Trip #109 (40): Colorado #2: Hiking

Trip #109 (40): Colorado Trip #2: Hiking: Escaping Heat

Fort Union, Maxwell Wildlife Area, NM; Mueller SP, Rocky Mountain NP, Frisco, Leadville; Hopewell Lake, NM

Leaving town with reservations for Mueller State Park, RMNP and Frisco. The rest will be up to luck…

Monday, July 27

Headed out on I-25 with the plan to finally visit Fort Union. It’s the last of some rainy days of monsoon season so it was a very comfortable low 70's visit. On the road to the fort area Santa Fe Trail ruts are still visible, so cool. Covid still freaking everyone out so only the bookstore was open, but we were free to walk around this cool old fort, with its crumbling adobe walls, watching park workers rearrange deck chairs on the titanic (imagine trying to patch these crumbled walls over and over, but they do). Very interesting history, this is what’s left of 3 versions of the same fort starting about 1850. Decommissioned 1891. Continued on, also finally seeing Wagon Mound, just a land formation landmark for the Santa Fe Trail travelers. Stayed the first night at Maxwell Wildlife Area, being the only ones there. Still rainy so walked around just a little but aside from birds we did see a herd of elk in the distance, then the skies opened up.

Tuesday, July 28

Drove on to Mueller State Park in Colorado, outside Colorado Springs. With more rain it was 59 degrees in Divide, but warmed up some to 75 after that. We were way up at the north end of the campground, site #123, an excellent, roomy pull through, even off the road a bit. Stormy skies, but make a trip down to the visitor center, which was closed of course, we just missed it at 4pm. So we did a short hike, straight up, to an overlook, about 1 mile. First hike in a while, this got us warmed up.

Wednesday, July 29

After the oatmeal disaster, went out on a trail off the campground, beautiful sunny day, 71 degrees but dang, sure is warmer in the sun, steep walk but open views of Pikes Peak, did 2.25 miles. After lunch went out again after visiting the visitor center and asked for a shady hike, he suggested the (another) Overlook Trail so we did that, another nice one for 1.5 miles. Got back in time for more rain.

Thursday, July 30

Today we moved on to RMNP but first drove up I-25 to Castle Rock to meet Bob & Debby at Red Robin for lunch. Had a good visit, next time it will be in Santa Fe or Castle Pines. Took a chance on continuing on I-25 thru Denver to get to the park and tho busy it kept moving so no delays. Some light rain as we entered Estes Park, as it always is, and man, was that place packed: Sidewalks full of masked people, not sure I even want to window shop here (turns out I won’t, much to Bill’s relief). We are camped on East side, Moraine CG #B210, another good site and a water spigot across the road! Lots of tenters around and a hill behind us so walked up to check it out and it’s a beautiful green meadow with a river running thru it, not a bad view. The elk like it. Had a big lunch so soup for dinner, whisky peaches (ala Debby and a Colorado distillery store by a gas station), and Dr. Quinn for dinner. Roughing it for the next 3 days, no elec.

Friday, July 31

Hiked Cub Trail (we’ve done this one before but it was close, as I said the place is packed, town and park). 8 miles. Saw and filmed a moose enjoying the lake. Went to town just for groceries (ok, really for ice cream to accompany those whisky peaches!)

Saturday, Aug 1

Hiked Glacier Basin, Sprague Lake to Bear Lake and took the shuttle back. Got back in time for more rain. 3.5 miles. Later walked around two camp loops with camp neighbor and her friend (Linda and Nancy) and her pug, Peppa. Good to be around like-minds regarding “the plandemic”…

Sunday, Aug 2

Moving on to next stop, Frisco. But first we have to exit to the west side of the park on the Alpine Road, oh Lordy, was that high and narrow! Billy did good, but that meant he couldn’t look round much. Not much for shoulders up there, as in none. Since it’s Sunday it wasn’t too busy for the drive down to Frisco. Camped on Lake Dillon Loop C-33, water and electric! Yay. Also on two busy roads and a bike trail, but not a quiet spot, that is for sure. Went to town for dinner, decided on Cajun but they were closed so went for Grecco, outdoor dining Italian. Cute little town, people all over but not overly so, walked around town (in masks, ugh).

