Black Canyon and Grand Mesa, Colorado

This was our first time in Colorado.  The scenery was majestic at every turn of the road.  Temp was in the 60's today so it was actually cool during our drive.  It got warmer as we got closer to Grand Junction, our final destination today.  It was exciting for us to see our first big snow-capped mountains in the distance.

Our first sight of snow-capped mountains seen from US Hwy 50

The aspen trees looked so delicate.  Depending on our elevation when we saw them, they were either in full leaf, just budding, or bare waiting for warmer weather.

Aspen trees along US Hwy 50

A highlight of our trip today was crossing the Continental Divide.  Here we are with today's traveling companions.  We are at an elevation 11,312 ft.  The cars did well in the climb up the mountains.  Lots of snow that was really very hard-packed ice.

Dennis, Ron, Trip, Pat T, Pat W, and Georgia

The views were breathtaking.  The water color was inviting but cold and sometimes still frozen.  Here's a view of a lake we passed.  We mostly followed the rivers as we traveled.  The road was on one side of the river and the railroad tracks were on the other side.  The water was usually rushing and tumbling.

The picture does not do justice to the bright colors of the scenery

When we traveled to the Grand Mesa, there was lots of snow on the ground, frozen lakes, and side roads that were closed as they had not been plowed.

That's Trip and Dennis in front of us on the way down the Grand Mesa

We had a bit of excitement at the top of the Grand Mesa today when Trip's fan blade broke.  How lucky could it be that nothing else was damaged and that we were at one of the only wide places in the road where we could all pull over.  A quick fix was made by the guys and we were back on our way.  A replacement fan was found in Grand Junction.

One of our "famous" butt shots - that's Ron, Trip and Dennis

That's the broken fan and the parts that were removed, along with the work gloves

Here's the replacement part to be installed in the parking lot of the hotel

The road coming into Grand Junction showed us a different kind of mountain color and terrain.  Although it was dull colored, it was menacing to see right there at the edge of the highway.

These mountains were right at the edge of the highway and the "fingers" reaching down from the top show erosion almost like they might be moving toward you

We again enjoyed lunch at a local diner halfway into our trip.  We trust Georgia to find the best place in town and we have not been disappointed.  I have eaten too much but how could I pass up local specials.  Our final treat tonight was a party featuring free beer and wine with a $10 BBQ dinner hosted by North American Classic MG Magazine in support of the Rallye for Research for Alzheimer's Association.

Ron's MG parts were delivered to the hotel and he installed them after dinner.  We now have turn signals and a horn once again. 

Today's pictures on Snapfish do not do justice to what we saw.  Remember that usually these pictures on Snapfish are captured while traveling 40 - 60 mph down the mountain roads.  What I saw is in no way captured by these pictures but they are a very small representation of the overwhelming scenery:
http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=3799625002/a=12190387_12190387/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

P.S. for Mike - We stopped at a Denny's for a photo but we did not eat there.  You can find the picture in Snapfish - just for you.