Solar camping along the
Colorado River Scenic Byway outside Moab, Utah on the way to Grand Junction, CO. A narrow one lane each way road running beside the river, sometimes with a narrow bit of land on which the camping sites rest. Closer to Moab (named after the Moab Desert in which the Arches National Park sits) you'll see an amazing river walk/boardwalk at times hanging over the river's edge, on which people walk, bike and run. The almost never-ending red rock cliffs soar upwards to great heights on either side.
Remember to click on the image if you want to view a larger version. And click on links also for more information.
We also saw at
Arches National Park in Utah, some miles west of Grand Junction, CO, a group of male Japanese visitors of elder status who came with a younger man who appeared to be their outfitter (see him on the left having his photo being taken by the men) and/or guide. What was also interesting was that another male visitor who may or may not have been with that group of men was wearing a solar powered backpack to recharge his camera(s) and cellphone. When one of us said to him that he could also have a small solar powered fridge added to the unit so as to keep his drinking water and food cool, he said "Good idea!"
My sister drives a Subaru wagon which she bought long before she moved to Grand Junction.
The Subaru Dealership in Grand Junction has a roof filled with solar panels. It turns out that Subaru claims to be the official vehicle of the
Powder Horn Ski Resort which is in the
Grand Mesa National Forest near Grand Junction!
Most likely because of the car's ability to climb over and out of challenging terrain unlike other vehicles.
We went snowshoeing in the "lower" section of the forest which for most of the year is covered with snow. I was having a great time until I stepped into a hole 3 different times up to my knee as snow had fallen the night before and was still too soft, not having been packed down by prior explorers.
I got a bit panicky at finding myself not strong enough to pull myself out of the last hole, probably as the Grand Mesa altitude even at its lowest height of 5800 ft above sea level is higher than that of Grand Junction which is at 4593 ft above sea level, thus thinner air.
The National Forests which make up the area vary in elevation from 5,800 feet above sea level to 14,309 feet. Corm, on skis, turned back on hearing my bleats, to haul me out by the arm. Sis came up and, being such a caring person and so sympathetic, led the way back, stamping on tricky areas with her snowshoes, exclaiming against the nasty holes that scare her sis. We trudged back to the car and piled in to go back downhill, stopping at
BLINK halfway down for our choice of beverage and cake.
My choice was a hot chocolate, of course.
This place looks like it would be hopping on a winter evening after some skiing or snowshoeing. Click on the photo with the leather chair to read the sign about unsupervised kids.
