Palisade Section of Colorado Riverfront Trails

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The Palisade-Riverbend Park Section of the Riverfront Trail can be accessed at 36 1/4 Rd. just south of the Grand Valley Canal. There is a small parking lot with this sign next to the path entrance.

Although it is a relatively short section, it features wonderful views of Mt. Garfield, the Bookcliffs, and the Grand Mesa. I also regularly see different birds on this portion of the trail than on the others. Yesterday I saw American goldfinches, several types of water birds, and possibly a western tanager.

You can stop at Riverbend Park on your way into Palisade, but just be sure to keep your horses off that lawn! Relax in the shade, listen to the sounds of the river and the birds before continuing.

As of June 29th the drinking fountain did not work. There is water from the sinks in the restrooms, but I have no idea what the source of that water is. It would be a good place to refill water bottles if that water is potable. I'll have to check on that.

So far, the only place that I've found along the Riverside Trails where water bottles can be filled (other than gas stations and grocery stores) is Riverside Park just south of the intersection of West Avenue and Broadway. This is a nice place to relax for a few minutes before continuing, especially if you're planning to ride the entire trail.

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South Camp Road from Monument Road

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I really enjoy the scenery along South Camp Road in Grand Junction, so much so that I usually ride it twice (out and back), rather than just return to town on Monument Road. 

I usually start at the Blue Heron Section of the Colorado River Trail, follow that onto Redlands Parkway, then take South Broadway to South Camp Road. When I arrive at Monument Avenue, I turn around and head back towards the Connected Lakes portion of the river trail via South Rim Drive. 

I follow the Connected Lakes path which joins the Audubon Section at some point and then winds up at the Albertson's shopping center near the intersection of Broadway and Dike Road. From here, if I still feel like riding I can continue heading southeast on the Riverside Section, and then on towards Corn Lake and Palisade. 

Right now there are some sections closed and impassable because of flooding and washed out bits of the trails. There are other places that are marked as dangerous, but which are still able to be navigated. There are always new sights to be seen, and I spot something new on every trip.

Today I saw a snake, a few lizards, some cottontail rabbits, a bunch of quail, lots of desert grasshoppers, dragonflies, swallowtail butterflies and a black headed grosbeak.

Here are some pics from South Camp Road this afternoon:

Looking east from intersection South Camp and Monument Roads.
Mt. Garfield, the Bookcliffs and Grand Mesa visible in the distance.

The houses in this area have one of the best views in town.

The view from the bike path is not that bad either.

Desert Grasshopper - Perhaps a Least Desert Grasshopper?

 

"But it's a dry heat..."
Really, it didn't feel like 100 degrees.

Wingate Park is located next to the elementary school.
 The Monument is their backdrop.

Some folks were out enjoying a game of softball.

Gambel's Quail showed up just as I was leaving.

Turns out they were off to somewhere else as well.
(notice they're headed down "Quail Drive.")


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Flooded Areas of Grand Junction Riverfront Trails

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Pictures and videos of the Grand Junction Riverfront Trails
were taken on June 27th and 28th, 2011.

Sign near the vehicle entrance to Connected Lakes on Dike Road

if you're heading into the Audubon Section of the trail from the west.

Leave the bike path at this sign near the park entrance. 

Follow Dike Road back toward Broadway. 

Audubon Section is impassable by bike between vehicle entrance and the Albertson's parking lot trailhead (unless you're prepared to get very muddy and wet). If you get here, turn around and take Dike Road to get to the part of the trail you're looking for.

Short video of the wash out on Connected Lakes Section 

heading west from the South Rim Drive trail entrance.

Link to article in the GJ Sentinel describing location of the next two washed out areas.

If you're following the Blue Heron Section of the Riverfront Trail 

from Broadway towards Redlands Parkway, this area is now off limits. Follow the detour to continue on the trail.

The view as you approach from Broadway.

There is one more washed out area on Blue Heron section that the detour bypasses. It is not too far from the first washed out portion pictured above.

A short video of the above section with a view of river.

Link to pics/video of flooding near 5th Street Bridge early June.

Heading out towards Palisade on the Riverside Trail, riders will find the trail completely washed out east of 32 Road (opposite the entrance to Corn Lake) as it approaches Clifton Nature Park. Riders can access the trail off of D Road between 32 and 32 1/2 Roads. Continue along the river to 33 1/2 Road. From this point riders can use county roads to get to 36 1/4 Road and Grand Valley Canal Road, where the Palisade Section of the Riverside Trail continues to Riverbend Park into the town of Palisade.

Another view of the washout east of 32 Road.
Probably don't need dog bags here for now.

