Grand Junction

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The last adventure on our itinerary was a raft trip on the Colorado. Ironically, this would be our most leisurely and tranquil outing of all. Because the section we floated is fairly flat and river volume in July is low, there were no death-defying rapids, no ten foot standing waves, no killer mid-rapid boulders to worry about. We slathered on the sunscreen, got into our respective craft and let the river take it where it chose.

This is the replacement picture from the Thursday post, but it’s too pretty not to include where everyone will see it, so I am sneaking it in here, too.  ~WG

On The Road – cope – Grand Junction and Beyond, Part VIPost + Comments (12)

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Up on top of The Colorado National Monument is an area known as Glade Park. One of the popular hang-outs up there is called The Potholes by locals but formally referred to as Little Delores Falls. On this particular trip, my brother-in-law drove us up to The Potholes with the intent of stopping at Miracle Rock on the way back for a short hike. However, nature had other plans.

On The Road – cope – Grand Junction and Beyond, Part VPost + Comments (12)

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The fourth day trip was less majestic but a lot of fun. Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is located half way up a mountain overlooking the town of Glenwood Springs. The only way to get to the park is via gondola.  Over time, a full blown park with thrill rides, entertainment and concerts has been built up. It’s about an hour and a half drive from Junction, following I-70 up and along the Colorado River.

On The Road – cope – Grand Junction and Beyond, Part IVPost + Comments (9)

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Our next day trip was one I’ve done multiple times but never tire of.  From south of Grand Junction, we drove into and up Unaweep Canyon to the small hamlet of Gateway.  From Gateway, we drove John Brown Canyon Road west out of town and out of Colorado into Utah and the La Sal Mountains.  My other sister drove while her husband, my grandson and I rubbernecked the whole way.  We did a loop drive and came back by way of Castle Valley and, eventually, I-70 back to GJ.

On The Road – cope – Grand Junction and Beyond, Part IIIPost + Comments (17)

Happy Monday!  We have a 5-part series from cope this week, so Albatrossity gets a day off.

This is actually a 6-part series, but I goofed up the scheduling and somehow posted Part I in December without realizing it was part of a series.  oops!  Anyway, if you click on  Grand Junction in the category list that’s just under the title, you can refresh your memory on the first post.  :-)

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The day after our drive up and over Grand Mesa, my grandson and I joined one of my sisters and her hubby for a hike to Devil’s Kitchen in the Colorado National Monument or “The Monument” as the locals call it.  The day after that, one of my brothers drove us around the Rim Rock Drive on The Monument.  Enjoy, I know I did.

On The Road – cope – Grand Junction and Beyond, Part IIPost + Comments (19)

Hey you *slackers :-) where are your holiday pics?  Holidays when you were little, Christmas lights, decorations?

* cope, jeffery, SkyBluePink, one more mystery person and the person who lost all their childhood pictures in a fire … not included in the (pretend) name calling.

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In July of 2022, my grandson and I flew out to visit my family in Grand Junction, Colorado.  Born and raised in Florida, he had never been out West.  At the time, his family was preparing to sell their Florida home and move to Vermont, a task they completed this past November.  During this visit, I decided that my wife and I should sell our Florida home too, and move back to Colorado after 33 years of Florida life.

I tried to make sure we did something different every day so my grandson could share some fun memories with his grandpa.  I think that mission was accomplished.

On The Road – cope – Grand Junction and Beyond, Part IPost + Comments (16)