Why Grand Junction Should Be Your Next Adventure Hidden Gem Destination

Join co-hosts Heide Brandes and Nicky Omohundro on "Untethered and Wander Wise," the award-winning travel podcast dedicated to inspiring women over 45 to embrace adventure on their own terms.

In this episode, Heide shares her unforgettable journey to Grand Junction, Colorado, a hidden gem packed with epic scenery, outdoor thrills, vibrant local culture, and welcoming community spirit. 

Discover why Grand Junction is the perfect alternative to crowded Colorado hotspots, with highlights including canyoneering, ATV adventures, horseback riding, wine tasting in Palisade, and glamping near Rocky Mountain National Park. Whether you crave adrenaline or comfort, this episode offers practical tips, heartfelt stories, and plenty of reasons to add Grand Junction to your travel list.

Key Resources:
- Visit Grand Junction: visitgrandjunction.com
- Colorado Electric Byways Tourism Toolkit: oedit.colorado.gov/electric-byways-tourism-toolkit
- Arapaho Valley Ranch: arapahovalleyranch.com
- Palisade Wine Tourism: visitpalisade.com

Mentioned Attractions:
- Colorado National Monument
- Grand Mesa (largest flat-topped mountain in the world)
- Rattlesnake Arches (second-largest concentration of natural arches)
- Grand Mesa Scenic Byway (Colorado Electric Byway)
- Palisade Wine Country (30+ wineries)
- Arapaho Valley Ranch glamping
- Rocky Mountain National Park (west entrance)

Transcript

Hello, wander wise listeners, welcome back to another episode of Untethered and Wander Wise, I'm Nicky Omohundro and I’m Heide Brandes And we actually have some good news to share with our listeners. We do. I'm so excited to announce that untethered and wander wise earned second place for our travel podcast of the year by the Outdoor Writers Association of America. Yes. And we were also named as a finalist in Best Travel podcast from TBEX, which is Travel Bloggers Exchange. So High five US and High Five to our listeners. It makes us feel good that we're actually giving information and inspiration that's connecting with our audience and we love hearing from you.

So if you have any topics you'd like us to tackle on our podcast. Please reach out to us. I mean, that's why we are here and we love talking to you guys. So when it comes to today's topic, Heide just got back from a trip and to be honest, she can't stop talking about it.

Yeah. I've been raving about this, , trip for a while. So today we're going to do something a little different since Heide recently returned from this incredible week in Grand Junction, Colorado. I'm actually gonna interview her about it because honestly, this destination has completely flown under my radar, right?

And that's exactly what makes it so special. Grand Junction is about to become everyone's new favorite adventure destination.

Welcome to Untethered and Wander Wise, where adventure has no age limit. We're your co-host Heide Brandes and Nicky Omohundro, and we're here to inspire and celebrate women over 45 who are embracing their independence and want to explore the world on their own terms.

Okay, so before you went, I remember you was talking about being worried about crowds at the more famous Colorado spots. Was Grand Junction the solution you were hoping for?

Nicky, It was even better than I hoped. I got all the epic scenery. I mean, we're talking Red Rock Canyons, Alpine Lakes, dramatic mountain views. Without the insanity of fighting for parking at Rocky Mountain National Park, or dealing with Instagram hordes at maroon bells, or, fighting the crowds at Arches National Park.

Mm-hmm. All of which we love, by the way. Yes. I've been to all of those places and I absolutely love it. But the crowds, it's ridiculous. It can be. I mean, you wanna be out in nature, not in a line. Behind a hundred other people waiting to get your little glimpse of a crowd filled Instagram photo. True. So, so that's exactly what our listeners need to hear because I think a lot of us have put off Colorado trips, especially Mountain Colorado trips, for that very reason.

The crowds and the prices, especially at places like Aspen, can really be intimidating. Exactly. And what really blew me away was how much I packed into one week. I am talking Canyoneering, ATV Adventures, horseback riding, wine tasting, exploring the Grand Mesa, which is the largest flat topped mountain in the world.

And I even took a few days to go glamping at this incredible ranch near Rocky Mountain National Park. Wait, you did canyoneerimng at 54? Uh, yeah, I did and we're gonna talk about that. But Nikki, I did all of this without fighting crowds, without breaking the bank, and I was able to drive Colorado Scenic and electric byways, which made the whole experience even more special.

