Though we enjoy our life in Moab, we do not find as many services in our desert home as in other places.

So, like many good Moab-ites, we find we do more and more of our errands in the “big city” of the greater Grand Junction, CO area.

With a total population of about 100k people, it offers such services as dentists with cleanings available without a year or longer wait and more medical options in general. This place services Joan’s circa 2005 hybrid Honda Civic (still on its original clutch! Yes, it’s a hybrid with a stick shift.), a Toyota dealership, other stores, brew pubs…and in 2026, a Costco!

Oh, and even our marriage one fine August day.

When we do errands in the Big City, we plan outdoor time around the many places there. Many outdoor places call, and we never lack enjoyment of the  nooks and crannies of our Colorado Plateau neighbor about two hours away.

Continue reading Grand times in the monument at PMags.com.

A trip just over the border to the nearby Colorado National Monument and seeing some friends for the first time in over a year. Thank you vaccinations! Read More ...

Continue reading Colorado National Monument and medical science at PMags.com.

We enjoyed a relaxing weekend in the Grand Junction area while exploring the nearby Colorado National Monument with Joan's parents. Read More ...

Continue reading Colorado National Monument – The joy of hiking at PMags.com.

Some time spent in the Black Ridge Canyon Wilderness outside of Grand Junction, Colorado. Read More ...

Continue reading Colorado Canyon Country at PMags.com.

Today is the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service. And that also means the lesser known National Monuments are part of this celebration, too Read More ...

Continue reading Happy 100th birthday to the NPS! at PMags.com.

A late shoulder season backpacking trip in a remote canyon in the Black Ridge Canyon Wilderness. Read More ...

Continue reading Red Rock Delight – Black Ridge Canyon Wilderness at PMags.com.

Some ideas for spring or late fall shoulder season backpacking destinations in Colorado.
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Continue reading Off-season backpacking destinations in Colorado at PMags.com.

Some much needed backcountry time in the canyon country outside of Fruita and Grand Junction, CO. Read More ...

Continue reading Mesa County Weekend – Two short jaunts; one long weekend at PMags.com.

The Thanksgiving Holiday is often a gift of time for myself and many of my friends.  A chance to take some extended time in a place for more than just an overnight.

As with last year, my friend Markhamm and I would be going to Utah.  This year was going to be a slightly different  trip. With some vacation time to burn, I’d be gone for ten days in this glorious area. Markhamm would join me for four, I’d be solo for three and then someone would join me of the reminder of the time out there. Alas, due to blizzard conditions over the high passes on I-70, I’d end up cutting my trip a little short and join someone in Colorado for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Still, four days in Utah ain’t the worse way to spend some time. 🙂

After work Thurs, I drove to the Colorado National Monument , grabbed a campspot and waited for Markhamm to join me.

Continue reading Four Days on the Colorado Plateau – Canyonlands, Arches and Colorado National Monument at PMags.com.

At this time of the year, it is sometimes difficult to get in some backcountry jaunts. The high country is still very snowy for backpacking..but not really enough for extended skiing.

Sure, the local foothills are nice..but I like to see something different.

That ‘something’ different is invariably Utah. A beautiful and wonderful place this time of the year (and in the Fall), but it is about 7 hrs to the national parks in Moab. Further for something even more remote.

I did not want to drive much this weekend. I wanted something relatively close, but something I have not seen before.

As I went to the map section of the local outdoors store, I saw a map for the Colorado National Monument. Hmm….looked more like car camping mixed in with day hikes..but I don’t mind car camping this time of the year (see above). Seemed like a good place to see something new, not be too far away and to have a relaxing weekend as we waited for the high country to open up.

Continue reading Red Rocks – Colorado Style at PMags.com.