Monday, Aug. 3

Plan was to do a hike over in Silverthorne past 10,000 condos, but of course there was no parking available at the Lily Pad Trailhead, all full. This town is a zoo by the way: Frisco, Dillon, Silverthorne, where ever one starts and one ends. So bummer. Went back to camp and instead walked about 3 miles on the bike trail toward the dam, got back in time for the afternoon rain. Off to the Outlet Mall, the most oddly laid out outlet mall ever… just off the interstate taking up three corners, both sides of the highway, weird. So got in more walking! Got a table runner from Wm Sonoma “outlet”, yeah right. A bit warmer here, but since we are in the middle of town we have a great signal. I bet I stayed up late streaming a night or two… we have used up the mifi’s high end gigs already.

Tuesday, Aug. 4

Where to go next? It’s either going to be Leadville, if we luck out, or Twin Lakes off Independence Pass, which ever availability comes first. Leadville wins! Dragged around about 11:30 am and found a great spot that was available. For one night. So we took it. Molly Brown #14. Up here at 10,000 feet but not feeling it thankfully. Did a hike on the ol’ poke a bike brake lever into your leg trail. No PTSD for Willy. Hiked 4 miles then took off for a drive later, scouting the other CGs for good lakeside spots as Bill has decided this is his new favorite place. Toured the town and went to Safeway. exciting. But again, shopping in a mask is BS. I just can’t bear hot weather shopping in a mask. Ugh. Nice out but on the warm side in the sun. Great sunset, looks like someone’s wildfire smoke is in the area. CG was packed BTW. Reservations required for the good ones.

Wednesday, Aug 5

Where to go next…. Antonito or further south to Carson Forest off 285… Carson wins! Longer drive today on down to NM, just about 2 hours from home but we've always wondered about camping in this area. Well, guess what? It’s great. We took a turn west at Tres Piedres into the forest to Hopewell Lake (more of a puddle cut), after having to drive on newly chip sealed roads, but at least it was glued down. Anyway, after two drags thru the CG and not finding much, we found an available walk-in site, another great one set back off the dusty road. #9, again roughing it, but getting pretty good at electric and water conservation, tho water is available here; no dump. Walked down the trail to the lake, the CG is way above it. And for that matter, this camp is almost 10,000 feet up again. Just doesn’t feel like it, but the weather is fabulous, tho warm in sun (don’t I always say that). I walked down the trail to the lake to check it out, about a mile round trip. Very nice.

Thursday, Aug. 6

Bill went to fish about 8:30, I walked down about 30 minutes later, and as expected, he was done. Very small lake and seems no one was getting any action. So we went on a GREAT hike, Continental Divide Hike they call it, doing about 6 miles round trip. Absolutely perfect weather, about 75, shady hike and a cool breeze – I guess that’s what 10,000 feet does. Farther up the road we found some dispersed camping in some beautiful areas, might try that next time, but the trailer will take a beating on rough roads to get up there. Trailer leaking fresh water and heater won't fire. Time to head home for repairs

Friday, Aug. 7

Backtrack to 285 and head south. Driving on Highway 64's rather clean new chip seal, our favorite. Hope it’s not a million degrees at home (it was).

Total Hiking Miles: 30.25, give or take!

RIP: Herman Cain, Willford Brimley

Trip #108 (39): Colorado Trip #1 Kayak: Escaping Covid

Trip #108 (39): Colorado Trip #1: Kayak: Escaping Covid

Lake Isabel, Westcliffe, Lake City, Creede Area

Mon, June 22

285 thru Walsenburg then stayed at Lake Isabel. Place was full but found an electric spot for the nite but had to move on.