Listeners, grab your coffee, or if it's that time of day, grab your wine. No judgment here, because Heide is about to convince you why Grand Junction needs to be on your travel list for 2026. So let's start with the basic. Where is Grand Junction and what made you decide to go there?

So Grand Junction is located on Colorado's Western Slope about four and a half hours from Denver. It sits right in the Grand Valley where the Colorado River and the Gunnison River meet. And honestly, I chose it because I kept reading about these three natural attractions that people were calling Nature's Trifecta, and I was intrigued.

Hmm. Nature's trifecta. That sounds very official. What is it? So you've got the Colorado National Monument. Which has these towering Red rock canyons and spires that honestly rival anything you'd see in Utah. I mean, it's comparable to me to the Grand Canyon, if that tells you anything. It is. And then there's the Grand Mesa.

Again, it's this massive flat top mountain with over 300 Alpine Lake. And finally you've got Rattlesnake arches. Rattlesnake arches. Okay. I'm intrigued. I've never even heard of this place, right? Most people haven't. It's the second largest concentration of natural arches in the world. It's got over 35 arches all within a mile of each other.

But here's the beautiful part. When I hiked there, I maybe saw four other people on the trail instead of. You know, 500. That's incredible. Both the site and the amount or lack of people on the trail. And you know, that's something I found with a lot of travel too. Some of the best destinations are the ones that haven't made it into everyone's Instagram feed yet.

Exactly. And for those of us who are over 45 and maybe don't love the idea of jostling for parking at 5:00 AM. Or paying $400 a night for a basic hotel room, grand Junction is like discovering a cheat code for Colorado Travel. Oh, I love that. So before we travel into all of your adventures, I know you mentioned something about Colorado's Electric byways.

Can you explain to our listeners what that is? Because I think they will be really interested in this. Yeah. So Colorado has this program called Scenic and Historic Byways. There are 26 designated routes throughout the state that showcase Colorado's most. Stunning landscapes, and what's really cool is that Colorado has been working to electrify these byways.

What does that mean exactly? So Grand Mesa Scenic Byway, for instance, goes right through the Grand Junction area. It's one of 20 byways that are now officially recognized as a Colorado Electric byway. That means there are dual port DC fast charging stations at least every 100 miles. So if you're driving an electric vehicle, you can make this trip with total confidence.

Oh, that's smart infrastructure. And even for those of us not driving EVs, it shows Colorado is really thinking about sustainable tourism. Yeah. And honestly, even though I wasn't driving an EV on this trip, these byways are just spectacular drives. The Grand Mesa Scenic Byway took me from about 4,500 feet elevation in the Grand Valley, all the way up to over 10,000 feet on top of Grand Mesa. The scenery changes from High Desert to alpine forest and the bees were absolutely breathtaking.

We were there right as the Aspen leaves started to change. Oh, so I mean this explosion of color and it was those vibrant yellows and sometimes fiery red and. It took us forever because we kept stopping every five minutes to get out and take pictures. That's a good problem to have though, and I love that progression of going from desert to alpine and just seeing the seasons change.

It's like getting multiple ecosystems in just one drive, and that's exactly what it felt like. And those charging stops along the way are at beautiful locations where you'd wanna stop anyway. Scenic overlooks little mountain towns. It's really well thought out. Okay, so you mentioned Grand Junction has these great scenic byway connection, but let's talk about the town itself.

What's downtown Grand Junction like? Oh my God, I fell in love with it. I mean, it's this charming, walkable downtown with wide streets, gorgeous public art installations everywhere you look and . Some of the friendliest people you've ever met has got that perfect small town vibe where things feel manageable and genuine.

The public art then is the real deal there? Oh yeah. It really surprised me. The Downtown Grand Junction Business Improvement District has created this incredible outdoor gallery. There are sculptures, murals, interactive art pieces. It's like the whole downtown is an art walk, and you can park your car for free and just spend an entire afternoon wandering around free parking.

Alone is well worth mentioning. I remember being in cities where I spent so much time and money just dealing with parking, right? It's those little things that make a destination so much more enjoyable. And Grand Junction has great boutique shops, of course. Excellent coffee shops, incredible restaurants, and more breweries than you can shake a stick at.

Breweries are all your thing and I do love food, but tell me about them because I know you are a huge craft beer fan. Grand Junction has this thriving craft brewery saying that's giving any major city a run for its money.

I hit up several during my trip, and each one had its own personality and of course fantastic beers, and the atmosphere was welcoming locals and visitors all mingling them together. I met so many interesting people just by striking up conversations over a flight of IPAs, which are my favorite. Mm-hmm.

