Desert Blooms & Barrels

We've enjoyed having Warren's sister and her husband here the past few days. They're visiting from Pennsylvania and are enjoying the Colorado landscape. We've put several miles on the car, exploring the area around Meeker, then heading to Rangely and up over Douglas Pass. It was a beautiful drive, but winter is still hanging on in some of those spots!

We spent a day enjoying the wineries of the area. The Grand Valley Winery Association hosted their annual barrel tasting event. We enjoyed comparing the different flavors each winery has to offer. Of course, they served some fabulous food to go with their wines. Canyon Wind Cellars served a small skewer with a slice of elk meat, a baked cherry and a slice of pepper........delicious with their Tempranillo wine. Carlson Vineyards offered a nice variety of wines to sample, and Il Bistro Italiano ( my favorite bistro in Grand Junction) catered the food. Fabulous pasta, tender lamb, and to top it off, Brunella, the owner, made crepes with baking cherries cooked with liquor.. and chocolate......oh, yes......and did I mention there were some good wines, too?? We ended the barrel tasting at Graystone Winery, which is a port winery. They make two ports, both of which taste wonderful, as well as the food they paired them with! Stilton cheese, candied pecans, spiced walnuts, chocolate covered strawberries, oh... and Starbuck's truffles......yum!


Yesterday, we headed to Moab, Utah. Route 128 is a beautiful way to get there from Grand Junction, driving along the Colorado river, through red rock canyons. Once we got through the canyon, we headed to Arches National Park and enjoyed a few short hikes to view the amazing rock arches. When you think of how old these formations are, it does make one feel very much in awe of the world around us.

The desert flowers are beginning to bloom, so I took a few photos to share with you. Eventually there will be some quilts along this theme!