ZR-1 Road Trip 2014 - California or Bust

[Franke]

Outstanding pics and thank you for sharing. It brought back memories. Some years ago a group of friends and I went camping down in the canyon and put in a boat at Blue Mesa Dam and went down river to a place called Morrow Point Dam about ten miles downstream. Great fishing down there. You can also hike in to Morrow Point but it is very strenuous, 1500 ft. drop and 3 miles down. We stayed in natures wonder for 3 days and forgot the daily grind and civilization. Was a great place to be. A Forest Ranger came in by boat to check our fishing licenses and take out the trash from the camp ground at Morrow Point. What a great job!!! The bottom of the canyon is so dark at night you can't see 5 feet. Truly is the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. You're doin a great thing by documenting this trip as some folks may never get to see these wonders.
Thanks so much....

[QB93Z]

After a dip in the hot tub, and a good nights sleep we set out early to head south to Cortez, Colorado and Mesa Verde National Park. The weather was beautiful with 35 degrees and clear skies. We decided to drive to Telluride and then southwest over the San Juan Mountains.

Heading up into the mountains:




We stopped in Telluride, Colorado. I guess all of the hanger-on skiers stayed up late last night partying because no one was around:




Lyndi was practicing her "artsie photography" and got this shot of the mountains in front and behind us:



Heading up to the pass:




Here we are at the summit. The temperature had dropped to 27 degrees at the 10,070 foot altitude:




There was very little traffic and the views were fabulous:



to be continued....

[QB93Z]

We made much better time getting to Mesa Verde National Park than the GPS predicted, so we arrived with the sun still low and the shadows added interest to the landscapes.

Here is Lyndi at the entrance with the rock tower in the background:




Even though the park is open year-round. Parts of the park were closed due to access restrictions and road maintenance to repair winter's damage. There were very few visitors in the Park, which was nice.

Here is a nice view of the Square Tower House:




Here is another view with the YELLOWZ visible in the background. We always have fun trying to get the Z in the shots:




We saw this car with Alaska plates and a large set of Long Horns on the roof. Since we went to Alaska in 2012, we waited at the parking area to meet the owner. He was a nice young man who had made a trip from Alaska to Austin, Texas and was on his way back to Alaska.




Here is a nice view looking south from the Sun Temple site:



Another view of one of the cliff dwellings:



Mesa Verde is one of the premier parks in the National Park System. The displays (that we could visit) were well documented and vary accessible. We were in the park with very light traffic. I fear that in peak season, the parking areas would be crowded and the sites would be crowded.

Jim

[ZR-1 Franz]

Hello from Switzerland,

I have to tell you that all your pictures are great, but the "artsie pictures" as you call
them are excellent. Would be nice, if Lyndi would shoot more of them.
Thank you very much again for sharing your trip with us.
Have a good time,

Franz

[GOLDCYLON]

Originally Posted by QB93Z

After a dip in the hot tub, and a good nights sleep we set out early to head south to Cortez, Colorado and Mesa Verde National Park. The weather was beautiful with 35 degrees and clear skies. We decided to drive to Telluride and then southwest over the San Juan Mountains.

Heading up into the mountains:




We stopped in Telluride, Colorado. I guess all of the hanger-on skiers stayed up late last night partying because no one was around:




Lyndi was practicing her "artsie photography" and got this shot of the mountains in front and behind us:



Heading up to the pass:




Here we are at the summit. The temperature had dropped to 27 degrees at the 10,070 foot altitude:




There was very little traffic and the views were fabulous:



to be continued....

Tell Lyndi to continue her "artsie photography" those were some great shots Jim

[Mr Blue]

I hunted in the San Juan Mts. in November. You pictures bring back great memories of one of my favorite places. Thanks for taking us along! If you like the cliff dwellings there are more in Bandolier National Monument north of Santa Fe. Another beautiful place. An amazing country we live in. Wishing you safe passage, enjoy.
David

[ZZZZZR1]

Another great adventure in a ZR-1!!! A true test to the endurance of a HIGH mileage ZR-1 driving across the country and having a blast while doing it!

Thanks for sharing Jim



David

[PhillipsLT5]

Memory Lane for me, I lived in T Ride 76 to 81, San Juans, no place can match, Only about 1,000 to 1,500 live there during the season and when ski area closes, it is exodus to the warmth of the southwest or Mexico or continue sking in Utah @ Snowbird or Alta, great pics

[ScottZ95ZR1]

Absolutely beautiful pictures, Jim. Drive safely!

[scottfab]

Originally Posted by QB93Z

We saw this car with Alaska plates and a large set of Long Horns on the roof. Since we went to Alaska in 2012, we waited at the parking area to meet the owner. He was a nice young man who had made a trip from Alaska to Austin, Texas and was on his way back to Alaska.



Jim

In the land where everything is bigger, that's a "big un" for sure. He's probably taking it up North to show those living in the biggest state what the little thing looks like next to a moose antler.
("big un" that's Texas lingo for ginormous )
Great pics, keep'm coming. Need more with "army man" in frame. Maybe in front of the Arch in St. Louis ?