That's one of the things I love about the brewery culture, even though I'm not a huge beer fan, it's such an easy way to meet people when you're traveling. Much less intimidating than a regular bar. Yeah, absolutely. And many of them are housed in really cool historic buildings, or they have these great patios where you can sit outside and enjoy Colorado's 300 days of sunshine.

Mm. After a day of adventuring, there's something perfect about unwinding with cold local beer. One of the best was Rumblebine Brewing. Rob, the owner has created a very hip brewery with cool art views of the brewing scene and the best label artwork I think I've ever seen. And we were there for a couple hours just talking to Rob. Mm-hmm. And man, the beer was really good. Handlebar is another place that we stopped twice that has craft beers on rotation at this trendy little tap house.

The burgers are the specialty and the meat is supplied by Western Colorado, Family owned ranges that raise free range animals that contain no antibiotics. No added hormones or byproducts. Bread is baked locally in Grand Junction and the Sauce bar is their own curated recipe. Ooh, that sounds delicious. So let's get to the adventures.

Now that we know that you're well hydrated and well fed, because I know that's really what you were there for. Where did you start? I started with the Colorado National Monument and Nicky, it absolutely blew my mind. When you drive rim rock drive through the monument, you're basically on the edge of these massive red rock canyons.

There are scenic overlooks every few miles, and each one is more stunning than last. We even saw big horn sheep roaming around. They walked right in front of our car. Oh, wow. Yeah, they're big. And was the monument crowded? That's the thing. Often had these viewpoints completely to myself. I could take my time, really absorb the landscape, take photos without feeling rushed.

It was such a contrast to what I've experienced at other national parks. That sounds absolutely amazing did you do any trails there? Oh yeah, I did a couple of hikes in the monument. Nothing too strenuous, but enough to really get into the landscape and feel like I was part of it rather than just an observer.

The rock formations have names like Independence Monument, kissing Couple, and the Coke Ovens. And the colors at sunset, deep reds, oranges, purples against the blue Colorado sky. It was frankly magnificent. And I've been to the Grand Canyon and which is also magnificent. Mm-hmm. I would say it ranks up there with that.

Oh, that's fantastic. And I do wanna point out to our listeners, you don't have to be in perfect shape to enjoy these places. Heidi, you mentioned these trails range from easy to challenging. Yeah. That's something I really want to emphasize. The trails in Colorado National Monument range from very easy to as challenging as you want it to be.

So there's something for every fitness level. I'm 54. And I found plenty of trails that gave me a great experience without requiring me to be an ultra athlete. Canyon. Run Trail for one, is a must do hike.

It's only a half mile each way. With magnificent views of the Colorado National Monument, the trail starts right behind the visitor center. So stop in, learn more about the monument and the geology, and go check out their gift shop. I think that's so important that our audience needs to hear. You're not trying to compete with 25 year olds.

We're just looking for meaningful experiences. On our own terms and at our own pace. Exactly. And speaking of pushing ourselves, I did a little of that too. So let me tell you about the canyoneering I did. Oh yes. I want them to hear your story. What possessed you to go canyoneering of all things?

Honestly, I'm pretty hinky when it comes to heights. Yes, you are. And especially if I'm on the edge of cliffs. I mean, I shake, it's, it's a real problem for me. But I also love adventures like this. Our guide James Stover with Grand Junction Adventures was fantastic. Um, they catered to all experience levels and they made what could have been terrifying feel exciting and safe. He was really patient with me. , 'Cause he's an expert. Mm-hmm. And I did really good when it came to, scrambling up and bouldering and hiking. But when it came to the rope work where I actually literally had to climb and we were thousands, thousands of feet in the air.

I mean, I, I'm not too proud to say I was, I was pretty terrified. But he made it feel. Safe. Mm-hmm. And fun. And he was just so encouraging. So it sounds like it was outside your comfort zone. Yeah, it was outside my comfort zone at first, but that's what the adventure is all about, right? Pushing ourselves a little bit, trying new things.

So how did you feel afterward, Nicky? I felt like a badass. Here I am 54 years old, climbing up a cliff face and loving every second of it, even though my legs were shaking like Elvis, the sense of accomplishment was incredible. That's what I love to hear. You know, I've had similar experiences with activities where I thought I was too old or even too outta shape for, um, our trip to Peru was a little bit like that.

