Colorado National Monument

Here's Thistle tucked away in Site 13 at Saddlehorn campground. I love this country of pinyon pine and juniper. Beautiful low-growing forests, that smell like heaven...

The campground is nestled up to Saddlehorn Rock so our first activity this morning was to walk around the rock, exclaiming Wow!, with each step. We are so smitten with this campground and surrounds we just signed up for two more nights, so Saddlehorn will be our long-term three-night home.

Saddlehorn Rock...

Later in the day we drove Rim Rock Drive. The park brochure's claim of "23 miles of breathtaking views" was spot on.

Our first stop, as always, was the visitor center. We love watching the films, then we ask about trails or drives, gather together maps we might need, study the displays and check over the books, greeting cards and assorted gift offerings. Before leaving we wander around outside to enjoy the architecture of the center and take advantage of views or display gardens or other hidden treasurers...

Our wanderings brought us to this wonderful historic shelter.

Our first Rim Rock Drive stop was Independence Monument, a popular climbing rock. Each year, on Independence Day, a group of climbers raise an American flag on the top, following a tradition initiated by John Otto, the man responsible for this monument's designation. Independence Monument is 450 feet tall only half the height of the Empire State Building. Remember the Black Canyon of the Gunnison graphic illustration of the dwarfing of the Empire State Building?   Perspective!

Can you see the climbers on the top of Independence Monument? Ed and I both think we saw three, but perhaps only two. Grand Junction can be seen in the far distance.

Next we stopped at the Monument Valley viewpoint...

Coke Ovens Overlook...

Then we moved on to Highland, Upper Ute Canyon, Ute Canyon, Red Canyon and Cold Shivers Point. Thinking for sure I could keep them all clear in my mind, I didn't label them, so here they are. The game is to hook up the photographs with the correct viewpoint name. They are in order...I think! Fortunately the splendor doesn't change with the wrong name, or no name...

On the way back to camp we stopped at Artists Point...

These photographs were taken from Otto's Trail.

This evening's weather is kicking up. We hunker down in Thistle, happy campers...

~~~

The monument was established in 1911, at the urging of an offbeat fellow named John Otto. In May 1907 he wrote:

"I came here last year and found these canyons and they feel like the heart of the world to me. I'm going to stay and build trails and promote this place, because it should be a national park. Some folks think I'm crazy but I want to see this scenery opened up to all people. I'm a straight American. Do your best for the West. The best for the world. The new day, get it going."

~ Boostingly yours, John Otto.

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