Due to the expected weather, we decided to stick to the interstate on our way to Moab instead of taking more winding but possibly closed highways like US-40 or US-50.  As it turns out, I-70 west from Denver is a scenic route.  The freeway winds through the mountains leading to a tunnel that passes under the Great Continental Divide.  Instead of going through the tunnel, we decided to take US-6 up to the Loveland summit and cross the Divide at the peak.  The view at 12,000 feet was incredible, but the air was thin and cold, so we did not stay long.  We continued on US-6 through Keystone and rejoined I-70.

We stopped for lunch in Vail, which is, like most ski towns, built out as a resort that is fashioned after an alpine village.  Knowing that most ski town food is good but not great, I wasn’t expecting much, but the food we had a Vail’s Sweet Basil was delicious.  If you go skiing in Vail or happen to pass through, I highly recommend giving Sweet Basil a try.

Leaving Vail, we continued on I-70 W toward Grand Junction.  Just before reaching Glenwood Springs, there is a stretch of road called Glenwood Canyon.  The canyon alone is a natural marvel, but the fact that the freeway runs right down the middle of it is an engineering feat.  Running right next to the Colorado River, I-70 sits on stilts above the river and rocky terrain for the entire length of the canyon.  The canyon walls rise sharply a couple thousand feet on either side.  At the end of the canyon lies Glenwood Springs, an active hot spring that has been opened to the public as a hot tub and bathing area.

Continuing westward, the land begins to flatten out into the dry desert lands that make up far west Colorado and southeast Utah.  We crossed the Utah state line just after sunset.  We turned south on US-191 and headed into the small seasonal town of Moab.  Moab is quiet place during the off season, but we managed to find a way to entertain ourselves.  We enjoyed a sampling of brews from the local Moab Brewery and then settled in for the night.

Today was a travel day. If ever anyone tells you that western Kansas is exciting, they’re lying. Every mile is characterized by flat prairie land and farm land as far as the eye can see dotted with massive grain elevators. There are a few small towns that line the highway, each having their own take on a prairie museum, but none of any interest.

Eastern Colorado is not much better, but does have hills and views of the far off Rockies as you near Denver.  In Denver, we met my uncle for a great dinner at an Asian fusion restaurant in the Cherry Creek section of town.