Thursday we traveled from Moab, Utah to Fruita, Co. and visited the Colorado National Monument. It was very difficult to drive that day because of the gusty winds. Fortunately the trip was not long. The monument area is high above the city of Grand Junction and surrounding communities. Jeanne was leaning toward the middle of the car as we drove along the edge of the cliffs, but the scenery was breathtaking. Friday we drove to Grand Junction for groceries and ate at Outback Steak House.
Today we drove to Cedaredge, Co. where we will be volunteering at a church camp for the month of June. The elevation is 6230 ft. They gave us a tour of the camp and invited us for lunch. There are a number of deer that come into the camp frequently. We plan to put up our bird feeder so Katie will have something to occupy her time. Maybe she won't get into so much trouble. We were also warned about our garbage because there have been bear in the camp in the past.
Dark clouds were forming late this afternoon and the wind was picking up. Since we do not have much selection of TV channels, I checked Weather Underground for the predictions for tonight and tomorrow. Even though the temperature today was 78, the forecast for tomorrow night and Monday are possible snow showers. Lows are to be in the 20s and 30s. Back out with the winter clothes again.
We have a nice babbling brook behind our MH. Since all the rivers are rising, hope our little brook doesn't over flow its banks and float us away. I think we will be happy here and they have lots of work that needs to be done.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK
Near Moab and Arches is another national park called Canyonlands. We visited there on Wednesday. The central theme here is a view very much like the Grand Canyon. The Colorado River comes in on the east side and the Green River comes in on the west side. Over the years they have eroded the soil away into vast canyons. We visited the part that is called Island in the Sky at the north entrance to the park. The road goes along the top of a high plateau and looks down on different areas of the canyon.
We also visited Dead Horse State Park which adjoins the national park on the northeast corner over looking the Colorado River. From the vantage point here we were able to see a commercial venture along the river which extracts potash from the soil which is used for agricultural fertilizer. I did see a bunny rabbit and a young fox on this trip.
We also visited Dead Horse State Park which adjoins the national park on the northeast corner over looking the Colorado River. From the vantage point here we were able to see a commercial venture along the river which extracts potash from the soil which is used for agricultural fertilizer. I did see a bunny rabbit and a young fox on this trip.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
ARCHES NATIONAL PARK
Tuesday we visited Arches National Park. This is a very unique and picturesque park which draws over a million visitors a year. We felt that we visited at the best time of the year. The temperature was in the mid 60's. Unfortunately they did have a thunderstorm in the middle of the day which kept us from going on any lengthy hikes. We were able to see most of the formations from the car or pulling into a view point. We did take short hikes up to a few of the arches (north and south window arches and turret arch). Allan took a hike to the upper delicate arch view point to get some pictures and hurried back because the thunderstorm was approaching. There were many other formations, but too many to name here. They were all unique in their appearance. These rock structures have gradually eroded over time from water, wind and freezing temperatures and are continually changing.
We saw where Howard and Linda Payne lived while they were camphosting there. Wish we had more time to explore all the side roads.
We saw where Howard and Linda Payne lived while they were camphosting there. Wish we had more time to explore all the side roads.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
ON THE ROAD TO MOAB
On Monday we left the ranch and drove to Moab. I am enclosing several pictures of some of the sights we saw on our trip.
We are staying at OK RV Park in Moab. We have a beautiful view of the red rock mountains on one side, the snow covered mountains on another side and the equestrian center on another side.
The only bad thing about the equestrian center is there are no horses. If you have not heard, there has been an outbreak of equine herpes which affects the nervous system. The horses have to be euthanized. It is contagious to other horses, so they are stopping all horse related events in the western states. This is sad and will affect the horse industry all over.
We found these petroglyphs driving up on the hills above town.
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| From 2011-05-23 |
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| From 2011-05-23 |
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| From 2011-05-23 |
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| From 2011-05-23 |
We are staying at OK RV Park in Moab. We have a beautiful view of the red rock mountains on one side, the snow covered mountains on another side and the equestrian center on another side.
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| From 2011-05-23 |
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| From 2011-05-23 |
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| From 2011-05-23 |
We found these petroglyphs driving up on the hills above town.
