Hi All,
After our snow days we drove to eastern CO. Lots of signs of the previous day blizzard. In places they were still plowing the breakdown lanes. Next day we drove across the Rockies on I-70. Just a few snow squalls to remind us we were over 10,000 feet but not too bad.
All of that brought us to Fruita, CO and Colorado National Monument.
After a fascinating geology video in the Visitor Center we hiked the canyon rim trail with exotic eroded structures everywhere.
At the end of the trail was Window Rock.
Lots of interesting eroded sandstone along the park road.
John Otto explored this are in 1907, worked tirelessly to get it protected in 1911 and earned $1 per month as the first superintendent. Otto named this column Independence Monument. He began a tradition of climbing to the top each July 4 to wave the American flag.
Independence monument sits in a valley with many other beautiful structures.
Everywhere we looked was a stunning feature.
This is an example of desert varnish. Water seeping through the rocks dissolves minerals that darken the rock faces in patches or streaks.
Red Canyon was the last of the great park vistas.
This place is so beautiful it is amazing we took so long to discover it.
Love,
Sandy & Carl
Sandy & Carl
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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