Rick and Barbara made it to Denver. After a few days of rest they hiked the Shrine Mountain Ridge Trail which sits atop of Vail Pass (10,600 feet). Rick wrote, "The trail has a meager 800 foot gain in elevation but starts at 11,040 feet. Needless to say, us two desert floor dwellers were sucking for air by the time we reached the top."
After such a strenuous hike (LOL) they celebrated with a beer in Frazier.
This is Arapahoe Basin, what you see when you exit the Eisenhower Tunnel.
Rick and Barbara spent the 4th of July in Brush, watching parades and fireworks with their son and his family. Rick described it as a typical farm town July 4th celebration. The day started with a pancake breakfast, then there was a short parade with, tractors, and street entertainers. There was even a Santa!!
Santa?
Then, it was time to head home. The return trip was just as scenic, starting off with a drive to Moab and then Arches National Park.
Drive to Moab.
Drive to Moab.
Drive to Moab.
Arches National Park.
This looks like the Park Avenue Trail.
Park Avenue View Point
Courthouse Towers Viewpoint.
Balancing Rock.
Elephant Butte
North Window
Double Arch
Delicate Arch from the lower viewpoint.
Wilson Arch, Rick's interpretation.
Barbara's interpretation of Wilson Arch.
Hard to believe what you would come up with to be the grand finale on a trip like this. How about a drive to and through Monument Valley? That would do it for me!!
Road to Monument Valley.
Monument Valley
Monument Valley
We end with the obligatory post card shot!! Can you see that car in the distance? Can you hear Barbara yelling at Rick?
A very special thanks to Barbara and Rick for sharing.