At 9:15 AM we left our RV park in Cortez and made quick stop for fuel before heading out on the road. Fuel prices were about the same as yesterday, If we fill up more often, maybe we won’t feel the pain!
We drove the scenic route today! Starting at Cortez, highway 145 begins to climb gently into the scrub covered San Juan foothills along the Delores River. We drove through the small towns of Delores, Stoner, and Ophir.
The highway, follows the wooded Upper Dolores River valley and gains height steadily while steep, rocky mountains of increasing height rise at either side. We began to see the snow capped Mountains near Telluride.
click on photo to start slideshow
After passing Telluride, we drove along the San Miguel River, through scenic red rock rimmed San Miguel Canyon…it was reminiscent of Sedona, AZ.
click on photo to start slideshow
We drove up the long, curving Norwood Hill to Norwood, a ranching community. We continue on Highway 145 through Redvale and Naturita. At this point, the highway changed to Highway 141, known as the Unaweap Tabegauche Scenic and Historic Byway. Scenic is an understatement. We traveled this road in 2018 and it is still one of the most scenic highways we have ever driven!! It was an unforgettable 133 mile journey through canyons, plateaus, and mountains.
Since we have driven this road before, we knew that we wanted to stop at the Hanging Flume point of Interest. It is a 7 mile long wooden waterway attached to the side of the canyon hanging 150 feet over the river. The project was completed in 1891 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is so amazing to view this structure!
click on photo to start slideshow
We were still very impressed and surprised at every turn on the Scenic Byway all the way to Grand Junction, CO.
We checked into the KOA Holiday in Grand Junction for 2 nights.
Tomorrow- sightseeing the Grand Junction Area