Fruit and Wine Byway Palisade - Move to Grand Junction CO

Tag Archive for: Fruit and Wine Byway Palisade

10-Day Grand Junction, Colorado Challenge: What Did Megan Actually Discover?

ARTICLE 1: DAYS 1-3

I Didn’t Want to Give Her a Vacation. I Wanted to Give Her a Glimpse of Life on The Western Slope

When Megan accepted my offer for the 10-Day Grand Junction Challenge, I had a challenge of my own: Give her both sides of Grand Junction, from the spectacular to the mundane.

I deliberately didn’t want to create a typical “I’m on vacation” visitor itinerary. I wanted Megan to experience Grand Junction the way someone considering a move here might experience it, by seeing the places that make people fall in love with the area, but also getting a glimpse of what everyday life actually looks like.

Day 1 – Tuesday: First Impression

Megan arrived in Grand Junction in the late morning, and I had a couple of goals for our first day. First, I wanted to give her some time to get acclimated to the elevation, and I didn’t want to overwhelm her like this was the first day of a typical vacation. The last thing I wanted was for her to feel miserable starting the challenge, so we were going to ease into things.

View from on top of a CMU campus building with the American Flag and Colorado Flag flying

CMU campus rooftop hangout spot overlooking campus

After picking her up at the Grand Junction airport, getting settled at our home and having some lunch, we headed to Colorado Mesa University (CMU) for a campus tour. I thought this was the perfect Day One activity for a few reasons. Coming from the Midwest, small college towns have a certain stigma attached to them. CMU in Grand Junction is the farthest thing from the stereotypical Midwestern small town college experience where the focus seems to be on drinking beer every weekend. Read my post about Parent Tips for CMU Families.

I wanted Megan to see how much CMU contributes to the Grand Junction community. It’s more than a college campus. It’s a source of community pride, whether that’s rallying behind the Mavs, allowing the public to take advantage of the resources provided by the Outdoor Program, or even offering college classes for retirement aged adults at reduced rates. CMU is woven into the fabric of the community in ways that go well beyond its students.

From there, we took a quick tour of Los Colonias and the riverfront redevelopment that had taken place there a few years earlier. The butterfly pond. The amphitheater. The dog park. The swimming hole at the end of the lazy river. The open green space. The riverfront trail.

It’s one of those places where you don’t necessarily go because you have something you need to accomplish. You go to hang out. You can soak in the Colorado sun, spend time along the river, let the kids or dogs burn off some energy, walk or bike the riverfront trail, or simply find a patch of grass and do absolutely nothing.

That was intentional, too. I wanted Megan to start this journey by seeing Grand Junction as more than a collection of attractions. I wanted her to start seeing how people actually use the community.

Carboy Winery in Palisade

We continued easing into the valley by heading to Palisade for a glass of wine at Carboy Winery before driving back across the valley to Fruita to meet another local couple for dinner at The Hot Tomato.

By the end of Day One, Megan had already experienced three distinctly different parts of the Grand Valley: Grand Junction, Palisade and Fruita.

And that was exactly what I wanted. I didn’t want to overwhelm her with one big “WOW” experience on the first day. I wanted her to begin absorbing the valley as a whole.

And the Colorado National Monument? That could wait.

Because taking her up there immediately would have been the obvious thing to do if this were simply a vacation. I wanted Megan to discover Grand Junction gradually. To see what was spectacular, what was ordinary, and, eventually, to decide for herself whether she could imagine building a life here.

She now had her first glance of the Grand Valley. But seeing a place and understanding a place are two very different things.

Megan’s Take: The first day in Grand Junction was an entire concoction of feelings. I was slightly overwhelmed by the newness of it all, but the newness sparked a lot of curiosity. I recall being in awe of the new space around me, but also feeling unable to develop any certain opinions as I was digesting so much at one time. But looking back on the experience, I have realized that even though on day one I felt like we were going nonstop, the reality is that it was one of the most relaxed days of the entire challenge!

Day 2 – Wednesday: The Landscape

As we awoke early on Day 2, I had some reservations about starting the day with a big hike that had some serious elevation gain. Megan, however, was feeling great. We decided we could always turn around if we needed to, so four of us met at the Liberty Cap trailhead in the Colorado National Monument.

