10/5/25-10/6/25, Days 2 and 3 at Grand Junction

We were smart on Saturday and went to Safeway on the way back to the Airbnb. We grabbed some stuff for snacks and breakfast so we wouldn't have to head out of town every time we wanted something to eat. So we had some breakfast and some adult time before getting out to see what GJT and the Western Slope had to offer.

Riley was striking his Tartuffe stage until later so we headed east, about 10 miles out of Junction to Palisades, where they were having the last summer street fair of the year. It was a little like Snoqualmie once we got there; small town, older homes, quaint little Main street where the fair took place. The main difference would be the mesas to the north, just next to I-70, where we drove in.

We walked up and down the street and Marci wanted to get a sweatshirt, so she tried one on, but we left it there in case there were others in the fair (there weren't). There were some cool pottery places, a guy selling earplugs of all things (gun related), tons of dogs (Colorado dogs are so well behaved!) and just a lot of nice people.

We had to find something to eat, as it was past lunch time and we were getting hungry. There was a place called the 357 Bar and Grill, which Marci thought would be OK, and it might have been, but the Olde English font of the name, the name itself, and the fact that it was in a conservative little town led me to think that it might not be the best place for us.

There were a bunch of dudes wearing "We the People" shirts and things like that; nothing overly overt, but definitely signaling their beliefs. Whatever. People were nice enough.

We went to lunch at Fidel's, a Mexican restaurant, where we paid $8/taco and it was sort of a rip off. Tasted good enough, but the ones at Gracia in Ballard were the same price and twice as much food given.

After that, we walked around some more looking for dessert, but found none, so headed back to Junction, where we ended up at the Goodwill. No agenda, we just love thrifting, but aside from a couple shirts, they had nothing awesome.

By this time, Riley was done with striking the set, so we headed to his place to see it and hang out a bit. We met his roommate Corinne and chatted a bit before he and I decided to do something about his car. Since earlier this year, he's said that the trunk won't open. Also, he needed an oil change and his tires need air. So there was an O'Reillys nearby and we went to get him oil, wipers and wiper fluid. We got back to his place and I topped off the oil, he put in more fluid, we switched out his wipers and then we got to work on the trunk.

It was a family affair. He was stuffed in the trunk trying to take out the inner liner. I was coaching him up and Marci was on her phone looking for ideas and solutions. Riley finally got the liner out and Marci found a post saying how to flip a lever on the trunk locking mechanism. We finally got it open and after some more troubleshooting, found that the wire harness might have a break in a wire somewhere. Moving the door open, the electrics worked. As we closed the door, the wires would crimp and lose connection.

So at least we have an idea of what to do next and he can open the trunk if he absolutely needs to. I'll have to look at it when he comes home in the summer.

Hannah came over later and we went to Pablo's Pizza on Main Street, where we ate with Haley a few years ago. It was fun hanging there and talking to the kids. Riley and I had the M's on my phone via Youtube TV. I love technology. Pizza was good and Riley and Hannah are cute together.

Pizza ended and we said goodbye to the kids. They left and we headed back to the Airbnb where Marci did some schoolwork, and I watched the M's win with Julio driving Cal home. Then I watched the Seahawks play a great offensive but terrible defensive game, losing 38-35 on a walkoff field goal by TB. Bummer.

Today was pretty chill as we were flying out. We buttoned up the house, fed some goats, then headed to Riley's house to drop off his car. We had our pizza from last night in the house as Corinne studied in her living room. A great Lyft driver named Jose picked us up and we took the short ride to GJT where, of all things, my sea salt spray for my hair got confiscated (I still don't know why). Marci got patted down and we both got our shoes swabbed.

The walk from gate to gat e at Salt Lake City was easier, but we had more time this time, so that helped. The flight back wasn't bad except for a poor baby who pretty much cried the whole time. We both had earbuds in so no big deal.

Haley and Blake picked us up from the airport and we made it home in one piece. Now it's back to work tomorrow and to see if I'm able to sneak watch the Mariners on tv.

10/3/25-10/4/25, Travel and day 1 at Grand Junction

Notes to remember:

Super easy Uber ride to the airport during rush hour. Barely any traffic, took maybe 20 minutes. I had TSA precheck so easy to get through. Marci doesn't have it, but even if she never travels, it's worth getting for the few times she does go to visit Judy, etc.

Flight to SLC was easy and quick. We had dinner at Salty's at the airport: fish for Marci, salmon BLT for me. Because we got to the airport so fast, we had time to kill, so early dinner it was. On the plane, we were seated behind some folks that were a little smelly, so that was annoying. The guy next to me assumed the crash position (bent at the waist, head on knees) for much of the flight. That was weird but he was fine. I listened to the Planets vinyl master and dozed on and off.

At SLC airport, we taxied forever and then when we finally got off the plane, we had 15 minutes to pretty much traverse the entire length of the airport. We were at gate A-10 and we had to be at gate B-30. There were motorized walkways, but even with those, it took forever. Poor Marci had to truck as quick as she could and her legs were buggin' a little. I made it there at 9:14 and she pulled in a few seconds after me. They weren't leaving right then, but it was still a little tense. Once on the flight, we were good. A moderate amount of turbulence on the way down, but luckily it's a short flight.

