Day 18: Leaving Denver

We saw less of Denver than any other stop we have made so far. Next time we are in Denver we will have to explore all that it offers. A quick drive to the freeway and then we were on the road again, this time for Grand Junction. Today was a medium-sized day of travel, but Colorado certainly had a tremendous number of panoramas in store for us. All of a sudden, I was singing old John Denver songs in my head. Leaving Denver by the same high desert that we had entered, the landscape began to change dramatically. Ah, this is the Colorado that we had expected to see! High desert quickly turned into the Rocky Mountain high some us sang along with at 1960's Hootenannies....But I am aging myself.

We reached 10,662 feet as well as the snow and once again some interesting clouds andMax noticed that it was a little more difficult to breath at this altitude. There were several tunnels on our way and they bring to mind worm holes to other dimensions.

We arrived in Grand Junction early enough to explore the Museum of Western Colorado. Spanish armament, native American pottery and early American petroglyphs as well as frontier firearms, and a 1959 Cessna flight simulator. Also, an observation tower that provided spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. A very unique geological area, and active only 20 million years ago. After closing the museum at 5:00, we wandered into historic downtown Grand Junction. After one circuit of three blocks we found an intersting piano and wine bar called the Moulon Rouge. We dropped in for a glass of wine and some air conditioning. After a couple of glasses of wine and some lively discussions with the bar tender we opted for dinner. Another gem of a find; a thoroughly enjoyable time with excellent food and wine.

Tomorrow we're off to Salt Lake City by way of the Colorado National Monument, a 23 mile drive along the rim of an impressive canyon ending at the museum's dinosaur park. This is a very rich area for fossils.

Until tomorrow, good night!

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