Here's some interesting weather we saw on the way there after we came down from crossing the Continental Divide.

After entering the Monument and climbing for a few minutes, this is the first vista view we saw, looking back from whence we came.

Not much grows in this rugged high country, but these hearty and dainty flowers are common.

The flowers come in many varieties, and are usually quite small.

These pictures of the flowers were taken from about one foot away.

On the left side of this picture are some natural cracks in the rock that Norma noticed look like a sculptor began chiseling the image of a monk, or perhaps of the pope.

The Monument area overlooks the Colorado River basin and the town of Grand Junction (not visible), with more mesas on the other side of the valley.

The road below helps provide a little perspective.

Balanced Rock, a 600 ton boulder perched atop a pedestal.

Independence Monument was left standing as parts of the wall eroded and collapsed.

Although from below the edge of the mesa appears to just be a vertical cliff, there are actually many deep canyons.

Fallen Rock. Loosened by the forces of erosion, this rock eventually broke loose and slid to the ground below.

Another vista.

Another vista.

Named the Coke Ovens, this series of rock domes was created by the natural sculpting forces of wind, water and ice.

Approaching the north exit from the Monument are a pair of tunnels. This is looking back from between the tunnels.

From the same place, this is looking forward to the second tunnel.

Here are panoramas Norma made by combining some of the pictures she took.

In this picture, Coke ovens are in the foreground.

I especially like this one because it helps to show some perspective of the depth of the vistas.

Independence Monument.