Utah Vacation–Colorado NM

Today, it was time for something a little different. After two days in Arches National Park, it was time to go elsewhere. Today, we went to the Colorado National Monument near Grand Junction.

To get there, we drove east on I-70. As we passed the Moab exit in Crescent Junction, we saw the Radiation Train parked in a siding to be unloaded. The further east we travelled, the greener the landscape became. As we entered Colorado, we passed through the top of McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area. Finally, we picked up the Colorado River again near Fruita and followed it to Grand Junction.

We entered the Colorado National Monument at the south entrance so that we could arrive at the Visitor Center by lunch time. The drive though the park takes Rimrock Road north for about 23 miles. Going north, the canyons were always on the right. In many cases, all I could see was the canyon wall on the other side, as the road came precariously close to the edge, with very few guardrails separating cars from a long, painful fall. Needless to say, I was nervous and focused laser sharp on hugging the yellow line.

Mom, David, and Susan at the Colorado National Monument

The road starts at an elevation of 4,930 feet and climbs to a high point of 6,640 feet. Along the drive, we passed by Columbus Canyon, Red Canyon, Ute Canyon, Monument Canyon, Wedding Canyon, and Lizard Canyon. We also passed through three tunnels carved directly into the stone.

One of our stops along the way included an interpretive trail that defined many of the plants and animals that are native to the region. Another stop had the Egyptian Mummy. Another the Coke Ovens. And another, Independence Monument. At the Egyptian Mummy stop, the far canyon wall was concave, and a sign described the speed of sound through the air and encouraged the reader to time their echo. I gave it a try and yelled loudly. After the “normal” amount of time, I heard no echo. But then the echo arrived and startled me, like hearing a sonic boom after watching a Falcon 9 booster land. You expect it, but it still catches you off guard.

Susan looking down from Otto's Trail

We eventually arrived at the Visitor Center and ate lunch at one of their picnic tables. While there, a busload of athletes arrived and walked past us to the viewpoint. I’m not sure where they were from, but I think I heard an Australian or New Zealand accent.

After lunch, we took the Window Rock Trail, then backtracked south to take Otto’s Trail. On the way out of the park, we descended along the S-curves through Fruita Canyon, passed Balanced Rock, and finally out the north entrance.

Susan at the north entrance to Colorado National Monument

Next, we headed for Grand Junction. Grand Junction seems like one of those small towns that has everything I am looking for in a retirement town. Obviously, it has location goodness galore. The mountains and river are very appealing to me. I wanted to explore it more. Naturally, my first stop was the Amtrak station. While there, we noticed three BNSF engines parked in the yard, which was surprised, given that this is UP country.

Mom was unhappy with her pillow situation at the house, so we went on a pillow hunt. Meanwhile, Susan was looking for something too. We found a shopping center with a health food store and a Ross. Mom found a pillow and Susan found what she needed.

Before leaving town, we felt the need for something sweet. Across the road from the shopping center, we found Freddy’s. We made a quick stop and picked up some frozen custard shakes.

It was getting late, so we got back on the road to Green River. As we approached the exit, I decided that I wasn’t ready to call it a day, since there was still nearly an hour of daylight left. We continued west on I-70 to the San Rafael Reef.

The San Rafael Reef is a mountain range that stretches for many miles north and south. It was created be a swell that pushed the land up, exposing many layers of rock. Over time, erosion exposed many of those layers and they are clearly visible as you drive up through the reef. We stopped at all the viewpoints along the climb and watched as a storm approached from the west.

David and Susan at a San Rafael Reef viewpoint

Back in Green River, the town sign was lit up. This was our first time entering town from the west after sunset, so we hadn’t seen it lit up before. Of course, we had to stop and get a picture.

Susan at the Green River welcome sign

Click the image below to see all pictures from the trip.