Our National Parks are spectacular but there are also places close by that are discoveries worth finding. Imagine driving west from Rocky Mountain National Park on US 40 from Grand Lake on the way to Utah. At the end of the state is the Dinosaur National Monument. It is one of those places where a person might say, “One of these days, I am going to stop there.” It will never happen until the decision is made to say ,”Today is the day.” The route into the visitors center is along the Green River as it meanders through red rock desert of northwestern CO and northeastern UT. Finding myself as a winter visitor, I was the only one in the park. Being directed to the Sounds of Silence Trail, a dry arroyo path that made its way North from the the Monument road. I was enjoying the fresh tracks I was making and when I reached a shadowy spot in the trail, this view came up on my left. Happened to catch it at the right time of early afternoon and had to take the photo. I call it ‘Heart Rock’ for obvious reasons. Lesson here, is don’t forget to stop at places off the beaten path. Treasures await.