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| From 2011-05-23 |
Monday, May 23, 2011
MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK
Saturday was a pretty day so we visited Mesa Verde National Park. The entrance to the park was not far from where we are staying, but after you get into the park it is 15 miles just to the visitor's center. It was another 9 miles to the next closest site. Allan took two ranger guided tours to the cliff dwellings. I stayed in the car as the tours included much climbing of steep steps and many ladders.
Before the guided tours we stopped at some sites near the road where I could get out and walk around and observe. These were not cliff dwellings, but the remains of dwellings on top of the mesa. Some were dwellings and some were pits. While they were occupied, the pits were covered but the coverings are now long gone. The ranger said the people that dwelt there were Puebloans. They remained there for 700 years, but in the late 1200's they left the area due to years of drought.
The first ranger led tour was to the most photographed group of dwellings which is called the "Cliff Palace". It was an hour long tour where they walked from the top of the mesa down trails to the Palace area. The cliff dwellers had built their structures in hollow sections of the cliff walls high above the valley floor. From 75 to 85% of the present structures are original. Some work has been done in reconstruction.
The next tour Allan went on was to the "Balcony House". This required climbing down man made stairs and climbing ladders back up to the cliff dwellings.
There was also sections you had to squeeze through narrow passages and get on our hands and knees and crawl through a small tunnel.
They were warmed ahead of time that you had to be physically fit to take the tours. The kivi is a Hopi word for ceremonial room. They are underground chambers comparable to churches. This is where they practiced their religion.
Between 2000 and 2004 the park has experienced several fires which have destroyed about 75% of the stand of trees. Many are still standing, but are dead and burnt.
I am adding a picture of our site showing all the snow melted, which we found on our return from the trip to Mesa Verde National Park.
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| From 2011-05-22 |
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| From 2011-05-22 |
Before the guided tours we stopped at some sites near the road where I could get out and walk around and observe. These were not cliff dwellings, but the remains of dwellings on top of the mesa. Some were dwellings and some were pits. While they were occupied, the pits were covered but the coverings are now long gone. The ranger said the people that dwelt there were Puebloans. They remained there for 700 years, but in the late 1200's they left the area due to years of drought.
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| From 2011-05-22 |
The first ranger led tour was to the most photographed group of dwellings which is called the "Cliff Palace". It was an hour long tour where they walked from the top of the mesa down trails to the Palace area. The cliff dwellers had built their structures in hollow sections of the cliff walls high above the valley floor. From 75 to 85% of the present structures are original. Some work has been done in reconstruction.
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| From 2011-05-22 |
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| From 2011-05-22 |
The next tour Allan went on was to the "Balcony House". This required climbing down man made stairs and climbing ladders back up to the cliff dwellings.
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| From 2011-05-22 |
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| From 2011-05-22 |
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| From 2011-05-22 |
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| From 2011-05-22 |
Between 2000 and 2004 the park has experienced several fires which have destroyed about 75% of the stand of trees. Many are still standing, but are dead and burnt.
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| From 2011-05-22 |
I am adding a picture of our site showing all the snow melted, which we found on our return from the trip to Mesa Verde National Park.
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| From 2011-05-22 |
Sunday, May 22, 2011
SNOW, SNOW, SNOW
Wednesday we left Durango because the weather was suppose to deteriorate and we didn't want to be on the road in all that mess. Well we got on the road but not soon enough.
Fortunately we did not have far to drive. We pulled in to Echo Basin Ranch and set up to watch the snow fall. It was beautiful.
It snowed for 3 days. Allan measured the snow from the picnic table at 6 inches, but each day some would melt. Who knows how much it really snowed. This gave us some chill time, but we were warm.
I decided to make a snowman, but the nose looked like a pig. After looking at the picture, it sorta looks like an eagle. Really it is a blob of snow.
Katie was thoroughly entertained with all the snow flakes coming down.
Oops! Is there a problem here? Allan, I think you have put your shirt on backwards.
On Friday Allan was having a case of cabin fever, so we drove into Durango for some supplies.
He gassed up the Jeep and gave her a good bath while I got most of the grocery shopping taken care of. We did hurry a bit as we have to drive over a pass to get back to our MH.
When we reached the pass the wind was really blowing along with rain, sleet and snow. The elevation at the pass is about 8200 feet. The ranch is about 7900 feet. No wonder we are getting snow.