If you find yourself at this point in a canoe, "please stay on trail."

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Blue Heron Section of Colorado River Trail

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This section of the trail in Grand Junction lived up to its name today.

The scene above reminded me of many wonderful days spent 

canoeing near Yuma on the river over 20 years ago.

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Farm Animals, Green Fields and Memories

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On my bike rides here lately, I've been seeing a lot of farm animals and country fields. The earthy smell of hay and farm animals (and manure) always take me back to my aunt's place near Somerton, AZ in the late 70's, long before I had ever been to a big city that I could remember, and before I had the opportunity to spend weeks worth of Saturdays in so many fields of every crop under the sun with Doc Tuttle and the 4-H kids, sweeping for insects with our sturdily constructed insect nets and our ever-present cyanide jars (a completely insane accessory from any modern parent's point of view). Her neighbors had a bull that we kids enjoyed being frightened of. 

The smell of green, and of irrigation, the sound of roosters crowing before the sun came up, us children running through the alfalfa and getting green stains on our jeans... Back then, I liked my aunt's place because she usually had the super-sweet, sugary cereals in her cupboards that we didn't often eat at home. The enthusiasm and energy with which she greeted us during our visits always made our time there memorable and fun. Nowadays I remember the solitude of the county, the natural sounds and smells, and the coolness of irrigated fields.

I thought a lot about those early visits to the country today as I was riding on C 1/2 Road in Grand Junction. I saw some horses and about a dozen cows. It was the smell of riding through that area that took me right back, as if no time had passed at all. It felt as if only yesterday I was walking alongside a dirt road, picking out a stem of grass to chew on while watching the neighbors' bull through the fence with a healthy respect and fascination. A dog came running towards me from farther up the road; at first I was worried that it was going to come after me. Once it was clear that the dog posed no threat, I thought about the pair of dogs that shared our lives back in the late 70's, Simon and Sheb, who were brothers. My family had Sheb (for a while) and my aunt had Simon. I'm not sure if we had these dogs when my aunt lived in Somerton or a bit later, but they were a couple of fun dogs in any case. Those were fun days.

 

The dog that was running straight towards me for a few seconds.

Eventually he turned around and went home.

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Grand Junction Garden in June

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After a rocky start, our garden seems to be doing quite well. We discovered some small squash, peppers, and tomatoes this morning. Here are some pictures.

Zucchini Gold

Chocolate Beauty Peppers

Tomato Flowers

Roma Tomatoes

The squash / cucumber bed.

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View of Mt. Garfield and Bookcliffs from Grand Junction

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It was a bright and sunny day in Grand Junction today. We went to the Connected Lakes, where some areas are still flooded. We took Hannah (the black lab mix), who took it upon herself to hop out of the water after about 5 seconds and go running down the street back towards town. Looks like it's time to buy some meaty treats and do some more work on the "come" command with her. Onto a completely different topic: one thing that I love about Grand Junction is the wonderful view from all sides: Mt. Garfield, the Bookcliffs and the Grand Mesa to the north and east, and the Monument towards the west. One or another of these landmarks is usually visible from most locations around town.

Left click on the photo below twice to see it full size.

Mt. Garfield and the Bookcliffs from Broadway in Grand Junction.
Only a small portion of the original picture is shown above. 
Click on it to view the entire scene. 

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River Trail Afternoon

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Today I tried out a "new to me" section of the riverside bike trail in Grand Junction. This is the section between the 5th Street Bridge and 29 Road. From there, the entrance to the Corn Lakes Section was blocked off, presumably due to continued flooding. Some pics:

Left click on photos to enlarge them. Click a second time to view full size.

Mt. Garfield and Grand Mesa from just east of the botanical gardens.
Only a small portion of the original can be seen above.
Click on the picture to see the whole scene.

I see a Thunderbird flying upwards on the face of the Grand Mesa.

The Botanical Gardens features an unlikely assortment of curiosities.

Westward toward the 5th Street Bridge and the Monument.

Seen on C 1/4 Road

I liked this scene. 

It looked as if someone might be living
in the little house between the trees.

Apparently, I'm not the only fan of water beetles.

A map of this section of the trail from TommorowHillFarm.com

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Surreal Day - By mrm - June 22nd 2011

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Surreal day. 

So real.

Alarm ignored then heeded 

15 minutes later

Coffee with powdered creamer

(almost out of milk).

The car that ran that red light as we left the gym...

What were they thinking?

And the ones in the truck that flipped over...

How about them?

The girl has decided that she's worth more

than the worthless whims of some man-whore,

even though he's cute and she likes him.

She needs milk. 

"He's a good kisser."