Tues & Wed, June 23 – 24

Westcliffe Reservoir for 2 nights, nice spot above lake, open camping. Walked the town and bought a pizza to go. Kayaked the the next day and walked around a bit.

Thurs, June 25

Thru Salida, down to Lake City at San Cristobal for one night, place packed, but found a spot down by the lake where we were the first time. Didn’t bother to kayak because of rain chance, getting lazy.

Fri, June 26

Slumgullion Pass to forest camping north of Creede, North Clear Creek CG, way up high. Stayed 1 night. Saw waterfall, drove around and looked at other areas/reservoirs, plus other camping area off highway, but prefer ours. Rescued three plants, 2 of 3 now thrive. Areas full of Texans and ATVs. But beautiful area.

Sat, June 27

Returned home.

Trip #107 (38): Tucson & S. New Mexico

Trip #107 (38): Tucson & S. New Mexico 

March 7 – 16, 2020

City of Rocks, NM; Catalina SP,  In 'n Out Burger, Rain, Coronavirus begins, ruins return trip

Saturday, Mar. 7 & 8 
City of Rocks State Park for 2 nights in overflow spot. Rain rain rain.

Monday, Mar. 9 – 12
Tucson, Catalina SP. Shopping, malls, outdoor mall + mex dinner, searching for toilet paper because Corona virus is now officially a pandemic, bike rides, feed the birds, and several trips to In 'n Out burger. Geislers came down for a visit and dinner at some pub up the road.

Friday, Mar. 13
A reserved stay at Kartchner Caverns #45 where Bill toured the batty caverns, not me. Later we hiked around the park. Strict rules: can't feed the birds or havelights on at nights.

 

Saturday, Mar. 14
Tombstone! Much fun, great photos. Town busy with veteran biker event, camped in town at the OK Corral. Drinking all day cuz we could stop at the trailer… went to dinner at Ital-Mex place that was gross. Found Curley Bill for photo op with BN after dinner. "Chardonnay poisoning" #3… in & out the bathroom all night and no sleep (wouldn't it be great to full time?? Times like this provides perspective). Tomorrow not going to be fun…time to move on.

Sunday, Mar. 15
Were going to stop at Elephant Butte CG but Hitler shut them down so we had to boondock north of the CG off the interstate. There were others and it was fine, but still always creepy.
 

Monday, Mar. 16
Home. Laundry. The usual. But not really, found out the entire town on stay at home orders due to virus. what a pain.

RIP: Max Von Sydow

Trip #106 (37): Florida in January

Trip #106 (37): Florida in January. Yes, to Florida, Again. Tho we swore it wouldn't happen, we did it again.

Jan 11 – Feb 9, 2020

Note: Both of us were sick all through the holidays, so once we got better we hit the road.

Saturday, Jan. 11

It was 14 degrees out as we packed to leave. Left at 10:30am. Took 285 south, stopped for lunch in Vaughn. Arrived to camp (sunny 57 degrees) at 4:30 to Carlsbad (yes, it does stink like methane out there) and the sun was about to set. Camped the night at Brantley Lake, a little empty, crappy empty place, but full elec site.

Sunday, Jan. 12

To Water Valley. Oh, boring Texas. Camped free in a city park before we reached San Angelo, place empty except for some family picnickers. Always creepy to be the only ones in a place, but seems that is our specialty.

Monday, Jan 13

San Angelo to Austin. Ugh the traffic. McKinney Falls Park, our first spot the electricity didn’t work, so had to move to another spot after setting up. PITA. Raining thru hill country. Went to downtown area but it was full of homeless people and not very fun looking in the dark in the rain. Found Ironworks BBQ place and Voodoo donuts. Wet wet wet and thick fog.

