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November and December 2001 Photo's Snow Mobiling in the Grand Mesa December 16, 2001 Grand Mesa Lodge had tours on a Snow Mobile. They provided us all the gear to keep us warm. I told Dale if we ever were close to Snow I wanted to go Snow Mobiling. Dale all bundled up and ready to go. She was getting instructions and tips from Ken our tour guide. I was ready to go too. One view of our snow mobile. Ken let us use his new ones less then 1 mile on them. Brave man! Had all the luxuries including heated handles. The tour was gorgeous and a lot of it was in area's that no one has been yet for awhile, because of no tracks. Ken  took us to the first scenic view and we got a panoramic view. Part of the view. Dale and I We then went to another area. Ken was checking on us to make sure we had no questions. It was neat to cross large open fields of snow. The snow and the surrounding area was picture perfect. We met up with other snow mobiler's who asked Ken a question. Picture of where we came from. The Grand View where you can see Aspen Mountain. Panoramic view from the left. To the right. Then Ken took us to another view of surrounding trees Another view Here we are again. We then crossed another field and Dale was way ahead after I stopped to take a picture. Another view off the Grand Mesa. Another view The welcome center that was closed for the winter was at this stop. I had to stop and take this picture showing the surrounding trees. Ken took us on a 37 mile (3 hour) tour. It was truly great. The only way to go if its your first time is on a tour. Arches National Park Moab, Utah November 31-December 1, 2001 Arches National Park had several natural arches formed by eroding sand stone. Courthouse Towers Viewpoint You can see the Courthouse shaped rock The rocks that are called the three bishops Balance rock was another stop in the park. It was deceiving in size on the rock that was balanced on top until you walked around it and were able to see how wide it was. The North and South Window arches was another stop along the park. The North Window. Looking through the North Window Walking around to the South window You can see Turret Arch also from this view. South Window. Close up of South Window. Both views of North and South Windows. The Sun was going down. Going around the loop trail of the Windows and Turret Arch. Dale up in the North Window Arch. As we were going away from the window dusk was approaching quickly. Different views of the Sunset in the park. View 2 View 3 The next day we returned and started off at the Double Arch. This was a location where one of the Indiana Jones film was made. Denny up in the double arches. Close up. This picture shows the height of the arches. The span of the arches. The cave next to the arches. We then went to Panorama Point to see the view. IT was getting foggy again and it was not as clear. The delicate arch had to be seen from a distance because the trail to it was very muddy from the snow and rain. We then went to Sand Dune arch and the fog and snow was starting to come down. It was neat to walk between the two fins formed of sandstone on the way to the Sand dune arch. It also help block the wind. Denny standing between the two fins. Close up of Denny. Sandstone arch formed by a pot hole on top and pouring down the wall. We then walked at the final stop Devils Garden and tried to see a little more while the weather was getting worst. We seen Tunnel Arch Along the trail Then we saw Pine Tree Arch. We wanted to see Landscape Arch, but the fog was too heavy. Dead Horse Point State Park Moab, Utah November 31, 2001 Dead Horse Point State Park in Utah is a must see according to Triple A Club. So while we were over in Moab we took time to see it. View of Dead Horse Point. The canyon use to be used by horse rustlers to cannel the horse for collecting them. After they selected the horses they wanted they set the others free.  