| In Grand Junction, Colorado we visited the Colorado National Monument. This is a wonderful display of fault lines in which various portions of the Earth moved in different directions. The road on top of the Monument runs about 26 miles and all of it is scenic. |
| This must be our fourth or fifth trip to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison and we stand in awe every time we see this remarkable site. The river has been cutting deeply into the rock for millions of years. Our first visit together here we camped in a tent back in 1983, but those days are over and now we live in a fifth wheel trailer with a refrigerator, microwave and air conditioning, plus a nice shower. |
| At Montrose, Colorado we found a great campground beside a fast running river. Great sleeping with the sounds of rushing water nearby. We stayed here while we visited the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. |
| While heading for Denver, we went through Monarch Pass at an altitude of 11,312 feet. It had snowed recently, and some snow was piled beside the highway. Again the trees displayed their majestic fall colors. |
| We camped in the town of Buena Vista while we toured the surrounding area. We actually drove a circuit of about 120 miles touring Leadville, Aspen and smaller towns in the area such as Fairplay and Alma. Frank saw for the first time in his life three blue Roan horses in the same field. A blue Roan actually looks blue-grey in color and they are extremely rare. |
| The day we drove into Denver was cold. Coming out of the mountains at Evergreen, Colorado the temperature was about 16 degrees. The trees were covered with hoar frost and was magnificent to see. Cold, but pretty. We stayed in a nice campground in Denver, but waited two days for the sewer lines to thaw. so we could safely open them. |
| Here we are touring portions of the older part of Santa Fe, New Mexico. It seems to be a very interesting town, filled with arts and crafts shops. Plus the central Catholic Cathedral is beautiful. The last photo is actually of a hotel. |
| Prior to returning to Denver where we left our trailer and truck before flying to Toronto and then to home, we visited Old Bent's Fort in Lajunta, Colorado. You can see we were greeted by friendly oxen. The fort was not busy as there were only four visitors there when we were there. Their mascot was a black cat that toured with us and was extremely friendly. In winter the cat gets its own heated room. |
| And finally we end this Christmas Card with the campground where we left the trailer before flying home. Shown here is Tom walking Andy, and Jim on his scooter. Dave and Jim are camped next to our trailer in the campground and will keep an eye on it while we are home. Our plans are to fly back to Denver on January 2nd, pickup the trailer and head for IGRA University in Las Vegas. Then we will leisurely continue touring the west, then head eastward through the southern states for Florida and then up the east coast to home. You can follow along with us as we travel on our travelogue website. |
