We had breakfast with Frank and Margie. Margie is a wonderful cook and fixed a veggie omelet with hollandaise sauce. We had the opportunity to meet their multitude of cats and enjoyed seeing Frank's naturalized yardscape with cacti, sunflowers, rabbit's brush, sagebrush, and other native arid plants.
Frank and Margie own two bookstores in Grand Junction, Grand Valley Books and Twice Upon a Time. GVB is downtown and specializes in new books and caters to tourists and downtown business people. Twice Upon a Time is a used bookstore and is located in a strip mall along the main street in GJ. Each has different clientele and a different character, but both are fun and it was a pleasure to have Frank give us the grand tour of both, the downtown business area, and his warehouse.
Being a small business owner is not an easy thing, and Margie and Frank both took significant time off to spend with us and fed us as well! Thanks to you both - love you and it was great to spend time with you! Thank your for all of the gifts!
The Warehouse and Shipping Operation
Grand Valley Books
Downtown Grand Junction
One of our main purposes for traveling to Grand Junction was to visit my mom's sister and her husband, Aunt Geneva and Uncle Frank. I last saw them when Kim and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary 3 years ago and we drove over to Cincinnati with mom to visit them. Uncle Frank is in the VA Hospital and Aunt Geneva is in an assisted living facility. It was great to see them and spend some time with them! We love you both! Frank and Margie help out with their care and needs as does their daughter Loraine in Kansas City. Geneva spends her days at Frank's side and has lunch with him then returns to her facility for dinner.
Geneva and Chuck enjoying some Pizza
After parting with Frank and Geneva for the afternoon, we headed up to drive through the Colorado National Monument just outside of Grand Junction. Another very scenic drive and not to be missed - if you are ever in the area, I highly recommend it. Every corner brings a different wonder to the eye. Every new angle highlights a new perspective on nature's beauty. Just don't be afraid of heights! :) It is well worth the $10 entry fee per vehicle and the sights were unbelievable! The sheer grandeur and size of these rock formations makes a person feel very small!
Looking back toward Grand Junction and Grand Mesa
Forest looks like a giant
The Mummies
The Mummies
Independence Monument
After our trip through the Monument, we headed back to Frank and Margie's house for a wonderful dinner with them and Aunt Geneva. Margie and Frank made a fabulous salad with herbs, nuts, and lots of fruit. That was topped off by dessert with Palisades peaches, raspberry/rhubarb sauce, and fresh whipped cream. It was a wonderful way to end a wonderful day - with family/great friends, and fantastic food!
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