Picture Index Page - Cathy and Joe R. in Grand Junction<br>October 2-6, 2021

Cathy and Joe R. in Grand Junction
October 2-6, 2021

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Introduction

After a very hectic and busy September, we planned an R&R 4-night getaway to Grand Junction, Colorado from October 2nd - 6th. It was about a 5 hr. 45 min. drive from our house in Colorado Springs via U.S. Rtes. 24, 285 and 50 (see the route map) to the Air BnB Happy Hippy House, which turned out to be a very cozy and comfortable place to stay. We had to take this slower route through the mountains because of closures on Interstate 70 due to cleanup operations of severe mud slides causing much road damage. .

We had no idea that this would turn out to be one of our most spectacular drives in Colorado. Our timing could not have been more perfect, as the The Fall colors of yellow, orange and red were at their peak, as evidenced by our photos and videos.

Our main objectives were to visit Two Rivers Winery & Chateau, Highlands Distillery and tour Colorado National Monument. Most importantly to simply just CHILL!

Here are the restaurants we ate at in Grand Junction:

The Ale House - a pub/restaurant with great burgers and pleasant outdoor dining in the back yard
Diorio's on North Ave - a fantastic little pizza shop with dine-in and take out

We hope these photos show that the Grand Junction area is simply just beautiful and worth the visit!

Check out:

Also, be sure to view the >>> 6 VIDEOS <<<

Cathy & Joe R.

Click on an image to start a Slide Show with that image.

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10/2/2021 - Here we are at the summit of Monarch Pass 11,312 ft. atltitude.

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10/2/2021 - This is our Toyota Camry parked at the store on the summit of Monarch Pass 11,312 ft. atltitude.

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10/2/2021 - A sign in the window of the store on the summit of Monarch Pass 11,312 ft. atltitude.

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10/2/2021 - We arrive at the Air BnB Happy Hippy House in Grand Junction.

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10/2/2021 - We arrive at the Air BnB Happy Hippy House in Grand Junction.

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10/2/2021 - The wooden rocking chair on the porch of the Air BnB Happy Hippy House in Grand Junction.

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10/2/2021 - A view from the couch in the living room of the Happy Hippy House in Grand Junction.

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10/2/2021 - A sgn on the wall in the living room of the Happy Hippy House in Grand Junction.

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10/2/2021 - A panoramic view of the living room of the Happy Hippy House in Grand Junction.

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10/2/2021 - Our first night we had this delicious dinner at this fabulous Italian restaurant, Il Bistro Italiano, in downtown Grand Junction.

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10/3/2021 - Our first full day, we made our target the Two Rivers Winery & Chateau just outside downtown Grand Junction. The building on the left is part of the winery, the building in the middle is the Winery and tasting room, and the building on the right is the Chateau, which has guest rooms and very elegant accommodations. We first did a relaxed tasting of all their wines on the patio in front, and then toured the grounds and the Chateau.

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10/3/2021 - The Two Rivers Winery tasting room with lawn and patio seating for a relaxed wine tasting experience.

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10/3/2021 - The Two Rivers Winery tasting room entrance with the patio to the right.

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10/3/2021 - Cathy sitting at our table on the patio of the Two Rivers Winery tasting room.

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10/3/2021 - Cathy sitting at our table on the patio of the Two Rivers Winery tasting room.

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10/3/2021 - The panoramic view from our table on the patio of the Two Rivers Winery tasting room.

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10/3/2021 - The main building of the Chateau of theTwo Rivers Winery.

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10/3/2021 - Looking down from the second level into the central ballroom of the main building of the Chateau of the Two Rivers Winery.

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10/3/2021 - The breakfast room on the second level of the main building of the Chateau of the Two Rivers Winery.

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10/3/2021 - The breakfast room on the second level of the main building of the Chateau of the Two Rivers Winery.

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10/3/2021 - A panoramic view from the balcony outside the breakfast room on the second level of the main building of the Chateau of the Two Rivers Winery.

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10/3/2021 - A view from the balcony outside the breakfast room on the second level of the main building of the Chateau of the Two Rivers Winery.

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10/3/2021 - A panoramic view from the balcony outside the breakfast room on the second level of the main building of the Chateau of the Two Rivers Winery.

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10/3/2021 - A panoramic view of the grounds behind the main building of the Chateau of the Two Rivers Winery. The main building is on the left and a pavilion for parties is on the right.