Yeah. When I thought about having to climb. In Machu Picchu and then even in Paris when I climbed up 667 steps of the Eiffel Tower and going, but I was convinced I'd make a fool outta myself, but it ended up being some of my favorite adventures. That's exactly it. We're doing these things for ourselves to feel alive, to collect experiences instead of things, and Grand Junction makes it so accessible.

What else did you do? Because I know you mentioned ATVs. Oh my gosh. The ATV riding was an absolute blast. We spent a morning on ATVs with adrenaline driven, adventurous rentals and tours, exploring some of the back country trails, and it was like being a kid again. Uh, the freedom of zipping around through these desert landscapes and now these crazy trails, with stunning views around every bend.

That's when we went to Rattlesnake Canyon. So to get there, you have to go down this crazy 13 mile road that you definitely need four wheel drive for. This Hidden Canyon has the second biggest concentration of natural arches outside of Arches National Park. We mentioned that. Mm-hmm. You gotta hike out there to see them.

So having a guide who could get us down there for one and also bring us to the best viewpoints was well worth the cost. Did you need any. Special experience for that? Not at all. Uh, you get a safety briefing, a quick tutorial about ATVs, and then you're off. And our guide. Drew actually drove us. Mm-hmm. We weren't driving like it was a side by side.

Okay. So it wasn't a true ATV. So we were inside this vehicle with him and he knows the area, like the back of his hand. I saw parts of the landscape that you just can't access by car. There were hidden canyons, ancient rock, art, wildlife. Yeah. That sounds absolutely amazing. And you also had horseback riding.

Because I know that something a lot of our listeners might be interested in, but might feel intimidated by the horseback. Riding out to the book Cliffs was one of my favorite parts of this trip. I went out one morning with Joe Burtard with JR Carriages to the little book Cliff's Wild Horse Range, located just outside of Grand Junction. It's a 36,000 acre preserve that is one of only three wild horse sanctuaries in the entire country, designated to protect wild horses. Over a hundred horses roam the area, providing excellent opportunities to view and photograph them.

And the horses are not overly skittish as they are kind of used to people visiting them. Anyone listening who hasn't ridden ever or since they were kids, what do you have to say? Don't worry. I hadn't ridden a horse either in quite a while, and frankly, being on top horses makes me a little nervous. 'cause they're so high on off the ground and I'm so short. But these horses were so well trained and gentle, and the guides are great at matching you with the right horse for your experience level.

I was actually on the tallest horse, a horse named Dolly. But Dolly was as surefooted and gentle as you could possibly hope for. , The guide shared stories about the area's history. . The Native American history, how the horses got there, you pointed out the plants and the wildlife and it made me feel connected to the landscape in a way that's hard to describe.

We went up some pretty challenging trails, but Dolly, I put my trust in Dolly and Dolly did not let me down. That's a good horse. So now I need to hear about Grand Mesa because you were texting me photos constantly from up there. Oh yeah. I'm obsessed. Grand Mesa is this geological wonder. It's the largest flattop mountain in the world, sitting at over 10,000 feet in elevation. And it's covered, like I said, with more than 300 Alpine Lakes 300.

Hmm. That's incredible. What was it like going from the Desert Valley up to that elevation? It was like entering a completely different world. I drove up to Grand Mesa Scenic Byway, and about an hour, like you, like I said, you go from high desert to this alpine paradise. Suddenly you're in these lush alpine forests.

There're wild flowers everywhere, crystal clear legs, and the temperature drops by about 20 degrees. I had a, I had to buy a sweatshirt from the gift shop there. You know, it was, it was hot in the valley. Mm-hmm. But so much nicer, when you get to top of Mesa and, uh, the original Native American population who lived there well before, colonizers came, they would winter on the valley floor and they would summer on top of the mesa 'cause of the temperature differences.

That sounds perfect. So I read that the Mesa is in addition to being home to 300 Lakes, has like 600 moose up there. Right, and I did some easy hiking around a couple lakes, and I saw several families fishing. It's a really popular spot for trout fishing, and the accessibility of it all really impressed me.

You don't need to be an experienced back country adventurer to enjoy Grand Mesa. You can drive up, pick an easy trail, have a picnic by leg, and still feel like you've had this incredible mountain experience. Now we looked for moose. And you'd think, what's 600 moose? It'd be easy to spot. No they weren't.

