Holt with Grammy and Grampy in Montrose, CO,<br> The Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Dinosaur Fossils<br>June 18-22, 2024

Holt with Grammy and Grampy in Montrose, CO,
The Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Dinosaur Fossils
June 18-22, 2024

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Introduction

We planned a trip to Montrose for June 18th to 22nd, 2024. We had a couple of objectives that of course included Holt. The Guide we used on our last trip to Montrose informed us that she knew where Dinosaur tracks had been found. Well, we could not pass this up since Holt has been interested in Dinosaurs for awhile. Also, we wanted to take him to see the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. At one lookout point, Holt said to Grampy, it is "stunning". While there, Holt was able to work on getting another Junior Ranger Badge. Below, see the video of him getting sworn in for his Junior Ranger Badge.

A couple of weeks before we left, our local news had a story about a bridge over Blue Mesa Reservoir (on the direct route we usually take to that area) being closed down indefinitely. So, a 7 hour road trip would now take 9 plus hours. However, we would not be deterred. Then two days before we were leaving our guide phoned to say that the only road to get to the dinosaur tracks was totally washed out. There simply was no other way to get to them. She told us about a working dig that was a 1.5 hour drive from where we were staying. She could not join us for this so we opted to do it on our own. Little did we know the temperature there would be 108 degrees but we did venture onward. Holt did get to see a Dinosaur pelvis fossil in the rock where they were found and he got an idea what a dig was like, heat and all.

On the way home, Holt spotted a Bald Eagle which was exciting to all of us and we got to see white water rafting. I shared with him, that we did that with his dad and, of course, he expressed he would like to do that. I expressed that this would be a fun outing with his Mamma and Dada. In any event, stay posted as one never knows.

Also, be sure to view the >>> VIDEO <<<

Cathy & Joe R.

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Colorado Springs to Montrose Direct

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Colorado Springs to Montrose Detour

Map_Montrose_to_Black_Canyon_of_the_Gunnison_National_Park.jpg

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Montrose to Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP

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Montrose to Dinosaur Quarry

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#1 - 6/17/2024 - The day before we left on the trip, we picked up a 2023 Tesla Model Y Performance that we rented from a local couple through Turo.com

#2 - 6/18/2024 - We made a short stop to charge the car and do a pit stop for us at this great convenience store that even had a lounge area!

#3 - 6/18/2024 - Outside another rest area, they had solar flowers for electric power.

#4 - 6/19/2024 - Our first morning at the AirBnB

#5 - 6/19/2024 - On our way to visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (about a 40+ minute drive from the rental house), we spotted this interesing log sculpture on the roadside

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#8 - 6/19/2024 - We viewed the entire South Rim of the canyon, North of the visitor's center all the way to High Point/

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#39 - 6/19/2024 - Grampy helps Holt answer all the questions in the National Park booklet to get his Junior Ranger badge. Be sure to view the video of Holt's swearing in ceremony.

#40 - 6/20/2024 - The next day we took a drive about 1 1/2 hours North from the rental house to visit "The Trail Through Time" at McInnes Canyons National Conservation Area where there are active Paleontology digs.

#41 - 6/20/2024 - We were hoping to see actual Dinosaur fossils. Since it was mostly a bright sunny day in a desert-like area and the temperature was up to 108-degrees, we had to cut our visit short and only took the Lower Trail (in green), but did get to see some fossils.

#42 - 6/20/2024 - We were hoping to see actual Dinosaur fossils. Since it was mostly a bright sunny day in a desert-like area and the temperature was up to 108-degrees, we had to cut our visit short and only took the Lower Trail (in green), but did get to see some fossils.