Vega State Park

In which Moominmama enjoys being surrounded by spring flowers and greenery, and gets wet at a bluegrass concert...

After three months in deserts of one sort or another, being in an environment with riotous green and bright flowers takes Moominmama's breath away. In the desert, the color green marks tiny oases, and the flowers are always striking against the sand. I'm not used to being surrounded by growing things all competing for my attention.

Vega State Park in western Colorado is on a plateau on the Grand Mesa. It's near Collbran, a big farming and ranching area, with vast fields of fresh green grass that look good enough to eat. And the cows and horses are busy doing so. Vega State Park is home to the Vega reservoir created to benefit all those green fields around Collbran. 

Moominmama is soaking up the colors in between running errands and reconnecting with friends in Grand Junction in the valley below. 

This time of year, it's also home to afternoon thunderclouds. You can see them slowly amass across water and move toward you. Great incentive to complete a hike and get to shelter! 

Opportunities to hunker down in the trailer while rain drums on the roof have been rare and so I've enjoyed a few afternoons with a good book in my cozy quarters. Very restful. I can't complain about rain when it feeds all these bushes, trees and flowers.

The storms were a little less enjoyable when Moominmama attended the Palisade Bluegrass and Roots Festival, after thunder led officials to shut down one of the performances until the electrical activity passed. 

And then there was the rain, a deluge that sent the crowd and their lawn chairs and blankets running for cover. Turns out we were lucky. Other parts of the valley got hit with hail!

I'm happy to report the storm did pass, and the crowds reassembled. Moominmama enjoyed the live music and even kicked up her heels.

These two weeks in and above Grand Junction have allowed me to rest up from the first half of my 2025 adventures. Next week, I start the second phase with a visit to the Rocky Mountain National Park. From there I'll head west and north back into California, Oregon and ultimately British Columbia in Canada.

So less excitement to report in this post, which is a good thing! I needed the break. I leave you with a picture of the Colorado River, which passes through the valley. It's an iconic river, fought over by multiple states and Mexico for its water resources. But right here, it is peace in motion.