Petroglyphs, dinosaurs and a funny ad campaign

We started the day in Vernal, Utah with a GREAT little hike at McConkie's Ranch to see petroglyphs made by the Freemont people likely in the first millenneum AD. Amazing in all kinds of ways. This family has set up  their own little self-serve attraction. They marked a trail, put up a list of rules, an (infrequently cleaned) porta-potty, and welcome center where you sign in and put two dollars in a slot in a locked ammo box. Seems hokey until you get up and see the petroglyphs. Amazing. And really generous on the McConkie family's part.

T Rex  (eating watermelon, of course) at west end of  Vernal

This area is all about dinosaurs. We saw dinosaurs all over Vernal, Utah. Vernal is the entrance to the Dinosaur National Monument. And US Highway 40 between Vernal and Dinosaur, Colorado is called Stegosaurus Freeway. Really. On our GPS.

Our hotel: Best Western Dinosaur Inn

Welcome dinosaur on the east end of Vernal

Our Nav map

The eastern end of Stegosaurus Freeway

One of 99 signs in Colorado for FM Light & Sons

The road between Dinosaur and Steamboat Springs has all kinds of beautiful scenery. But the most memorable features are about 30 homemade FM Light & Sons signs. Hilarious. Read here to get the skinny. 

We pulled into Steamboat Springs parched, butt-sore and looking for ice cream. Fuzziwigs' wall boasted 24 flavors. So we pulled in (amazed to see the actual FM Light & Sons across the street). When we went inside -- there were, in fact, only 8 flavors. Classic bait and switch? No -- just what happens when you travel off season. (Note -- the very helpful salesgirl went into the back room and found me another flavor.) 

FM Light & Sons. And an electronic horse.

To walk off our over-large ice cream portions, we had a lovely short hike to Fish Creek Falls. We reached Breckenridge at dinner time. More on that in the next blog.

Jan's moment of pride: Jan wins a round of name that tune by "remembering" who sang "Spooky." (That free three month subscription to Sirius Radio that came with the car is pretty handy on a 4 week road trip.)

On the trail to Fish Creek Falls near Steamboat Springs

Final note: We count it as a good day when we see llamas. This is our 3rd day in a row of llama sightings.