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10/3/2021 - Cathy standing in part of the vinyards of the Two Rivers Winery. The pavilion for parties is on the left.

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10/3/2021 - Cathy sitting in the party pavilion of the Two Rivers Winery.

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10/3/2021 - A panoramic view of the grounds behind the main building (on the left) of the Chateau of the Two Rivers Winery. One of the winery buildings is in the center and other Chateau housing buildings are on the right.

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10/3/2021 - Cathy standing in the party pavilion of the Two Rivers Winery.

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10/3/2021 - Our next stop on our first full day in Grand Junction was at the Highlands Distillery for their signature drink, Provence Lemon Lavender Cooler, which is flavored with their lavender plants which they grow on the property.

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10/3/2021 - The back garden seating at the Highlands Distillery.

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10/3/2021 - Our Provence Lemon Lavender Coolers at the Highlands Distillery.

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10/3/2021 - Cheers, everyone!

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10/3/2021 - To top off our first full day in Grand Junction , we had delicious burgers for dinner at The Ale House on our own secluded patio in the back yard of the restaurant.

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10/4/2021 - On Monday, our second day in Grand Junction, we headed West on I-70 Business and then Monument Rd., for the Colorado National Monument Southeast entrance (see map at the link obove on this page). This scenery on the rural Monument Rd. was gorgeous enough, but wait until you see the spectacular scenes in the park!

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10/4/2021 - A spectacular modern house atop the hill on Monument Rd.

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10/4/2021 - A spectacular modern house atop the hill on Monument Rd.

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10/4/2021 - An interesting small plant on the shoulder of Monument Rd.

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10/4/2021 - A closer look at an interesting small plant on the shoulder of Monument Rd.

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10/4/2021 - Another interesting plant on the side of Monument Rd.

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10/4/2021 - A spectacular panoramic view along Monument Rd. We are STILL not into Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - A small private chapel on private property along Monument Rd.

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10/4/2021 - A closer view of the small private chapel on private property along Monument Rd.

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10/4/2021 - An even closer view of the small private chapel on private property along Monument Rd. That's Kokopelli on the left and a dog/coyote on the right.

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10/4/2021 - Finally!! we are at the entrance to Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - Some of the beautiful rock formations and mesas in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - Some of the beautiful rock formations and mesas in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - Some of the beautiful rock formations and mesas with cacti in the foreground in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - A closeup view of one of the beautiful rock formations and mesas in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - A panoramic view of the beautiful red mesas in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - A view of the beautiful red mesas in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - A view of the beautiful red mesas in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - Cathy taking in the spectacular views in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - A view of the beautiful red mesas in Colorado National Monument. You can see the town of Grand Junction in the distance.

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10/4/2021 - Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - Approaching the first tunnel carved out of a mesa in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - Approaching the first tunnel carved out of a mesa in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - Our car on the left and Cathy on the right as we approach the first tunnel carved out of a mesa in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - A car entering the first tunnel carved out of a mesa in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - A car coming into the other end of the first tunnel carved out of a mesa in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - An interesting formation in the rock above the first tunnel carved out of a mesa in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - Some interesting rock formations to the left of the first tunnel carved out of a mesa in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - A view looking back to the road we drove to the tunnel in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - A closer view looking back to the road we drove to the tunnel in Colorado National Monument. The town of Grand Junction is in the background.

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10/4/2021 - A closer view looking back to the road we drove to the tunnel in Colorado National Monument. The town of Grand Junction is in the background.

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10/4/2021 - A zoomed in view of the rural residential area looking back to the road we drove to the tunnel in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - Cathy about to go to the Cold Shivers Point overlook in Colorado National Monument

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10/4/2021 - A tree along the path to Cold Shivers Point overlook in Colorado National Monument

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10/4/2021 - A tree along the path to Cold Shivers Point overlook in Colorado National Monument

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10/4/2021 - A view from Cold Shivers Point overlook in Colorado National Monument

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10/4/2021 - A panoramic view from Cold Shivers Point overlook in Colorado National Monument

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10/4/2021 - A view from Cold Shivers Point overlook in Colorado National Monument The town of Grand Junction can be seen in the background.