Tuesday, Jan. 14

Long wet drive, Austin to Opelousas, LA. Much fog and big accident outside Austin. Rainy wet mist all day. Took 610 around Houston in rain but make it to Opelousas for a little city park $11, Bill’s fave, but I’m not leaving the fuselage. 71 degrees and humid. omg why are we doing this....

Wednesday, Jan. 15

After stop in Baton Rouge for beignets and muffuletta, made it to Black River SP in Florida Panhandle. Long route around due to river flooding. Finally starting to dry out a bit but plenty of humidity.

Thursday, Jan. 16 

Stephen Foster SP, old park with Mister “Old Folks at Home” plantation home. When will the cancel culture attack here? Took a bike ride, weather is finally nice!

Friday Jan. 17 

Stopped in New Smyrna to visit Robin and John for a night.

Saturday Jan 18 

Stop in Vero to visit Jim & Newt. Umbilical cord fell out of socket and dragged for miles so had no trailer brakes or lights. Need to replace!!

2 weeks in Fla, Jan 19 thru Feb 2

Monday, Feb. 3

Fort De Soto CG in St Pete, always a fave spot. Met Barb & Lou for dinner at Italian place, good time. Short bike ride, nice weather.

Tuesday, Feb. 4

Pat Thomas Park on Talquin Lake near Tallahassee. Nice spot lakeside, but then the rain started again. A creepy city park. but it always turns out fine (so far), but I'm always creeped out by city parks.

PS: High Springs FL has best Publix ever.

Wednesday, Feb. 5 (a date that will live in infamy)

Fountainblue SP on Lake Ponchartrain. BIG RAIN, like, can’t see the highway kind of rain. Unbelievable. So bad we actually stopped at the interstate visitor center somewhere to wait it out when we could. I-10, squall after squall, so no return to Baton Rouge for beignets, besides, kind of sick of eating anything we want. We are 2 big fat cows. Camp was half flooded and gross as usual. Wet wet wet. No birthday dinner for She till we get back to SF.

Thursday, Feb. 6

Cagle CG on Conroe Lake north of Houston, getting nicer out and colder at night.

Friday, Feb. 7
Elm Creek CG near Winters, TX. Small CG on reservoir and no one around except for a cat keeping watch from deserted dilapidated house at entrance. Another creepy one but full hookups and free!

Saturday, Feb. 8
Oasis State Park near Portales, NM. Toured around town and ENMU campus. Ate mediocre Mexican and stopped at Walmart for supplies. Nice spot for overnite. Headed home next morning.

RIP: Kobe Bryant the rapist, Orson Bean, Robert Conrad, Rush announced cancer

Trip #105 (36): Southern New Mexico Loop

Southern New Mexico Loop: Santa Fe, Carrizozo, Alto (Ruidoso), Alamogordo, Leasburg Dam (Las Cruces area), Elephant Butte (Truth or Consequences area)

October 22 - 29, 2019

Left when it was fall, came home to winter!

Tuesday - Valley of Fires in Carrizozo one night, driving by way of Hwy 41 (passed Jeffrey Epstein's place in Stanley. He did not kill himself). Stayed up on the hill, had a great view of the most beautiful day ever, perfect temp and visibility.

Wednesday - Toward Billy the Kid country and stayed at a private campground called Eagle Creek in Alto, situated on the 35 acres of an old ski lodge. Just one night as the temps dipped overnight with snow sprinkles in the am. Cruised town, dinner at Cattle Baron (eh), and sat at a huge Texan bonfire with the few remaining campers in the park. These folks have been staying here all summer. Guess they wanted to use up their wood. Fire was 'uge. They all had smores, nice night.

Thursday & Friday - Moved on to Alamogordo, staying once again at Oliver Lee State Park. Here we bought the $100 state park pass making elec/water sites just $4 a night, and dry camping ZERO. Yeah, this was a full power trip, what a difference. Such comfort and luxury! It was VERY windy the first day so we toured town and saved the hike for day 2. Great hike into Dog Canyon behind the visitor center, we didn't go all the way to the cabin, but went about 2 miles in. Had the thing to ourselved just about. Steep at first but leveled out before getting steep again, which is where we turned around.

