Volume 33 Number 10 , October 27, 2009

Travel Excursion – Western Colorado
Dino digs, wineries, attractions intrigue visitors

By Patrice Raplee

Photos by © Patrice Raplee

A small boy stares up wide-eyed into the ferocious jaws of the Dilophosaurus. The carnivorous Dinosaur bares his teeth and spits forth a stream of colorless venom, as the boy jumps back with a squeal. Of course, it is a robotic dinosaur and much larger than the actual Dilophosaurus that lived during the early Jurassic period and the venom is only water. However, the boy is delighted to take part in the fun at Dinosaur Journey in Fruita, Colorado.

Fruita is located in northwestern Colorado and about 11 miles west of Grand Junction. Dinosaur Journey Museum is part of the Western Museum of Colorado, providing visitors with a fun and educational experience. The museum features incredible life-like robotic dinosaurs, dinosaur fossils, hands-on exhibits and a working fossil preparation laboratory; guests are able to watch the museum scientists at work. In addition, the museum offers an amazing program to participate in a dinosaur dig. Have you ever dreamed of working side-by-side with a paleontologist on a digging site to discover real dinosaur bones? If Jurassic dinosaurs thrill you or your family, then here is your chance to book an exciting paleontology expedition. The Dino Digs consists of one to five-day expeditions working with museum scientists to excavate dinosaur bones and locate dinosaur tracks from Colorado and Utah quarries. For one-day digs, guests are shuttled to Rabbit Valley along the Morrison Formation where they meet with experienced bone preparators at the Mygatt-Moore site. The site was discovered in 1981 and has been worked since 1984. Many Allosaurus and Apatosaurus (what most people know as a Brontosaurus), bones and fossils are found in this site; to date about 4000 have been excavated at Mygatt-Moore.

Paleontologist Dr. John Foster leads most of the expeditions at the Mygatt-Moore site and instructs guests on the correct tools and procedures for dinosaur bone excavation. Foster is a brilliant scientist and one of the top paleontologists in the world. He has published many books and presents all over the globe. National Geographic and the Discovery Channel regularly consult with him and he has appeared on their shows numerous times. Though Foster is highly esteemed, he is unassuming and fascinating. When guests work with Foster, he makes digging for dinosaur bones a great adventure!

The tools used for your Dino Dig are a paintbrush, screwdriver, small hammer, bucket and, oh yes, a hat and plenty of sunscreen. After tool procedure and careful instruction, guests work along side one of the scientists at a specific area on the site that is in the process of bone excavation. When you find a dinosaur bone or bone fragment that is millions of years old, it is quite exhilarating to realize that you are the first person ever to see it. Many individuals, couples and families often find bones and fragments. And, kids are absolutely giddy-happy to dig for dino bones, make discoveries, be allowed to get dirty in the name of science and take back home an exciting experience of a lifetime. The Museum of Western Colorado offers a variety of expeditions and accompanying hikes, such as the wonderful and educational Trail Through Time hike on BLM land (Bureau of Land Management) located adjacent to the Mygatt-Moore site. The interpretive trail hike leads visitors past visible dinosaur fossilized vertebras and bones embedded in the rock formations that were to fragile to excavate. The views along the hike are stunning and your guide will talk about the area’s geological formations and point out many fascinating features along the trail. For additional information on the Dinosaur Journey Museum and Dino Digs, visit www.museumofwesternco.com.

Northwestern, Colorado offers visitors a plethora of indoor and outdoor activities. The magnificent Colorado National Monument, located in Fruita, is a popular destination for its beautiful red canyons with 20,000 acres of arched windows, rock spires and natural monoliths. There are extensive opportunities for biking, horseback riding and hiking around the monument, as well as taking a leisurely drive and admiring the scenic vistas. Viewing points are located all along the monument roadways and they are perfect for exploring and photo opportunities. The shear scope of the spires and striated canyons is breath taking with views that extend for miles. Perhaps the most striking feature of the National Monument, aside from its beauty, is the quiet and solitude. It is a perfect place to relax or contemplate without the disruption of civilization or urban noise.

If you wish to learn more about the monument, participate in activities or obtain maps and guides, stop by the National Monument Visitor’s Center. For additional information, visit www.nps.gov/COLM/index.htm.

