Friday, August 26, 2022 — Left town at 10:30 am and headed to Las Vegas to have breakfast at Charlie’s Spic & Span Diner/Bakery. Funky place with good food and killer desserts, including a cinnamon bun maker machine (where can we get one of those?). Since Bill’s on a diet, we didn’t partake of the sweets and even Sheila behaved.
Arrived at Sugarite CG #13 outside Raton around 2pm. Had some light rain so did a drive to see the park. Bill realizes that he forgot the Dish receiver (dumbass) so we watched Dr. Quinn on the pad and went to bed early. Skipped dinner.
Saturday, August 27 — When we booked this trip, temps were supposed to be in the low to mid 80’s, but now it’s pushing 95+ and hot all over CO. Headed up to Pueblo for the Colorado State Fair. Jeffers pooped out on joining us due to the heat wave and 95° daily temps. Arrived at Lake Pueblo SP at noon only to find a camper in our spot. Check in not till 1pm so went to Walmart. When we returned doofus is still there loading up and finally we got settled by 1:30. This lake has some 250+ campsites and it is FULL with boaters and families. Stayed in with AC till 3 pm before heading to downtown to site-see. Went to Union Station and Riverwalk, toured the neighborhoods for some old homes and mansions, but everything is closed. Even old downtown was dead, even though many cool old buildings and shops. Guess everybody is at the fair or the lake. Ate in and decided to hit the fair on Sunday evening.
On Sunday, we rode bikes 10 miles on the trails around the river below the dam. Great trails here but temps heat up fast so back to the trailer around 1pm. Went to town at 4pm and visited El Pueblo Museum where we learned about “green chili sloppers.” Wish we had learned that sooner, as a local Tavern is famous for them. Hence we never had one but that gives us a reason to return. Went to the mall and then to a brewery on Riverwalk for dinner. From there we headed to the fair. It’s the 150th year and probably the same as it was for the last 50 years. Walked around and saw the goats and sheep and pigs. Watched the rides and the carnie games. I think that will be the end of trips to county/state fairs. Those were the same rides I remember from the 70s, said Sheila.
Monday August 29 — Drove to Colorado Springs for Cheyenne Mountain State Park, Bill
rode around the CG on E-bike, went to Safeway. Hung around, rode ebike, walked
short trail. [note: after we left there was a mass shooting at a gay club here. who knew)
Tuesday, August 30 — We rode bikes on one of the MTB trails. Sheila having hard time with the (VERY HIGH COLORADO) “hills” so we headed back. (Time to rethink the ebike offer.) Then drove to Garden of the Gods Trading Post and a short drive through the park. Walked around Colorado City shops, but dining options limited so decided to find the In n' Out Burger that was MANY miles away. Then went to the very interesting CS History Museum in the old courthouse. Sadly the area is surrounded with LOTS of drug addicts and bums in the bushes and parks, just like every other big city. We have got to do something about this. Living in the bushes down by the river is not acceptable. Staggering across the park with a dish of food is not acceptable. As we left the courthouse museum, a bum was yelling gibberish at us and anyone else around. This is bullshit.
Wednesday August 31 — Drove to Dillon via Breckenridge to Lowry CG, on the other
side of the lake that we normally camp. Site is up in hills (i.e., mountain)
away from the lake. Rustic spot, no water available but electric. (weirdo
walking his cat in a stroller.) Drove down to Murdoch’s and the Restore—one of
the best Restores I’ve even seen* (*editor's note: just wait till you get to Aspen), it’s where the wealthy bring their expensive
castoffs. Sure wish we needed a chandelier or lighting fixture. Sheila bought a
framed print and we got a DVD to watch later. Went to outlet mall and She finds
(end of season sale-clearance $11 various) clothes to her liking, always
scoring at the Williams Sonoma outlet. Back to trailer for happy hour, dinner
and a new DVD movie. Building that $1 collection.
On Thursday Sept. 1, we noticed weird cat boy next door who takes his cats for walks in a stroller while he reads a book. No girlfriend…wonder why? Today we took bikes down to lake and rode 4 miles to Dillon and back. Sheila makes final commitment that she wants an e-bike too. Loooong stretches of inclines at 10,500 ft. Yeah, it wasn’t “fun.” Found another thrift store and thus another 3 or so DVDs for emergencies.
