Winter Break 7

Some images from the ride home from Denver, CO.


The trip through mountainous Colorado was a snowy mess.
Thankfully, the highway was pretty clear.
Three cheers for Snow Plow Drivers!






Once off the highways however, road maintenance fell to the local municipalities....who apparently couldn't kick down some of that fat skiing revenue to buy a decent plow.







Ski towns do have some great g'nosh, though.
This place had some dynamite burgers.

(Backcountry Brewery, Frisco CO)






On the way to Grand Junction, we stopped in a place called Rifle, CO. Whew. Talk about your one-horse towns.








Yep. It's all about priorities in good ol' Rifle.
This shot was too good to let go.

I don't think I've ever seen anything like this in UT. What a boring state!





In GJ, I treated the kids to a nice warm bath.
As much as they may fight like cats n' dogs, they absolutely love to bathe together. It was a trip highlight....and perfect fodder for when they get older! ;-)





On to the videos!

Grand Junction, Colorado 6-16-07

The next day, Vince, Grandma and I spent the whole morning at the Monument.
Going in through the Fruita Entrance, we bought our patch and magnet at the Visitor's Center and then proceeded to drive the scenic park road to Devil's Kitchen trailhead for our hike. It was very enjoyable considering the heat....and Vincent's car sickness. (BAAAAARF!)
Our first stop along the road were the Coke ovens. Thousands of years of rain and wind turned these rocks into squat, fat formations that looked like ovens.
Check it out!





This picture really doesn't do justice to the magnificence of the formations. As for Vince, he was still jazzed to spend time with Granny.






After the Coke Ovens, we traveled to some of the other overlooks in the park.
This one's from an overlook called "Cold Shivers."






And this one was taken at the Ute Canyon overlook.
They were all absolutely gorgeous.







Noticed Vince's clothes have changed? Yeah, this pic was taken "post-yack."
The only bad part about the trip was that it was hotter than Hell when we got to the trailhead. But even though it was hot and he'd left his breakfast along the road, Vince still wanted to hike. What a trooper.



Even though Devil's Kitchen was our shortest hike, I still think it was the hardest. The heat, dust and bugs combined to make a hard trip. Thankfully, I had learned my lessons from Antelope Island. Sunblock, bug spray and water for everyone!





Vince has become fond of crawling into nooks and crannies in the rock. That's him taking a water break.







Devil's Kitchen is a really unusual rock formation. It's essentially a large horseshoe-shaped alcove of towering sandstone with walls on three sides. It's also has plenty of shade, making it a great place for lunch!





My other fellow hikers agreed! Incidentally, that crack between Vince and Grandma led to a hundred-foot drop to the canyon floor.






Once we were done eating, we busted out the cameras and started making memories. Here's me and Grandma's finger on top of the large boulder situated in the alcove.






Here's a picture of the balanced rock near the opening of Devil's Kitchen.







This crack went down some slickrock and back onto the trail. It eventually served as our exit from DK.







That boulder that I was sitting on had tons of little holes carved in it. Vince couldn't help but explore them all!







DK was the perfect little hideaway from the hot desert sun. Unfortunately, things started to get hotter as the sun rose. That gave us plenty of incentive to get back on the trail.






DK was a lot of fun for Vince and Cheryl. I think they really learned a lot about each other.
Hopefully, she'll want to hike with us again!






Going back to the Hotel meant getting in the pool.
How could I refuse?







Once we finally cleaned up, it was time for us to go meet the train for our trip back to Old Salty.
It was late as usual, but it went by a lot faster.
The biggest treat for me was getting Vince to fall asleep in a bunk on our way home. I thought he'd be too wound up because we were on the train. But in the end, fatigue won out!



I love spending time with my son.
I love the challenge he gives me in helping him mitigate the world around him. Most of all, I love the affection he rewards me with when we do something enjoyable.

This trip was an incredible adventure for both of us. And while he might not remember every detail of our voyage, I know that I'll never forget the smiles and laughter he gives thanks to my efforts.
That's what I call incentive.

Grand Junction, Colorado 6-15-07

Our GJ trip was the brain-child of my Mother-in-Law.
In a nutshell, Vince and I followed Grandma on her Amtrak leg to Colorado.
Once there, we used the layover time to go hiking, swimming and touring the Grand Valley.
It was one of the greatest trips of Vince's life!
We had to get up pretty early to meet the train. Even then, it was still very late.
Here, Lis and Vince give their goodbyes.






For the most part, Vince was very excited to get on the train.
I really think he remembered the trip we took to Denver all those years ago.
Oh yeah, you better believe the stick came with us!





Once we got on the train (and it started moving), Vince and I settled in. The trip took about eight hours.







I think the most unusual feature of the trip for Vince was getting used to seeing Grandma at work. He'd often crane his head into the hallway only to catch a glimpse of her pouring over paperwork or talking on the radio.

Naturally, Cheryl spent as much time with us as she could. But for the most part, she kept her game face on.


It didn't stop Squirt from having a good time, though.
He loved exploring the train and looking out the window.







But by the end of the trip, cabin fever started to set in and we were both ready to get off the train.







Once we finally offloaded, we had our first experience of the dry Grand Valley heat. Vince was a little confused as to where we would go from the Train Station. But once Grandma finished all her work, we headed out to the Hotel.





Amtrak employees in GJ stay at La Quinta. It's nice. Real nice!
Our room was already cooling when we checked in. After a small respite, we packed up and headed for the Monument!






We reached the trailhead pretty late...about 6pm.
But after all those hours of being cooped up in a train, even Vince was up for a walk in the fresh air.






Now that Cheryl was off duty, she could be Grandma all over again! Mom did a great job of making up for all the lost socializing on the train. As for Vince, he loved every minute of it.






The CNM was one of the most beautiful parks I've ever visited. In a way, it gave Vince and I a different perspective in our hiking. You see, usually we're at the bottom looking up...






...but here, we were on top and looking down!








We were treated to a great view of GJ, the Book Cliffs and the whole Grand Valley. We even saw a UFO that looked surprisingly like my thumb!






The trail meal serves as a great turnaround benchmark for Vince. Since we were going to get pizza later, we kept the trail food down to a light snack. In the background, Cheryl and her coworker enjoy the view.





Vince was in great spirits the whole time.
Here, he took a brief break from Grandma-lovin' to have his picture taken with me.






On the way back, the sun was well behind the mountains and gave us some great shade.
I believe the scenery was grand enough to command Vince's attention.





There is no greater reward for a hard-day's hike than a dip in the pool.

After a cool swim and some dinner, Vince and I passed out on our beds and prepared for the next day.

Tom, where have you been?

I'm sorry it's been so long.
The last two weeks have been crazy.

Vince and I have been traveling and enjoying new experiences.
In the brief time since my last entry we've gone to Grand Junction Colorado, hiked the Colorado National Monument and given Vince the social opportunity of a lifetime.

Sure, I could describe it all.
But I prefer to let the pictures speak for themselves.

On to the show!