We
didn't feel a need to get going early as we would run into rush hour
traffic on I25 so we drank coffee and played computer games after
Terry got up at the crack of dawn. We waffled back & forth about
where to go and finally decided to hit I70 and head west as other
routes would be longer and end up in almost the same place.
The
weather was nice until we exited the Eisenhower tunnel into rain.
There was a group of people on motorcycles on the side of the highway
putting on rain gear and we were very happy that we weren't doing the
same. We pulled into “who-knows-where” for lunch when we saw a
Burger King sign. Bad choice! We had no option but to pull into
their parking lot which required going over a curb to get out and
then they didn't have the “2 for $5” special which was advertised
with a big sign on a window!
Terry
started to get a bit sleepy so we decided to stay in Grand Junction.
I made a phone call to get an RV site and we set up in Junction West
RV after being registered by a wonderful employee. We took the bike
to WalMart for some groceries and settled in for the evening.
Aug 2nd –
Sat
We
relaxed again this morning and I finally made a very late breakfast.
Hot & sunny.
We
went to the Colorado National Monument which I had seen in a brochure
and which is not far out of town. This is another place where we can
use all of our superlatives.
There
is a 23 mile drive along the rim and the scenery is fantastic. The
winding road climbs for great views of the town and down canyons.
There is mostly red rock which makes for super pictures. We stopped
at several places and walked to view points for even more amazing
sights. There was not a lot of traffic which was nice with all the
curves.
When
we got back we went to a mall as I noticed that one of Terry's
sandals was coming apart. We lucked out big time with Terry's size
on clearance sandals at Kohls. Then he felt guilty as he has been
buying more stuff for him than me so we had to do more shopping. I
did quite well also. We ate an early dinner in the food court of the
mall and headed home for a refreshing beverage.
The
people in this park continue to surprise us. We needed propane and
knew that they filled tanks here so Terry went to the office at 5:30
to see if they were still open and could fill a tank. The guy came
by here to pick up the tank and then dropped if off with the bill.
How nice!
Aug 3rd –
Sun – to Moab UT
We
had a short 2 hour or so drive today so didn't leave until 9. The
landscape quickly became quite boring until we turned south to Moab.
We stopped on the way through town to pick up some bottled water
which is one item that is hard to carry on the motorcycle. We ended
up getting a few other small items as we were right beside a hardware
store.
We
checked into the OK RV Park and chatted with the employee who is from
the Spokane area but moving to Moab. We set up, had lunch and took
the bike into town to buy tickets for tonight. It was hot so we
stopped for milkshakes and brought them back to drink so we didn't
try to drink too fast and get brain freeze.
We
had a few hours to kill so we stayed inside with the AC on, watched
TV and played computer games. About 5:30 it started to pour and we
thought our evening would get rained out but it was just sprinkling
when we left at 6:45 – in the truck – to go back to town.
We
took the advice of people at our last RV park and went on a
“Canyonlands by Night” tour. At 7 we had a cowboy dinner buffet
(inside but the rain had stopped) and then boarded a wide, flat boat
for a ride on the Colorado River.
We
went upstream for about an hour with a guide providing lots of
information about the history & geology of the area. He kept
things light by pointing out faces and other figures on the rock
walls. By now it was nearly dark so the “light & sound” part
of the show started.
An
excellent sound system provided the narration which included music.
A truck with huge spotlights was on a road running along the river
and highlighted parts of the canyon walls as we drifted down the
dark, still river. A quarter moon came out from behind spotty clouds
just in time for “Moon on the Colorado River” which was recorded
by Sons of the Pioneers. I probably enjoyed this quiet activity more
than Terry but he wasn't bored. We got back to the dock right on
time at 10.
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