Warmer weather

Sunday morning we left Storrie Lake State Park at 7am, with the time change we were up a little early and with the howling winds we wanted to get out of there. Storrie Lake was a fine place for an overnight but doubt I'd ever stay there for any length of time.
 
The winds were so bad Saturday night we took the bedroom slide in, with the wind the slide topper was noisy and making it difficult to sleep. Soon after we got on the interstate the winds died down and we had a pleasant 280 mile ride to Elephant Butte Lake State Park. By 1pm we were all set up and enjoying the 75 temps, looks like we've found the warmer temps we were looking for. :) 

 We scored a site (84) in the Lions Beach campground on loop A, we have a great view of the lake, water and electric, a covered picnic table and a fire pit. With the extra vehicle it's $24/night, they do have an annual pass that gives discounted camping rates but we are not going to be staying in New Mexico long enough to make it worthwhile, maybe another year.

Elephant Butte Lake was formed by damming the   Rio Grande River, the lake is very low right now but people were out sailing on it.

We plan to get the canoe out on the lake, we've already taken the bikes out for a ride and Dave has already purchased a 5 day fishing license.








Didn't have to use the fireplace overnight and just for a bit when we got up to take a small chill out of the air, we'll see how long our tanks last seems like a place we'd enjoy for awhile. 70's are in the forecast for today a little cooler tomorrow, lots of things to do in the area: bicycling, scenic rides, canoeing, ghost towns and so much more.

Until next time...

Goodbye Colorado, Hello New Mexico

Friday was our last day in CO, we didn't have much planned so took a ride up to Cripple Creek, we've been there numerous times, with the cold and wind we decided not to get out. We also too a ride around Mueller State Park, nice campground and looks like a wonderful place to stay but it isn't that convenient to CO Springs so doubt we'll ever stay there.

We stopped by my brothers place to say goodbye, things were a bit crazy there as Andy was leaving Saturday morning early for Moab UT where he is conducting a photography tour again.

Our favorite waiter

We got our goodbyes done and got out of their way then headed to Red Robin to meet Krystal, she brought along her mom and some of her family who wanted to meet us. Of course Tom was our waiter and we had an enjoyable meal which for Dave and I was comped by the manager, very nice of them to do that and as usual the meal was delicious.



It was very hard to say goodbye to Tom and Krystal as it will be another year before we see them again, we miss them already and no matter how much time we spend with them it is never enough. We are very proud of Tom for deciding to go to college at this time of his life, when he graduated from high school we all knew he wasn't ready, but at the age of 24 he is finally ready and proving he made the right decision. Krystal is a very supportive partner, they make a great couple and we hope Krystal can find an outlet for her creative talents.

This morning we were up and ready to go by 8am, as we were heading out I noticed one of the back rv lights were out. We pulled into the parking lot and found out the issues we've had with our toolbox, which is  designed to work with a 5th wheel, had caused us some more problems. The electrical cord had taken a beating and we think it shorted the light, when Dave rewired everything in the parking lot we still had no right side lights, brake and turn signal lights are not working. The left side signal and the brakes were working so off we headed, since I ride behind in our other truck we hoped we'd have no problems which we didn't. As soon as we get somewhere settled for a few days Dave will be investigating things further.

We got on the road around 9am and by noon time we were over Raton Pass with out a problem, no head winds to hinder our forward progress over, but soon the winds picked up again and we had them for the last 90 minutes or so until we arrived at Storrie Lake State Park in Las Vegas NM. Not much here, the lake has receded but does have some water in it and it makes a nice over night stay $14/night plus $10 for the extra vehicle. Water has been turned off at the sites, we did remember to take some on before we set up, there is 30amp service and winds gusting around 30mph. The gates close at 6pm and open at 7am, hope they remember the time change as we hope to be out early before the winds start up again. Tomorrow we are headed to Elephant Butte State Park where we hope to settle in for a few days, the elevation there is 2000' less than here so hoping it will be warmer and we feel like staying for a bit.

Until next time...