So we didn't get to see any moose this particular trip. But you were told that they were there. They were there, they were there somewhere. And a lot of it is not everything has to be extreme. To be memorable. I mean, I've seen a moose on a trail. And it's a little terrifying 'cause they're massive.

Yeah. Yeah, they are. And definitely like bear safety, you have to practice moose safety , you know, I did my extreme adventure, you know, with the, with the side by side and the canyoneering. But on the mesa there are over 300 miles of trails that you can walk on. Mm-hmm. Hardcore hike, go mountain biking and horseback riding.

In the winter, it becomes a destination for snowmobiling and cross country skiing. And in fact, they've got a ski resort up there. Oh yeah. It's called the powder horn, and it's one of those, again, hidden gems because there are no lines, the lifts aren't crowded, and it's a lot more affordable, and the locals just rave about it.

, That's the key is the local's favorite. Local's favorite. So now I know you've also spent some time in wine country. Tell me about Palisade, because I've heard whispers about Colorado wine, but I've never really explored it. Palisade is such a secret place. It's right next to Grand Junction and it's basically Colorado's wine country.

There are more than 30 wineries, most of them small family owned operations, producing some seriously good wine. And what makes the wine there special? It's all about the terroir, the combination of soil and climate and elevation. Palisades sits at about 4,800 feet, which means intense sunlight, warm days, and cool nights.

So the soil has volcanic origins from the Grand Mesa, which adds great minerals. The result is wines with incredible fruit, flavors and complexity. Now you're making me want a book of light. Can you drive yourself between wineries or. No, I would say the smart thing is to take a trolley tour. It's basically a party on wheels stopping at different wineries, and you meet other wine levers from all over.

It's a great option if you're traveling solo and a really great option to not drink and drive. That is a great trip. I've actually done that in a few places. I always tell people that the group tours and experiences like that are perfect for solo travels because you get the social aspect without feeling awkward.

, Okay, now I wanna hear about glamping in Arapahoe Valley Ranch, because I know you extended your stay beyond Grand Junction. Yeah, so after spending time in Grand Junction, I decided to head up to Rocky Mountain National Park area for a few days. Arapahoe Valley Ranch is located in Grand County near the town of Granby, and it's surrounded by the Arapahoe National Forest and the Indian Peaks wilderness.

And you stayed in a glamping tech, correct? Because I know you said before that you love camping. Uh, glamping is different than camping. Nicky. These canvas tents at Arapahoe Valley Ranch are set up on wooden platforms. We had a queen-sized bed with real bedding. Not a sleeping bag plus a futon, a little wooden stove for heat, A private deck with chairs and a fully equipped camp kitchen.

So it's like camping with actual comfort? Exactly. And a heater. And a heater. And a heater. Uh, there were clean bathrooms with showers nearby. A stopped fishing pond, access to the Colorado River canoes you could use. It was like summer camp for grownups and the setting was magical. I was in the beautiful valley with views, the surrounding mountains, I mean the views of the mountains.

I would like to explain it, but it's hard to explain something that beautiful. Mm-hmm. And I saw a lot of wildlife. What kind? Well again, there are moose there. But you didn't see any, didn't see any. But we did see elk. Mm-hmm. And even a fox one morning, and we, uh, looked for moose because they're everywhere apparently.

But, we're really bad at spotting moose. We did some amazing hikes, though, especially around Monarch Lake, which takes you through the Arapahoe National Forest. And the Indian Peaks Wilderness area has these stunning views of the North Central Colorado, and even parts of the Continental Divide Trail are located near the ranch.

Oh, that sounds absolutely magical. You know, those unplanned moments are often the ones that stay with you the longest. Yeah. And that's the magic of staying at a place like Arapahoe Valley Ranch. You're immersed in nature, but you're comfortable. I could cook my own meals over the fire or use the camp stove or drive about 20 minutes into grand beef restaurants.

What did you do during your days of the ranch? Well, we did a lot of hikes on the property. Uh, tried fishing in the sucked pond and had a beer at the. Smallest saloon in Colorado, which is open on Fridays and Saturdays, and it's located inside the lodge. There's only two bar stools in there, so the pace was just really relaxed and restorative.

And after all the adventure in Grand Junction, it was perfect. And you're close to Rocky Mountain National Park from there too. Yeah, that's another huge benefit. Uh, you're about 30 to 45 minutes from the west entrance of the park. Which is significantly less crowded than the east interest near Estes Park.

