Grand Junction, Colorado: Wine, Wild Trout, and a Drive-In Summer

Grand Junction was one of those stops that we didn’t expect to love as much as we did—but it had a little bit of everything: mountains, wine, rodeos, and a naked photo shoot (not ours, thankfully).

Carboy Winery & Colorado Charm

We kicked off our stay at Carboy Winery, a cozy spot with great views and even better wine. Their sparkling rosé alone made me consider becoming a full-time sommelier. We sat on the patio, soaking in the Colorado sun, chatting with locals, and pretending we actually understood wine notes beyond "yep, that's good."

Grand Mesa: Trout & a Surprise Show

Next up was Grand Mesa, the world's largest flat-top mountain. It's absolutely breathtaking—lakes, wildflowers, and the kind of alpine stillness that makes you forget about phone service and deadlines.

Just one of the alpine lakes at Grand Mesa!

We stopped by one of the high mountain lakes, where rainbow trout were literally leaping out of the water. It looked like a screensaver come to life. Just as we were marveling at nature's perfection, a woman on the far side of the lake decided it was the perfect time to strip completely naked and do a photo shoot.

Now, I'm all for embracing your inner wilderness spirit. Still, this woman went complete National Geographic—posing, twirling, and back-floating while some poor girl tried to “find her light.” It was… a scene.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison: Vertigo & Views

We also drove out to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, which might be the most dramatic canyon we've ever seen. The walls are so steep and dark that they appear to have been carved by lightning.

We took the dogs and decided to drive all the way down to the river at the bottom. The road? Let's just say it's not for the faint of heart—or weak of brakes. The grade is so steep that even Piper was giving me a side-eye, as if to say, "Are we sure about this?" But the views at the bottom were worth every white-knuckled minute.

The view from the top!

Colorado National Monument: Peaceful Evenings

At sunset, we headed to the Colorado National Monument, which feels like a mini Grand Canyon but without the crowds. We sat quietly watching bighorn sheep move across the cliffs, their silhouettes glowing against the orange sky. It was one of those simple, perfect travel moments—the kind that makes you fall in love with the road all over again.

Rodeo Realizations

Our timing happened to line up with the Mesa County Fair, so naturally, we went to another rodeo. After the Cody experience, we thought we were seasoned pros. Turns out, we've decided we're more “top-tier rodeo only” kind of people.

Watching another round of cowboys get tossed like rag dolls reminded us that rodeo life is no joke. We're sticking to the ones where the professionals mostly stay on the horse and mostly don't leave in an ambulance.

Twister 2 at the Drive-In

One of my favorite surprises in Grand Junction was going to the Twister 2 showing at the Morrison Drive-In. There's just something about watching a storm movie outdoors with popcorn and the sound of crickets that hits differently. Patrick and I laughed our way through the whole thing, half waiting for an actual tornado to roll in for the entire 4D experience.

New Friends & Fourth of July Fun

We also met Roger and Katy, two new friends from Reno, Nevada, who were camping nearby. Patrick and Roger clicked instantly—turns out Roger was an Air Force pilot stationed at Beale Air Force Base — and after retiring from the military, he became a FedEx pilot, only to retire again. Meanwhile, I was still over here celebrating that I once successfully parallel-parked.

They were the kind of people you instantly connect with—the ones who hand you a local craft beer before they even ask your last name. They also told us about Lake Tahoe's annual hot air balloon and ostrich races, which take place every fall. Patrick had heard the term "ostrich race," and now he's fully convinced he's destined to ride one someday.

We ended up celebrating the Fourth of July together—great beer, even better company, and that easy comfort you feel around new friends who already feel like old ones.

Surviving the Heatwave

Grand Junction also reminded us that summer in the desert means business. It hit 100 degrees, and the RV felt like a rolling sauna. So we invested in a swamp cooler, which instantly became our new favorite travel companion. It wasn't glamorous, but it worked—and Piper and Keva were living their best, breezy lives again.

Closing Thoughts

Grand Junction ended up being the perfect blend of wine, wilderness, and weirdness—the kind of stop that captures everything we love about life on the road. Between the jumping trout, new friends, naked photo shoots, and a Twister sequel under the stars, it’s safe to say Colorado kept us thoroughly entertained.