I knew Megan had never really “hiked” in the Colorado sense of the word. I also knew this was an important part of the challenge. This was her first opportunity to experience the physical landscape of the Grand Valley. Not from the window of a car, but with her own two feet.

Liberty Cap hike

By the time we reached the top of Liberty Cap, I could see the amazement on her face. Standing above the valley, Megan was looking out over a place she was actually evaluating as a potential home. From that vantage point, you begin to understand how the Grand Valley can feel both incredibly large and surprisingly small at the same time. You can see the transition from the city of Grand Junction to the orchards of Palisade, the ranches around Fruita, and the landscape stretching beyond.

But there was something else I wanted Megan to notice.

World class hiking isn’t something you have to drive out of the valley to experience.

Many of the trailheads around Grand Junction are literally tucked into or next to neighborhoods. The outdoors isn’t necessarily a weekend destination. It can simply become part of how you live. I felt that distinction was important for her to experience firsthand and early in this challenge.

After hiking back down in the rain, we headed home for lunch while taking some time to regroup and work from home before heading back out later in the afternoon.

Our next stop was the Colorado National Monument.

Big Horn Sheep crossing the road in the Monument

Colorado National Monument

The Monument is one of the Grand Valley’s undeniable gems, and one of the things that makes it so remarkable is how close it is to everyday life. We decided to enter through the Fruita entrance and make our way through the Monument back toward Grand Junction.

Within minutes, Megan had her first wildlife encounter of the day when she spotted a herd of about 20 bighorn sheep along the side of the road. The wildlife sightings never get old around here.

We stopped at several overlooks, took a few short hikes, and made our way to the Visitor Center, which is worth the stop for the interactive displays and the opportunity to learn about the history of the area.

And then there were more bighorn sheep.

And more incredible views.

The Colorado National Monument is obviously high on the list for anyone visiting Grand Junction. It’s one of those places you almost always have to show someone when they come to town. But that wasn’t really the point of taking Megan there.

Colorado National Monument looking at Independence Monument on a blue sky day

Colorado National Monument – Independence Monument

I wanted her to experience the difference between visiting a place once and imagining living next to it.

For the rest of her visit, I hoped that she would look at the red rock cliffs of the Monument from anywhere in the valley and be reminded:

“This is literally in my backyard. I could go back there whenever I want.”

That’s a very different way of experiencing a place. And that was exactly what I wanted Megan to start thinking about.

After an incredible afternoon exploring the Monument, we met friends for dinner at Trail Life Brewing in Downtown Grand Junction. Then we walked Main Street, explored some of the shops, and took in the evening.

It had been a very Colorado kind of day.

But, this wasn’t just a vacation day.

It was another glimpse at what an ordinary day in Grand Junction could look like if this became home.

Megan’s Take: Day two was a big day for me. I’m not typically an early riser so leaving as the sun came up to go for not just any ordinary hike, but my very first REAL hike was both exciting and nerve racking. I vividly remember walking to the beginning of the actual mountain, already sweating and controlling my breathing, thinking oh boy… We haven’t even touched rock yet and I’m already burning calories! Slowly but surly, I was able to get into the swing of things and the adrenaline and endorphins running through me not only made the experience unforgettable, but already rewarding in the moment.

Once we made it to the top, the only word that left my mouth was, “Wow.” I think it was starting to hit me that Grand Junction was not a city that just happens to have outdoor recreation nearby. The recreational landscape is part of the identity of this place. And that statement stood to be true as we later on drove from Fruita back to Grand Junction observing the Colorado National Monument. One of the biggest things that stood out to me was the CMU mountain biking team zooming past us multiple times. It was truly incredible seeing their talent, but even more astounding to realize this place is likely one of their regular routes. I’m on one side of the road freaking out over the big horn sheep trotting around without a care in the world, while the bikers are probably hoping and praying for one ride where they’re not interrupted by a road block! The clear distinction between my perspective and what one of the locals may be was eye opening to say the least.

Day 3 – Thursday: People and Community

After a couple of days, it was time to settle into some ordinary life.

Megan, my wife Michelle and I started the day by meeting a local resident and colleague for coffee at Kopeka Coffee in Grand Junction.