Colorado Time

First off thanks everyone for your concern about my foot, aside from turning numerous shades of purple and a bit sore every day it is improving and today it has hardly bothered me. :)

We've been enjoying spending time with Tom & Krystal and my brother and his family. The winds have been blowing and the temps have been topping out in the mid 50's and bottoming out in the low 30's, the mountain tops have snow winter will be here soon. We plan  to leave Saturday and head to southern NM, a few days driving we should find some warmer temperatures. Don't know quite where we're going but we have 3 weeks till our reservation in Phoenix.

Today we decided to take a ride, headed out to Canon City to see what havoc the wild fires wreaked to the Royal Gorge Bridge area. We were able to drive back to the picnic area but not down where the buildings,tram and various things had been, we'd heard they had been destroyed and assume that's the case since they've gated the road. From the picnic area we walked down towards the Arkansas River where we were able to see the bridge, the other rim and where the aerial tram used to cross. We could see where the fire had marched across the ridge, while we couldn't see much of what was on our side we can only imagine what it looks like evidence of fire ravaging the area was all around as we drove through the area.

                                                     

 We then headed westward along US 50 which took us through Bighorn Sheep Canyon, while driving along we realized we had been through the area a number of years ago. Dave had me looking for Bighorn sheep after all if the canyons named for them they should be there.

We then turned south on CO 69 heading up in elevation, we had lunch in Westcliff at a little burger joint where Dave entertained some high school kids while they waited for their lunch-high school was across the street. When Dave meets young folks his favorite question to ask them is if they know where VT is, unfortunately anymore most don't have a real grasp on the US geography, hey at least these knew it was in the north east.

Afterwards we took CO 96 to CO 165 which had us topping out around 9500', along the way we came upon a Roadside America attraction I'd heard about, Bishop Castle which we stopped to take a look at and you can read the history about here. Dave hiked to the top of the castle but I'm finding as I get older vertigo bothers me more and more, this a cool place, lots of stained glass, iron work and a large imagination, admission is on a donation basis.

Bishop's Castle

Our day ended with a visit to Tom & Krystal's place, they had opted not to go to any haunted houses and their party didn't start until 10pm way past our bedtime so we hung out with them for awhile enjoying a game of cards and homemade apple pie.

Today is our last day here, Tom is working today and the rest of the weekend, my brother has to get ready for a photo workshop in Moab UT next week, he leaves early Saturday morning. So tomorrow we head for warmer climates but today we'll take another ride.

Until next time...

Another Wednesday

He's the reason we are in CO in October, two years is way too long between visits. Tom and Krystal came out on Tuesday for lunch and a quick visit. Tom has just started taking a few college courses and works 36+ hours at Red Robin so we will see him as much as we can. Of course Fridays dinner will be at Red Robin with our favorite waiter. With my ankle bruised but better bowling was not going to happen. :( 


We've been having some issues with our camera, my brother looked at it and seems a fiber is on the lens, it's not cost effective to even have it fixed so Andy took us camera shopping. We headed to Sam's Club where he is a member and walked out with a Canon Power Shot SX510 HS. We played with it yesterday and my brother will be helping us understand it more this afternoon.

We are enjoying Cheyenne Mountain State Park, it was opened in 2006 has 50+ full hookup sites (only 10 or so are open in the off season)  has spectacular views and 20 miles of hiking\biking trails. We are still getting acclimated to the altitude so we've done a few of the easy short trails near our site.

It's been too cold and windy to sit around a fire but from the warmth of the rv we have the views.

And just in case no one realizes it, guess what day it is!!!

Happy Hump Day

Until next time...

Made it to CO!!!

 We have been traveling across KS & CO the last few days, I went ahead and joined Passport America to take advantage of some cheap overnights. Our first night was in Russell KS at the Triple J RV Park, the park sufficed for what we needed and gave us a beautiful sunset to finish our day.

Our second night was in Stratton CO at Marshall Ash Village, not a place I'm inclined to return to, noisy truck stop across the street and we were the only overnighters there. There were a few older rigs that had seen better days and us,  so we closed the blinds and we were where ever we wanted to be. 



