Tues., Sept 27, Alamosa to Glenwood Springs

This morning we drove to the Zapatta Falls. Our camp ground is at 7500 feet, and the falls is at 9000. When we turned off for the falls, it was a three and a half mile drive up a pretty steep gravel road. It was very slow going, and REALLY bumpy. Once we got to the parking lot, we climbed another half mile on foot. The views around every bend were amazing! All of the trees are starting to change colors, the rugged mountain tops, the sweeping valley and the Dunes in the distance – Beautiful! As we got closer, we could hear the falls. The water was flowing pretty close to the trail, and running quite fast. The trail narrowed, and the only way to the base of the falls, was in the water. There were signs warning of slippery rocks and fast water, so Barb decided not to go in the river. It would have been too easy to fall, and the water was FREEZING!!!!!! Rich and I made it a little ways down the river and into a cave that was carved out by the falls. It was very loud inside with the two falls coming down 30 feet from above. It was really pretty J I was so afraid that I might drop my camera, or fall in because the water was rushing around my legs. Wish I could have been steadier, I could have taken hundreds of pics! We walked back down the mountain, which was much easier and faster, and took in all of the beautiful views from high above the valley floor.

We picked up the RV and headed north on highway 17, to 285/25, then over to Glenwood Springs, our next stop. We are staying at the Glenwood Canyon Resort, right along the Colorado River. OH MY GOSH!!! Just when you thought it couldn’t get any prettier, there it was! Beautiful deep gorges (really deep!), and all of the bright yellow Aspen trees!! Again, my camera just doesn’t do it justice. It just dawned on me – the state motto is welcome to colorful Colorado, and the are not kidding! I just put it all together; Color is the root word in Colorado. There is a strong Hispanic history here, so I looked up the Spanish for Colorado, and it means flush with color, red hued, dyed and scarlet J We went into the town of Glenwood Springs for dinner at Juicy Lucy’s, it was very good.

Tomorrow we are going towards Aspen to see the John Denver Sanctuary, then stroll about Aspen.