This was just one of numerous conversations I had planned for Megan throughout the 10-day challenge. I wanted her to speak directly with people who had relocated here, people who went to college here and never left, people who grew up here, and people who eventually retired here.

I wanted her to hear a variety of perspectives straight from the source: the people who actually live here. Megan was incredibly inquisitive, asking about everything from daily life, work and schools to quality of life and what it’s like to raise a family in the Grand Valley.

After our morning coffee meeting, it was time for some real estate work. Megan shadowed me as we visited a home I had listed for sale, drove through some neighborhoods, ran some errands and eventually headed back home for some work-from-home time for both of us.

That’s when Megan said something that made me realize she was beginning to experience Grand Junction differently. Not just as a visitor, but as someone trying to imagine what it might be like to actually live here.

“I know we’re playing things by ear to some extent, but could you give me some idea of what might be on the agenda for the next few days?”

It was the first time I realized how difficult it must be to simply show up somewhere you know nothing about and take each day as it comes without knowing what’s next.

And maybe that was the point.

When you’re on vacation, you usually have a plan. You research the restaurants, book the activities, map out the sightseeing and make a list of the things you don’t want to miss. You try to make every minute count.

That’s not how real life works.

When you actually live somewhere, you work. You run errands. You sit on the deck. You change your plans. You decide at the last minute to go somewhere for an hour. You come home and have friends over for dinner.

Initially, we had intentionally kept the agenda quiet. I didn’t want Megan to research what was coming or form expectations before experiencing it.

Michelle and Megan sitting in chairs at the Colterris Winery in Palisade

Michelle and Megan at Colterris Winery in Palisade

For this challenge to stay unbiased, fresh, raw and as un-vacation-like as possible, I wanted her to simply go with the flow. I did give in a little and give her a glimpse of a few things that were coming up, mostly so she could prepare, but I didn’t want her knowing exactly what was around every corner.

After an afternoon of working from home, we realized we had enough time to sneak over to Palisade for a visit to the Colterris Winery before two couples arrived for an early dinner at our home.

This was mostly a spur-of-the-moment decision, and that was the beauty of it.

We could simply hop over to Palisade, have a glass of wine, enjoy the views and be back home in time to entertain guests. We didn’t need to dedicate an entire afternoon or evening to the experience.

On the way home, we took the Fruit and Wine Byway so Megan could get a firsthand look at just how much agriculture surrounds Palisade, along with a glimpse of the area’s 30-plus wineries.

It literally made the day.

We scheduled dinner early because we also wanted to make it downtown for Thursday night’s Market on Main. Dinner was filled with wonderful conversations about living in the Grand Valley. Everyone had a different story about how they ended up here.

Market on Main in Grand Junction

Talk about a melting pot. But there we all were, sitting around the same table.

After dinner, we made our way back downtown to stroll Main Street and take in the vendors, live music and strong sense of community.

This wasn’t a one-time event created for tourists. The Grand Junction Market on Main happens every Thursday night during the summer and early fall. It’s a place where people gather. And the vibe is hard to describe until you’re standing in the middle of it.

For Megan, I was hoping this day provided another important distinction.

She wasn’t just being shown what Grand Junction has to offer.

She was getting a glimpse of how people actually live here.

It was another perfect ending to an ordinary Thursday in Grand Junction.

Megan’s Take: Truthfully, I enjoyed every day for different reasons but if I were forced to make a top three list, day three would be up there! Day three was full of, for a lack of better words, experiencing the mundane. Although, I don’t even think mundane is the correct term but rather experiencing a real example of routine. I had the pleasure of meeting a local and picking their brain on life in GJ, followed by getting to shadow Paul through what a real day on the job calls for.

For some reason, doing the most ordinary things sparked curiosity to know what was in store for me in the days to come. Not because I wanted to prepare for anything but because I was finally feeling settled and wanted to know more about the place I was calling home for the next week.

I experienced my first Grand Junction dinner party which was wonderful to meet even more locals, ask questions and hear honest truths about the people who know the place best. This dinner in particular gave me a plentiful list of things to think about. Not a projection of opinion I was going to identify with, but important questions to ask myself during and after this journey in order to help me develop and understand my own perspective. We then ended the night with a quick drive to Market on Main where I get yet another glimpse of the kind of community GJ has to offer.

