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By Lora Finnegan
Shopping hits the spot
Shopping hits the spot
I've got a serious case of deadline stress and my fiery, redheaded sister (and best friend) Mary Kay has been working 24/7 on a local political campaign. When we start to snap at everyone around us, we know it's time to take a relaxing girls' getaway. For our three days of freedom we've got two goals: to satisfy MK's love of hiking and wine touring, plus my fondness for "girly" things like spas and galleries. As it turns out, Grand Junction serves up a three-day escape that's just perfect for us – and you.

Day One: Retail Therapy, Anyone?
First order of the day: Explore Grand Junction's amazing galleries and shops. The Art Center is a must-see, both for its historic collection of Navajo rugs (I'm a collector) and its wide selection of Western artists. Need more gallery time? Head downtown and peruse the art at The Frameworks & Gallery. But to really leave our worries (and old, unfashionable selves) behind, we set aside an afternoon to buy a couple of new outfits for a dressy night out. Luckily, there's a whole boutique scene downtown to roam, with clothing shops like Pollux
Pamper the day away
Pamper the day away
and the aptly named Girlfriends shop. When we've just got to put down the shopping bags and recharge with a little sugar, we head for Enstrom's Candies where we can watch them making hand crafted toffee. That night, we take our new duds out for a stylin' dinner at nearby il Bistro Italiano.

Day Two: A Little Indulgence
Mary Kay insists on staying in shape. So to combat any excess calorie build-up from our scrumptious dinner the night before, we take an easy hike on an awesome trail at the Colorado National Monument. Trails here wind through fresh-scented juniper and pinon pine forests, and overlook monoliths like Balanced Rock, Pipe Organand Independence Monument. But after such a thirst-making workout, even girly girls like me need a lunch stop where the portions are big and the beer is on tap, so Rockslide Brewery gets our vote. We dedicate the rest of the day to pampering, for which La Belle Amie Day Spa & Salon is the perfect choice. After a massage and facial, I meet sis in the pedicure room, where we have our toes painted before heading out for dinner at Le
Rockslide Brewery is the perfect lunch stop
Rockslide Brewery is the perfect lunch stop
Rouge
.

Day Three: Wine and Peaches
We'd both been looking forward to spending our last day on the Grand Valley's lazy back roads. At charming, family-run wineries and fruit stands, we stock up on the local bounty to take home. Orchards and vineyards hopscotch across the mesas here, and while we sip the latest vintage, we bask in spectacular scenery. Sure, we could do the drive ourselves, by checking the web for a map to area wineries, but neither of us wants the job of designated driver. So we make a friendly compromise and tool around the wine country by stretch limo. A Touch With Class and Absolute Prestige Limousine both offer customizable wine tours for $130 and up. I've told Mary Kay about the valley's famed peaches – so juicy you have to stand over a sink to eat ‘em –and she insists on adding a few stops at the fruit stands around Palisade. After the day's wine/fruit tasting, we head back downtown to The Winery for a steak dinner matched with a full-bodied local Cab, and congratulate ourselves on a well-planned girls' getaway.

For even more things to do on your girlfriends' getaway, check out these Grand Junction videos here.
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