Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Accidental Road Trip Detour to Colorado National Monument

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Hwy 70, Colorado
Exactly 2 years ago, we were on this road on our way to Utah from Colorado. However, when we were at Grand Junction, the bridge at Hwy 70 that connects Utah and Colorado was suspected to collapse. As a result, we were asked to take a detour. Instead of continuing on Hwy 70, we were asked to take Hwy 340 until it meets Hwy 70 again past the problematic bridge. Somewhere on Hwy 340, the sun glittered on rocks, and instead on continuing on Hwy 340, we followed the call of the sun. We thought, after a detour, it won't hurt us if we will take another detour. At that point, we did not know anymore where we were going, all we know was, we will try to find out what is in there, for maybe, there was an accidental reason why we were asked to take detour. Serendipity!
Colorado National Monument, Grand Junction, Colorado
From an uncertainty, we ended up entering Colorado National Monument, and was greeted with a simply magnificent scenery. We pulled over, sat on the cliff overlooking the vastness of the valley right before our eyes, and contemplated with the thought, "shall we explore this place further, or shall me move now to Arches National Park in Moab, Utah?" Before we could answer "yes" or "no" to our question, we had to consult our GPS if how long the drive from the place we were sitting to Moab, and since it would only take us less than 2 hours to Moab, we decided to explore this place first that serendipity has made us discover.
As it turned out, we have learned that the Colorado National Monument preserves one of the great landscapes of the American West. The park offers different natural treasure surprises such as sheer walled canyons, towering monoliths and colorful formations. There are various activities within the park, which includes biking, hiking, backpacking, camping, and horseback riding.
Having not enough time to fully explore the park, because we already have made reservations in Utah and no more time to cancel or move the date, we chose to do the short hikes in the park instead, which were:

1. Window Rock Trail - a total of 0.5 mile walk roundtrip. The window rock trail is a level loop trail through pinyon-juniper woodland to overlook with monuments and wedding canyons (weddings have been held here),




and most of their rock formations including the Independece Monument.





Independence Monument 
2. Canyon Rim - 1 mile round trip. The canyon rim trail is a level trail following the cliff edge above colorful wedding canyons.




3. Coke Ovens Trail - 1 mile hike round trip. The Coke Ovens trail descends gradually to overlook above the massive rounded Coke Ovens.



Coke Ovens 
You can just take a look at them, and marvel at how nature formed these rocks.




" Most monuments are made by people, but the monoliths here were crafted by nature through differential erosion. Rocks erode at different rates. Soft rocks, like the sandstones that form the canyon walls wear away quickly. Harder rocks, like the one that caps the mesas erode slowly. Fractures are prone to decay. Most of the rocks that once filled the canyons have been dissolved and carried away by streams. But the hard capstones have protected them like roof, as exemplified by the Coke Ovens and Independence Monument. " - Colorado National Monument  

Sometimes, we do have to take detour in our lives, we may not know where the detour may lead us, but we trust there is a reason why we have to. A beautiful reason! Just like the reason why we had to take detour to discover the Colorado National Monument.
♥♥
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31 comments:

  1. The vastness of the valley and the beautiful scenery simply added joy to your life though it started from an uncertainty.

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  2. Such magnificent views! Your pictures bring them closer to me..Fantastic photos Betchai..

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  3. Yes to Serendipity.
    It looks like these short hikes were totally worth it for the photos you took.

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  4. I love where your detour led you. Those monoliths and coke ovens are delightful!

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  5. All I can say is that the place is so awesome! :D I wish I could be there too.

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  6. Anyway I just wanna let you know that I am following and I have just added you to my blog. :D

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  7. What a pleasant surprise you encountered. Simply awesome views. I guess detours are not a bad thing.

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  8. Know it well! And between this near desolation and Grand Junction along the same road is a very desolate place, It is as you get out of the canyon. I will see if I can get pictures. It is unbelievable.

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  9. This is the kind of accidental detour that makes things all worthwhile. A surprise like this can only happen if you have an adventurous heart.

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  10. awesome scenery, beth! aren't you glad for that detour!!

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  11. what a nice view! simply beautiful! maybe someday I have to make a trip there. Fantastic, Betchai!

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  12. My husband lived in Colorado, for a couple of years, with friends. He said it was amazingly beautiful. The Broncos did not appreciate him showing up Steelers attire though LOL.

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  13. These are beautiful:)
    http://www.homesteadblogger.com/SweetSouthernLife/

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  14. Beautiful:)
    http://www.homesteadblogger.com/SweetSouthernLife/

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  15. It was a pleasure to view this through your lens. i hd to check dictionry.com for the word 'Serendipity' :)

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  16. Hi Bets, if you are stopping by LA in your next trip (picking up your cousin maybe?) May be we can do the adventure together? Thanksgiving long weekend and extra days would be great! Your thoughts?

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  17. Good thing you took a detour! Splendid views! The rock formations look like they've been sculptured by God himself. How magnificent!

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  18. These rock formations remind of the pancake rocks (layers and layers of rocks like stacked pancakes) in Greymouth NZ.

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  19. The symmetry and colors are just stunning. I love the coke ovens. Such wonderful views. I am in awe of these photos.

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  20. That's a sweet reward for being lost somewhere, what a great view! I won't mind having a "serendipity" like that =)

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  21. Magnificient view.

    I was at Colorado last year. And I did not go there. =(

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  22. What a pleasant surprise you encountered. Simply awesome views. I guess detours are not a bad thing....Thanks......

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  23. Good thing you took a detour! Splendid views! The rock formations look like they've been sculptured by God himself...Thanks....

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  24. The symmetry and colors are just stunning. I love the coke ovens. Such wonderful views. I am in awe of these photos.Thanks....

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  25. That's a sweet reward for being lost somewhere, what a great view! I won't mind having...Thanks....

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  26. Anyway I just wanna let you know that I am following and I have just added you to my blog...Thanks.........

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  27. Well, a great detour detour. There are some very beautiful places just out of no where...wonderful that you were able to take time to investigate.

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  28. The rocks are lovely shades of orange yellow. They are photogenic. smiles.

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  29. serendipity indeed Beth. such a mind-boggling nature's art.

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  30. Those rock formations are so grandiose! What a beautiful detour that was Betchai ♥

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THANK YOU SO MUCH!!