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10/4/2021 - An interesting rock formation at Cold Shivers Point overlook in Colorado National Monument

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10/4/2021 - An interesting tree stump along the path at Cold Shivers Point overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - An interesting tree stump along the path at Cold Shivers Point overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - An interesting tree stump along the path at Cold Shivers Point overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - Approaching Red Canyon overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - A view of Red Canyon from the overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - A view of Red Canyon from the overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - Approaching Fallen Rock overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - Cathy taking in the view at Fallen Rock overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - Cathy taking in the view at Fallen Rock overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - Fallen Rock overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - A view of Fallen Rock at the overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - A view of Fallen Rock in Red Canyon at the Fallen Rock overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - A closer view of Fallen Rock in Red Canyon at the Fallen Rock overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - A zoomed in view of Fallen Rock in Red Canyon at the Fallen Rock overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - Cathy at Artists Point overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - Cathy at Artists Point overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - Cathy at Artists Point overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - A view from Artists Point overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - A view from Artists Point overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - Joe R. at Artists Point overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - Cathy and Joe R. at Artists Point overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - Approaching Coke Ovens overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - Coke Ovens overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - A view of the Coke Ovens rock formations from Coke Ovens overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - A view of the Coke Ovens rock formations from Coke Ovens overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - A view of the Coke Ovens rock formations from Coke Ovens overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - A view to the Northeast from Coke Ovens overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - A view to the Southeast from Coke Ovens overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - A view of the Coke Ovens rock formations from Coke Ovens overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - Joe R. and a view of the Coke Ovens rock formations from Coke Ovens overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - Approaching Monument Canyon overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - A panoramic view from Monument Canyon overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - A zoomed in view from Monument Canyon overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - A zoomed in view from Monument Canyon overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - A zoomed in view from Monument Canyon overlook in Colorado National Monument. The northern outskirts of Grand Junction in the background.

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10/4/2021 - A panoramic view of the rock formations from Monument Canyon overlook in Colorado National Monument. The northern outskirts of Grand Junction in the background.

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10/4/2021 - A closer view of the rock formations from Monument Canyon overlook in Colorado National Monument. The northern outskirts of Grand Junction in the background.

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10/4/2021 - A zoomed in view of the rock formations from Monument Canyon overlook in Colorado National Monument.

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10/4/2021 - We saw this guy taking photos in a niche of the rock formations from Monument Canyon overlook in Colorado National Monument. The northern outskirts of Grand Junction in the background.

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10/4/2021 - Approaching Grand View overlook in Colorado National Monument. The northern outskirts of Grand Junction in the background.

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10/4/2021 - A panormic view of the rock formations from Grand View overlook in Colorado National Monument. The northern outskirts of Grand Junction in the background.

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10/4/2021 - A spectacular view from Grand View overlook in Colorado National Monument. The northern outskirts of Grand Junction in the background.

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10/4/2021 - A view of the rock formations from Grand View overlook in Colorado National Monument. The northern outskirts of Grand Junction in the background.

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10/4/2021 - As we were leaving Colorado National Monument towards the West (Fruita) entrance at the Northeast corner of the park, we saw this little Big Horn Sheep coming up onto the road. Be sure to watch the videos (link at the top of the main picture index page).

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10/4/2021 - As we were leaving Colorado National Monument towards the West (Fruita) entrance at the Northeast corner of the park, we saw this little Big Horn Sheep come up onto the road and walking along side our car. Be sure to watch the videos (link at the top of the main picture index page).

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10/4/2021 - As we were leaving Colorado National Monument towards the West (Fruita) entrance at the Northeast corner of the park, we saw this little Big Horn Sheep come up onto the road and walking along side our car. Be sure to watch the videos (link at the top of the main picture index page).

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10/4/2021 - On the evening of our second full day in Grand Junction, we enjoyed a delicious New Yoyr style pizza at ths great little place, Diorio's on North Ave.

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10/6/2021 - We just chilled at the house on our third full day in Grand Junction. Then on Wednesday, 10/6 we headed home via U.S. Rte 50 out of town, then took SH 92 to bypass full closure on a section US 50 due to construction. We were treated wonderful colorful views along SH 92.

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10/6/2021 - More wonderful colorful views along SH 92.

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10/6/2021 - More wonderful colorful views along SH 92 which also took us near rhe North rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. This is a view looking towards the South rim.

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10/6/2021 - More wonderful colorful views along SH 92.

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10/6/2021 - More wonderful colorful views along SH 92.

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10/6/2021 - More wonderful colorful views along SH 92.

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10/6/2021 - The Colorado Aspens in their full firey yellow along SH 92.

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