Cross Country Trip 2012: Across the Rockies

Another spectacular sunny day, although the gale force winds continue! We left Estes Park (temp at 32 degrees!; elk munching on the golf course) and headed south on the "Peaks" Road, rts 7,72 and 119, along the eastern front range, through Allenspark, Nederland and the surprising Black Hawk which is a collection of fancy Casinos! Who knew? (turns out some years ago the State Legislature passed a law allowing Casinos in just three out-of-the way towns in the state - Black Hawk was one of them).

We picked up I-70 at Idaho Springs, where there is still a little active gold mining going on. From there we pass over two high mountain passes, about 11,000 feet. It had snowed a bit there last night. The road goes through the 1.7 mile Eisenhower tunnel. One the way down the west side of the range, we pass through famous ski areas like Breckenridge and Vail. Thousands of condos everywhere! We explored the little town of Georgetown which was very "cute", with restored storefronts and eclectic shops. (Note to self: come back in mid September when the Quakies are in their full fall splendor ....we were too late). We followed the Colorado River through the spectacular Glenwood Gorge.

After the town of Edwards, the landscape changes dramatically and becomes more arid, the vegetation changes to Juniper and sagebrush. By the time we get to Grand Junction, where we stop for the day, its pretty flat, except for the plateau which features the Colorado National Monument, a spectacular road that goes around the rim of the bluff (we've done that before, so skipped it this time).

As we descended in altitude, the fall foliage became spectacular - but its all the same color yellow!

Wonderful southwestern dinner tonight at WW Peppers next to the motel.