The entrance to the Colorado National Monument is on the other side of the freeway from Fruita. So it was an easy spur of the moment decision to go over and check out, especially since Karl had been there with a bunch of missionaries once.

We drove into the west entrance of the park. It was lovely. We were quickly at the visitors center and after hours in the car, the kids were excited to get out and see something.

The area around the visitors center was seriously so beautiful. It closed at 6, so we went out the back, and had to go around the outside to get back to the car. It was no bother, the walk was amazing.

Oh man I freaking love these kids.

We made it out to the observation deck. The kids just wanted to look over the edge, and you know me, I was VERY nervous about it. So we each took a kid, and we did our looking down. Heights don’t bother me, it my precious babies on the edge of them that makes me nervous.

Mirah was mad at me for not letting her climb up.

She got over it.

Me and my sweetheart.

Mirah asked me to take this picture of her in front of this dead tree. I love her.

The rim of the canyon went on, and this time with no guard rail. More holding on tight to children.

Holding very very tight.

There was a thin layer of fine sand on top of the red rock. The kids loved the soft sand felt on their hands. It looked like Tajin on my hands.

After walking around for a while, we decided to head back to the car.

Back in the car, to the next lovely overlook.

These pictures are not posed, the kids were just fascinated with this lovely canyon.

Lucas was NOT into posing, or smiling, or taking pictures at this moment.

A car ride to the next stop, and he was more cooperative.

Another sheer cliff and a nervous mommy insisted that the kids be carried.

So I got Luke and Karl got Mirah.

It was windy up there.

Back in the car, and then to the next stop and then the next.

Lucas was excited that there was a rail this time so her could get out and look.

Mirah on the other hand liked to be up high to see everything.

The main overlooks were about done, heading to the last one, we rolled down the windows and enjoyed the cool evening, and overcast day.

Last stop Cold Shivers Point .

SOMETIMES. The kids can’t look cute at the same time.

 

There are bunches of picture of Karl here with his Zone on his mission. I can’t seem to find them. But I recognize the place.

SEE.

This stop is the first one nearer Grand Junction and the East entrance of the park. They seem to have the most problem here.

The wind was picking up and it had started to sprinkle rain as we headed back to the car.

There had been NO exact plan, but Karl had told me years ago about this. That missionaries would have ward memberss drop them off here, to ride down the steep road. I think that he was secretly hoping to do this, he never asked, not until we were half way through the park. I think this is the main reason he agreed to bring the bikes on the trip, so he could do this thing he never got to do all those years ago.

The left hand, my drive, stuck behind other cars going slowly. Right hand, Karl’s view, bombing down the hill having a ball!

Moments after our meet up at the East entrance of the park, it started pouring rain.

20 minutes later we checked into our hotel, the Red Roof Inn.

Then we went to the restaurant attached to the hotel. It wasn’t busy, but there was only one server working that night, so we were starving and waited an HOUR for our food. Everyone was cranky.

But, we ate, went back to the room, and went to bed.