ONCE AGAIN WE STAYED TOO LONG!

After leaving Clifton we wandered along Hwy 141 and spent the night in Naturita.  The next day we reached the Bisti Badlands south of Farmington, New Mexico and we camped in the parking lot.  I made a short trip out to explore before supper then yesterday Aileen and I had a great six hour walk out among the otherworldly creation that is Bisti.

When we got back to the motorhome and had a rest we heard there was the possibility of snow overnight.  It was too late to pack up and drive somewhere and we were too tired to feel up to it so we stayed.  Sure enough it snowed but more than forecast.  I measured 2 3/4 inches on the car roof this morning.  Since we were down in a hole, I wasn't interested in trying to drive the motorhome up and out first thing so we waited and I edited photos in the meantime. 

Aileen mentioned that a pickup had just driven in and left again.  When I looked out I saw his tracks were cutting down to gravel so I took the car the three miles out to the highway to assess things.  Since it looked good and more snow was forecast for overnight and tomorrow we decided to get moving.

We are in Milan, NM tonight at an RV park where the elevation is 1987 m which is 6557 feet so still pretty cool.  Hopefully we'll be down lower tomorrow into warmer temperatures.

Bisti Badlands parking lot.

Bisti Badlands access road.

HEADING SOUTH FROM CLIFTON. COLORADO.

 We filled up with propane before hooking the car on then said goodbye to our great hosts.  They said they enjoyed having us and we certainly enjoyed their company.  That was a fun five weeks!  I didn't think we'd be there more than a couple weeks when it was in the planning stages.

We headed south on 50 then took Highway 141 and were on the road an hour and twenty minutes when noon rolled around and I knew of a nice lunch spot to stop at.  After lunch while Aileen had a nap, I wandered about with my camera.   Once we got to Gateway there were several photo stops along the way.  It isn't easy finding a pull off spot when you're 56 feet long.

We are in Naturita, Colorado tonight plugged in at an RV park since it is 5400 feet and going to be cold in the morning.  

On the way to Gateway.

Ranching country.

On the way to Gateway.

Looking back to where we came from.

West Creek day use area was a nice quiet spot for lunch and a nap.

The beaver has been busy along the creek.

Lots of icicles in the shade.

At Gateway, CO.

South of Gateway along Hwy 141.

At Gateway, CO.

South of Gateway along Hwy 141.

South of Gateway along Hwy 141.

South of Gateway along Hwy 141.

South of Gateway along Hwy 141.

South of Gateway along Hwy 141.

South of Gateway along Hwy 141.

South of Gateway along Hwy 141.

South of Gateway along Hwy 141.

South of Gateway along Hwy 141.

South of Gateway along Hwy 141.

South of Gateway along Hwy 141.

South of Gateway along Hwy 141.

Looking out the east window.

Looking out the north facing door.

IT SEEMS WE STAYED A FEW DAYS TOO LONG IN CLIFTON, COLORADO!

 It was raining when we started to play cards on Friday night.  Then it froze.  Later, when we came out of the house to go to the motorhome, it was snowing well.  Next morning we had a little over two inches of the white stuff.  I shovelled the driveway for my exercise and it was a sheet of ice under the snow.

We did some shopping this morning then met with some of our friends for a final meal out.  We plan to head down the road tomorrow morning.  Our current "loose" plan is to head down through western New Mexico then into south eastern Arizona.  We'll see where we end up.

We've sure enjoyed our five weeks here in the Clifton/Grand Junction area with great friends.  We've had many card games and shared meals and had lots of laughter.  Now we'll head back to our quiet existence, exploring the world with the two of us in the motorhome.

Looking out our door Yesterday morning.

The car was solid ice under the snow.

Wide angle shot of the Bookcliffs with the phone.

Wide angle shot of the Bookcliffs and Mt. Garfield with the phone.

OUR TIME IN CLIFTON, CO IS COMING TO AN END.

 The weather is getting progressively cooler so it is time we headed down to warmer areas.  One of the reasons we were here longer was on my birthday our hot water tank sprang a leak so we were without hot running water for over two weeks.   Of course our tank was long since discontinued so an alternative had to be bought then we had to wait for a mobile tech to install it. n The dealer was booking mid December!  I had thought about attempting the repair and am glad I didn't after watching the repairman struggling to retrofit the different water tank.  Our old tank was fifteen years old and we used it full time for over eleven of those years including with the nasty Arizona water.

We continue to enjoy our friends here in Clifton and Grand Junction and I've been exploring new country and looking for geocaches.  Our friends would like us to stay longer but there are places I would like to visit before the weather gets too cold.  We're targeting next Monday as our departure date.  Tomorrow is the American Thanksgiving and we will celebrate it with our hosts, Jim and Judy. The rest of our friends will be with family tomorrow.

Alpenglow on Grand Mesa.

In the canyon along CO Hwy 141.

Backroad 31 4/10 off of 141.  Not for the faint of heart!

Looking down on CO Hwy 141 and the Grand Valley in the distance.

Grand Valley. Clifton and Mt Garfield are on the right and Grand Junction leading off to the left.

The Elk Range of the Colorado Rockies.

I was looking for a geocache and finally noticed this neat looking piece of wood.

When I pulled it out and turned it over, by golly, there was the log with a piece of paper inside for me to sign.

Road 31 4/10 was pretty rough in spots and the CRV only hit bottom once but I had to be creative at times.

The Bureau of Land Management had some areas closed to vehicle use.

I call this "Grasping at the Moon"

I went for a walk along a trail that took me to the river yesterday and I found a couple caches as well.  The snow is creeping down from Grand Mesa.

Mt. Garfield is a dominant fixture in the area.

The trail passes through a working ranch. 

The Colorado River and Grand Mesa.

Mt. Garfield is a dominant fixture in the area.

Mt. Garfield is a dominant fixture in the area.

While searching for a geocache I noticed this metal tag and thought it out of place.

Giving it a tug, I found this.  There is a tiny piece of paper in there that I had to extricate and sign.

How he attached the plate to the lid.  There's an idea for me to work on.