Fall Colors and Geocaching!

On a sunny Saturday in October, we took a trip up to the top of the Grand Mesa to see the fall colors, and to try our hand at finding a few geocaches.  Although most of the trees had dropped their leaves already, we had a great time finding caches!

Here's Hayleigh finding the first cache of the day.  This one was pretty easy to spot.

A view of a valley as we climb up to the top of the Mesa.  I think it's looking north.  But, I'm directionally challenged so who really knows?  I just like the view, and the white mountain peak down below.  It's not covered in snow, the rock is just white.  Pretty awesome looking, when all the other cliffs and peaks are reddish.

James finding the second cache of the day.  This one was a bit more challenging, only because we had to hike off trail a bit.  This was hidden by an old split rail type fence.  

One of the few aspen shots we took.  This area was one of two where we found a bunch of trees still with leaves.  I love how the gold in the leaves contrasts with the brilliant blue sky.

Heading to our next geocache, we spotted this small stand of  bright gold aspens surrounded by pine trees.  

The road loops around and climbs up, so this is looking down on that same stand of trees.

A view out across the valley below.  The white mountain is in the distance.

Our next stop was Island Lake, one of many lakes that adorn the top of the Mesa.  

And then we were off to find our next cache!

This one was hidden in a small stand of tall fir trees, a short hike from the road.  It was called 'Nice Place', and it's name was fitting!  

Our next cache... This one was our favorite of the day.  It's called 'Where's the Beach?'...

It's a shark, hanging in the tree!  

Since James and Hayleigh were finding them all, he said I could find this next one...

 I found it because he pointed it out to me!  He's pretty good at this!

This made me laugh... Here in Colorado, we don't fix the roads, we just let you know the road's damaged!

And, our final cache of the day... This one took a while to find, because you have to be little to see it!

I stood in this spot for a while trying to find it, and Hayleigh came over and spotted it right away.  Pays to be short sometimes!

And, thus, our day came to a close.  Next year we have to head up in the middle of September, even if it is still 90 degree weather in Fruita!  We did have a fun day geocaching and finding trails we want to hike.  We love exploring western Colorado!  And, as for geocaching, I think we're hooked!

Natural Bridges

Road Trip!

~ Four Corners ~ Mesa Verde ~ Natural Bridges ~

On our way home from Mesa Verde, we decided to stop at Natural Bridges National Monument.  Natural Bridges are sandstone formations that were formed by erosion from moving water, like a creek.  Our first stop was an overlook where we could see one of the three bridges, Sipapu.  From this view, it really blends in with the canyon walls behind it.  

James and Hayleigh decided to hike to the bottom of the canyon to the base of the bridge.  I twisted my knee a bit on the Petroglyph trail hike at Mesa Verde, and this trail had ladders, stairs, and switchbacks, so I decided to sit this one out.   James took the camera and snapped a few on the trail.

Some pretty red flowers he thought I'd like... He was right!

A view of the bridge from the beginning of the trail.

Almost there!

Interesting, twisted tree near the bottom of the canyon.

A view of the arch from underneath.  Pretty cool how the bridge is blocking the sun.

On the way back up...

Looking into White Canyon

Next we took a short hike to an overlook to see Horsecollar Ruin.  It is one of the best preserved ruins in the area.  If you hike the trail at the bottom of the canyon, you can go right up to it.  This is on our hiking to-do list!  

Dad and Hayleigh... Love!

The sandstone formations in this area were formed primarily by wind.  This shows the different striations in the stone.  

Just a little lizard sunning himself..

Dad and Hope looking into the canyon.  

Here's a the second bridge, Kachina, from the overlook.  I decided to hike this one and go to the bottom.  So, James, Hayleigh, and I started off.  Hannah and Hope stayed in the van.  Again. 

About half-way down!

Almost there!

Here we are!  This is the 'youngest' bridge, and it is massive!

Checking out some of the rocks in the river bed

Exploring under the bridge and on the other side

See James, up on the ledge?  Well, he found something interesting...

He found an archeological site that is not disclosed to the public!  How cool is that??  

              

And, here's what was up there...

Handprints on the wall...

Etched drawings... And, that spiral to the left resembles the spiral that was carved on the brick at the Pipe Shrine House at Mesa Verde.  

Lizard, maybe?

Grinding stones

Butterfly?

More handprints...

Looking down from the ledge as we left.

Our next stop was the oldest bridge in the park, Owachomo.  As the bridges age, they get wider and skinnier.  James and Hayleigh hiked to the bottom of this one, too.  After our hike to Kachina, I sat this one out.   Here's the bridge from the overlook.

From below...

And, Hayleigh in a crevice... 

And, thus concludes our road trip!