The Challenge Continues

By the end of Day 3, Megan had experienced the landscape, explored different communities around the Grand Valley, met people with very different stories, and gotten a glimpse of what an ordinary workday could look like here.

But we were just getting started.

Over the next several days, she’d discover just how much of the Western Slope was within reach of Grand Junction, and experienced some adventures that would push her well outside her comfort zone.

CONTINUE TO…
the 10-Day Grand Junction Challenge: Days 4–7 — Discovering the Western Slope and Beyond

Want to understand Grand Junction from Megan’s perspective? Read her entire independent account of the challenge, including what surprised her, what questions she was left asking, and whether she could imagine building a life here.

CONTINUE TO…
Could I Actually Build a Life in Grand Junction? A 10-Day Challenge

Series: 10-Day Grand Junction Challenge

View the all of the posts and videos on the 10-Day Grand Junction Challenge page.

PAUL ASPELIN
Your Grand Junction Relocation and Listing Expert
REALTOR®, GRI, SRES®, CNE

Call or Text (612) 306-9558 (locally based)
Connect with Paul on LinkedIn or send Paul an email

MEGAN JIRELE
Independent Journalist & Writer
Digital Storytelling & Content Creation
Connect with Megan on LinkedIn

by Paul Aspelin, Relocation & Listing Expert

Vineyard and Orchard Properties in Palisade CO

Orchard Properties in Palisade CO Palisade Sunday Farmers Market

I absolutely love attending the Palisade Sunday Farmers Market

Are you looking for orchard properties in Palisade CO or maybe a vineyard in East Orchard Mesa? Dreaming of owning a few acres or a larger property? Start your inquiry here! In Palisade, “It’s all about the experience”. There’s so much to enjoy!

I post short videos and announce new website posts on my Facebook page called Live Your Vacation in Grand Junction.

Let’s Talk Palisade!

Let me start by saying that Palisade Colorado wineries play a critical role in the Grand Valley community. Located on the western slope of the stunning Rocky Mountains. This is an ideal environment for several varieties of orchard and vineyard cultivation. Palisade is known as the “Peach Capital of Colorado” because of its fertile soil and favorable climate for fruit-bearing trees. The Palisade Peaches are some of the sweetest, juiciest peaches you will ever taste! It’s a prominent wine-producing region in Colorado, known for its vineyards and wineries specializing in a variety of grapes, including Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Riesling. These attributes extend into East Orchard Mesa, CO too.

Because we get an average of 300 sunny days per year, along with low humidity, Palisade has optimal conditions for orchard farming, ensuring robust growth and high-quality fruit production. The canyon of the Colorado River that enters Palisade from the east is De Beque Canyon. It is a scenic stretch of the Colorado River characterized by towering cliffs and rugged terrain, providing a picturesque backdrop to the town of Palisade and the entrance of the Grand Valley from the east. The unique microclimate created when the air blows in from the canyon is amazing for growers in this region.

Palisade Geography

Geography is important. Palisade is at the base of the Grand Mesa and the Book Cliff mountains. They provide protection from harsh weather conditions, such as late spring frosts, which can be detrimental to fruit crops. Additionally, the Colorado River runs through here and provides ample irrigation for orchards and vineyards, ensuring consistent water supply for optimal growth.

If you’d like to own a vineyard or orchard properties in Palisade CO, big or small, it’s essential to assess the soil quality, as different fruit varieties thrive in different soil types. Palisade and East Orchard Mesa’s diverse soil compositions, ranging from sandy loam to clay, offer opportunities for cultivating various fruits, including peaches, cherries, apples, plums, apricots, and grapes, lots of grapes!

Population and Property Locations

Palisade is a small community with a population under 3,000. It has many amenities such as local markets, shops, dining, and agricultural resources. Plus, the famous Palisade Sunday Farmers Market during growing season! And it’s just minutes from larger Grand Junction and all it has to offer.

Depending on where a property is located in Palisade may demand a higher value. Properties are located close to the Colorado River, in downtown Palisade and some within eyesight from I-70. Many of them are along the famous scenic Palisade Fruit and Wine Byway. The Byway runs from Palisade into East Orchard Mesa and Grand Junction. I have a map of the byway on my Move to Palisade post.