That's such a good tip for our listeners, the West entrance. Is the secret. It really is. We were able to drive the Trail Ridge Road, stop at overlooks, do some shorter hikes and never felt overwhelmed by the crowds. Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuously paved road in North America. It reaches over 12,000 feet and the views are stunning.

Mm-hmm. You're above the tree line in Alpine Tundra and you can see for miles. We, we were there on the last weekend. It was open before the season, closed it down. Mm-hmm. And it was, elk Redding season. Okay. So you get outta your car and you're hiking, and everywhere you're hearing elk bugle, it's this eerie sound.

If you've never , heard it. Oh, you go. I've heard it, but. Yeah, there would be “elk jams” where mm-hmm. Great herds of elk were, were in the valley. And of course the males are all bugling and trying to, trying to woo the females and everybody's pulled over side of the road just watching this elk.

Mm-hmm. I mean, it was quintessential Rocky Mountain. Oh, definitely. And you did another activity in the area. There's something I bet you didn't expect from Grand Junction world class dinosaur fossils. The nearby town of, what was it again? Fruita. Fruita is home to the Dinosaur Journey Museum, which the Travel Channel ranked as one of the top six dinosaur exhibits in America, right alongside the Smithsonian.

And this isn't just a museum where you look at bones behind glass. Though they do have over 15,000 fossil specimens, including the world's largest triceratops skull. Ooh. What makes this place special is that you can actually participate in a real paleontological dig at the famous, Mygat Moore Quarry.

We did a half day dig and it was. Fascinating. You're working alongside professional paleontologists and volunteers. You're learning proper excavation techniques, and here's a wild part. You might actually discover something significant. Hmm. A couple of 80 year olds uncovered an entire dinosaur femur a few years ago.

Oh, fascinating. And I, another thing I love about this is the majority of volunteers who work these dig sites are retirees. Okay. Like these two 80-year-old ladies, it took them four years to excavate that entire femur out of the quarry. Ooh. Yeah. And they're out there and it's hot, and you're in the dirt and you're using basically a screwdriver and a paint brush to chip away at the dirt because you don't, you know, you don't wanna damage anything.

Yeah. Do. Yeah. But it's really fun that you get to participate in these digs if you wish. That is really cool. So the Grand Junction area is part of what's called dinosaur diamond, and I didn't realize this until recently. This incredibly rich fossil region stretches into Utah. The Morrison formation here has yielded some of the most important dinosaur discoveries in history.

Including the most complete allosaur skeleton and some of the best stegosaurus fossils ever found. And what I loved about the museum itself is how interactive it is. They have animatronic dinosaurs and earthquake simulator. A water play area in this simulated dig site where kids, and let's be honest, adults too can brush away Santa and cover large fossil replicas.

Plus you can watch paleontologists working in the visible lab, preparing real fossils seriously. It's just an open glass. Mm-hmm. And you're seeing them. Do actual lab work on these. That is so cool. It was so incredibly cool. That's funny though, is it give, it gives me like whole Jurassic Park vibes. Oh yeah.

You're on a ride and you're just going through minus dinosaur horse. Yes. So it was one of those experiences that appeals to the curious kid in all of us. And for our listeners who might be traveling with grandchildren or hosting, visiting family, this is an absolutely hit for all ages. As we were just talking about Jurassic Park, we're talking about touching 150 million year old fossils in standing where dinosaurs actually walk, and the museum offers everything from quick half day digs to a full five day paleontology expedition. They run throughout the summer months, and the spaces are limited to about 12 people per dig, so you really get personalized attention from the experts. That sounds like an amazing experience. Uh, highly recommend, highly should be on everyone's bucket list.

So, okay, so let's talk logistics for a minute, because I know our listeners are probably thinking, this sounds amazing, but how do I actually plan a trip like this? When do you go? I went in September, which was perfect. The weather was still warm during the day. We're talking about, , high seventies and eighties in Grand Junction, but really nice and cool at night.

The fall colors were really starting to show up on the Grand Mesa, and especially at Arapahoe Valley Ranch, though I will have to say it got down to freezing. The nights we were at Arapahoe Valley Ranch. But, we stayed nice and cozy with the wood burning stove and the bedding.

Perfect. So you say September, early October would be ideal? Uh, I think so. I would, I would highly suggest September. Because in October, especially in the higher elevations, you run the risk of early snowfall. Mm-hmm. Right? You'll have smaller crowds. You'll beat that summer rush, and you still have this beautiful weather.

