9/14/13

Plan B 2.0

This morning we are leaving Breckenridge, CO, and heading to Utah. It seems out Colorado trip has turned into a Utah trip. Utah is a beautiful state and there is plenty to see. We'll start by heading to Moab. We've decided to scratch Black Canyon of the Gunnison from our list of destinations. The weather report just doesn't look good to us.

We've visited Moab before, and had a marvelous time. Using Moab as our home base, we'll be visiting Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. Here is an image from a previous visit to Canyonlands.


We've always said we'd like to return. From there we will head south to Capitol Reef National Park, one of Mike's favorites. Here's an image of a Claret Cup cactus from a previous visit.


After that, we'll drive through the beautiful landscape of the Grand Staircase Escalante (GSE). GSE has some of the most breath-taking scenery I've ever seen in my life, and so I'm happy to be driving through that region again. After that, we'll be back on course, visiting Zion National Park and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.

Having shaved so much time off of our vacation with this rerouting, we should have plenty of time to enjoy all of these destinations.

Before I finish off today, I want to update you on the situation in Estes Park. Had we stayed one more day, we would have been stranded because the national park closed the day after we left. I'm including a link from our hometown newspaper, The Oregonian, that includes a picture essay of some of the flooded areas. Pay particular attention to images #16-17. That is the road we used to drive into Estes Park, and it is also the road we wanted to take when we left. It looks as if that road will be out of commission for weeks. We are obviously VERY glad we left when we did.

So today is another drive over the Interstate, I-70 to be precise. First we'll be stopping off for groceries, and then we'll be on our way. More later.

18 comments:

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said...

Safe travels!

Sheila said...

Glad you got out of there when you did. The images from your hometown newspaper are devastating. When you see it on the nightly news, you see the, but for a split second, not enough time to take it all in. Be safe.

Lyndsey said...

Stay safe.

Junebug613 said...

Apparently, mother nature wanted you to return to Utah. Glad you are safe and can still see places you enjoy.

Snoodles said...

Saw on the news the flooding you escaped...whew! Glad you are outa there! Love all the photos...hoping for sunshine for you!

Lourdes said...

Sorry you missed the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. On a sunny day it is an awesome place to visit! I live about 15 miles from it. Hopefully you can make it back another time. Safe travels!!

Brown Family said...

I hope you have a good time for the rest of your vacation!

Tami C said...

Thanks for including the link from your hometown newspaper. They included some really impressive pictures. I'm so glad you didn't get stranded there! It sure looks like you are going to have some beautiful pictures to show off. Safe travels!

Lynne said...

I was stranded in the NSW town of Moree in November 2011 due to flooding because my mum, who had just had cataract surgery that morning, wouldn't leave. It was several days before we got out by a different route. Last year when we returned to Moree for the second cataract operation, I told her if it started raining we were leaving immediately and, not surprisingly, she agreed.

I'm glad you got out in time and safely.

quiltzyx said...

Looks like you're in for some spectacular scenery in Utah! Hopefully the grocery shopping was relatively painless. :D

Dana Gaffney said...

Looking at these pictures makes me think that's where I would go anyway, beautiful and dramatic.

Karen said...

Ok, I am so ready to hop into our truck and head west!!!.....your trip is wonderful...not the bad flooding in Colorado....we almost moved to Longmont area a few years ago...we have lived in Oregon and Calif and Texas...so the wild west owns us! Be Safe!!

LethargicLass said...

I am so glad you two are safe... how horrible for all the people who have lost their homes...

Kathy Felsted Usher said...

When you look at this photos it's hard to imagine the destruction and what these people are going through. When I lived with my parents we were supposed to take a family vacation to Loveland Co (I believe) and just before we went there was a devastating flood that must have been similar to this or worse. Those poor people and animals.

Dar said...

Thanks for the update on your travels. I'm thankful that you two and Smitty and Gracie are out of Mother Nature's dangerous waters and headed to higher ground. Have fun in Utah.

Babbellotta said...

when looking at these pictures... i remember the news from a few days agao... flooding in Amerika! yes i live in the Netherlands and they covvered this flooding in the news! That is how big this is... i am glad you peeps got out safe and on time before anything bad happend... take care and try to enjoy your plan B 2.0

hugs from the Netherlands
Winda

Kate said...

That photo journal from Colorado is very sobering. Glad you decided to leave when you did. Stay Safe.

Kate said...

That photo journal from Colorado is very sobering. Glad you decided to leave when you did. Stay Safe.