We left Grand Junction, for a leisurely drive to Cortez, CO, from which we’ll see Mesa Verde, Four Corners and Monument Valley over the course of the next two days.
The trip took us up a long climb adjacent to the Uncompahgre Plateau and National Forest, with long stretches of snow draped cliffs to the south and east and red rock cliffs to the north and west.
to the town of Gateway, a totally unforgettably community other than the new destination resort being developed by the founder of the Discovery Channel.
Leaving Gateway, we snaked through narrow red rock canyons for close to fifty miles.
often with snow-capped peaks in the distance.
About half along that stretch, we pulled off at a view point along a narrow stretch of road bordered by a sheer cliff with no guard rail.
Many of these narrow roads were again part of open ranges where
appear to have the right-of-way!
And, again, the number of decaying buildings made for a photographers dream.
Our campground is located just 8 miles west of Mesa Verde and we can sit back and look out on a gorgeous vista and three directions.