Between bites

of Peanut Butter Panda Puffs.

"Love Me Do"

played to blues riffs on two guitars,

one hand steady from years of play

the other, not so sure, but surely on its way.

The Donner Party cannibalized my afternoon,

completely unaware 

the vegetarian enchiladas would be done soon.
Who knew that the dogs would like that ball so much more
wrapped in a sock?!

Then the time came and went

when I would see my love again.

A rampaging teen emerged

banging on walls, climbing on cars, creating superficial scars

on her skin.
Deeper were the wounded hearts 

of those who were watching her,
helpless,
but trying
to help.
Glass of milk before bedtime.
Plenty enough here
for coffee tomorrow.

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Sunday Links June 19th, 2011

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200 Year Old Condoms?  

An article about a pair of condoms from the early 1800's found between the pages of an old accounting book. 

Inspirational Story

I'm not the kind of person who is interested at all in the Miss America competition. That said, I did find this story about how the 2011 Miss Alabama survived a horrific car accident to return to the competion to be an inspiring one.


Whole Foods Parking Lot

Do you have a Whole Foods in your town? When I watch this, it just brings back memories of the one that I frequented in Monterey: Getting Real In the Whole Foods Parking Lot. I'm not saying that it's not corny and cheesy, but I'm corny and cheesy, so I enjoyed it.


Bobcats on the loose!

I like bobcats and have always felt lucky when I spot one in the wild. So naturally I enjoyed this newsclip about a woman who has a family of bobcats living in the front yard. Thanks to my aunt Sandy for posting this clip.


Movie of the Week:

This weekend Rachael and I watched "Which Way Home," about child immigrants who, for many different reasons, try to make their way from South and Central America into the United States. The movie allows the viewers to get to know the children well and to follow their individual journeys. It tells its story well and left me feeling sad for the children who fight against harrowing obstacles and against all odds to find a better life and often, their parents who left them behind when they made the trip to the U.S. themselves.



This American Life - Father's Day Edition:
 

This American Life is one of my favorite programs. This week's Father's Day episode was an especially poignant one. It approaches the subject of fatherhood from many different angles. A program that may inspire a few tears, a few smiles, and some head shaking.


Fukushima is "much worse than you think."

Al Jazeera published this article on the Fukushima disaster. It states that scientists believe that the catastrophe is far worse than governments worldwide are letting on.  A quote from the article:

"According to Gundersen, the exposed reactors and fuel cores are continuing to release microns of caesium, strontium, and plutonium isotopes. These are referred to as 'hot particles'. 'We are discovering hot particles everywhere in Japan, even in Tokyo,' he said. 'Scientists are finding these everywhere. Over the last 90 days these hot particles have continued to fall and are being deposited in high concentrations. A lot of people are picking these up in car engine air filters.' Radioactive air filters from cars in Fukushima prefecture and Tokyo are now common, and Gundersen says his sources are finding radioactive air filters in the greater Seattle area of the US as well."

Scary stuff.

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New Vision

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Seven years ago I completed the vision fast that helped convince me to break from what had become the stale tradition of my life. I envisioned change, or at least the potential for it. I could see through the haze of habit to a not-so-distant place where it was possible to be completely authentic, totally me. Seven years for completion... here I am. Had I known in advance all the places my intuition would lead me, I might have chosen not to follow through that muck. As it turns out, my intuition was right all along.

So where to now? What shall I create? The dogma of the systems which run the world seem pretty fucked up. Modern society, in its current form, does not appear to have the tools or the backbone get it right. Why should I listen to any of the messages from the government, the media, or other people who are just as lost in this whole game as I am? It's all different shades of the same bullshit. So much of what we take for granted as truth and reality is just an illusion, a corporate conglomerate headquarters full of smoke and mirrors. I'm not interested in being just another part of the mirage. Might as well be real. Time to start from scratch and create the me that comes from the heart.

What's next Universe? I'm ready.

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Moonset, Sunrise at Walker State Wildlife Area

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(Left click on pictures to see them larger. Click a second time to see them full size.)

I woke up at 5:30am to go for a run. I noticed the moon setting over the Monument and decided that going to get some pictures at Walker State Wildlife Area would be this morning's worthy diversion.

My favorite pic of the moon setting over the Monument.

And then the moon was gone.

I turned eastward to see this beautiful sunrise over the Bookcliffs. 

Peaceful Thursday morning on the Colorado River.

Raccoon tracks reminded me of a book I loved in first grade
titled "The Raccoon and Mrs. McGinnis."

The Monument began to glow a bit in the morning sunlight.

Soon it was radiating warmth and subtle Colorado River hues.

Time to head back towards home and my morning run.

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