9-9-16 - Heat Escape - Day 29

It was a beautiful day to ride the 23 mile Rim Road Drive through the Colorado National Monument.We looked for big horn sheep but didn't find any.  The temperature ranged from 72 degrees to 86 degrees.  A very pretty ride with gorgeous overlooks.

 

                                                       Kim sliding down a little hill

We came back, did some shopping, and fried white perch for dinner.  You just can't beat the Rez White Perch.

Oh, and Sophie, (Pam's and Chuck"s Schnauzer,) finally almost likes us.

Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/mvJLYJ387xSvrhNYA

9-8-16 - Heat Escape - Day 28

A gentle breeze blowing through the open window and hearing the sound of crickets makes for a great night's sleep.

We took the Palisade Fruit and Wine Byway route to the Grand Mesa.  A beautiful, peaceful ride through vineyards and orchards.

We started the day at 72 degrees, at the summit  it was 59 degrees, then we made the loop through Delta along Hwy 50 to Grand Junction.  It was 88 degrees.  I'm sure this would have been hot for the locals, but these rednecks were happy in this low humidity.

We went to Grand Junction to the Farmer's Market,  We got there a little bit early, (like an hour), stopped for a couple of beers at the Rockhouse Micorbrewery while waiting for Main Street to set up shop.  We had a great slice of pizza and got some tomatoes.  It was a really great time with plenty of vendors and great music.

When we made it home, Fernykat was waiting on us.  She was ready to go out.  As I tidied up in the camper, she demanded that Lauren take her out.  Lauren looked like he was the one on the leash, as she showed him where she wanted to go.

It is another beautiful night,watching the beautiful sunset, and the twinkling lights at our moochdocking site.


Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/NVJfVMubpTc8eaWR7

9-7-16 - Heat Escape - Day 27

                                                                  Our View

We are moochdocking at Pam and Chuck's in Grand Junction.  They have a really nice place overlooking the Book Cliffs.  Gorgeous!  Unfortunately, Pam is not here.

We took a ride to check out our surroundings.  We went to Grand Junction Harley Davidson, the visitors center,  Cabelas, (our 1st time ever at Cabelas,) and a stop at McDonald's for a chocolate dip ice cream cone and a strawberry milkshake.

The temperature got up to 88 degrees today.  Perfect motorcycle weather.

We came back to the camper and Fernykat was ready to go out.  She absolutely loves it here.  This is her's and our kind of place.

                                                                   Ferny approved

Chuck cooked us delicious burgers and sweet potato fries.  We had an absolutely gorgeous view of  the sunset on the Grand Mesa, AKA "Purple Mountain Majesty."   We have a beautiful star filled sky with the glimmer of lights of downtown Grand Junction.

                                                Grand Mesa (purple color during sunset)

Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/GQuYRVSFKStK4yrA8 

9-6-16 - Heat Escape - Day 26

We left the beautiful, we absolutely love, Blue Mesa today.  It is bittersweet, but it is time to move on.

We are camped at Centennial RV Park in Montrose.  A really nice park with great views of the San Juan Mountains.

We have moved toward warmer weather, and believe it or not, the cooler temperatures in Gunnison were a little bit chilly at times.  It was 81 degrees here today.  It was nice weather for  riding, except windy at times.

We rode to Ouray and Silverton. The Million Dollar Highway must be the curviest, big ole drop offs, most beautiful road in the world.  The temperature dropped into the 50's going across Red Mountain Pass.

We will move to Pam and Chuck's tomorrow in Grand Junction.

Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/DKUVmpjQUfN7wQBd7

9-5-16 - Heat Escape - Day 25

                                                 Panorama of the campground/cabins
                                     
Happy Labor Day!

It was a beautiful, nippy, 37 degrees with a few patches of light frost this morning.  What a way to start the day.

We washed clothes today, had our picnic lunch at the camper, and took a ride toward Gunnison.  We explored several roads that we have never been on. Most of which we don't want to ride again. but, it was a gorgeous day for a ride. It was in the mid 70's with blue bird skies and it is an absolutely gorgeous lake

We came back grilled corn on the cob (that our camper neighbors gave us), they freshly picked this corn fresh off the stalk yesterday,

We  had hot potato salad, and ribs to go with the corn. Delish!

Today was the most beautiful day at the Blue Mesa that we have seen this trip.

We have the Harley loaded up.  Time to travel tomorrow.

                                                                    Moon usie!!!!!

Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/bXkGK2CrGm2egHo68

9-4-16 - Heat Escape - Day 24

                                                                   Good Morning

We woke up to beautiful colorful clouds this morning.  We went out and took some pictures, right before it turned cloudy and started raining.

We did chores today, filled up the propane, cleaned up the Harley, and cleaned up the camper.  The chores were much more relaxing than  our hike yesterday.

                                                                Couple of hawks

We sat outside this afternoon watching the boats on the gorgeous lake, while taking in the beautiful mountain scenery surrounding us,

Boats

Great view

Critter

It was the perfect place to unwind, relax, and recoup.



Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/DJe5wfe6ADxkyFGL8

9-3-16 - Heat Escape - Day 23

                                                       
                                                                    Looks like rain

The weather forecast called for a 0% chance of rain today, they were wrong.  We woke up to a thunderstorm this morning.
                                             
After the rain stopped, we decided to hike Hermit's Rest trail.  We had rode the Harley last week on this same road, it was amazing how much the foliage had changed in a weeks time.  The higher up in elevation we traveled, the more beautiful the foliage became.

                                                           Kim on the trail

Hermit's Rest is a six mile round trip hike with an 1800 foot elevation change. The trail started right in the middle of the colorful fall foliage and ended at the beautiful Gunnison River. The path wasn't too bad except for the steep inclines. It rained on us a couple of times, but it was just a light shower.  It took us 4 hours round trip to make this hike.

As we were walking down the trail, we saw a big, black, fast, critter running up behind us.  Luckily it was a black lab.  He kept coming down the path to check on us, (probably because of the huffing and puffing we were doing.) and then going back up the trail.  Then all the sudden it was the black lab, and 2 yellow labs.  The three young women with the dogs caught up with us and passed us by.  Dang, Youth!  When we arrived at the end of the trail, the young women were throwing sticks in the water for the dogs to retrieve.  We wish we had as much energy as one of those dogs.

Yesterday when we were at the Pine Creek Trail, we talked to a guy who was going kayaking for the labor day weekend.  He had carried his kayak and gear down the 232 steps to the river.  He was at Hermit's Rest today when we got there.  He had, taken shelter in his tent while it was raining.  He recognized our voices, imagine that.  He showed us the rainbow trout he caught earlier today that he is eating for dinner tonight.  He said he caught a nice lake trout for dinner last night, he is living off the land.

I had one of the best bologna sandwiches I have ever ate at the picnic area.  Lauren had his boring ham sandwich.

We made it back to camp about the time we got a good, soaking, thunderstorm.  We sure are glad this didn't happen on the hiking trail. The rain cooled us off so we turned on the heater. We can't remember ever running a heater before labor day.

We grilled chicken, while sitting by the campfire tonight.  Fernykat found a water puddle, she drank water, then started slinging the water off her paws.  Some things never change.

We will rest up tonight and tomorrow so we can recover these tired achy, old,  muscles!

                                                                       Rainbow

Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/ymrU6EXHa88NDsMD9