Uh, summer is peak season and everything will be open and accessible, but you'll pay a bit more and you'll see a lot more people. Spring is really lovely too, though. You might encounter some snow on Grand Mesa and around Arapahoe Valley Ranch and again that that drive at Rocky Mountain National Park and some of the scenic drives might be closed down because it's weather snowy.

Yeah. So what about accommodations in Grand Junction? There are plenty of options at all price points. We stayed at the Hotel Maverick and loved being able to walk to restaurants and breweries. The city has your standard chain hotels, some really nice boutique down downtown hotels, vacation rentals, and there was the name and there was this really cool place called Eddie's.

Mm-hmm. Which was Airstream kind of campground. Okay. I mean, people bought their own RVs, but you could rent, these little Airstreams. To stay in or you could rent these little tiny homes to stay in. Very fun. It was right along the river and it was just really cool. But if you really want to lean into the wine country.

, There's the Wine Country Inn right in Palisade, and it's connected to Grand River Vineyards. Ooh, that sounds grand. It's connected to Grand River Vineyards. That sounds perfect for wine lovers. It is. And they do complimentary wine tastings in the afternoon and the restaurant on site. Excellent. As for Arapahoe Valley Ranch, I'd say book well in advance, especially for peak summer or fall.

They have glamping tents, teepees, yurts, cabins, and regular campsites. So there's something for every budget and comfort level. That's good to know, and we'll be sure and have links to each of these properties in our show notes. Yes. So how long would you recommend spending in this area? I had a full week, and it felt just about right, I'd say four to five days in the Grand Junction area for the town, the wine tasting, and the major outdoor attractions.

Then. Two to three days at Arapahoe Valley Ranch in the Rocky Mountain National Park. But honestly, you could spend two weeks and not run out of things to do. , I would say Grand Junction makes a perfect home base because we were three hours from Rocky Mountain National Park, we're three hours from Moab.

Mm-hmm. It's like this perfect hub for all the outdoor and cultural adventures. That are unique. Mm-hmm. And really fun. That's right. And it's just got a different vibe than Eastern Colorado. Okay. That's good to know. 'cause I mean, I love Estes Park, but it can get kind of crowded. Yeah. So, and let's talk budget, because Colorado can be expensive.

Yeah. And this is where Grand Junction really shines. Accommodation costs are significantly lower than places like Aspen or Vail. Restaurant prices are reasonable and many outdoor activities are free or very affordable. Wine tasting fees at most of the Palisade wineries are about 10, between 10 and $15 for five to six tastings.

That's really good. You know, compare that to Napa where you may pay 40, 50 per person. Right? Uh, so, and restaurants. Restaurants are excellent. My favorite restaurants in Grand Junction were Pablo Pizza. Amazing pizzas. Mm-hmm. The best burger I ever had in my life was at a place called Pour Fellows, spelled POUR. 'cause it's also kind of a taphouse too. Okay. And then there's Bin 707 Food Bar, which is a James Beard Smart Catch leader for its ongoing commitment to sustainability within the industry. And the chef and owner is a 2025 James Beard. Outstanding chef finalist. That's outstanding.

Yeah. Okay. It's moving up on my bucket list. And let's talk about guided activities. Yeah. Things like the off-roading tours, the horseback riding and the canyoneering are obviously more, but the prices are competitive. Probably spend about 150 to 200 per person for a half day guided activity, which feels fair for what you're getting.

Right. And especially too, 'cause they're putting you in places where there are no people and that on its own. Is worth its weight in gold. Yeah, and really it does seem reasonable. I imagine Grand Junction is a real working town. It's not a tourist resort. That's what I really appreciated about it. There are grocery stores, gas stations, pharmacies, all the regular stuff you might need, and the locals are genuinely friendly and very welcoming and very proud of their town.

I got some of my best recommendations from people I met at breweries and in the coffee shops, or just walking along the trails, you know? Yeah. That's always the best way to find those local favorites is by asking where do you like to eat? Yeah. So before we wrap up, I wanna talk about why I think Grand Junction is such a great destination, specifically for women over 45.

Yes. Let's talk about that because this is really what our podcast is all about. First of all, grand Junction offers adventure without requiring you to be an extreme athlete. Mm-hmm. Whether you want to do easy walks with amazing views or more challenging canyoneering like I did, there are options. You can customize your experience based on your fitness level and comfort zone.

