Touring Colorado

Hi Everyone,
Well after our week of touring Canyons in Utah it was a nice change to reach Colorado:

It was such a different landscape & very green.
We were on our way to Montrose, so we left  Moab drove down to Lal Sal Junction & then across to Ridgeway. As it was before lunch when we got to Ridgeway we decided to take a detour & drive along the " Million Dollar " Hwy from Ouray to Silverton. It was only a couple of hours there & back & well worth it the scenery was magnificent.

Red Mountain

Silverton

we had lunch in a lovely little park, watched by this little critter:

Ground Squirrel

Silverton is famous for its Steam Train that goes to Durango & back a 3 1/2 hour return trip. Unfortunately we didn't have time to ride it but here are some photo's

We had a good look around the shops & saw a few sights like this taxi:

A Pumped up taxi !

& a western store with some really cool
stuffed animals:

Then it was time to turn around & head back across the Million Dollar Hwy & go to Montrose,
of course we didnt mind going back through all the beautiful scenery.

We passed a heard of Texas Longhorn Cattle just outside of Ouray Colorado:

This is for Michael & Lynda in Charters Towers!

We only stayed the night in Montrose & then headed off to  Grand Junction for a few days to celebrate my Birthday!
I got an early present from our Daughter Bec & her partner Shaun - A Beautiful new Grand Daughter:
Ruby Jayne, born July 13th 6lb 8oz

Bec & Ruby

Proud Daddy Shaun

Yes we are now Grandparents!
Can't wait to meet her when we get home.












So needless to say we had a few celebratory drinks :) & not much sightseeing around Grand Junction, But we did spot this Buffalo that was made out of Car Bumper Bars:

   And this car parked in a shopping centre car park

It must have air ride suspension?

After Grand Junction we headed off to Grand Lake Colorado on our way through the Rocky Mountain National Park - we did this trip last year in the snow! So it was alot different this year.

Last year these mountains were snow covered!

Granby Lake - near Grand Lake

We were starting to climb higher

When we reached Grand Lake we just caught the tail end of a street parade - don't know what it was for but boy the Town was packed, people everywhere :

The next morning it was into The Rocky Mountain National Park and Across the Trail Ridge Road, we had only just got out of town when we spotted this guy in the field:

Our first photo of a coyote!

Then we saw our first Moose!

Cyclists at these Altitudes !!!

Pretty high - 11796ft

Small pockets of snow

Last year fully covered!

Some Critters:

Marmot

Not sure!

Then we left the park & spent the night at Estes Park. Tomorrow we leave Colorado & head for Hill City South Dakota!
Bye for now,
Happy Travels Dave & Shell AKA Nana & Pop :)