This was our campsite for the week. Right on the Colorado River (although about 100′ above on a cliff)This was our view!Before Bryce and family arrived we went into town and they were having a motorcycle show.An old Harley with sidecar.
colorado national monument
We took a day to explore Colorado National Monument. I’d never heard of it, it’s just up the road a bit from Palisade where we were staying.There is some pretty impressive scenery here! This shot was looking straight down to the bottom of the canyon. I’m not sure what possessed me to take this shot; anything for a good picture I guess!Some of these formations defy gravity!And if you look closely, there’s ferocious wildlife!This one looks like a chimney Despite the barren appearance, it was pretty green.Some very interesting rock layers everywhere you look!There were several of these brilliant pink cactus flowers in bloom; quite a contrast!
family time in and around palisade
Bryce and crew stayed nearby at a cool farm Airbnb. They were in a nice house shared by Bryce, Laura, Reeve and Laura’s sister Monica and her husband Benjer and their two kids, Autumn and West. This is the pond by their place where the kids enjoyed exploring and finding small frogs.They had plenty of room to run and play!
riggs hill dinosaur excavation site
While we were there we all went on a hike to see Riggs Hill, a dinosaur excavation site.Here are the kids standing with a casting of one of the bones discovered here.It was a fun hike, but not always easy and level!The view from the top was pretty good though.Photo evidence that Reeve and Autumn made it to the top!
fruita dinosaur museum
After Riggs Hill we went to Fruita and visited the Dinosaur Museum there. Here’s Laura getting into the whole experience!The displays here are obviously not real but very realistic! This one spit every so often!This one was a bit too realistic for some!Who are you looking at?!?This was more Reeve and Autumn’s taste!I saw this at the gift shop and thought it was pretty funny!
pool time
After all day exploring we returned to our campground where they all enjoyed a cool time in the pool.Of course complete with Super Soaker fights!While there, Bryce discovered this Alpaca Farm nearby. It turned out to be very interesting!The Alpacas had been recently sheared obviously!If you look closely they have very large front teeth!The process of taking their fur and spinning it into threads and then yarn is pretty interesting too. This is the wool after it’s been cleaned but before it is spun into threads.One of the many machines they use. Here are some of the many products they make.This is their guard dog. He looks pretty docile but the guy who gave us the tour said he’s all work, don’t go near him! He once took out a mountain lion who tried to get to the Alpaca!The Alpaca Shack! I thought it was nice of these 3 to pose for this shot!After the Alpaca Farm we stopped at a winery for lunch.While in Palisade Bryce and Laura treated us to a great seafood Paella dinner in town.While driving around Palisade Jan spotted this B&B that had a beautiful Rose garden all set up for weddings and other occasions.The house next door was quite beautiful too!
