Monday, May 25, 2009

Colorado and more...

So after few days spent in quality time with my baby I drove from Flagstaff, AZ to Grand Junction, CO. It seems to be an annual pilgrimage by now. Three years in a row. Instead of the Monument Valley route this time I went through Cortez, a little minute town called Stoner, of course and Tulleride. This stretch of Colorado has the most deep dark Burgundy color rocks that were intensified by the new green leaves on the trees and ground. The aspens are so thick at times. I had never seen anything like that. If I go in this area again I would add Durango and try to spend some time to explore those mountains.
Anyway after about 10 hours Grand Junction appeared and Nancy was waiting patiently for my arrival and with a glass of wine on her new redone patio it was all I needed to feel at home. The next few days went really quickly. Nancy is the perfect hostess and showed me beautiful areas of her new adoptive State. We went to the Grand Mesa were the snow and the ice on the lakes are still present and the leaves are still in buds. We passed by Cedaredge a really cute town on the other side of the Grand Mesa and then Eckert where we tasted some wine at the Surface Creek Winery and Vineyards where Jim Durr (the owner) changed my mind by introducing me to his Syrah and his Riesling. He and his wife Jeanne have found a "recipe" that left out what I don't like in those two varietals (that is what I think that is). We went to Paonia a very rural village that progress has not affected. Because the wineries of the area were planning to open on memorial day we ended up tasting in a little place that advertised "Organic food and yarns"... Pretty fun little place where we had lunch on their porch due to a downpour. It was all delightful. We also hiked in the Colorado National Monument one late afternoon and encountered so many wonders. There was also that incredible Desert Yetisound (maybe a mythical creature, a blend of a frog, a grouse and a goat!!!! You know???!!!) that came from one hill it was so loud and scary. We were in search of a waterfall but found a little pool and abandoned our search when dusk came and we still had a bit of walk to do to get to the car. The evening was beautiful.

Another hike in the red rocks took us to a long loop where the heat of midday and the altitude almost did me in, but what a glorious experience. Breath taking... literally. ahahha. I took way too many pictures of twisted trees and stained red rocks but love every single shot. I love the luxury that a digital camera gives me. I have become the most greedy sight catcher in the World. My daughter is afraid of me showing her any of my pictures due to the lengthy event that it could be. ahahah.
I got to meet Nancy's quilter friends from the Aqua group. They were so fun and inviting that I joined right on the spot and I am now an Aqua member from afar. Love it! They are a group of very talented women and the energy is palpable in that group. They are making things happen. So I will try to make them proud. Here are is a bad picture of some of their fabulous exhibited quilts "Aquafer". Nancy made a demonstation on textile collage with muslin as a base and adding silk, fabric, paper with a glue like medium. It was really interesting and I might try that technique.
We also enjoyed a stroll on Main Street in Grand Junction where the statues are fun and some change from year to year.
We had great food (one night prepared by Craig and LeeAnna) and great wine to talk over and time passed quickly.
My route back to Flagstaff was by Gateway. Another incredible valley. It is to me a Valley of the Giant's Gate. You can picture yourself in a Lord of the Ring movie traveling between those humongous sheer dark red mountains cliffs on either side of the road. I wanted to sing of happiness all the way through my heart was so big and full of wonder.

Back in Flagstaff I had few more fun hikes with Emily and more fun conversations to keep me warm with memories in the future.
I am now back in Eagle River where my Studio is calling me and where I want to be locked up with my ideas. So back to work...

5 comments:

Beena said...

Wow! So many great pics of landscape, statues, and more! Thanks for sharing all these.

Nancy said...

Thanks for visiting me in Grand Junction, Roxane! It is an annual event, I hope! See you soon! Hey...it's actually like summer here! Yea!!

Nancy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Margaret said...

Just so beautiful, Roxane. Glad you had a great time.

PS - the book is now on its way to you. I hope it arrives safely soon.

Deb Hardman said...

Incredible pictures & poetic words Roxane! I especially love the reflection of the red rocks in the little pool. It almost gives me vertigo looking at it close up!