January 13th & 14th: GJ, CO.

Last two days in Grand Junction
until Spring

View of Independance Monument from the Mall  

Tuesday and Wednesday, the 13th and 14th, we spent packing up all our things that we decided did not need to go with us on the next leg of our trip.  I can't believe how much one can accumulate in 2 months, even if it was the holidays. Looks like we will be shipping a box or two back to Maine.

On Tuesday, while running errands, I glanced up and saw the Independence Monument as I had not seen it before this year.  Fog had settled behind it making it almost pop out of the Canyon.  John and I decided drive closer so ~ off to the National Mounument we went for one last time.  Anything to get out of packing!

What we found were beautiful vistas, again with the fog and Bighorned Sheep. Well worth the drive!

The girls were very busy on our last 2 days but we were able to find a few hours to see them. We had dinner with Amanda Tuesday evening and Breakfast with Amanda & Lee Wednesday morning, after which we packed! Thursday morning, after a great breakfast at Lois' with Amelia and Bobby, we started out on our next adventure.  

My Favorite

Bighorned Sheep

Finally another snapshop of birds in trees
I see these all over the area.
This shot is at the base of the National Monument

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Now on to the next leg of our trip:

 First stop Albuquerque!

January 10th through January 12th: Lou and Peter

Saturday, January 10th:  Patriots beat the Ravens!
We're moving on!

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Sunday, January 11th and Monday the 12th

Lou and Peter visit GJ

We were so excited that Peter and Lou were able to join us in Grand Junction for a quick visit before we left for the next leg of our journey.  And Guess What?  FOG!   This was the first day of our trip that was not absolutely beautiful in GJ. We had been telling Lou and Pete about the fabulous views and sending them photos and brochures in anticipation of their visit.  And what do they get? FOG! Even when they drove into the valley on I70 around Mt. Garfield, they had no idea it was there. Oh well, we decided to make the best of it and get them as close to the Nation Monument as possible.

Lou taking a photo of John pointing out the Great View!
and Peter searching for it!

View down into the Canyon

There really is not much snow for this
time of  year in the park

This is what we are trying to show them.

Peter reading about the views

Ok, now we see the view!

Seriously, it was a beautiful day even it there was fog and a little rain. We thoroughly enjoyed our time together and decided to drive back to Grand Junction by way of Glade Park, which is behind the Colorado National Monument Park.  We came upon the Glade Park General Store and loved its quaintness and I loved the 'bunnies' protection the place.  And as an added bonus, on the way home we passed about 4 deer and a buck! We ended the day visiting with Amelia and Bobby and then dinner at Bin707. (http://www.bin707.com/ )

Glade Park General Store

A Buck

Glace Park General Store.I've never
 seen so many mailboxes in one place

and two more of the deer

Monday morning Amanda met us for breakfast before we headed Palisade to visit some of  the local winerys.  Yes, I admit, this is the second time on this trip to Grand Junction I have gone wine tasting but my excuse is that Lou wanted to find the delicious wine she had for dinner the night before.  We found it and more.  

The FOG cleared up ~ Lou and Peter finally saw Mt. Garfield, The Colorado National Monument Park and The Mesa!

I am sad to say that they left us at Canyon Winds and drove back to Denver.  But I am happy to say that we are planning another get together on our return trip to Colorado later this Spring.

Monday morning.
Two Maine Cars in Grand Junction

Canyon Winds Winery

Pete and Lou at Canyon Winds Winery
Mt Garfield in the back ground

Back to Denver

January 8th and 9th, 2015: Visits~The Benjamins and The Browers

Thursday, January 8th:  Afternoon Visit with views!
The Benjamins

Harry and Sue Benjamin and the
fabulous view from the back porch
looking toward National Monument Park

We want to thank Sue and Harry Benjamin for invititing us to see the view from their home of the National Monument Park, The Mesa and Mt. Garfield.  What an amazing property they live on ~ with Views to die for ~ being able to see the sun rise over Mt. Garfield & the Mesa and then set over the Monument. Add to this the beauty of Sue's horse's prancing around the pasture.  And as I was photographing them, a pack of deer meandered across the very back of their property ~ just taking their time crossing ~ It was a spactular scene with the view of the mountains in the background!  We had a lovely time with cookies and good coffee too. Sue tells me that in March, when we are back in GJ, the sunsets will be even more brilliant on the mountains, so we are looking forward to another pleasant evening enjoying the veiws with Sue and Harry.  This time, I'll bring the wine and cheese.

Deer passing by in the distance

Deer in the distance with
National Monument Park 
in the background

Sunset View from the Benjamins yard of Mt. Garfield

The Independence Monument to the left with the birds flying
I had been trying to catch these birds all month!

Sue and Harry's sweet dogs ~ Barney and Rascal

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Friday, January 9th:  
Stemboat Springs with the Browers

The road north

We woke up this morning planning to visit John's cousin, Jane Stemsrude, in Basalt and Aspen. Unfortunately, Jane had to cancel because she was sick. We felt so bad and hope that she recovered quickly. The truly sad part is that her daughter, son in law and grandchildren were all visiting and this was their last day before flying back to Minnesotta.  

Since John and I were already in the car ready to go, I called our friends from Corpus who are vacationing in Steamboat Springs~ Sharon and Bill Brower~ to see if they wanted company for a quick visit. Well-its about 2 1/2 hours away ~ As John keeps reminding me " We're retired" so why not!!  So we traded one ski area for another and had a very lovely time with our far away friends who I have not seen since Mom passed away.  Priceless!

The drive through the Rockies is so beautiful, so here are photos of the trip to Steamboat. We drove East on I70 and then North to Steamboat.  I had not traveled this direction so true to form, I could not stop clicking away.  

Driving east.

Reminds me of  the Denver Airport

~~~Steamboat Springs~~~~

Bill and John

Sharon and me

Bill, Sharon, John and me