That flexibility is so important. We're not all at the same fitness level and we shouldn't have to be. It's kind of pick your own adventure based on where you're at. Exactly. And the town itself is manageable and not overwhelming. After spending time in massive cities or crowded tourist destinations, there's something really refreshing about a place where you can navigate easily.

Or parking isn't a nightmare, and where you don't feel rushed or stressed out. Mm-hmm. And what about safety? Because I know that's always a concern about solo female travelers. Yeah, I felt completely comfortable. The entire trip. Walking around downtown at night was fine, probably because we're, as well lit.

A lot of crowds out there. They like being outdoors, um, driving to the different attractions. Was safe staying at Arapahoe Valley Ranch. I never felt unsafe. Now you do have to, be aware of wildlife, like don't leave food out on your cooler, out on your front porch or your tent because they have bear in the area.

Mm-hmm. So be bear aware and the community vibe in Grand Junction is welcoming without being intrusive, you know? Mm-hmm. And from it. Practical standpoint, everything is relatively close together. You're not spending hours in the car driving between attractions. I mean, the longest we spent in the car was getting from Grand Junction to Rocky Mountain National Park, and that was about four hours, four and a half hours.

But Grand Junction itself is compact enough that you can do multiple things in a day without feeling exhausted from traveling there. Yeah, that's what I love about. A trip like this, it offers variety. If you're traveling with friends who have different interests, there's something for everyone. Yeah, one person can go wine tasting while another does mountain biking.

Someone can have a relaxing day hitting up the breweries while another goes canyoneering, but also encourage everyone to step outside their comfort zone and try something new. That's what this stage of life is all about. Hmm. So you're saying I should try the white wine while you go canyoneering?

I can do that, yeah. Yeah. Step outside the comfort zone there, Nikki. So for our listeners who are newly single or empty nesters, figuring out this new phase of life. A trip like this offers a chance to rediscover yourself through new experiences, and you can do it without feeling like you're competing with 25 year olds.

So, okay, so let's wrap this up. Let's do some rapid fire takeaways. Heidi, what's your number one reason to visit Grand Junction? The LAC of crowds combined with world class scenery. You get all the beauty of Colorado's most famous destinations without the stress, without the crowds, and without the expense.

Best surprise of the trip. How much I loved Arapahoe Valley Ranch. This was a last minute edition for me, but it ended up being one of the most relaxing parts of the entire trip, hiking at Sunrise, listening to the river at night. Those are the moments that stay with you. What would you tell someone who's on the fence about visiting this area?

I'd say if you've been putting off a Colorado road trip because you're intimidated by the crowds or the prices at the more famous destinations, then Grand Junction is your answer. You get everything that makes Colorado special, the stunning landscapes, the outdoor adventures, the great food and drink scene, but at a fraction of the hassle.

Hmm. And I'll add that if you're someone who identifies as more of a comfort seeker than an adrenaline junkie, this destination still has plenty for you. You can be as mellow or as adventurous as you'd like to be. Exactly. The flexibility is there. One practical tip before you go. If you're planning to visit, definitely check out.

Visitgrandjunction.com. They have tons of information about activities, restaurants, accommodations, and current events. And if you're interested in the electric byways program, you can find out more on their website, which we'll be sure to put in the show notes. And for Arapahoe Valley Ranch, their website is arapahoevalleyranch.com.

Book early because those glamping spots fill up real fast. And ladies, I hope this episode has inspired you to put Grand Junction on your travel list for 2026. Heidi, thank you for sharing your adventure with us. Thank you for letting me gush about, I really think this is one of Colorado's best kept secrets and.

I could easily picture myself living in a place like Grand Junction. Oh wow. So remember, ladies, life doesn't get smaller after 45. It gets bigger if you let it. The places like Grand Junction are proof that the best adventures are still ahead of us, not behind us. So grab girlfriends, book that trip and go create some memories.

As always, we love hearing from you. So send us your Grand Junction stories, questions, or other destination suggestions. You can find us on Instagram at untethered wa and wander wise, no untethered wander wise. You can find us on Instagram at untethered wander wise, or if you love this podcast, leave us a review on Apple Podcast.

It really helps other women discover our show. Until next week, stay untethered. Stay wander wise, and keep exploring this beautiful world on your own terms. Happy travels everyone. Bye.

Be sure to like, follow and subscribe wherever you get your podcast fix. Check us out on Instagram at untethered Wonder wise, that's no, and for even more travel inspiration and tips. Until next time, happy travels.