On the trail again – it was 48 degrees when we started and 64 when we finished. Perfect!Is that the trail down there? We were not expecting all the elevation gain – we ascended and descended three mesas – both ways!We are over half way to the arches – it is 7-miles in and 7-miles out! Most of this trail is in the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness section of McInnis Canyon.There are 7 arches – a very high concentration for one hike. They were breathtaking and not just because we had hiked 7-miles!Very fun to appreciate on such a gorgeous day.This got our vote as the most beautiful arch we have seen. Sorry Utah…We took too many photos but this upward looking panorama seems to capture the awe of being there.Walking past it gave a different viewpoint that was also interesting.This is the last arch we hiked to – there might have been one more but we stopped here to eat and enjoy before heading back.Fun to climb up for a closer view. Really amazing what nature can do, given enough time.
McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area for another day of hiking – Rabbit’s Ear Mesa Trail to overlook Colorado River, close to the Utah border (Exit 2 on I-70).It took an hour to hike to this spot, 700-feet elevation gain, but worth every step for the view!Clever stone arm chairs were created in this perfect overlook for us to appreciate.Looking towards Utah with the La Sal mountains on the horizon.Another day we headed to Devil’s Canyon trail under dark skies.The lighting was very interesting with the sun shining on the Book Cliffs across the valley.We got caught in the rain but it made all the rocks shine – even though it also made the trail a bit slick and muddy.
Independence Monument – we did a morning valley hike to see this pillar up close.There are naturalization ceremonies here and 4th of July flag raisings and rock climbers today! The library had an entertaining John Otto impersonator talk about how he built these trails and championed for this to be a National Monument. So glad we had people like him in the early 1900’s!Another day hike from the valley to Liberty Bell formation – named after the bell in Philadelphia.It is a steep hike but worth it to enjoy the solitude and views.Nice photo op!Another day we drove the full rim drive – this is looking back at the Liberty Bell across Ute canyon.There are so many canyons that would be fun to explore. We enjoyed all the little overlook hikes, a cooler day, and no need to hurry.These are the coke oven formations. There is a CCC water diversion tunnel built near here with some information on their time building the roads as well as a ranger cabin that is still standing. Such amazing stone work!Big horn sheep live here – we felt so lucky to see them!The back side of Independence Monument looking down on the trail we hiked.We enjoyed this view of Independence Monument while eating our picnic lunch.
A perfect fall day for a drive up the Mesa!The amount of aspen around Powderhorn Ski area was breathtaking.Quaking aspen in a light breeze, shimmery golden in the sun – actually quite a bit of orange on the leaves as well which was a bit unusual.This is real – just an amazing blue sky!A hike up Crag Crest to enjoy the view with our picnic lunch -notice a bit of snow on the trail….winter is coming.Amazing views were worth the three miles or so to the summit.Clouds were forming only over the peaks but added some interest to our views.It was great to hike amongst the colors, the views and the sunshine. A great day!
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.
Desert following a nice dinner at The Chocolate Moose in International FallsRanger led pontoon all day boat trip to experience the waters of Voyager National Park.A lot of islands but this is not really a canoe/kayak type of park as the distances are greater and water is not calm.We spotted over 23 bald eagles on our voyage – the ranger knew where many of the nests were as well as the juveniles that were getting ready to be on their own.What a joy to watch them take off and soar!Kettle Falls Lodge was the historical destination for lunch.We chose to picnic by the dam/falls and enjoy this view.This international border marking was under the boardwalk so needed to be pointed out by the ranger.This beautiful private beach in Chippewa National Forest on Cass Lake was our home for three nights.Nice to relax and take some time off driving. Life doesn’t get much better than this!Sunset #1Sunset #2Sunset #3The artistic shot!This is Rividoux CCC Camp – a volunteer/camp host gave us an amazing tour. He really brought that era to life and we could envision the men in the camp between their park work.The Cass Lake State Park visitor Center was built by the CCC.Amazing stone fireplace – notice how the rock placement is so symmetrical.This is the Supervisor Office in the city of Cass Lake – also built by the CCC.We could not leave Minnesota without visiting Paul Bunyon! Where is Babe? I think he left her back in Michigan!
The cliffs have given way to multiple islands. There is Isle Royal in the distance – about 60 miles – this is the closest we are going to see it on this trip.Imagine being on the shore when these voyagers came in.This is the first tall water falls they were needing to portage around – it is on the border – those on the right cliff are in Canada.This is the replica of the fort at the Grand Portage National Monument.With the birch bark canoe ready to launch.This historian was telling us about the history of gun powder and the fur traders acquiring those skins and food. We also went to another talk on food storage.This birch bark was being prepared to use as roof shingles but it is a similar process for the canoe. We learned the inside of the bark has an antimicrobial property that protects food from mice and other insects as well as having preservative properties.The Travoto is going International! We have decided the quickest route to Voyagers NP is through Canada.
Overlooking Thunder Bay.Down on the harbor we found this interesting sculpture in a concert area.It enclosed a space without blocking any of the views.It is all in the details!Fun architecture and sculpture. Refreshing to see!Nature and IndustryHi to our friends traveling British Columbia this summer and finding all these red chairs in scenic locations – we found our own to enjoy for a few minutes in Ontario!
