What a great time to visit Grand Junction. The cottonwoods along the Colorado River throughout the valley are showing their finest fall colors, and as temperatures remain in the high 50s and low 60s, it's a great time to be outside. You could take a bicycle ride down the Colorado Riverfront Trail, ride up to the Colorado National Monument and look down on the valley, hike up to Mount Garfield and do the same thing -- or visit the five different sections of the James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park.

Jim Robb was instrumental in creating a “string of pearls,” five distinct sections that have become a unique state park. He was a Grand Junction civic leader, former State Parks board member and chair, an elected representative and champion of state parks. Robb also helped create the Colorado Riverfront Foundation which, along with Colorado State Parks and local communities, are involved in building a 35-mile river corridor trail system from Island Acres in the middle of DeBeque Canyon to the Fruita Section of the state park.

From Fruita on the west end to Island Acres on the east end and three stops in between, the James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park is one park split into five sections. The sections, or “pearls” -- listed from east to west -- each offer something different:

1. Island Acres Section, known for swimming, camping, picnicking and hiking, is at the eastern end of the park.

2. Corn Lake Section, known mainly for fishing but also as a launch site for boaters and rafters into the Colorado River, now features the riverfront trail traveling from the park headquarters on 32 Road all the way to 29 Road and through the next park section, the wildlife area.

3. Colorado River Wildlife Area Section, obviously known for wildlife viewing, and the riverfront trail.

4. Connected Lakes Section, known for pond fishing, river fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing.

5. Fruita Section, also home of the Riverfront Concert Series, another Jim Robb creation, features a visitor center, camping, fishing, swimming and a launch site onto the river.

“The Colorado River was frequently overlooked as an asset to the region for decades, but today it is home to park lands, trails, wildlife habitat, lakes and a botanical garden,” says Colorado River Foundation board member Joe Skinner. “Jim’s vision of the community coming together to build and preserve this resource is something we should continue to celebrate year after year. We want to keep this stewardship of the resource alive.”

The best way to celebrate Jim's great vision is to get outside, inspect this fabulous state park and the wonderful trail along the river. Like I say, now is a fabulous time to visit. The cottonwoods are turning, the weather is beautiful and the river is calling.