God’s Country

By way of a minor miracle, my wife managed to save the "lost" photos from the rogue SD card.  So, on to the photos–these were taken in the Colorado National Monument near Grand Junction, Colorado, and I highly recommend a visit there.  You won't be sorry…

_{This is Mount Garfield (Elevation 6,600 feet ASL) from the hotel window–I understand that a hike up there is quite the workout…at that altitude, your body absorbs roughly 14-17% of the oxygen in the atmosphere.  At sea level, the rate is around 22%…}

_{Again from the hotel room, this is a not-great shot of the Grand Mesa.  Elevation on top is 10,500 feet Above Sea Level.  It is an extinct volcano, and there are numerous lakes on top full of trout, waiting for the fly–or so I was told.}

_{The Grand Mesa at sunset.}

_{We saw quite a few houses tucked into the side of the cliffs, this being one example.}

_{From the road that winds through the Monument park looking across to Mount Garfield and the Grand Mesa.  It was a wee bit hazy that day, as you can see…earlier, though, it was crystal clear–something to remember for next time.}

_{Alkali salts are constantly squeezed out of the ground–that's the white powder on the side of the cliff.}

_{This is called Balanced Rock.  There are so many different rock formations and obelisks that you get a sore neck trying to see all of them.}

_{Grand Junction is high desert, and you are reminded of that–look at this gnarly, weathered tree.  Right next to it, though, was a patch of cacti…}

_{Looking across to the Book Cliffs.}

_{Independence Monument.  There were climbers on the Monument the day we saw it.}

_{A little bit of the Colorado River.  Grand Junction gets its name because the Colorado River and Gunnison River join nearby–so why "Grand" Junction?  Well, before 1921, the upper reaches of the Colorado River were known as the Grand River.  So now you know–go use that tidbit to amaze all your friends!}

_{Just for fun–One of our Bombardier Challenger technicians has this eye-burning tool box.  Can you guess the gender of the owner?  She might be in the minority, but she's a hell of a technician, I'm told.  See, ladies?  You too can work in the fun and exciting world of Corporate Aviation Maintenance…}

So there you are.  As I said, if you've never been, you must make it a point to do so. 

Thanks for reading.  Be good to one another, and I bid you Peace.