Riley picked us up in Hannah's car and took us to the theater, where we hopped in the Fiat. I always think of that car as a bit of a joke, but once I got in it, it seemed to be just fine. He has some dash lights (oil change, tire air pressure) that I should be able to resolve for him, I just need to look it up.

Off to the AirBnB, which I chose because it looked cool, a bit out of the Grand Junction proper area. It was dark and poorly lit, out in the boonies a little. The house is a furnished space over a detached garage and they left no lights on for us. I ended up driving around another house's circular driveway before finding this place. After our adventure at the airport, I was bummed to see the house had a steep staircase, but Marci made it up just fine.

The place is decent enough: bedroom, attached bathroom, minisplits for the air, kitchenette, tv. But what it doesn't have is decent seating (only 2 barstool/chairs), tables (one high-top table), curtains (really sunny/bright in the living room), condiments for food/coffee (no sugar, etc). But it's a place to stay. After all, there are goats and chickens just outside.

The other problem is any food and supplies are at least a 15 minute drive back to Junction. Next time we come out for graduation, we're staying in town. Sheesh.

Saturday morning we decided to go out for breakfast as we had no food here. Into town we went and we stopped at some blandly generic coffee shop after the first one we hit, First Watch (cop owned? MAGA?) was too busy so we went back down the street to the other one. Sandwich was good enough and the coffee was nice, so there's that.

It was sunny and warm, but a bit breezy when we hit up Main Street in Junction. There was an arts fair going on and people were just getting set up. Marci and I walked up and down the street, seeing what was up. On one corner, there were some musicians setting up, but no bassist. I noticed one guy had a Mariners jersey on and asked if there was a bass. He said no, but one was on the way and they recruited me to come back (also, I offered). I had my M's hat on and he shouted out, "October baseball, baby!" to me, and I was pleased about that.

I hopped in the record store, Triple Play, and looked around. I'm kind of torn about vinyl. I like the idea but the prices ($30/record) are weird to me. Seems like that's pretty normal though. I was browsing and then found Fountains of Wayne "Welcome Interstate Managers" on discount for $34.99. I was interested but not sure. Kept on looking and then found "Traffic and Weather" so I became more interested. When I saw a mystery grab bag of 5 yacht rock records for $9.99, I had to grab those. Then I found Boston's first record so I grabbed that too. Overall, I spent $106, but had a nice convo with the guy, Eric, and he packed them up so I could bring them home. Got some stickers too!

We walked around some more and popped into the giant antique store. It was getting windier, with some big ol' gusts that had the artists nervous about their artwork. Inside the store, we saw it started dumping rain as well and after a bit, people started packing up their gear, which was a huge bummer for them, I'm sure. The good news was that the storm moved through quick and eventually the sun came back. We kept hanging around town and eventually stopped for lunch at the Rockslide brewery. I had a Philly cheesesteak, which was just fine bar-type food.

From the restaurant, we walked around a bit more and came back upon the musicians, who had stayed past the storm. One guy saw me and called me over and asked if I was gonna play. I didn't see a bass, but they said it was in the gigbag behind. Sure enough, there was an acoustic Fender bass, so I grabbed it and plugged in. The woman there was the guy's wife, she had Mariners gear on as well. They said they visited Seattle a few weeks ago and fell in love with the stadium and team. I just noodled around and played and the drums and guitar followed me. We played a few songs and that was that. We chatted with Matt and Tori for a few minutes (the Mariners couple) and then headed on our way.

We went back to the house and Riley and Hannah came by to see the place. We had met Hannah last year when her and a bunch or Riley's theater friends came to Seattle for some theater convention. I vaguely remember her, but nothing really stood out at the time. However, at the house, she was cool, alternative, and her and Riley really seem to like each other. They hung out a bit and then left to get ready for his play.

We hemmed and hawed a bit before dinner, not knowing where to go, but we finally went to the Devil's Kitchen, which is attached to the Hotel Maverick, right next to the theater where Riley would perform. Luckily I'd been saving up bucks for this trip so we splurged and had steak and fish and a nice time with the bartender Robert, especially when I chatted him up on his Seiko SKX.

Dinner was great and we walked over to the Asteria theater, where Riley basically spends all his time these days. He was in the play Tartuffe, about a swindler infiltrating a family where everyone sees through the charade but the matriarch. Riley played the dad's son, a swordsman that was overly excited about protecting his family and its reputation. His character was very over the top and Riley did a great job being just that. He shouted all his lines, jumped around a lot, and generally was quite funny. All the performers were excellent and though the play was longer than it needed to be, it was highly entertaining.

We were pretty exhausted after that so we headed home, where I stayed up watching the Huskies win and the Mariners lose in extras for the opening game of the ALDS. Pretty sad, but one game does not a series make.

Pictures from these days, in random Blogger order. :/

Cool shadows outside the Asteria

Before going into the Asteria for the show.

Outside the Airbnb.

Also outside the Airbnb.

Marci on the tarmac in GJT.

On the way to GJT!