Summary of Arches trip and goodby to 2014.

We had no problems with the RV going up I-70 from Denver through all the passes to Utah. I was a little nervous about it because sometimes the traffic on I-70 can be brutal. We were faster than trucks but slower than cars going up the steep hills. But the RV preformed flawlessly. We chose to go up on a Fri. and come back on a Mon. to avoid most of the bad traffic. Both decisions were good as traffic was light.

I had done minimal research on this trip because with the check engine light going off just before the trip I didn't think we were really going to go before snow started in the mountains. The RV shop we took it to correctly identified the O2 sensor and fixed our problem, clearing us for the mountain drive in our 20 yr old RV.

We really lucked out with the weather. The colors in Colorado were fabulous. The temps in Utah were cool and pleasant. Couldn't have asked for better. We checked Arches off our bucket list and got to see some fabulous sites along with doing some great hikes. It is hard to imagine that I lived for so long in CO without an RV and all the things I missed seeing when we didn't have one.

Now it is time to put the RV to bed for the winter.

Misc. dog pictures and the Vail rest stop at the top of the pass

Blossom curls up with her tail over her nose.

Sunshine has eaten his meal but Blossom is ignoring hers. Sunshine wants to know if he can eat hers to.

A cow says goodbye as we leave Rifle.

The rest stop at Vail pass had a great walking trail for the dogs to stretch their legs.

Sunshine says this is really pretty!

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

This place gets two thumbs up! I was really amazed at all that was available in Glenwood Springs for vacationers and this just put it over the top. Definitely worth a stop. They have great atmosphere, great ideas for rides (that I took pictures of as I cannot go on any), the tram ride to the top is spectacular (make sure you go in nice weather so you can ride it and not the bus), the prices are reasonable ($25 for the tram ride and two cave tours) and the cave tours are spectacular (especially the Kings one, the Fairy one was more run of the mill). Rides are extra for those who want them and you can buy a package for unlimited or just the ones you want to try. They also have things like 4D movies, laser tag, shooting gallery, kiddie rides etc. Really something for everyone. And they gave all the facades a western theme which gave it a unique and festive air.

Tram to the top.

View from tram.

Were getting closer.

Oops, I guess some kids didn't make it.

A kiddie ferris wheel.

View out to the valley.

Some daring folks on a ride.

The platform is at the edge of the mountain.

The swing ride throws you out over the edge.

I did the Kings tour first. Lots of ribbon formations.

 

Sort of an out and back ride.

A misc. hand under the tramway tracks as I was leaving...

Harvey Gap State Park

Since it was so close we decided to take a look. The water was very low.

Rifle Falls day 3

Because we arrived with no reservations we had to move whenever a spot we were in was going to be filled. Our third move was to the space we had the first time we stayed. It was a great spot.

The site has such great trees that you have to take a picture of the front and back end separately.

The dogs like the new site also.

Rifle Falls day 2, the handicapped space

If all the other spaces are full they let you take the handicapped space so that is what we got on Fri. night.

The handicapped space.

Surprisingly the cement pad was not level. We had to add three boards as did the gentleman after us who had alot of trouble because he had recent leg surgery.

The dogs did not want to lay on the cement so we put their pen in the bushes toward the river.

The deer came to visit.

They were just passing through...

Rifle Falls day 1

We scored a premium spot at Rifle Falls for our first night. The colors were gorgeous. We all enjoyed the change in scenery and the abundance of water vs Utah.

Spot for the first night.

This was perfect for us because it had an entrance from the spot onto the trail system.

We even had shade although we did not need it because it was so pleasantly cool.

We headed out onto Squirrel Trail.

The colors were very pretty.

This bridge swings a bit but the doggies make it across just fine.

A wood pecker at the falls.

Blossom wants to take a dip but cannot judge the depth.

After a few paw dips she decides it is safe.

One of the caves around the falls. There are several to explore.

The pond at the top of the falls.

The view out from the top of the falls.