From the Jurassic to the Present in One Drive

 *This is the 4th post from the trip.  If you want to go in order, start 4 posts back.

From Grand Junction, we drove north, then west, as opposed to going west first, then north up I-15.  Our route took us through beautiful country with very little traffic, save for the occasional rancher out in his truck, tracking down a couple of stray cattle.  Destination: Dinosaur National Monument.  I don't know why it's a monument and not a park, because it covers a vast area of Utah and Colorado, but the part we were interested in was small.  We saw the exposed dinosaur fossils housed in their new building, which essentially just covers them where they rest.  And we saw the visitors center, with fun, interactive stuff for the kids.

See the dinosaur eating the lizard?  Tizzy said, "That dinosaur is eating that cute little baby dead lizard."  She was heartily dismayed when we told her ALL the dinosaurs were dead.  She shouted, "No they not!!"  This kid is such a character!  She is so entertaining to have on trips!  As for this trip, we were on the downhill slide at this point.  Home was calling.  We drove past a lot of cool-looking stuff to do in Vernal, then on through the Uintah Basin, past Strawberry Reservoir to Heber.  We couldn't help but stop at my parents' condo along Highway 40 for a bathroom break and to grab ice cream from the freezer for the last hour of the drive.  It was the perfect break.  Upon our arrival home Coco had hot minestrone soup waiting for us, and all the Kings were there to talk about our various adventures, some having just ended and others beckoning in the future.  Here are a few stray pictures I didn't include before.  Scott kept saying how glad he was that we did the trip.  It really was sublime.  The fall for me is a mix of exhilaration and melancholy.  I think the vibrant colors are a nice antidote to the subdued feeling of impending winter.  Our fall break comes at just the right time, and you don't have to travel far at all to enjoy it.  My brother Josh even discovered a hike he had never done, literally within walking distance from home, that offered inspiration and a whole new perspective.  We traveled farther afield, it's true, but the most important part of exploration happens internally.  In whatever way you choose to fill your tank, refresh your vision, and strengthen your bonds of family and friendship, do it mindfully so that each day serves to lift you up, no matter where you are.