After a nice breakfast at Cracker Barrel we took a leisurely 4-hour drive to the James M. Robb Colorado River State Park Island Acres Section in Palisade, Colorado for a 7-night stay. Our site was a level pull-through one with electric only, so we had filled our fresh water tank back at Massacre Rocks State Park.
James M. Robb Colorado River State Park Island Acres Section
The James M. Robb Colorado River State Park Island Acres Section is one of five distinct sections that make up the James M. Robb Colorado River State Park. They have been likened to “a string of pearls” running from east to west along the Colorado River. The Island Acres Section has three RV loops with approximately 22 pads each and one tent loop that has 6 tent sites. There are also restrooms, showers and a laundry room. Although the Island Acres Section is next to Interstate 70 AND railroad tracks, you get used to the background noise pretty quickly.
In total, the James M. Robb Colorado River State Park system comprises 819 acres, 130 campsites, 13 miles of hiking and biking trails along 35 miles of the Colorado River.
We enjoyed hiking around the park with Bella on most of our days there and the weather was beautiful. The cliff rock formations rising above the Colorado River were SO magnificent to behold. Sadly, the only wildlife we saw, even in the “Wildlife Viewing Section”, were pigeons. Cindy really wanted to see some Big Horn Sheep, but it was not to be on this stop.
Palisade, Colorado
Tuesday morning, after our hike, we drove to Palisade to visit a fresh fruit stand. We did not previously know this, but Palisade, Colorado is known for its peaches. And they ARE delicious! Now, this Florida boy doesn’t think they’re as good as Georgia peaches, but they are right up there. The fruit stand also had a bakery with some wonderful baguettes that went well with a pasta meal we had later in the week.
Thursday afternoon, September 12th, we drove back into Palisade for a wine tasting at Talon Wines. The ladies there were very accommodating. We tasted 3 different wines each, reds for me and whites for Cindy, as well as a nice cheese and cracker tray. Coming home with us were a bottle of Merlot for me, a bottle of Cranberry wine(?) for Cindy and a Sangria for us to share.
Friday morning Cindy awoke with a toothache in the same tooth she had a toothache in last year around the same time. Last year it stopped the day before we took her to a dentist in Waynesville, North Carolina. He did x-rays but could find nothing wrong., though he did give her some antibiotics to make sure to clear up any infection he couldn’t see. When we got back to Orlando in November she went to her regular dentist and he couldn’t find anything either, but suggested since it was a very old crown it could be disintegrating.
So now, a year later, she was having problems with it again. And she didn’t want to go to a dentist since last year it stopped all on its own.
Palisade Farmers Market
Saturday morning, September 14th, we went to downtown Palisade for their weekly Farmers Market. Both of us were surprised at how large the market was for a relatively small town. There were easily 125 – 150 vendors down the main street and on two side streets selling farm fresh fruits, artisan breads, crafts, etc. We spent about 90 minutes touring all the vendors and picking up some more fruit. Then we stopped at 13 Brix Cider Bistro just off the Main Street for a brunch of crepes and I tried the peach cider. Owner and artisan cider creator Andy West waited on us himself and was very helpful in assisting us with our choices.
Cindy’s toothache was still making itself known, so she spent the rest of the day lying down and taking OTC pain medication, which only helped her a little. But she still wanted to see if it would go away on its own.
After a fairly enjoyable (except for the toothache) week in Palisade we packed up Monday morning, September 16th (Cindy’s birthday, by the way) to head to our next stop.
But not without some issues. Join us for our next post to read what a FUN trip we had, lol!
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