Farewell Colorado, hello Utah!

Day 5 From Westminster CO to Moab UT

After waking around 8, we started to pack up our belongings before having breakfast. A quick tidy of the Airbnb and it was time to bid farewell to Westminster and Colorado and head to Utah.

Today we were driving 360 miles west down to Moab, Utah. As we headed away from the City and crossed into Clear Creek County, we noticed signs alerting us to a 'Stage one fire ban, no open fires or discharging of firearms allowed - it did indeed look very dry in the area. We stopped for fuel at a Valero where there was cute little old fashioned country store where we could grab a drink for the road. Our journey took us past several towns with mines that looked like they were part of 'Big Thunder Mountain' ride at Disneyland!

 We skirted the bottom of the Rocky Mountain National pack and reached the West entrance and Grand Lake, The trees were beginning to change and we started to see fairly large patches of Aspens turning golden. Continuing on passing lots of small water falls by the side of the road around Idaho Falls area, into Copper Mountain and its Ski Resorts, our journey was truly stunning.

The Colorado River run alongside us for most of the journey, and after entering the White River
National Forest we decided to stop to take in the view and eat a picnic of cheese and fruit in Gleenwood Canyon.

Continuing on after our short break the landscape changed from forest and mountain to Mesa. Another stop for fuel, - this time at a 'Loves' - we soon were crossing the State line into Utah and pulled into the scenic viewpoint.

A short but step pull up in the heat we were rewarded with spectacular views across Harley's Dome.

Back in the car, and turning South towards Moab, the drive took us passed stunning red rock formations interspersed with bands of orange and green from the mineral deposits. We drove passed the 'Moab Giants' rock formation and then down into Moab Main Street before arriving at the 'Silver Sage Inn' where we were staying for 2 nights. A fairly basic motel with only 18 rooms that turned out to be incredible clean and comfortable, and by Moab standards it was fairly affordable.

We unpacked and walked down Main St, after checking out the food truck park, where unfortunately most where closed as it was a Sunday, we stopped at the Peace Tree cafe to share a hummus Platter for a late lunch.

By the time we walked back towards the motel it was around 6.45 and as per normal we just so happened to be a short walk from a Brewery. We headed in to Moab Brewery we were given a wait time of 45 minutes, no problem we were able to pick up a few groceries and take them back to the room before our table was ready. They had a fantastic range of veggie foods, we were spoilt for choice, but not feeling very hungry we had the veggie chilli and dinner roll, (In Utah you have to by law, order food before you are allow alcohol).

Paul tried the 'over the hill' Hefeweisen  whilst I decided to forgo alcohol and opt for the house made root beer, delicious. Walking back we got to see a fabulous sunset before heading off to bed.

Last day in Colorado

Day 4- Last full day in Colorado

Saturday morning began late, we had a very lazy morning and spent the time updating the blog and reading. We even had our breakfast of fruit and yogurt in bed. Just what we needed after a busy few days.

Around 11am we felt it was time to get ready and head out for the day. We never had much planned but did know that we wanted to visit the 'Celestial Seasonings' factory, so we headed of to Boulder and Sleepytime Drive - Celestial Seasonings are a tea company specialising in herbal and fruit infusions since the 60's and are a leading brand in the States, but not sold in the UK.

Arriving at the factory, we spotted a ton of Prairie Dogs as we drove up to park the car, such characters. When we arrived we were given a 1pm slot for the free tour, we had about 20  minutes to go so while we waited we were able to sampled the teas that were out. They had about 6 teas made up to try and would make up any of their extensive collection at your request. For some reason we didn't take any photos apart from one with the sleepytime tea bear ( sleepytime being their best selling tea and the bear that appears on the box's artwork).

It was soon time to don our hairnets and in Paul's case a beard net as well, and we were ready to enter the working factory. The tour is a nice little history of the company and jaunt around the factory, we checked out the tea plant  room where they have small amount of black, white and green tea to add to some of their blends then onto the peppermint room where they store all of the mint used in their teas, it was a glorious smell of a little overwhelming. As it was a Saturday there wasn't much happening in the factory so didn't really see the machines at work - however we both agreed that our favourite was the "tea bagging" machine, yes we are not 15 years old but innuendos like that do make us snigger!

The tour is well worth doing if you find your self in the area with a bit of time. After stocking up on teas in the shop, including both old favourites and some new ones we've yet to try we went back to the car. 

On opening the boot - or trunk to you Americans - we were overwhelm by the smell of beer. On closer inspection we realised that one of the cans of beer we picked up had managed to be punctured and half the floor was wet through and now smelt like a brewery - very poor form!

Not really having any plans we hit up 'the Rayback Collective" at Boulder.

It's a great concept, a bar selling craft beers and a coffee bar, then they have 2-3 food trucks which change half way through the day. We thoroughly enjoyed the fresh hand rolled pasta with garlic alfresco sauce that we share along with a crooked stave sour rose wild ale from Devour for me, whilst Paul stuck with coke.

We decided that we would head back to the Airbnb  via Walgreens for Paul to pick up some medicated lip salve, as his lips seemed to have dried out like the desert and Starbucks for coffee to go.

Around 6.30 we headed out, yes in search of more food and beer! After passing several restaurant none of which we fancied, we found ourselves back at Wonderland brewery again.

We sat outside enjoying the last of the daylight sharing a mushroom flatbread and for me, a pumpkin-delicious ale and a "ickle" pour of silverball stout while Paul enjoy pints of 3-putt pale ale and one he can't remember, must be his age!