We were up and on the road a little after 8am, we've had head winds for the last 3 days so we've been taking it easy and letting every one pass us, can't remember the last time we passed someone. We arrived at Cheyenne Mountain State Park about 11am. All was going well until my klutzy self emerged and I fell down,
fortunately I just bruised the foot, ice and ibuprofen have helped. The sites here are walk in only this time of the year and they keep one loop open, though they did say they could open the other if needed. With the day access pass for the second vehicle it is $31 a night for full hookups, huge sites and views to go with them. We are here for at least 5 nights and watching the weather to see when we will leave, our next drive day has Raton Pass in NM in it so want a good driving day.

Site 36 Cheyenne Mountain State Park

Our views looking towards Colorado Springs and Fort Carson, we have NORAD inside Cheyenne Mountain

We've spoken to Tom and he has class tonight and is busy studying so we'll see him tomorrow, tonight we are headed to my brothers home for dinner with him and his family. We will be bring our camera and see if he can do anything about the streak we have in it, if not he'll give us some good advice on getting a new one while we're here.

Until next time...

Clinton Lake State Park

We have enjoyed Clinton Lake State Park as much as possible, with the temps and winds it has made for some cold days here and brought about some changes in our travel plans. We are leaving here this morning and plan to arrive in CO on Monday a week early, Cheyenne Mountain State Park has a few full hookup sites open all year. We are planning to spend a week there then head south,  when we will probably spend  3 days traveling in search of warmer temps. Looks like we'll have to get all the way down to southern NM before we have much warmth.

While here we have spent time biking around both campgrounds, surprised myself by not having to walk my bike up any hills. :) Dave has drowned more worms, we've enjoyed a campfire or two, we took a ride around Lawrence KS, nice town but too big for our taste, heck Burlington VT was too big we are just not large city folks. But for our sons we will go to the cities of Colorado Springs and Phoenix, Tom already has plans for us (bowling & a Halloween party?) and David wants some advice on a few things around the house.

9-2011 last time we saw Tom & Krystal

 Halloween of 2010 Tom & Krystal were living in VT with us, looking forward to seeing their costumes this year.

Clinton Lake

 Clinton Lake State Park is a large park with a variety of site types, there is fishing, boating (too windy for us this time), hiking and biking trails all at the campground.We had heard about this park from a visitor to our campground in VT, she had told us it was a nice place and worth a visit, well it is and definitely worth a return when the weather is nicer. The temps have hovered in the 50's, that would be fine but add in lots of wind makes for whitecaps on the lake and then the evening have dropped into the 30's. Our fireplace is doing a great job of keeping the rv warm so we've kept the furnace off, as our friend Mark would say no cringing since we're not using our propane instead using the campground electricity.

amber waves of grain at Clinton State Park

We have found we really do like the state parks over all much better than the private campgrounds, still haven't made it to a national park this trip but imagine they will be much like the state ones. Everything I've read about Cheyenne Mountain State Park sounds good too, we're looking to our stay there. For the next two nights though we have found a few places just off the interstate to pull into, all Passport America parks of which we are now members. Thanks for the advice everyone, the saving just over the next two nights will pay for half the membership whenever our 4th stay occurs it will have payed for itself.

So today we head down the road three hours to Russell KS then tomorrow we are aiming for Stratton CO and Monday on into CO Springs, all around 3 hour drive times with the last day being a bit shorter. We will be gaining elevation every day so hope the winds calm down, the forecast is for good weather and the only large town between here and Colorado Springs is Topeka KS. We've always loved this drive into CO and how the Rockies show up from so far away, just glad it's CO Springs and not some of the northern part of the state we're headed to. 

Until next time...

Super Hero

 I have always thought the computer should respond as fast as I can push buttons, well this morning I was reminded once again that doesn't happen. Somehow :) my laptop was doing some kind of loop (love those technical terms) and wouldn't do what I wanted it to. Blue screens of death appeared so I turned the laptop over to Dave who once again saved my laptop from me.

Until next time...