Glenwood Springs to Grand Junction, CO
90 Miles
A spectacular day. Blue skies, puffs of clouds, 70’s. This is what I’m talking about. When I stood atop the Continental Divide on Loveland Pass, I was at the highest point on US Route 6 at roughly 12,000 feet above sea level. Since then, I’ve been descending, which makes all the difference in air temps. Frisco was at 9,000 feet, Glenwood Springs is 5,763.
From the Red Mountain Inn, Route 6 continues West and does appear to keep going, even past the ramp onto I70W. But I was told that Highway 6 is closed a few miles up the road, so I jumped onto the Interstate and got off again at Exit 105. There’s no Route 6 sign at the exit (Colorado, HELL-O!), but as you as you get off, you’ll see the comforting number right away.
Here, where Route 6 parallels I70, I began to see red clay mountains. It was so cool to be driving slowly, on this “feeder” road, watching all trucks on 70 riding up the bumpers of smaller cars.
Miner's Claim Restaurant Silt, CO |
I had planned to stop in the next town of Silt – it is what its name implies. Silt looks like a typical old Western movie set; and in this case all the “actors” were still sleeping apparently. The ghost-town-like Silt Historical Park behind a chain link fence opened only at Noon. It was 10am, and I saw no evidence of life, so I drove back to Main St. to see if the heralded Miner’s Claim Restaurant was open. Nope – opened for dinner at 5PM, though I did feel a bit sorry that I couldn’t experience a meal there. It looked pretty funky.
I drove through the dusty town of Rifle (fortunately, did not see one firearm) before the road merged right back onto I70. Then it was on to Parachute, where I next checked elevation; 5,000 ft. Yep, I was parachuting down all right.
Noodle Bowl Dish Red Rose Cafe, Palisade, CO |
I didn’t want to begin my afternoon of wine tasting on an empty stomach, and had heard about the Red Rose CafĂ© in Palisade, so I turned right off of Route 6 into a one-road downtown. The Red Rose features an eclectic menu; Italian, American, and inexplicably, Vietnamese. I soon learned that Rose is Vietnamese and she and her husband, Tom Casabona are chef/owners. My Rice Bowl was excellent (of course, I had to order Vietnamese!), and I saved my wine appetite for the tasting rooms ahead.
Lavender Lady And Friends Palisade, CO |
Palisade, CO Known for Peaches and Other Fruit |
St. Katherine Winery Tasting Room Palisade, CO |
Talon and St. Katherine are closest to I70, with bus-group-sized tasting rooms side by side. Ever since the Carbone Family planted vines in the desert of Colorado in 1933, good wines have come out of this region. Talon offers a more traditional, drier wine while St. Katherine is known for its sweeter fruit varieties.
Meadery of the Rockies Palisade, CO |
The tasting room at Plum Creek was one of the most attractive in the area; like the interior of a expensive chateaux. Plum Creek has won awards for its Meritage, Rose and Rieslings.
Plum Creek Winery Tasting Room Palisade, CO |
Maison La Belle Vie Winery Palisade, CO |
Maison La Belle Vie Winery Palisade, CO |
Garfield Estates converted haybarn Tasting room, Palisade, CO |
Graystone Vineyards Tasting Room Palisade, CO |
I didn’t have to get back onto I70 to get to my next stop: Grand Junction. Route 6 crosses I70 into Clifton, then tags along with 70Bus through a commercial, big box strip (Hooters, Texas Roadhouse and the like) on the approach into town. Fortunately, Main Street is far more aesthetic and charming than the highway, and also fortunately, that’s where I chose to eat and to stay the night.
Kids At Water Play on Main St. Grand Junction, CO |
Art on Main St. Grand Junction, CO |
Le Rouge Restaurant Grand Junction, CO |
Bin 707 Foodbar Grand Junction, CO |
Watermelon-Gazpacho Soup Bin 707 Foodbar Grand Junction, CO |
Perfect Skinny Fries Bin 707 Foodbar Grand Junction, CO |
"Managers Wine and Cheese Reception Area" Main Street Suites Grand Junction, CO |
Main Street Suites Grand Junction, CO |
Nice article.
ReplyDeleteIf you left the camera looking out the passenger (or driver) side of the car, rather than out the front window, there would be more scenery and less road in the shot.