R2R Travelogue 1: Ribeye, Colorado
Day One: Leaving before sunrise this morning on my long-awaited trip, it was exhilarating to get "out on the road!" There has always been something for me and "windshield time" for reflection that is hard to beat.
Frankly I did not expect to be writing tonight, as nothing was "planned," but I really had a special experience and wanted to share it with you.
I visited Ribeye, Colorado! Population 12!!
Out on the "road less traveled" in life, it was definitely my kind of place. So, I wanted to share it with you. Let's take a look!
Ribeye, Colorado and Grande Natural Meats
So ... Where on earth is Ribeye, Colorado? This answer is direct from their website:
"Grande Natural Meats is a growing ranch-based elk, deer venison, buffalo meat, goat meat, Alaska seafood, antler and pet food company located at the headwaters of the Rio Grande River at the eastern edge of the beautiful San Juan mountain range of southwestern Colorado."
This is a family-owned business in a beautiful location, as described above, out in the country west of Del Norte, Colorado, along U. S. Hwy 160.
On entering the property, you are greeted with an elk herd.
Photo: Property Entrance
This business sells USDA-approved game meat and this herd has to be behind an 8-foot high fence, to protect that certification.
As you can see from their description above, elk is not all the family has to offer. And they want to do it right, as their website indicates:
"All Natural, NO Growth Hormones, NO growth-promoting Antibiotics, NO Animal Byproducts"
One of their specialties is jerky. As a good, unapologetic carnivore, I went in to their store to check that out! 😊
Photo: @roleerob's trusty Ford Ranger in front of Store
I came out with two packages of jerky - one of buffalo and one of elk. I will save it for treats on my travels, like tomorrow, when I am planning to do some hiking in the Canyon de Chelly National Monument in northeastern Arizona.
Before leaving, I stopped for a closer look at the elk herd. They all had ear tags, much as any other domesticated herd of animals I have seen here in the western U.S.
Photo: Elk Herd Close-Up
I imagine that warning is to be taken seriously, so I did not get too close, so as not to alarm them.
On my way on up into the San Juan mountains, I was soon reminded I was taking this trip in the winter, driving through a major snowstorm, before reaching my destination tonight.
Before closing then, here is a nice picture of this beautiful ranch in the summer time, nestled in this high mountain valley near the headwaters of the Rio Grande river.
The Rio Grande is the famous river that separates Texas from Mexico. But ... It doesn't start there. Nor does it start in New Mexico. It starts here on the southern flank of the spectacular San Juan mountains in southwestern Colorado.
Closing
All things considered, a pleasant start to "@roleerob's excellent adventure!" Thanks for going along with me, dear reader. I’d love to hear any feedback you may be inspired to provide.
Until "next time," all the best to you for a better tomorrow, as we all work together to build our Steem Community! 👍 😊
Respectfully,
Steemian @ roleerob
Posted using SteemPeak and “immutably enshrined in the blockchain” on Monday, 21 January 2019!
"R2R" Note: My "shorthand" way of referring to what I first wrote about in my Reflections: My "Road to Recovery" Trip post. "Road to Recovery" <=> "R2R" ... 😉
Image sources, unless otherwise noted: My trusty smartphone!
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What a great adventure, friend. I liked the walk you shared today. It made me laugh when I read this:
For me a treat would be chocolates! I love sweets hahaha ... but meat .... it seems strange, I do not imagine it as a treat.
Keep enjoying your trip, blessings. :)
Yes @blessed-girl ...
... I wouldn't often turn those down either, but this store didn't have any! 😉 It was definitely a meat lovers "paradise" ...
Thanks for stopping by! Day two begins shortly ...
What a great start to your journey! Shows how we often miss small details when we don’t stop and reflect about our surroundings! How cool to be about to be a +1 to a population of 12!
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Yes @newageinv ...
... if truth be told, I actually drove past, but turned around and came back. Two reasons: 1) My "gut" told me to, and 2) I reminded myself I am retired and I am not supposed to be in a hurry any more ... 😉
Day two and the high desert of northeastern Arizona begins shortly ... Thanks for stopping by!
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Thank you @travel feed / @for91days!
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Hiya, @livinguktaiwan here, just swinging by to let you know that this post made the Honorable mentions list in today's Travel Digest #415.
Your post has been manually curated by the @steemitworldmap team, and if you like what we're doing, please drop by to check out all the rest of today's great posts and consider upvoting and supporting us.
Wow! Thank you very much @steemitworldmap / @livinguktaiwan. I did not expect that!
That is very encouraging to me.
Caught me working on my "Day Two" post on my "road to recovery" trip. I hope to keep this up throughout, but we'll see!
Wow, this place is amazing. A very beautiful nature scenery!
Yes, @zorank, a very peaceful place and a pleasant start to my trip (minus driving through the major snowstorm). Thanks for stopping by!
Howdy sir roleerob! wow look at the views at that ranch! Was that a planned stop or did you just see a sign about them? How's the jerky? Man, that looks like beautiful country!
Actually drove by, but "gut" said "Slow down!" 😉 since I'm supposed to be retired and go back. Glad I did, and it is my kind of place.
As likely yours too, if you are ever passing that way. You would be visiting the area which is the headwaters of the mighty Rio Grande and the San Juans are spectacular mountains.
Ate my first buffalo jerky on Day Three (see post) and it was excellent. Expensive, but they really do it right!
Posted using Partiko Android
Howdy this fine Sunday sir roleerob! That area sounds like a great location to own a place out in the country with the mountains in the background..if I move again I'll look over there, it sounds wonderful and that ranch and business you stopped at definitely sounds like my kind of place! that was such a cool post and I'm looking forward to the others and I'll get to at least one more today.
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