We both suddenly came over tired - maybe the altitude getting to us - a windy walk back with a few spots of rain in the air, lucky we had coats and hats, a very quick stop at Wholefoods for breakfast supplies and we were home and straight to bed.

Fact of the Day - The difference between black, green and white tea - To make black tea, the leaf is first rolled and crushed so it oxidised. Green tea is the same leaves but are quickly steamed to minimise oxidation. And fine white tea is made by harvesting the leaves before they are fully open a few days of the year with minimal processing.

Birthday in the Rocky Mountains

Day 3  - 20th September 2019

Birthday Day! We both woke early - around 5.15 am - but it was only to be expected after going to bed around 9 pm. We decided we might as well get up and on with the day, but first we had to get down to the important business of opening the mountain of presents and cards, so many lovely gifts and well wishes.

We breakfasted on french pastries and before we knew it it was time to head to The Rocky Mountain National Park - the first of 3 National Parks we shall visit on this trip. It took about an hour to drive there, skirting Boulder and passing through the very lovely Roosevelt National Forest to Estes Park and the gateway to the Rocky Mountains.

By 9.30 am we had brought our 'America the Beautiful' pass, (entrance to each of the 3 parks we will be visiting is 30 dollars, the pass is $80 and valid until next September and will give us entry to National Parks, Forests and Battlefields).

From the Beaver Meadows Entrance Station on the East side of the Park we drove down towards Bear Lake, We hadn't travelled very far when we noticed a herd of Elk in the Moraine Park area, so we  stopped the car to take a better look. What a start to our visit, framed by wonderful scenery was a male Elk and his harem of around 20 females, keeping our distance we got out the binoculars and set up the camera for a better look. It was then we noticed another 2 Male Elk in the vicinity, alas a rut between charging bulls didn't happen but still a spectacular sight to witness.

Continuing on to Bear Lake notices informed us that the parking lot was full and to use the shuttle, well on reaching the shuttle parking we noticed the line queuing from the shuttle was heaving and one bus had just left. As much as we would have liked to have walked around the Lake doing it with so many people didn't really appeal - it was only a short half mile trail! - so we double backed on ourselves and pulled into Mill Creek Trail for a mile round trip walk. Wow the scenery is stunning!

Cracking open the trail mix we headed back towards the visitors centre and onto the 48 mile "Trail Ridge Road" through the Park. Connecting Estes Park on the East, to Grand Lake on the West, its the  highest continuous paved road in the United States, traversing forest of Aspens, Pine, Fir and Spruce, before climbing above the tree line and reaching alpine tundra and a high of 12,183 feet for views as far away as Wyoming and the Great Plains and into the heart of the Rocky Mountains. 

We stopped along the way at Rainbows Curve lookout to take in the spectacular vista, 10,829ft and just above the treeline looking over Horseshoe Park.

Journeying on gaining elevation, we witness the changing of landscape and begin to feel the temperature dropping - it is normally 20-30 degrees cooler then down in Estes Park - by the time we reach the Lava Fields pullout it is 10 degrees and rather windy. We could still see areas of ice that have remained all throughout the Summer.

We made it to the top of the Ridge Line and to the Alpine Visitor Centre where we were able to grab some light refreshments of coffee and a peanut butter bar, along with the obligatory postcards. 11,796ft up above sea-level and with conditions resembling those found in the Canadian and Alaskan Arctic, its rather splendid, Quite a view to have will your morning coffee!

We began the descent down towards Grand Lake, passing the most amazing views, we can understand why its been named ................ 

Not far from the end of the road we pulled in to another trail head, unfortunately there was no parking spots but we did see a beautiful female deer just near the entrance. Never mind it was only a few minutes before we were able to pull in and get out onto the Colorado River and Red Mountain Trail, a short hike through meadow, before a short pull upwards, continuing through forest before met the river then returning back to the car the way we came.

After driving onto the Parks West exit, we had a brief stop for toilet then turning a round took the Trail Ridge Road back again to the Park's East Entrance. We pull off at several places catching the odd glimpse of autumn coming through - we were probably and week to early sadly to see the spectacular colours. 

We drove back across the Continental Divide before making one last around Beaver Meadows area where we saw a lone Bull Elk laying by the trees, a magnificent beast with a very impressive pair of antlers - a male Elks antlers can be reach up to 4ft in length and weigh up to 40lb.

Time to head back, we had spent about 6 hours in Park and could have quite easily spent a whole lot more, what a way to spend my Birthday! 

We made a quick Target stop to grab a drink and some "essentials" dollar spot items before making a quick detour to the brewery we went to last night, someone had left his sunglasses there. Of course we had to pick up some beer, we chose the Silverback Weiss, it donates a portion of the profit to the Gorillas, we do like to do our bit to help! We finally got back to the Airbnb  around 6pm, feeling tired and in need of some proper food, we decided to freshen up and head out to 5280 Burger for an early dinner.

It was only a 5 minute walk away and we were quickly seated and toasting the day with a glass of Prosecco and a local Blueberry Wheat followed by a portion of fried pickles with ranch dip. We shared a house made quinoa and black-bean burger and a  power house salad. Delicious, just what we needed. We popped to the wholefoods next door to pick up some yogurt for breakfast, then back for birthday cake before heading to bed for another early night - I can see a pattern here!

Fact of the day - The Rocky Mountain Range represents a series of more then 100 separate mountain ranges.