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| no partners | | Fall Road Trip - Days 1 & 2
I originally had hoped to do this back at the end of September to maximize my enjoyment of the aspen color show up Colorado way, but circumstances prevented me from going. Then there was a fairly widespread snow event that made it look like the window of opportunity had closed. So, I had resigned myself to believe that it would have to wait until next year.  However, in mid October, when I finally was able to hit the road, that persistent high pressure monster we have dealt with much of the year, re-asserted itself and a spell of fair weather returned. 
I quickly decided on a route and once I locked in reservations for 3 nights at motels, I was good to go!  I left Tucson on Wednesday the 18th and drove up to Show Low, then on to Holbrook to catch I-40 for awhile. Normally when I am am headed up to Colorado that way, I go to Gallup, then up through to Shiprock and on to Cortez (my destination for night 1). This time I decided to change it up a bit, and headed for Four Corners through Arizona instead (leaving I-40 at Chambers). It can be a traffic nightmare at times around Gallup, so I opted for a less stressful route. I rarely drive this section, so it was a treat. 507 miles later I got to Cortez at about dark and checked in to my motel. It was a good first day. 
A lot fewer miles to cover on day two, plus a new road to check out! Most of this trip was over roads I have travelled before, so it was nice add a couple of new ones. I have always loved the drive on CO 145 from Cortez to Telluride and on to Placerville. Then over to Ridgway via CO 62. Gorgeous country indeed! From Dolores to about Rico along the Dolores River in the narrow gorge the road follows was a wonderful sea of yellow. Very few places to pull over for photos, so none from this section. Out of the canyon and into the higher elevations things opened up for better views. After Ridgway it was on to Montrose, which was a bit of a mess with lots of road construction. Most of the road work was on US 50 east of Montrose, so I was glad my planned route didn't go that way. Once I got to Delta it was east on CO 92. I had been on that part before, but the section from Hotchkiss over to Blue Mesa Dam, where it intersects with US 50, was the new road for me. I loved it! Some really great scenery with long distance views.
From Blue Mesa Reservoir it wasn't to much further to Gunnison, where I checked in to the Rodeway Inn for the night, after 276 happy miles. Day two was a winner as well. |
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Autumn Foliage Observation Light
Past prime most areas I visited, but still worth the driving. |
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