Crag’s Crest Trail

While staying in Grand Junction, we took the opportunity to drive up to the Grand Mesa National Forest and hike a national recreation trail, Crag’s Crest. We left our airbnb at 7 a.m., taking Interstate 70 east and then climbed steeply up CO-65 North for 33 miles. On the way, we stopped to let three big horn sheep cross the road directly in front of us.

We started hiking at about 8:15 am. There was only one other car in the parking lot. The temperature was 33 degrees F., and there was a heavy overnight frost. Fall colors were just about peak.

Our first wildlife sighting was a grouse just off the trail.

The trail immediately started uphill. The views were amazing.

After about three miles, we found ourselves on a narrow exposed ridge. This was the most spectacular part of the hike. 

At one point, the trail thinned to one small rock to step on to get to the next part of the trail. Steep drop offs fell to either side. If I was a better blogger, I would have taken a photo here, but I was honestly so glad to get past that sketchy path forward that I was holding my breath and didn’t look back.

After a couple of miles of exposed ridge, the trail dropped below to some beautiful lakes.

The last five miles was a bit of a slog with a mixture of dry meadow and rocky trail through the trees. Callie found some excitement in nearby deer.

This was a loop hike and just over 11 miles with an elevation gain of 1548 feet. We topped out at a little over 11,000 feet.  Completion called for a well deserved cold beverage at Trail Life brewery in downtown Grand Junction.

Grand Valley

 We have arrived in Grand Junction, Colorado, which is on the Western Slope of the Rocky Mountains. The Grand Valley is below the Grand Mesa and the Colorado National Monument. It includes Grand Junction, Palisade to the east and Fruita to the north. 

Again, we spent all weekend checking out neighborhoods and going to open houses. We could afford a free-standing house here, but it would probably be an older, smaller one. The market for townhouses and condos is very limited. 

Getting boots on the ground is important. We both thought Fruita was too small before arriving, but after visiting, we like it a lot.

 Eclectic Fruita

We will keep our minds open, but Fort Collins is still the leading contender at this point. There is immense beauty up on the Grand Mesa.  The next post will be about our eleven mile hike today.

We will be in the area until Friday.

Kruger Rock

All of the neighborhood scouting and a weekend of open houses in Fort Collins/Loveland had us looking up into the mountains for a day hike. Dogs and Rocky Mountain National Park are not a friendly combination with the former banned, except for parking lots and roads. So we looked to Larimer County and found Hermit Park Open Space near Estes Park with dog-friendly trails. 

After paying the $10 for a 24 hour day pass, we drove up to about 8300 feet and parked at the trailhead. There was only one other car parked; we ran into only one other group on the way up to Kruger Rock.

It was a spectacular hiking day with temperatures in the sixties, sunny skies, changing fall colors, and excellent trail conditions. 

We gained about a thousand feet to reach the top. The final ascent included a short and narrow rock scramble.

After such a great hike, we felt like we had earned a beer. Unfortunately,  it was only 11:30 am when we finished up and drove into Estes Park. No problem! Not only was Rockcut Brewery open, but the bar was full by the time we finished our one beer. 

Rockcut Hazy IPA

Getting to Know You

We’ve spent several days exploring the Loveland and Fort Collins area. Basically, we look for residences in our price range and then walk the neighborhoods, seeing if it feels good to us. This afternoon, we went to half a dozen open houses to better understand the market. 

It’s been some work but also some fun. One night we went out for dinner with one of Julia’s optometry school classmates and her husband, Dave, a Fort Collins lawyer. They took us out for Mexican food and to some hole in the wall bars in Fort Collins’ Old Town.  A good time was had, but I frankly can’t keep up with Dan, who is a serious craft beer drinker. 

Before today’s open houses, Julia went to the weaving guild meeting in Loveland.  She said the people there were very friendly and welcoming. I found some advanced pickleball players to play with at one of the city parks in Loveland and ended up getting invited to play next week at one of their regular advanced groups that gets together. People talk about Midwest-nice, but we have found people to be very friendly in Northern Colorado.

After another round of open houses tomorrow, we will do some exploring in the mountains next week.

Taking a walk on the Big Thompson River trail

New Belgium Brewery beer garden

“Watching” at Bent Beech beer garden

Loveland and Fort Collins

Our first visit is to Loveland, Colorado, which is about an hour north of Denver. We like this area for a number of reasons:  better weather, beautiful mountains, great beer and pickleball scene, weaving community, close major airport, and friendly people. It ticks a lot of boxes.

On our first afternoon here, we kicked back at the outdoor beer garden of the Crooked Beech Brewing Company. Both of our beers were excellent. It was in the low 90’s for temperature but very comfortable with low humidity and no mosquitoes.

Hazy IPA and Milk Stout

Fall Comes Early to Wisconsin

During the last couple of days, I've been able to see my breath when I take Callie out for her early morning ritual at 6 a.m. Our apple trees had a good year,and we collected seven gallons of unpasteurized cider. 

This will be the last year of cider-making.  Julia called her step-brother to come get the cider press, as we plan to be downsized elsewhere this time next year.

We recently entertained daughter Allie for a week. One day we went to the Boneyard, which is a combination dog park and tavern. This dog took a liking to Julia--whether she liked it or not.

I think one of Allie’s favorite parts of her visit was a road trip to Amish country. 

We also managed a short hike.

Tomorrow, we head west.  We will begin by stopping off at my Mom's in Iowa.