Day 19---Rockin' Rockies, but not a quilt day

Perhaps a glacier at one time?

Just out of Denver

We left Golden bright and early this morning, heading west of I-70.  Mountainous, but nothing special until we come over a rise and saw this ahead of us.  Wow!  Turning off I-70 onto US 40, the old trans-continental road, we were soon in some spectacular country, with no traffic.  We soon discovered why.

Perhaps a truck deterrent?

James Peak Wilderness

The scenery was unbelievable.  Miles and miles of mountain road with snow still on the side.  We soon came into the Frasier Valley, and the town of Fraser (Yes, they are spelled differently.)

Frasier Valley

Fraser has the distinction of being the town with the lowest average temperature in the lower 48.  The average temperature is 32.5 deg, with an average growing season of 4 to 7 days.  What can you grow in 4 to 7 days?

A shallow cold Colorado River

We passed through Byers Canyon, a narrow place with only room for the road, the Frasier River and the railroad, a track on which the California Zepher runs.  Entering the next valley, the river became the Colorado.  It is a small stream here, with many points for fishing access, as it is shallow and used by a good number of fly fishermen.  Thought Surani and Rob would be interested in seeing the Colorado so small.

Byers Canyon

Probably 300' high

There are many interesting geologic formations, but Pat and I especially liked this one.  We were probably at 8000 ft altitude at this point, so this is high in the Rockies.  Looking backward at this point, it is hard to believe that we came through that range of mountains.

What we came through

Today was our day for seeing wildlife.  In the

picture on the right is a herd of prong horn 

antelope just off the road.  We also saw a 

coyote, who crossed right in front of us, 

and prairie dogs along the road.

Look closely!

On the left coast now.

We crossed the continental divide at Rabbit Ears Pass, so named because the mountain near it had two chunks of rock that stick up like (tah-dah) rabbit ears.  It was actually not too cold here, although there was snow on the ground, as you can see.  Just past this spot was a little meadow with interesting colors of vegetation among the melting snow.

Near Rabbit Ear Pass

Steep descents soon faced us...the sign next to this stretch warned that there was a steep grade for the next seven miles, with a runaway truck ramp three miles down the road.  Very similar to coming out of the Sierra, including the twisty turny road like the one on Hwy 20 going into Nevada City...except we were going into Steamboat Springs.

A ski jump just
down the street

Steamboat Springs is a very nice small town of about 9000.  It is also a world class ski area.  The downtown is filled with small shops, old stores, very fou-fou (code for pricey).  Pat and I had a good time looking around:  we went into several shops, including "Sew Steamboat" and a very nice (for Pat) candy store.  Notice in the picture to the bottom right that the flowering plums are in bloom.

Pat heading for candy!

Too early to eat, we were soon on our way again through the Yampa Valley.  Very high, some what dry, lots of cattle pasture.  We drove to Craig CO, where my phone told me there was a quilt shop.  Perfect!  we'd look at the shop and then ask where to eat.  The shop is called "Quilters Quest" and is a small shop, but with a good selection of fabrics and a very friendly owner.  She recommended we eat at a restaurant named "Carelli's," so we did.  Both Pat and I had salads, a healthy eating day.  In case you're ever in Craig, we would recommend it...they do a great pizza too, we're told.  

Left, Carelli's chicken salad (Mary Ann)
Right, spinach with walnuts (Pat)

 We left Craig and headed, we hoped, to Dinosaur National Monument.  No motel worth staying at in Dinosaur CO, crossed the state line to Jensen and realized it was too late to go the the visitor center of the Monument today.  No motels in Jensen, so we drove about 15 min west to Vernal UT where we are  spending the night.  We will drive back to the Monument tomorrow morning.

State No. 15, Utah
Blue Mountain range in background

Looking at Dinosaur National Monument