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| From 2011-05-18 |
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| From 2011-05-18 |
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| From 2011-05-18 |
It snowed for 3 days. Allan measured the snow from the picnic table at 6 inches, but each day some would melt. Who knows how much it really snowed. This gave us some chill time, but we were warm.
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| From 2011-05-20 |
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| From 2011-05-20 |
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| From 2011-05-20 |
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| From 2011-05-20 |
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| From 2011-05-20 |
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| From 2011-05-20 |
I decided to make a snowman, but the nose looked like a pig. After looking at the picture, it sorta looks like an eagle. Really it is a blob of snow.
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| From 2011-05-20 |
Katie was thoroughly entertained with all the snow flakes coming down.
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| From 2011-05-20 |
Oops! Is there a problem here? Allan, I think you have put your shirt on backwards.
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| From 2011-05-20 |
On Friday Allan was having a case of cabin fever, so we drove into Durango for some supplies.
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| From 2011-05-20 |
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| From 2011-05-20 |
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
SILVERTON, COLORADO
There was a cool front coming through this area. The high for Durango on Tuesday was about 60 degrees. We boarded the bus for Silverton, an old mining town which now relies on tourist only for their livelihood. As we ascended the mountains it began to rain which changed to snow. We had limited visibility, but were still able to enjoy the beautiful scenery. The bus driver said the day before there was no snow along the road. I don't know how deep it was but it was building quickly. Fortunately, they were not requiring chains so we were able to complete our bus trip to Silverton which took 1 1/2 hours.
Since it was noon when we arrived, lunch was our first stop. We ate at the "Handlebar Restaurant". Allan had baby back ribs and I had soup and salad. We sat by a fire which really felt good since the temperature was in the low 40's.
We found the post office and purchased some stamps. There were many stores and shops that we went in. I think most people were going in the stores to keep warm. Allan and I got several pictures of the buildings and the mountains surrounding the town. The wind picked up and we were told that the temperature had dropped to 28 degrees. We found a small cafe just before leaving and had a cup of coffee and hot chocolate.
The train left at 3:00 and the trip back to Durango took 3 1/2 hours. This is a narrow gauge steam locomotive pulling several enclosed and open cars.
The sky cleared as we descended the mountains which gave us full view of the surrounding area. It looks as if the train tracks were glued to the side of the mountain and in many areas it dropped off steeply to a gorge below.
The train tracks followed the river most of the way down to Durango. The track was cut through the rock. In places you could have stuck your hand out and touch the mountain side.
They stopped about half way down to take on more water.
The engineer came though all covered in coal dust. We stopped along the way and picked up some rafters and kayakers. There are only certain sections of the river that are navigable. It made for quite an adventuresome day and we were happy that we made the trip today as the weather was suppose to deteriorate the rest of the week.
Wednesday we decided to make a short move to Mancos, Co. before the weather got bad. We weren't quite quick enough. We drove in rain and snow on the drive.
Shortly after we got set up it began to sleet heavily which changed to snow. We are camped at a guest ranch close to Mesa Verde National Park. We stayed inside the rest of the day. Katie sat at the front window watching the snow come down. She tried to catch the snow flakes. She was quite entertained.
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| From 2011-05-17 |
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| From 2011-05-17 |
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| From 2011-05-17 |
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| From 2011-05-17 |
Since it was noon when we arrived, lunch was our first stop. We ate at the "Handlebar Restaurant". Allan had baby back ribs and I had soup and salad. We sat by a fire which really felt good since the temperature was in the low 40's.
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| From 2011-05-17 |
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| From 2011-05-17 |
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| From 2011-05-17 |
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| From 2011-05-17 |
The train left at 3:00 and the trip back to Durango took 3 1/2 hours. This is a narrow gauge steam locomotive pulling several enclosed and open cars.
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| From 2011-05-17 |
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| From 2011-05-17 |
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| From 2011-05-17 |
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| From 2011-05-17 |
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| From 2011-05-17 |
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| From 2011-05-17 |
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| From 2011-05-17 |
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| From 2011-05-17 |
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| From 2011-05-17 |
Wednesday we decided to make a short move to Mancos, Co. before the weather got bad. We weren't quite quick enough. We drove in rain and snow on the drive.
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| From 2011-05-18 |
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| From 2011-05-18 |
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| From 2011-05-18 |