Saturday - Decided on Leasburg Dam, after checking out Aguirre Springs up on the mountain. No elec there and it will be cold so kept moving. Nice park ranger, joker of a guy, asked where we kept the staff when he saw the Airstream. Do we light our cuban cigars with 50s or 100s. hahaaa Walked a little along the river bed, then went to the Ft. Seldon Winery down the road for a tasting. Were pleasantly surprised and went away with 4 bottles. Drove north to Hatch for dinner at Sparky's for a green chile cheeseburger.

Sunday - Two nights at Elephant Butte reservoir. Pretty busy place but found a spot (88) in Loop C. Also VERY windy so stayed inside mostly on Day 1. Day 2 got out for a lakeside walk and basically hung out for a chance, that was nice. Got killed 3x in Kill or Be Killed, ugh.

Tuesday - Home by 3pm, after lunch at the Buckhorn in San Antonio. I think we can give the green chile burgers a rest for a day or two. Came home to snow on the mountain tops and even a little in the yard.

{This is a first: I have another version of events, so I'm posting them both. This one from memory]

Tuesday, Oct. 22 – Perfect day, all the way to Carizozo. Dead tired. Just hung out. [need cg info]

Wednesday, Oct. 23 – Ruidoso – Alto Ski Lodge RV Park, they let us stay tho the were closing for the season. Cool spot, on grounds of old ski lodge. Eagle Creek drove around, went to Casa Décor seeking a wall unit. Drove thru town, Walmart, had so-so dinner at Cattle Baron restaurant, and joined the neighbors at their big evening bonfire. Houston Texans. Good time. Earlier we hiked up to the old ski lift and looked around. Snow on the ground in the am! Time to move on.

Thursday, Oct. 24 – Alamogordo, windy as usual. Went to Oliver Lee. Bought the state park pass, $100, making cg’s free or $4. Drove around town.

Friday, Oct. 25 – Nicer day. Hiked 4 miles into Dog Canyon. Drove to White Sands national monument (next year this will be a park).

Saturday, Oct. 26 – Checked out Aguirre Springs near Las Cruces, but stayed at Radium Springs at Leasburg Dam. Went down the road to Fort Selden Winery, not bad! Then drove up to Hatch (someday we need to actually stop and shop) and then to Sparky’s for a green chile cheeseburger.

Sunday, Oct. 27 – Headed north to Elephant Butte, got site #88 for 2 nights. Next time reserve lower ridge 1, 2 or 3. Very windy.

Trip #104 (35): Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

Trip #104: Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta 
October 4– 7, 2019

Friday
Drove down from Santa Fe to Camping World, only to stand around for 4 or more hours to get in the last caravan! And then it poured! We were in the last row, but that's ok -- closer to where the balloons land and right near the museum.

Saturday
Shopped for furniture in our down time. Gas balloons didn't go off today as planned. Texans cooked dinner for all but these people are like buzzards hovering over the food. Some bitchy woman chastised She for touching her chair. Met the Geislers, nice couple. Good fireworks at night.

Sunday
Rode the bike trail.
Monday
Gas balloons went up in the evening, followed them on an app all the way to north Ontario.

Tuesday
Time to head home.

