Across Colorado

Well supplied with bottled water, sunscreen, cameras and maps we head west for a couple of weeks exploring Southern Utah and Northern Arizona. Six national parks and at least as many National Monuments  and State Parks are on the itinerary. We’re expecting lots of outdoor time and photography amid the ingredible natural landscapes found on the Colorado Plateau.

Following I-70 we past through towns worthy of attention and exploration on another day: Idaho Springs, Georgetown, Silver Plume, Frisco, Vail, Eagle, No Name (yes, that’s the official name), Glenwood Springs, New Castle, Silt, Rifle, Palisade. Off ramps and side roads call us to follow to other destinations: Evergreen, Empire, Guanilla Pass, Leadville, Steamboat Springs, Aspen, Grand Mesa. Visiting each of these sites would make an excellent summer adventure. We could choose to tour the Argo Mine, hike up Herman’s Gulch or to Hanging Lake, boat on Lake Dillon, backpack in the Gore-Eagle Widerness Area, raft the Eagle River, flyfish on the Colorado, soak at Glenwood Hot Springs or go underground at Glenwood Caverns. Loveland, Cooper Mountain and Vail ski areas are morphing from snow covered to green slopes for mountain biking. Active summertime in the Rockies is almost here.

Under cloudy skies we stick to the road with only a lunch stop in Parachute at VJs Outlaw Ribbs. VJ is Vance Johnson, a popular Denver Bronco wide receiver between 1985-1995. The shredded smoked pork sandwich satisfies the travelers hunger.

Reaching Grand Junction by mid-afternoon we make our first stop my favorite shoe store in the entire state, and the oldest one – Benjes. The family owned store celebrated 100 years in 2011. There’s nothing old or dated about the footwear Bruce Benje selects for his shop. Today I select sturdy Keen trail sandals expecting to put them to good use in Utah.