July 14 was a relaxing day in Grand Junction, enjoying the company of family, the amenities of a home stay, and the natural beauty of the surrounding area. Both Nick and Susannah went running in the AM – great views of the mountains. The lush gardens in people’s houses are made possible through irrigation canals fed by snowmelt.

We did a few housekeeping things in Chester, the kids visited a toy store so Ben could stock up on yo-yo strings, and we were well fed with wonderful home-cooked meals. In the afternoon we drove through the Colorado National Monument taking in the steep canyons, the picturesque rocks, and the expansive views. The 23-mile path through the monument is quite tortuous, complete with multiple hairpin turns and several tunnels.

Day 16: 0 miles in Chester, perhaps 45 miles (in Stu’s Suburban) to/from the Colorado National Monument and around Grand Junction.