Grapes and Gorges

All of our summers in Indiana combined did not prepare us for the dry heat of Palisade, CO and the triple digit temperature made our early afternoon run a bit of a challenge.  Thank goodness it was nothing a little wine tasting couldn't fix and after a few samples we were grateful to have our house in the parking lot to take a catnap.  Babbitt then drove us to the Colorado National Monument, where the views blew us away & we ended our day in Fruita, CO with a headless chicken!

We sipped wine at Talon Winery, St. Kathryn Cellars & Grande River Vineyards
(above), but those three were just the tip of the iceberg in Colorado Wine Country

Babbitt over looking a portion of the Colorado National Monument
We weren't sure what to expect before driving through, but we loved it &
it even ended up being Babbitt's favorite National Monument so far

Katie braving the heights at the Colorado National Monument
We also took a few unexpected short hikes while here to get even better views

Mike The Headless Chicken in Fruita, CO
Apparently, Mike was a real life chicken, who lived for 18 months after
his owner chopped off his head, once Katie heard this story & found out there
was a statue she wouldn't leave Fruita without seeing it

Babbitt taking a load off in the cute town of Fruita
We were so sad to hear that we just missed the annual Mike The Headless
 Chicken Festival, where attendees are invited to "Party Their Heads Off"