfect for all the produce grown here.Then we went on the Palisade Rim hike above the vineyards looking across the Grand Valley.An interesting canyon behind the rim, away from the noise of the highway and railroad.And petroglyphs of elks!
Pipestone National Monument is all about the perfect stone to make pipes. This Indian face looks out over the quarries where the best veins of the stone lie.I appreciated the Colorado connection – imagine Freemont’s time and traveling this country in 1838. We spent the night in South Dakota at an Indian Casino – how times have changed!We spent the day at Lewis and Clark Lake, a dammed up area along the Missouri. We took a tour of the dam, watched a movie in the visitor center, and had found this spot to camp for the night!Spirit Mound Historical Site was one of the first land areas along the Missouri that Lewis and Clark came ashore to explore.This is a description of what L & C experienced.And we did see the buffalo at this monument for the signing of a Sioux treaty.Looking across the Missouri River from South Dakota to Nebraska.The cliffs along the shore – very picturesque!The country side near the Niobrara National Scenic River.Believe it or not – we have put 9,000 miles on our van as we head across the plains of Colorado!We spent another wonderful evening with our friends in Ft Collins. G helped H level the van with a lift and we were shocked how much off level we had been!Our nephew is trying to patent a game the has invented – we got to watch and learn the rules.Such a joy to spend time with this delightful girl…and her happy, fun loving brothers. So glad we had some more time together!Our camping spot on Vail Pass with a morning hike to Shrine Pass.
Colorado National Monument. We brought the MINI here and didn’t want any sibling rivalry. It is truly a favoriteTo have views like this! So glad it was preserved.The family car wash…the van also got oil change, tires rotated and balanced as well as the starter switch recall. In Grand Junction, it had a new Auto Transfer Switch installed so we can now use shore power. Nice to make sure the warranty work gets taken care of in a timely manner.An evening with friends. It is difficult to make time for everything but we have tried to organize a few quality visits as all of our friends are important to us!After a night with my other nephew’s family in Kansas, we came across the geographical center of the contiguous states near Lebanon.This is the actual spot but a ranger told us it is really about 200′ from here in the corn field. Close enough for me.We homesteaded in Beatrice and then headed to the state capitol of Nebraska – gorgeous buildingSterling J Morton was the author of Arbor Day and there is the beautiful Steinhart park next to his historic home in Nebraska City.We thought we would lunch along the Missouri River and found this replica of the Louis and Clark keel boat (the one made for the IMAX movie)Look Meriwether! So interesting to contemplate their journey.This makes our Travato look spacious – and definitely not as much work.Really nice to visit family along the way. Such gracious hospitality!
Wilamot Valley has views to dream about. Wow! We strolled to this beaver pond in the early morning.The Travato found a great parking place! We stayed put for three nights.We watched photographers come and take pictures of us…well probably, unlike us, they cropped out the Travato.We could enjoy some river time…tho the mosquitos kindav liked this spot as well.One night some horses were brought in and added a beautiful touch to the valley.They were more interested in the grass than the view.The start of the hike to Blue Lake. This is a hugely popular trail and we were really glad to have walked the mile to the trailhead rather than try to park.A couple backpackers asked for their photo here so they reciprocated by taking this one of us.A panarama view. Amazing colors. It did not feel real.We decided to take a cue from the marmot and just sun ourselves on a rockLife is good!Especially with views like this. True Prisma colors.More columbines in bloom, along the banks of the crystal clear water.The second day we hiked to Baine Basin which is the next valley over.There were many river crossings but all were nicely fashioned with sturdy bridges.Our first view of the valley – there were so many waterfalls!We hung out on a rock with this view – a bit closer to the water.Colorful wildflowers. We loved this magenta variety of Paint Brush.Another evening stroll in the valley before turning in. I think we need to come back in the fall and see this valley with the aspens. It is a new favorite spot…we are collecting them.
Confluence of the Gunniison and Uncompahgre Rivers converge at the park in Delta – we spent the 4th relaxing here. We had fried chicken and ice cream for our picnic celebration.We were not the only ones spending the day in the park. This pleasant fishing pond/ lake was full of anticipation.We enjoyed a very peaceful sunset with a second bowl of ice cream!Some came prepared for the pre firework show. The firework show was really worth the wait. We especially enjoyed the reflections on the lake and the crowd’s appreciation.We drove the next day to the other side of the valley up the Gunnison River.Cool Rock hike up a dry wash in a canyon was a bit warm but a large variety of rock.- so many different cool rocks.We parked here for two nights – it was a bit exposed and windy but had great views.Great mountain views!Amazing sunsets and twinkling stars. We could also pull in some TV reception so enjoyed a show on the monitor. We have not played with all of the features yet so like the opportunity to figure things out.
We parked overnight on BLM land and enjoyed the panoramic views. However after this overnight storm it was quite spooky to drive down the clay/mud road. But we made it to our morning Travato appointment in Grand Junction.Dominguez Canyon Wilderness hike south of Grand Junction started with this crossing of the Gunnison River.A beautiful mix of rocks that would make any geologist ecstatic – we found it pretty interesting.Amazing petroglyphs.These tell the story of the Ute hunting buffalo.Lunch break for the map reader. The day was overcast and a gorgeous day to be outdoors.The color of the water made us dream of lattes…This was a very large water fall that went all the way into the valley.We parked overnight a ways above the trailhead and enjoyed the expansive sky views.
We found this beautiful campsite with incredible views.It was a bit extreme to get the final few feet but Travato prevailed.Wine O’clock while enjoying the expansive views.Our evening sunset stroll across Gardener Park Reservoir gave a new perspective to Travato. We saw some ducks and a beaver.We drove to a trailhead by Stillwater Lake to hike the Devil’s Causeway. This is the view before the final assent to the Causeway.A fellow hiker took our picture – we had both tried to get a photo of the large marmot.On top of the world after crossing the Devil’s Causeway.And the view from the other direction. We hung out for a while enjoying a snack. When we left at 11 am, it was clear, by 11:30 the storm clouds had built up, by noon in the Van it started to sprinkle. We stayed a head of it on the 11-mile dirt road drive out. We then drove to Edwards to spend the night with my college roommate.
In North Park, near Walden, we saw beautiful plains and this herd of buffalo. We stayed at a Trailhead that turned out to be full of mosquitoes so we did not hike that trail in the morning! It was a fairly sleepless night.We enjoyed a day in Steamboat and made this hike to Fish Creek Falls as we heard it was especially beautiful this year.The day could not be beat. This is why we love Colorado!We dispersed along the Elk River near the trail head to Hinman Lake. The wildflowers were especially beautiful.And the water Lilies on Hinman Lake were in bloom as well.Our morning entertainment was watching this fox catch his breakfast.Our second day hike was up Elk Creek into the Mt. Zircle Wilderness towards Gold Lake.With the creek flowing so full, we had a couple fun crossings.Such a beautiful day with lots of time to enjoy Gold Lake!We noticed the wildfire near Walden had grown in size (5,000 to 9,000 acres according to the paper and into the other side of Mt. Zircle Wilderness). The wind also had shifted – we did see some helicopters flying overhead. With all the beetle kill, it will be interesting to see how far it spreads.