Friday, September 2 — Everything is booked for Labor Day weekend but we don’t want to impose on Jeff & Cheryl for an extra night, so we boondocked at Rabbit Ears pass - just in time, as a spot at Dumont Lake opened up for one night so we booked it. It’s right at entrance so we get dusted by all the vehicles going in and out looking for a spot. At least we’re not one of the lost with no where to go. It’s 9,000 feet up here, but it is still hot and no electric. Went for a short walk on lake trail, the direct sun was a killer for S, she had enough before long since there was no scavenger hunt of ruins or shards or animals, etc to keep her occupied. Bill rode around on ebike while She napped (yeah right, with this traffic?). Made sloppers and watched one of the DVDs.
Saturday, Sept. 3 — Plans always in flux and today would be no different. Were supposed to go to Jeff’s today about noon, but in the am we find out he isn’t feeling well and she is at the airport. So we offer to do the pickup, about 30 mins west of Steamboat. Timing worked out perfectly. Jeff’s sickness was probably heat exhaustion from yard work in this heat, why can’t men ever think to stop and drink?? Parked down below at their barn, next to their NEW to them Airstream! Took things slow, did a walk on their property to see the retreat, Cheryl taking the little dog Lucy in a stroller someone gave them. Dinner at their house. They have the open sliding glass walls to the outdoor deck (no screen) so every fly in town or at least in the pasture next door was flying around. That can’t be fun.
Sunday, Sept. 4 — Started day slow, then we call came down for an Airstream walkthough for them and their new travel home. Lots to share, probably overwhelmed them but we hope it helped. They have it more for getting from Point A (steamboat) to B (weeki wachee) with 3 dogs. Hung around, had lunch, then Bill and I went to wander the town – I had to see the western store that had all the small billboards for miles, EH Light or something. It was nice but busy, as was the entire town since a rodeo was going on later. Nice town, need to come back again; it a bit higher-end ski town than Durango, so we skipped a lot of places. However we did find a Tequila & Taco Bar so went in for a marg! Also very busy but got a spot at the bar. Good marg. I axed about the Kardashian brand, 818, next thing I know she is pouring (all 3 of us) a shot. Nice. Tried to get a cool bottle out of her, but she said too bad, another gal who makes & sells BONGS just came in and cleaned them out. Back to the house and again Cheryl made us dinner. Talked their heads off and left about 9pm.
Monday, Sept. 5 — Next stop Carbondale for the trip back. Went to our usual
place, not in Glenwood since that place on the river is a zoo. Did a bike ride
around Carbondale (they actually have street sweepers in their neighborhoods,
wow, cool). Not the greatest bike ride cuz it was busy to ride but at least we
got out. The campground is right along the trail along the river so did that,
but why are those so boring – long stretches of bushes I guess. Anyway, can’t
remember in which order, but we spent an afternoon walking around Glenwood
Springs finally. It was hotter than shit, like the car said 107 or so when we
got back, but wandered the shopping area, checking out a Trek E bike. Yeah,
I’ll take that, size Medium. Crossed that money saving bridge to see a few old
hotels and had lunch at Tequilas. That was good. Just like Durango, these
people have places all over, including Pagosa and more. Long walk back to the blazing vehicle.
Tuesday, Sept. 6 — Well I guess this was our day in Aspen; were here only once before when we camped at the very dark hole known as Maroon Bells many years ago. Was hoping for cooler weather up there, or down there, but still warmer than was comfortable but walked all over anyway, passing by the Prada type stores… Didn’t see Kurt or Goldie, tho we looked. The Hotel Jerome was cool. Found out later that that was the little bar where Hunter S hung out at, and that they have their own special (milkshake) drink, if only I’d known beforehand. We took a quick look at the menu and had decided to move on. It was hot enough that the kids were playing in the squirting water feature along the sidewalk, I considered it myself… Finally found a place to have dinner, sat outside, half melting. I was hot. and not in a good way. I swear this is the same place we ate those many years ago. Bill doesn’t remember, but I do.
Wednesday, Sept. 7 — Started heading for home, blew past Leadville and the next thing you know we kept driving until we hit Santa Fe. Perfect.
No comments:
Post a Comment