RIP: Rip Taylor, Ginger Baker, Jerry Junstrom (Lynyrd Skynyrd), Diahann Carol

Trip #103 (34): Enchanted Circle, Cimarron Canyon, Red River, Taos, NM

August 19 – 24, 2019

Monday – Wednesday
Dry camping in Cimarron Canyon at Maverick CG.
Monday: It was pretty warm in the high 80s so we sat around mostly and relaxed.
Tuesday: Got an early start to hike some of Maverick Trail, which was an old logging road. Though not horrible, it could have been cooler... Didn't go to far, just a few miles and back. OK it was hot by then! Later drove a few miles east to Filmont to see the Boy Scout Ranch, and was rewarded with a brand new museum and gift shop. That trip took us through the remnants of the huge Ute Park fire the year before, there were some bare sticks all around and on the mountainsides. sad. Did some fishing at the gravel pits of the campground, didn't catch anything but fun to try.
Wednesday: Kayaked Eagle Nest Lake atop the algae bloom, (thank God it didn't stink) and cut short with lightning storm. It was amateur day: Bill forgot his fishing license and guess who met us at the boat ramp? the frigging game warden. However, he was kind enough to let us look up the official license online and let us go (tho the license should have been in the tackle box). I'm sure he thought we were lying. This is the first time we have EVER had a game warden check us, of course. The rain did come so we had lunch in Eagle Nest at Among Friends, then back to camp for cool temps!! 55 degrees later. Did some more fishing and got to dogsit the host's Texas heeler while she went for a poop bag... setting a good example. Can't believe we stayed in one place for 3 nights.
Thursday: Nice 56 degree sunny am! Hiked Clear Creek Trail for 2 waterfalls, very nice. Steep in parts but lovely nonetheless. Packed up and moved on to our next stop, Red River. Another dry camp at Junebug CG, just outside of town. Walked the boulevard, did some shopping, headed back. Just a one-nighter.
Friday - Saturday: Taos with ELECTRICITY!! Great stay at Taos Valley CG, something about electricity makes a trailer more of a home. Walked the Kit Carson home side of town, dinner at new Italian joint, so-so, slow service but nice guy on piano. I was his audience of 1 so after being asked at least 2 times, I requested Elton John! I got (i forget), Guess that's why they call it the blues, and Daniel. Sat am hit a classic car show and the farmers market before heading back.

RIP David Koch (someone always goes when we travel... Peter Fonda beat us by a few days), Robin Leach, John McCain, Ed King (Lynyrd Skynyrd), Neil Simon

[yet again, found another set of notes, so shall publish as well, lest one single detail be left out]

note to self: construction this one year later from notes

Monday, Aug. 19 – To Cimmaron Canyon, Maverick Campground. Sat around cuz hot here, in the high 80s. and no electricity.

Tuesday, Aug. 20 – Hiked some of the Maverick Trail, very hot. Drove to Cimarron to the Philmont Boy Scout Ranch camp. Enjoyed a great modern museum – as well as a tremendous gift shop with great jewelry, and prices. Left with nothing. Fished in gravel pit lakes they have in camp. While sightseeing, noticed all the burned acreage from the East Ute Park Fire probably last year.

Wednesday, Aug. 21 – Staying one more night. Driving to Eagle Nest to kayak in their lake. Forgot everything so of course the park warden showed up while we were on the ramp looking for a fishing license, which bill had, but not on him. (Hint: take a photo of it!!) Lake was big and nice except it was full of algae, you couldn’t see anything but green so of course no fish either. Had to cut it short as a big storm with lightning was coming. Had lunch at little deli in Eagle Lake. Raining a bit, so tried to fish in our pond again. Park host came along so I got to dog-sit her blue heeler for 2 minutes, very fun. Played rummy, yahtzee, watched TV, cobb sal dinner, read. Busy night. Cool 55 at night. Bed by 9pm (so awake at midnight, ugh). Three nights in one place! Kind of a big deal.

Thursday, Aug. 22 – A sunny and 56 degrees in the am, but it will heat up; it’s hot everywhere. Hiked Clear Creek Trail, very nice but steep in parts. Did about 2.5 miles. Moved on to Red River, found a good spot at Junebug CG outside town, but with weird tent cult across from us… Walked all over town, found another great southwest jewelry shop but nothing again (looking for Bill this time, hence the no-purchase).  Skipped dinner since we snacked all day… couldn’t sleep, starving at midnight.

Friday, Aug. 23 – Taos Valley CG! Electric!