Colorado’s Palisade wineries are garnering a reputation for producing excellent wines. With over 18 wineries located in the Grand Valley and all of them completely different in variety production, theme and design, enthusiasts will be thrilled to tour the region. Two recommended wineries to visit are Two Rivers Winery & Chateau and Reeder Mesa. Two Rivers Winery & Chateau is located southwest of Grand Junction. The winery currently produces about seven different wines from luscious and full cabernet sauvignons (try the Chateau Deux Fleuves 2006) to merlot, chardonnay, Syrah and Riesling. Owners Bob and Billie Witham have created a comfortable yet elegant tasting room with an unpretentious air. They genuinely enjoy talking with their guests and encourage a relaxed tasting experience. The Withams also built a magnificent chateau reminiscent of a French country inn, next to the tasting room. It is a conference center and upscale guest inn that features 10 rooms adorned with fashionable décor and a fully catered gourmet kitchen. For additional information, visit www.tworiverswinery.com.

Reeder Mesa, located southeast of Grand Junction, is a family-owned winery residing in the foothills of a scenic large, flattop mountain, the Grand Mesa. Proprietors Doug and Kris Vogel offer a small and unassuming tasting room with exquisite scenery to gaze over while sipping their splendid, award-wining wines. The winery produces seven different wines and a respectable ruby port. Their 2007 Merlot is very smooth with blueberry notes and their Purple Haze dessert- style wine is a blend of cab and merlot that is rich and smooth to the palate.

www.reedermesawines.com.

Grand Junction

Grand Junction is located 200 miles northwest of Denver, Colorado. Surrounded by picturesque mesas and the Gunnison and Colorado rivers, Grand Junction is a characteristic western town that has developed into a remarkable arts center. Its downtown’s Main Street features Art on the Corner with 100 unique outdoor sculptures and art pieces by local, regional and national artists. The eloquent sculptures range from a bronze ethereal woman enveloped in blowing diaphanous garments, a poignant Native American and Peter Pan to an enormous and colorful apple core regarded by a an equally large ant. The sculptures change out each May but several are afforded permanent status.

From spring to fall, downtown Grand Junction presents a wonderful Farmer’s Market on Thursdays. The market vendors proffer fruits, vegetables, arts, accessories, apparel and tasty fare, along with musical performers that create a lively and fun atmosphere where visitors stroll through the market, or sit and sip coffee watching the crowd go by. Moreover, downtown Grand Junction doesn’t possess any chain stores. Visitors will find multiple alluring art galleries, upscale Colorado couture, cafes, sports outfitters, superb restaurants, tea and gift shops and the globally famous Enstrom’s. The family- owned and operated confectionary shop’s claim to fame started with their scrumptious Almond Toffee (the best in the U. S.) in 1960 By Chet Enstrom. Today, Enstrom’s large confectionary shop is filled with fine chocolates, coffee and tea beverages, gifts and every accessory for sweets and coffee you can imagine. There are only four retail stores in Colorado, but don’t despair, they do ship! For additional information, visit www.enstrom.com.

For great dried herbs and high-quality teas, visit Orr’s on Main Street. This small shop offers a host of cool and unusual gift items as well as some truly excellent teas (Earl Grey varieties in particular). And, if you can’t decide upon what you’re looking for, just stroll through downtown and peruse the many unique shops.

Two superlative restaurants with recommendations and inspired wined menus to consider are il Bistro Italiano and 626 On Rood. il Bistro’s Italian chef Brunella Gualerzi prepares sublime cuisine and many dishes from her mother’s traditional recipes. www.ilbistroitaliano.com. 626 On Rood features excellent modern American cuisine (try the chicken stuffed with Brie) in a comfortable atmosphere. www.626onrood.com.

Gateway Canyon’s Resort

Gateway Canyon’s Resort is located about an hour from Grand Junction via the scenic Unaweep byway. Jon Hendricks, founder of the Discovery Channel, owns the fantastic resort. Gateway is an impressive and all-inclusive resort with a large list of outdoor activities, exquisite rooms with views, top restaurant and spa. However, one of its striking attractions is the Gateway Auto Museum. The auto museum boasts over 40 vehicles in the privately-owned Hendricks Collection. Walk through a 100-year automobile timeline from the 1906 Cadillac Model H Coupe to the 2006 Chip Foose Mustang. They even have the 1954 Oldsmobile F-88 Concept Car designed by Harley Earl. The pristine collection also includes cars such as the 1913 pierce Arrow, 1939 Packard, 1941 Lincoln V-12 Zephyr and cool ‘50s classics as well as muscle cars. The auto museum presents the vehicles in a spacious setting with video presentations and interesting informational displays and is considered one of the finest collections of American automobiles in existence today. For additional information on the Gateway Resort and Auto Museum, visit www.gatewaycanyons.com.