One time they didn't and several horses died from lack of water, with the Colorado River running below the cliff. Different views through out the park Some of the canyons water supplied from Colorado are being used for collections of minerals. There was a snow front that came through and put a couple of inches on the ground. Also the fog was heavy in some parts. So while it was heavy in the valley, we came up to see the park. Dale and I had to wear our brim hats to block the sun brightness. The State Park was higher then the fog and the sun was out full. Different view Dale & I at the observation point of the Canyon. Looking down on the rest of the observation point from the top area. You can see the Colorado river bending around the Dead Horse Point cliff. The Horses could not get off the cliff to get water. Pyramid point at the State Park. Different angle of Dead Horse Point Another angle Looking down the canyon. We then walked out to see the pot holes formed by rain and water in the ground rock of the State Park. A lot of animal tracks through out the park. The Pot Holes had frozen water in them. During the summer aquatic life forms in them. Close up of the Pot Holes with frozen water in them. Walking back and seeing the side of the cliff of the canyon Drive to Arches National Park Moab, Utah November 30, 2001 Dale had off for a long weekend and we drove four hours over to Utah to see the Arches in Moab, Utah. It snowed 2 inches where we were in Delta and it must of snowed even heavier the night before  over in Utah The flat plains with snow all around. We stopped off at a rest area and took a break and made lunch. The motorhome with the hills in the background. The view from the rest stop. Along the way we took Route 128 off of I-70 in Utah. It is a scenic byway and was gorgeous with the canyon and snow around. Several breath taking shots along the way. Another view The Colorado river follows along the route. View 3 View 4.  We stopped off by a Ford dealership on the way to replace the windshield washer pump. Denny was able to snap the old one off and connect the new one. After 15 dollars we were on are way. Decorating for the holidays November 24, 2001 Since we are getting back to Family in Florida a little late for Christmas. We figured we would decorate for Christmas. We used two strands of lights to go around the top of our motorhome and up the side of the front door. The lights blink different if you change the control. We also got a 3 foot fiber optic tree for the inside. On our travel we collected Christmas tree ornaments (Thin Gold ones) to decorate the tree with. Front of the motorhome at night. We change the type of blinking the lights do every night The side of the motorhome. It took us 1 hour to decorate. Makes it easy to take down and up when we move. The tree at night. We were the first ones to put up our lights. Grand Mesa National Forest November 18, 2001 We  took a drive up to the Grand Mesa National Forest to see the scenery. The climb is a long one on Highway 65 east of Delta, Colorado. The Grand Mesa Mountain stretches from  Cedaredge to east of Grand Junction. The Welcome center was closed. The Ice on the lake was forming. The Entrance to the Forest Dale's rental car with the Grand Mesa behind it As we climb up the mountain The scenery was spectacular Looking down There are several lakes in the Grand Mesa Forest. 2nd View 3rd View Dale looking out from the top of the mountain. Snow storm was coming through and the weather started to get worse.  So we had to leave early off the mountain. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Gunnison, Colorado November 17, 2001 Black Canyon was about 40 mins from where we are staying. Elevation was high so we went to see it before winter came. Dale and I at Black Canyon. Different points along the way to view. This was Tomichi Point. Left View Right View Gunnison Point Left View Right View Pulpit Rock Overlook Left View Dale getting use to looking down. The drop of the canyon was higher then the Empire State Building according to literature. View of the drop. Chasm View View Right View Left Painted Wall from lava rock View behind View to the right Cedar Point Denny standing by one of the canyon rocks. Sunset View Dale at Sunset View View Right View Left High Point View behind us. View left View Right Across the Canyon Another angle Dale at High Point Angle from her left Denny at High Point. Both at High Point Nature Trail to Warner point View along the trail Along the trail Another view 3rd view 4th view 5th view 6th view 7th view 8th view Dale on the trail back. The scenery was clear to see for miles You can see the town of Montrose. We then drove down to the river in the canyon The road is close when it snows. It was dark with the canyon shading it. The  road was steep going down. You can see the switch back of the road as we go down. At the bottom of the Dam We then went up to the fishing area and enjoyed the lake reflection of the canyon From the bottom you can see the canyon height. Million Dollar Highway Durango, Colorado November 14, 2001 From the town of Durango to Ouray there is a  State Road 550. It is called the million dollar highway, because it was built in 1940 and cost a million dollars to make it. The road is two lanes and climbs two times to a elevation of 11,000 feet. The speed limit is 20 to 30 miles per hour. The scenery was great. There was snow in some parts. The road did not have guardrail or shoulders. Here is a view over the side of one of the roads. We took our time for the drive through the rocky mountains and it was not as bad as Tennessee 129 through the smoky mountains. A sign showing the elevation. The snow cap mountains. Climbing up the second time. There was several pull offs to see the scenery and we did it to take a break. Some of the different views. Another view. Another view of the road. Denny driving the road.  