Pueblo Lake State Park CO to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Grand Junction, CO

Woke up on Tuesday morning to a cool but mostly clear morning at Pueblo Lake State Park.  Got ourselves ready and got out of there at almost 1100 hours. How it takes us so long to get ready I'll never know as we were up early.  

Remember to click on the pictures to make them bigger..if you read the blog first then click on one, . a slide show will come across the bottom.  The pictures look much better bigger :)

Our site at Lake Pueblo State Park

Our view...

Stopped at Walmart in town, so we didn't get out of there till close to noon.  Had a nice drive to Canon City and right on the other side of that town the country turns AMAZING!  We love that drive along Highway 50.  Little towns and it runs right alongside the Arkansas River which is just incredibly beautiful!  

 These pics are Highway 50...Colorado..

Arkansas River

Stopped and had salad for lunch and then drove on.  The whole day was nothing but beautiful! I don't even have words for this stretch of highway. 

We went over Monarch Crest.  About 20 years ago we were on vacation and Eric was with us we rode the gondola to the top.  Of course, boys being boys thought it would be funny to make it swing and make mom cry. I know they felt bad but it was scary! 

There's the top of the mountain the gondola
goes to...

Monarch Pass and also the Continental Divide

I had saw there were several Passport America Parks along the way but because of the season they're still closed. Guess that's something to remember for the next time we come this way.  Most open April 1st or later.  

WE went around the Blue Mesa Reservoir which is something to see.  I'm sure in the summer time the lake and campgrounds are filled with people and boats.  AS we climbed the mountain we hit some snow flurries and low lying clouds.   Probably picture overload below..:)

Blue Mesa Resovoir 

We're climbing the summit...low clouds..fog

Our campsite..FREE..hahah

We had thought we would get as far as Grand Junction, CO and a Passport America park that we had stayed at before but then decided to stop at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and spend the night there. 

There is no charge for camping in the winter, but again there aren't any facilities either except the pit toilets are open.  

We woke to ICE on the inside windows of the camper!  It was freaking cold! The battery in the camper needs to be replaced..luckily we had plenty of blankets and flannel sheets..eventually Ken was able to run the generator and warm things up.  We haven't been this cold in forever..thinking Clines Corners in New Mexico a few years ago..so Ken says "We're making memories"..uh huh..

But we did get up and get going, breakfast and off we went to see Black Canyon of The Gunnison National Park.  We were here just about 20 years ago with Eric and did a quick run through then..God's handiwork is amazing!

Boys will b boys..out to the edge..

Heading out towards Grand Junction...

We left there and headed for Grand Junction, CO and a Passport America park we've stayed before.  We arrived here about 1530 and got a really nice big site. We'll be here for 2 nights as we plan on buying a new RV battery.  We're not sure but thinking about heading for Moab and spending a few nights.  If we do that, no hookups and don't want to be freezing again.  Making memories one night is ok..? but more than that is just plain dumb..and cold..hahah..

Life is good..so glad we can enjoy all that America has to offer..:)