September 22, 2007

September 22, 2007

We left Moab, UT heading northeast on Rt. 128, a scenic drive along the Colorado River at the bottom of a red cliff canyon. The Colorado has to be the longest river that runs thru deep canyons. Many movies were filmed in this area, including the famous Chevy commercial from the sixties where they placed a car atop a high rock mesa. After a half hour the Colorado emerges from the canyon into very desolate country. About the same time we pick up I70 east that takes us into the state of Colorado.

We stop at the tourist center in the town of Fruita, CO where we are just in time to watch a motorcycle wedding at the Vietnam Memorial just yards from where we parked. A few miles down the road we enter Colorado National Monument. This park turns out to be more eroded cliffs from the Colorado Plateau. The difference is we are now at the northeastern edge and the colors are more tannish. We stop at the visitor center and then drive the main park road stopping at most of the overlooks. It is pretty but after three weeks of Utah canyons, we are “rocked out”.

The park scenic drive exits us in the city of Grand Junction. There we pick up Rt. 50 going southeast and arrive at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park late in the evening. We have no problem getting a site, one with electricity no less. The ranger tells us the campground is never full. This must not be a very popular park. In the campground however we find it is indeed a popular park.... with long-eared Mule deer.