TRIP TO THE ROCKIES-Part Three

After a somewhat restful sleep at Lake Dillon, we got up and headed out.  I slept ok, but Brian was worried about me, so he didn’t sleep very good.  Anyways when we woke, the temp had to be near 40 degrees and tearing down camp became very cold on our hands.




In our haste the night before, Brian accidentally spilled what coffee grounds we had, so we had no coffee to help warm us up until we got to a gas station.  After fueling the car and our tummies with hot coffee, it was time to adventure on back home.  My breathing went back to normal and the wheezing had stopped-but I still felt low key and low energy-but I wasn’t going to give in.

As we headed westbound on I-70 the temps slowly warmed up.  It was time to shed the jogging outfits and put on shorts, and finally put more than coffee into our bellies, oh and of course-feed Leah.

We made a stop at a rest area that also was the entrance to the Hanging Lake Trail.  We had all good intentions of hiking on this trail.  However, first sign we saw said no dogs allowed on the trail!  Well that sucked, for we obviously could not leave her in the car either!  So the trail would have to wait for another time….We do understand why and the reasoning why dogs are not allowed on the trail, and therefore will by by the rules.

So back on the Interstate heading homeward bounds.  Next rest stop and pull off was fascinating to us.  We discovered where they put in for rafting on the Colorado River and was fun to watch them get ready to head down the river.  This was called Grizzly Creel Rest Stop.



We had to laugh at this one poor guide.  He was trying to get those on the right side of the raft to start paddling-and all they wanted to do was wave at us while I took their pictures.  The river guide had to do everything from keeping them from going in constant circle with no help from his crew mate!  It was funny, and they did finally headed downriver-in the right direction.

Next stop was back to Rifle where we picked up a pizza and headed towards Rifle Gap to rest and eat.  After a rest, we headed to Rifle Falls where we finally was able to hike a little and even taken our little girl with us.






Wished we would have grabbed our flashlights our of the car.  We knew there were some caves, but not sure how far they really went in and without flashlights and having Leah with us-we didn’t explore any farther than the entrance to the caves.

After walking a while, I was once again feeling not so good and it was just time to head back home.  I think with the elevation I may have developed a sinus infection.  We will do this trip again, when we have more time to allow are bodies to adjust to the elevation.  It’s trip well worth and hope that others enjoy the beauties of the Rockies as we sure did!

NEARING THE END….

As our 14 days is soon to be up, it is time to get ready to head to yet another adventure.  Our next stop will be at San Rafael Swell in South Central Utah, near the Goblin State Park.  This is where we will stay until it’s time to head for our final summer destination: Colorado River State Park/James M. Robb in Grand Junction, CO and spending lots of time with our daughter-Lissi (Melissa).
We have enjoyed our stay here at Zion as we learned the history and culture of this area.  As we do travel, our goal is to stay long enough to get the full benefits and to learn of the area.  We seen many folks that came through here, spending only one night and then moving on.  To us, we think, how can you say that you paid $25.00, the entrance fee, plus your camping fee, staying only one night just to say you stayed at Zion-makes no sense to us at all.  You don’t get to enjoy the true beauty of the area or learn it’s history.
We seen many come and many go, some enjoying the spectacular view and even adventuring on the trails, including the famous Angels Landing.  We do know that many don’t have the advantage that we do in traveling, and are only on a short vacation. 
Many also come out to climb the humungous canyon walls as they repel upwards to the top.  Or some come to do what is called  canyoneering, which is repelling downwards deep into the canyon crevice to seek new adventures.  Which means that they also have to wear wetsuits.  Once down, they wade through water until they find an opening.
For us we have enjoyed the challenges in the hikes,                                                                                               watching the repellers climbing the steep canyon walls,                                                                                       even sleeping on the edge-literally….,                                                                                 watching varies wildlife,                                                                       We could jump on the bus anytime from sun up until 10:00pm for free; that takes you up and down the canyon,                                                                                         or do a ranger led program.

One would never really get bored-unless they choose not to enjoy what there is to offer here.  But the most memorable for us will be the hikes that we got to adventure on.  We challenge our bodies as we have never done before.   Angels Landing being the most challenge, but Observation Point being the most strenuous on our body.  Unfortunately the one that I really wanted to do was the “Narrows”; which are closed due to a raging Virgin River.  So I guess that will have to be yet another time when we happen to travel through this part of the area.