Thanks to all for the suggestion to Dinosaur National Monument. It was extraordinary.
Unfortunately, our joint acrophobia precluded a trip to Echo Park. We can handle short distances with dropoff, but the initial part of the road was too long. Nonetheless, it was still spectacular. I think we all owe a debt to the dinosaurs, whose showcase at the western end of the monument enabled the eastern part to be protected as part of the monument. The dinosaur exhibit itself was interesting as well. The building is built on bentonite clay and the display wall is speckled with strain gauges to monitor movement of the building. And we enjoyed the petroglyphs - we will download the software that enhances them. I would add that the most spectacular petroglyps we have ever found were in the Great Basin National Monument. Today's taggers have nothing on the ancients there.
When we started out from Denver, US-40 was jam packed - as was I-70, so we stayed on I-70 to Silverthorne. SR 9 from outside of to Silverthorn to Stagecoach Spring was most enjoyable. Aspens. Now I get it. New England fall foliage with a minimalist palette. Truly spectacular. The resort towns Silverthorn and Stagecoach Springs turned us off - not our cup of tee, but provided gas and interesting groceries.
