Day 1: Traveling through Ski Country to Colorado's Fruit Basket

Wildlife List

• hawks (red tails and others I could not identify)

• mountain goats

• turkey vultures

• crows

• great blue heron

• magpies

• deer

Highlights

• the first grand view of the mountains at Genesee Park always takes my breath away

• frozen waterfalls in the process of melting

• Glenwood Canyon

• the stark cliffs between Rifle and Palisade

  
  

Today, we traveled 250 miles across our great state of Colorado. I70 is a truly stunning drive. This time of year, there is still lots of snow in the high mountains and folks are still skiing, though they probably have to avoid some dirt patches near the bottom of the runs. I am always amazed at how Vail -- the swanky ski resort -- is at the edge of the ski mountains and within a few miles after, the countryside suddenly changes to look more like Grand Junction and Moab, Utah. Vail is very beautiful in the fall when hills of golden aspen trees are shimmering in the breeze.

Glenwood Canyon. The photo does not do it justice...

Near Parachute, I believe.

Where We're Parked

Patawatomi Trading Post in Palisade is our Harvest Host for tonight. I made a few purchases of local jam and honey in exchange for staying the night at no charge.

Palisade is the home of Colorado's Palisade Peaches. Sadly, we are too early to buy any -- they ripen in late June. Other fruit grown here: apricots, cherries, pears and apples. Have to settle for jam and honey at this time of year! I am not complaining...

Neat little trading post. Sadly, it is for sale. Hopefully, it will stay cool.

Tortoise and the hare? Yard art in Palisade peach orchard.

Palisade peach orchard

Palisade vineyard.

Hoodoos on cliff above Palisade orchards.