View out driver side. Another view. Coming up to the town of Ouray. Elvis Presley Mansion Memphis, Tennessee November 7, 2001 The Elvis Presley Mansion was across the street and had a shuttle to go across up to the mansion. The wall to the mansion was signed by people who visited it. The God Bless America sign was also covered. The front of the mansion. You are given a programmable audio player as you went through the tour. Each room gave you number to program too. The entrance foyer The living room off to the right as you come in. The music room connected to the living room. The extra long couch in the living room. Elvis Presley's parents bedroom (Vernon and Gladys Presley) The dining room The TV room where Elvis would watch several stations at once. The bar for the TV room. The kitchen area. The billiard room with material on all the walls and ceiling. The jungle room Another view of the jungle room. 3rd view The other part of the mansion had his outfits. This was his Army uniform he wore when he was drafted. The gold record awards stretched for several rooms. Each album encased for viewing. TV's above showed different talk shows he was on. The office that Vernon Presley (Father) managed Elvis productions out of in the garage. This was also one of the locations Elvis did a press interview. Some of the sports that Elvis was involved in. His gun collection. Elvis personal office in his mansion. Some of the jewelry collection A scale model of the house his parents owned and he was raised up in. The circular imitation fur bed from Elvis's bedroom. Some of his furniture in the past. Artifacts from his movies. Elvis was a person who would give to charities all over. He would be know to give strangers that were poor houses, cars, and money. The party room were he and his friends would gather to sing. Elvis was playing on this piano the morning of his death. Costumes from the past concerts. Plaques given to him in the past filled this room from top to bottom. The tour finalized leading out to the swimming pool and over to the memorial site. During the audio tour you heard Elvis music and words he had spoken through during his life. The memorial sight that held the graves of Elvis and his parents. Elvis mother (Gladys) was moved to Graceland from her original location due to concerns of grave robbers. Elvis Aaron Presley The Elvis auto collection was across the street. Showing collection of his motorcycles. 1975 Ferrari Dino was purchased second hand in 1976 for a one payment of $20,583 dollars. The Pink 1955 Fleetwood Cadillac with auto headlights was one of the cars Elvis kept through his rise to stardom. Motorized toys. Elvis would devise games and have his family and friends race the toys down the streets from the mansion. 1971 Stutz Blackhawk. It was believed that it was originally built for Frank Sinatra, but Elvis charmed the dealer in buying it. The 1960 MG was used by Elvis in the movie Blue Hawaii. 1973 Stutz Blackhawk was one of several Elvis owned. He paid $20,000 for it up front and leased the rest which was over  $10,000. 1956 Purple Cadillac Eldorado convertible. It was originally white and Elvis painted it a year later to purple. 1962 Lincoln Continental with the suicide doors, gold alligator top. Bought by Elvis in Las Vegas and customized to his request. 1966 Silver Cloud III Rolls Royce features blue leather seats and walnut paneling. It was later owned by Michael  Landon and Charlie Rich Priscilla's Mercedes 280 SL Roadster. A Gift from Elvis to her. Lisa Marie Jet. Elvis purchased it and had it designed inside. Named after his daughter. The Cockpit of the Lisa Marie. One time Elvis had taken a bunch of his friends one night for peanut butter sandwich in another state. One of the rooms of Elvis's plane. Dining area and meeting room of Lisa Marie. Elvis bedroom on the Lisa Marie. His dressing and bathroom. Teasing Dale as she got off the plane. TCB stands for Taking Care of Business. The smaller jet Elvis owned for his staff to fly to the next location that Elvis would go for concert. The Cockpit for the small jet. The seating area.