GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO -- Where do you want to go today? It's more than an ad slogan used by Mr. Bill and his band of merry men. It's a question asked by countless folks without a destination in mind, out for a fun adventure. The answer is usually "oh anyplace you want to go is fine with me honey" or "I don't know" accompanied by a quick shoulder shrug followed by "where do you want to go?" Where do you want to go? This question is asked almost as much as "where do you want to eat?" but I'm not going to tackle that one here.

While driving through the four corner states (that's Arizona, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado for those of you who failed grammar school geography) there are a multitude of places to go and things to see. I thought all I was going to see before me was desert - hot, dry, snake infested, scorpion crawling, water depleted desert. Well, my friends, I was wrong. You can stop for a long, make that extra long, weekend where the Colorado River gently flows through a wonderful city with a small town feel. This city is Grand Junction, Colorado.

Where do you want to go today? Well first we're going to the Colorado National Monument. I know what you're thinking "why do I want to go see a statue?". At least that's what I (and others in my party) thought when I heard "monument." Boy were we wrong. The Colorado National Monument is more than a statue, it's 23,000 acres of land set aside by the president as a natural reserve.

There's no doubt you've seen the Colorado National Monument before. In television ads you often see red monoliths towering above the ground with daring adventurers climbing up, or a car parked where no car could possible be parked, right on top. Well, that's part of the monument.

Take the 23 mile drive that follows the rim of this 2000 foot canyon. There are numerous vista stops along the drive that give way to spectacular views of the monument. Don't miss balance rock, a 600 ton boulder perched precariously atop a rock pedestal. So precariously that it looks that at any moment a strong breeze will cause it to come crashing down. Have no fear, it's been there thousands of years and is not going anywhere soon. Also, along the way you'll also see rock formations that look like cartoon drawings from "The Flintstones". I could swear that any moment I'd hear Fred yell "WILLLLMAA".

At the monument you can camp, hike, picnic or just drive through. No matter how you see the Colorado National Monument, from every angle it looks slightly different. It's an ever changing sculpture created by mother nature.

Fishing, Hunting, Camping
Where do you want to go today? If cool air, tall trees and mountain vistas are more your thing then take a drive up to The Grand Mesa, also known as "the island in the sky" because once you get on top of this mountain, it's flat. Yep, the top of this mountain is totally flat, in fact, Grand Mesa is the worlds largest flat-topped mountain. This flatness accounts for the fact that there are over 200 stream fed lakes on The Mesa.

Lakes mean fish and fish means fishing. Many varieties of trout can be fished from your boat or in hip high water from a lake's edge. Pretty much all mountain activities can be had up on the Mesa. This may not be for everyone but hunting is also quite plentiful. Bear, deer and elk all thrive in the secluded back country. Be sure you have the proper permits and only hunt in season.

Year Round Fun!
There's campgrounds for tents, hook-ups for RV's, miles of trails and back country for backpackers to get away from it all and day hikes for those who just like to commune with nature. Anytime of the year is the right time to visit.

The winter offers cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. In the spring watch wildflowers and trees come alive. Summer offers great camping, fishing, and hiking. But, in the fall the mountains ignite in seas of orange, yellow and red as the golden aspen start to fall asleep for the winter. This place is a photographer's dream.

Dinosaurs
Where do you want to go today? Back in time maybe? Back to when giants ruled the earth and man (or woman) was not to be found? The area surrounding Grand Junction called "Dinosaur Diamond" has obtained international recognition for it dinosaur excavation sites, fossil trails and hands-on archaeological activities. A visit to some of the many public areas will have walking tours with signs that point to actual fossils and sites where the bones many kinds of dinosaurs have been found. On almost any day you can find archeologists, paleontologists and other "ologists" digging, scraping, brushing, talking, living and breathing dinosaurs. This ain't no Disney ride, it's the real thing.

If the out doors gets too hot (or too cold depending upon when you're visiting) you can go to the Dinosaur Discovery Museum where life-sized robotic dinosaurs will amaze you. It's hard to believe that these great creatures once ruled the earth. At the museum you can find many adventures and exhibits for the kids. There's even an earthquake simulator where you can feel what's it's like to be there when one hits. Personally, I passed on this one as I live in Southern California and have lived through more then I care to remember.

Behind a glass enclosure you will see more scientists and volunteers. At the museum, they are always searching through rocks to find clues to the earth's past. Bones and boulders are scattered everywhere and the volunteers are busy peeling away the years of rock and dirt to get to the bone of a dinosaur. For anyone with a curiosity of dinosaurs, this area is not to be missed.

Wineries
Where do you want to go today? After all the dust and dirt of the digs it's time to wet your whistle. What better way then to relax with some wine? The Grand Junction area is home to a booming wine business and visitors are asked, make that encouraged, to visit these family owned operations.

All of the great wines are produced here, Chardonnays, Merlots, Cabernets, and more. The climate is perfect for it. Warm days and cool nights are exactly what grapes love. If you visit Grand Junction in late summer you're there just in time to celebrate the grape harvest at the Colorado Mountain Winefest. It's a weekend of tasting, special events, entertainment and wine tours. If you're there any other time of the year all you need to do is go to the winery yourself, walk on in and ask for a taste.

Rock-Climbing, River Sports and History!
Where do you want to go today? If there aren't enough ideas here already, let me give you a few more. The rocks and cliffs in around the Colorado National Monument are great for rock climbing enthusiasts. For the inexperienced, there are numerous outfitters that can take you around and show you the ropes. For those with skills already, guides can take you to some of the best climbing around. No matter what your skill level it's always wise to have an experienced guide along.

With Grand Junction's close proximity to the Colorado river, you can go white water rafting, floating, boating or numerous other water related activities. Near town you can even take a bike path that follows along the bank of the river.

One historic site that was my favorite is Cross Orchards. Around the turn of the century the Cross Orchard was a bustling place where apples were grown, packed and shipped all over the country. Today the site is used to exhibit the way life was. The farmhouse, bunkhouse, blacksmith shop, silo, packing area and kitchen are all in their original condition. Docents dressed in the period clothes guide you around and tell stories of what life was like. It was a simpler time but a tougher time.

As you can see, it doesn't matter whether you like the desert, forests, rivers, or cities Grand Junction Colorado offers it all.

• Grand Junction Visitors & Convention Bureau - 800-962-2547 or visit their website at www.grand-junction.net.
• Colorado National Monument Information and Reservations - 970-858-3617 or visit the National Park Service website at www.nps.gov/colm.
• The Grand Mesa (US Forest Service) - 970-242-8211 or www.gjcolorado.com/grandmesa.
• Cross Orchard - 3073 F Road. 970-434-9814

Wineries

• Canyon Wind - 3907 Highway 6 & 24 Alternate, 970-464-0888 (appointments recommended)
• Carlson Vineyards - 461 35 Road, 970-464-5554
• Colorado Cellars - 3553 E Road, 800-848-2812
• Grande River Vineyards - I-70 at Exit 42, 970-464-7586
• Rocky Mountain Cider - 3701 G Road, 970-464-7899

Dinosaur Museums

• Dinosaur Discovery Museum - Located just off I-70 in Fruita, 800-344-3466
• Dinosaur Valley Museum - 362 Main street, 970-241-9210

Lodging
Most major hotels and motels can be found in Grand Junction. However if you like a more homey feel, try one of the Bed and Breakfasts listed here.

• Los Altos - 970-256-0964
• Orchard House - 970-464-0529