2023-09-17

Jeeps, Dinosaurs and North Pole : 2023-09

Kim and I took our (my) second Jeep trip together and it was to a different location - Moab was the first trip and this was to Montrose. It was a great trip and good weather. There were some minor Jeep issues, but we were able to meet another friend who was a huge help. We also stopped at the Dinosaur Resource Center (Woodland Park) and the North Pole on the way back - those were great additions to the trip!

We had beautiful weather...this is was before the shade rolled in. It was even more glorious when it did!

The person we met (a friend of K's dad) let me drive his CAT. That was the first time I'd ever done it and they're as fun as they look. I didn't know this guy was with me the entire time. He even stayed after I parked. Or I guess it'd be "she" even stayed after I parked. Praying Mantes are amazing.

Since we had Jeep issues, we were able to drive over to Ouray CO - the Switzerland of America. It is a beautiful town and location for sure. On the way over, we saw this giant flag in the middle of a farmer's field. Pretty cool. K and I went a bit further on the Million Dollar Highway which goes between Silverton and Ouray. It's relating to the cost, but the views are million dollar. The panoramic (upper right) is the first place we stopped.

We also stopped and climbed down a waterfall. It was beautiful. Some artistic shots and Kimberly disappearing into the mountains.

Some great shots of my sweetheart and God's glory.

The required Jeep Team/family photo. They have great Jeeps which makes it fun.

Some excellent fossils and reconstructions at the Dinosaur Resource Center.


These were also very cool. Sea creatures are impressive...it's like
some of them have been here the entire time.

Outside the center. We'd seen it several times and it was good to stop.
We set a price limit before we went in...we said $15 or no deal.  It was $12!

Now on to the most surreal stop of our journey.  Colorado's North Pole. It was another "see all the time, but never go" place.  I'm glad we did. I was surreal and in some ways a bit scary.  Eerie might be a better word, but you could film a scary movie there.  I think what added to the eeriness of it was it wasn't very full.  Kimberly in a 'funny' mirror, the classic Christmas tree from the 60s and the eternally frozen North Pole. Below the scary elf is a pillar of ice.

Things like this singing robot helped keep the scary mood. The train was normal - small, but normal.
Of course we rode it!  Trains are a must-do.

Great pictures of Kimberly. On the train (got that hat at a Montrose garage sale for $1). On the Ferris Wheel which went faster than expected. For $20 you can get four tickets which can be used on four different things.  We chose the train and the wheel. The wheel operator said we could come back as much as we wanted but we ran out of time. That was nice of him. And the photo for our Christmas card sitting on a Christmas polar bear.

These two spots really added to the scary movie motif. The magic show (was free) was in a dark place. It was good and he got the kids involved, but if I was a kid, I'm not sure I'd stay in there. On the right is Santa waving from his house. Neither of us thought it'd be a good idea to go in.  Another epic trip thanks to Kimberly!

 
Two signs I wanted to capture. On the left in a Jimmy Johns bathroom and the other in a Montrose bathroom. I thought the yellow sticker was one of the best bathroom signs I've seen.

- mm -

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