Visit to Colorado for RV repairs: 9/16 – 9/29
Grand Junction, Colorado – our location for RV repairs. We stayed here off and on during a two week period having work done on our motor home. While waiting for parts to be delivered, we spent the other time at Ridgeway State Park, about an hour outside Grand Junction. Both areas beautiful – so much to see! The Colorado National Monument located west of Grand junction is a large plateau with incredible red rock canyons and panoramic vistas. The Rim Rock Drive, with its many twists and turns and breath-taking drop offs, reminds me of the Going to the Sun road in Glacier.
On the east of Grand Junction is Grand Mesa, the largest flat top mountain in the world with elevation reaching 11,000 feet. We visited Grand Mesa ‘Color Weekend’, when the aspens turn brilliant yellows and golds. Lots of great hiking in this area.
Ridgeway State Park, located near Ouray and Telluride, is another wonderful, quiet state park. Maybe a third of the campsites in use. In Ouray, a town considered ‘The Switzerland of America’, we fell in love with hot springs! The town owns and runs a public hot springs that has been in place since the 1920’s. The sulfur free pool is open year round. We spent three evenings there, relaxing in 97 degree waters, looking at the mountains and stars all around. The Ouray area is filled with unforgettable scenery – rugged mountains, once booming mining cities; True Grit and other old Hollywood westerns were filmed here, most roads are dirt.
Another town we visited in the area was Telluride, a popular ski resort town, located in a deep canyon. Here a route of three gondola rides connects the town to ski resort areas and the rides are free. Great way to see this area!
Thoughts:
– Aspens, trees located in the West and at higher altitudes, are fast becoming my favorite tree. They are the largest, single biological unit, with trees interconnected. They are beautiful, with their white bark that contrasts with other colors around them and their brilliant golden colors in the fall. The movie, Avatar, comes to mind when I think of aspens – a deep sense of community
We had to cancel our October trip to the Ouray and Telluride area, we’ll definitely have to rebook! Such beautiful scenery, especially with the fall colors. (Love the selfie.)