Gather Knowledge

Property owners will appreciate Palisade’s well-maintained infrastructure. Irrigation systems and storage facilities can streamline operations and increase a property’s appeal. I recommend you engage with the local Palisade grower community. Seek guidance from experienced orchardists or vintners. They can provide valuable insights into the intricacies of orchard and vineyard management in Palisade.

By conducting thorough research and working closely with a knowledgeable Realtor®, you can identify a property that aligns with your goals. A property that maximizes your investment in Palisade’s thriving orchard and vineyard industry.

There are over 25 vineyards in Palisade, let me take you on a wine tasting tour! And remember, not every property for sale is listed on the MLS or found online. I work with a team of real estate professionals and I often know of properties coming up on the MLS well in advance of them being marketing online.

Vibrant Community

If you want to research more about Palisade or East Orchard Mesa for orchard properties, I recommend you hop on Facebook. There are many business pages, community pages, civic pages and lots of Groups that focus on Palisade and the community it serves. There are many events published and opportunities for engagement throughout the year. I mention more about this on my Move to Palisade post. Strong communities have strong identities. Palisade fits that bill. The community leaders in Palisade focus on balance between community (residents and businesses) and tourism (guests). Community being their number one priority. There are over 3,000 hotel rooms in the Grand Valley and over 270 vacation home rentals available. Come visit! VisitPalisade.com for things to do, getting around, places to stay, wineries to visit and food to eat.

Resources for Palisade Growers

Understanding local regulations and zoning laws related to orchard farming is crucial for ensuring compliance and avoiding common pitfalls of orchard or vineyard ownership. If you want to purchase a large or small vineyard or orchard in Palisade, Colorado, it’s essential to engage with various local organizations and authorities to ensure a smooth transition and compliance with relevant regulations.

Here are some key entities to contact:

Town of Palisade: Start by reaching out to the town of Palisade government office. They can provide information on zoning regulations, land use permits, and any ordinances specific to agricultural properties.
Mesa County Planning Department: Mesa County oversees land use planning and development regulations in the region. Contacting the planning department can help you understand zoning requirements, property taxes, and any proposed developments that may impact your orchard or vineyard.
Palisade Chamber of Commerce: The very active Palisade Chamber of Commerce can offer insights into our local business community, networking opportunities with other property owners, and information on economic development initiatives in Palisade. Plus, a variety of events and opportunities for business owners and the community. Again, can’t say enough good things about the Palisade Sunday Farmers Market, yum!
Colorado State University Extension Office – Mesa County: The Extension Office provides agricultural resources, educational programs, and assistance to farmers and orchardists in Mesa, Delta, Montrose and Ouray Counties. They can offer guidance on soil testing, crop management practices, pest control, and other agricultural concerns specific to the Palisade area or Mesa County in general.
Colorado Department of Agriculture: As the state agency responsible for promoting and regulating agriculture, the Colorado Department of Agriculture can provide information on state-level regulations, agricultural grants or programs, and certification requirements for certain crops.
Water Authorities: Since water rights are crucial for orchard irrigation, it’s important to understand the water rights associated with the property. Contact the Palisade Irrigation District to learn about water availability, rights, and any associated fees or regulations.
Colorado Agritourism: What is agritourism? Agritourism covers a wide variety of recreational, educational and other leisure activities and services. They are provided by farmers and ranchers and experienced by consumers who value the activity or service they receive and seek it out. Agritourism may be defined as activities, events and services related to agriculture that take place on or off the farm or ranch, and that connect consumers with the heritage, natural resource or culinary experience they value. There are three general classifications of agritourism activities: on-farm/ranch, food-based, and heritage activities. Learn more at Colorado.gov.

Get Started

First, by engaging with these local organizations and authorities you can gain valuable insights. They can help you navigate regulatory requirements. And, foster connections within the Palisade community as you embark on your orchard or vineyard buying journey.

Next, learn more from my post about living in Grand Junction and Fruita too!

Finally, call me if you’d like to own an orchard or vineyard property in Mesa County, big or small! Allow me to bring years of experience in the search for just the right property.