Palisade, CO

July 30-Aug 2, 2024

Today we drove 65 miles from Olathe to Palisade, CO. Our driving days are getting shorter! We arrived at the Palisade Basecamp RV Park a few minutes before our 1PM checkin-in. We were assigned to a premium back-in site. Backing-in is not usually a problem for Ken, except when there are parked vehicles too close to the site. We managed to get situated without too much trouble. We will wait and see how easy it will be to get out!

On our 2nd day in Palisade, we drove 17 miles to the Colorado National Monument. Once again we were able to use our National Park Pass.

In the park, we drove the 23 mile Rim Rock Drive, known as one of the most scenic drives in the American West. Along the drive, we stopped at several pull-outs to view the towering rock sculptures and deep canyon. The park was just as amazingly beautiful and quiet as when we visited in 2014.

Ride along with us on the Rim Rock Drive! (slideshow – click on the arrows)

After the beautiful drive, we stopped at a local farm stand to purchase PEACHES! The smell was wonderful!

Today, Thursday, we followed the Palisade Fruit and Wine Byway through orchard country.

Palisade is in a “fruit-growing region” along the Colorado River. The region is well known for its Peaches. Apples, Apricots, Cherries, and Plums. As we drove along on the Fruit and Wine Byway, we passed many roadside fruit stands. Almost all of them were open for business!

Vineyards flourish in this region and Palisade is home to several Wineries. The wineries produce grape wines and wine made from other fruit. We did not visit any wineries on this trip…our home wine fridge is full!

Our campground, Palisade Basecamp was located on the Colorado River. We walked to the river where we found folks enjoying the sunshine and swimming in the river. They said it was refreshing!