A while back we did our first camping trip up on the Grand Mesa. We tried to get near Bonham Lake, and couldn’t. Upon finding the “perfect” camping spot it started to storm-forcing us to sleep in our small Chevy Tracker. The next day we found another camping spot, got set up enjoyed a great lunch, and then comes yet another storm, followed by several more behind that one. Making our first outing a very wet camping experience.
Knowing that our time is winding down, we still wanted to try again to camp on the Grand Mesa. So packing up on Saturday night, making arrangements to get off work one hour earlier, with thunder head clouds looming close by once again, we took off for our second camping adventure on the Grand Mesa.
The last time we did this trip, we turned into what we thought was a driveway to someone’s home in the Grand Mesa National Forest, but turned out to be the maintenance yard for the forestry and that the road actually comes around to the North end of Bonham Lake. This is where we found the perfect camping spot.
There was only two downfall to the spot we choose, but we soon learned to live with those minor imperfection. One was chasing cows away from our site. The other downfall was we were down winded from the maintenance yard where apparently they use it and run a generator from 8-4.
Even though we had looming thunder heads close to us, we only got a sprinkle late the first night after we went to bed.
who was ever in this spot previously was gracious enough to leave us some cut down wood and along with what we brought, we had plenty to keep fires going for the two nights and to warm our bodies in the mornings.
So, after setting up camp, we walked around and talked with a fellow camper who brought their 5th wheel in. It was then time to start a fire, only to learn that the matches we brought with us had a bad striker and could not get a matches to light! Brian even tried to get the match going by using the cigarette lighter in the car and it still wouldn’t stay lit. After several failed attempts, he finally walked down to our fellow campers to see if they had some “good” matches. While he was gone, I got the cig lighter going, ran over to the campfire, lit the match and manage to get the wadded up paper to finally light! So when Brian got back I had a wonderful camper fire going and was doing the “dance”. I was really proud of myself!
We ended up with several unwanted guest towards dusk and had to chase them away-cows! They were invading on us and it was time to head them in another direction. An hour later, here came another group of cows. Our campsite must have looked appealing to them, and once again we had to chase them away. Did I mention I hate cows?….
We were awoken the next morning to first a bird called that sounded like a puppy crying and then those dump ole’ cows mooing and bawling. It was very chilly and a camp fire was needed to help warm our bodies while the coffee was being brewed.
Upon going for a morning stroll, we looked back at our nice camp site and once again the cows were coming up behind us. We walked back and decided that they were far enough behind and didn’t they would invade our site while gone.
We took the hiking/OHV trail for a mile or two and then decided it was time to head back before we did get ourselves lost. We were surrounded by combinations of Aspen and Pines.
Upon returning back to our campsite, those cows were getting very close to us once again. So Brian went to chase them away, however one bull was going to stand his ground and I was beginning to wonder who was going to win. Brian blew the air horn and I guess the bull didn’t like it-so he turned around, leading the rest of the herd to follow him. We no longer had anymore issues for the remainder of our stay with the cows.
With the weather being perfect and the sun out bright we decided to take the canoe out on the lake. This would be Leah’s first time in our canoe and we wonder how she would do. She kept hanging on the edge, trying to bite at the little waves we created. I was so worried that she would jump out. We took her leash and strapped it the middle seat. Brian told me to let her go and if she did jump in, he would rescue. sure enough before long I heard a loud splash and as I looked back she was swimming in the cold water! Brian scooped her up and for the rest of the ride, the canoe felt it was hitting bottom as she shivered. I bet she doesn’t do that again!
For the remainder of our time, we did have thunder clouds loom by and some really loud thunder, but never any rain and our trip was spectacular and the most enjoyable camping experience we had thus far.
We did forget some vital essentials like; paper plates-we ate cannibal style and loved it. We forgot our suntan lotion and got burned like a lobster. We forgot knives-fingers worked great (clean ones-mind you). The worse were our matches-but other campers came to our rescue.
Who could have asked for anything better? We hiked, canoed, sat by a wonderful camp fire, cooked on the fire and just enjoyed each other’s company with no TV, cell phone or computer. I think more couples should do this….
Knowing that our time is winding down, we still wanted to try again to camp on the Grand Mesa. So packing up on Saturday night, making arrangements to get off work one hour earlier, with thunder head clouds looming close by once again, we took off for our second camping adventure on the Grand Mesa.
The last time we did this trip, we turned into what we thought was a driveway to someone’s home in the Grand Mesa National Forest, but turned out to be the maintenance yard for the forestry and that the road actually comes around to the North end of Bonham Lake. This is where we found the perfect camping spot.
There was only two downfall to the spot we choose, but we soon learned to live with those minor imperfection. One was chasing cows away from our site. The other downfall was we were down winded from the maintenance yard where apparently they use it and run a generator from 8-4.
Even though we had looming thunder heads close to us, we only got a sprinkle late the first night after we went to bed.
who was ever in this spot previously was gracious enough to leave us some cut down wood and along with what we brought, we had plenty to keep fires going for the two nights and to warm our bodies in the mornings.
So, after setting up camp, we walked around and talked with a fellow camper who brought their 5th wheel in. It was then time to start a fire, only to learn that the matches we brought with us had a bad striker and could not get a matches to light! Brian even tried to get the match going by using the cigarette lighter in the car and it still wouldn’t stay lit. After several failed attempts, he finally walked down to our fellow campers to see if they had some “good” matches. While he was gone, I got the cig lighter going, ran over to the campfire, lit the match and manage to get the wadded up paper to finally light! So when Brian got back I had a wonderful camper fire going and was doing the “dance”. I was really proud of myself!
We ended up with several unwanted guest towards dusk and had to chase them away-cows! They were invading on us and it was time to head them in another direction. An hour later, here came another group of cows. Our campsite must have looked appealing to them, and once again we had to chase them away. Did I mention I hate cows?….
We were awoken the next morning to first a bird called that sounded like a puppy crying and then those dump ole’ cows mooing and bawling. It was very chilly and a camp fire was needed to help warm our bodies while the coffee was being brewed.
Upon going for a morning stroll, we looked back at our nice camp site and once again the cows were coming up behind us. We walked back and decided that they were far enough behind and didn’t they would invade our site while gone.
We took the hiking/OHV trail for a mile or two and then decided it was time to head back before we did get ourselves lost. We were surrounded by combinations of Aspen and Pines.
Upon returning back to our campsite, those cows were getting very close to us once again. So Brian went to chase them away, however one bull was going to stand his ground and I was beginning to wonder who was going to win. Brian blew the air horn and I guess the bull didn’t like it-so he turned around, leading the rest of the herd to follow him. We no longer had anymore issues for the remainder of our stay with the cows.
With the weather being perfect and the sun out bright we decided to take the canoe out on the lake. This would be Leah’s first time in our canoe and we wonder how she would do. She kept hanging on the edge, trying to bite at the little waves we created. I was so worried that she would jump out. We took her leash and strapped it the middle seat. Brian told me to let her go and if she did jump in, he would rescue. sure enough before long I heard a loud splash and as I looked back she was swimming in the cold water! Brian scooped her up and for the rest of the ride, the canoe felt it was hitting bottom as she shivered. I bet she doesn’t do that again!
For the remainder of our time, we did have thunder clouds loom by and some really loud thunder, but never any rain and our trip was spectacular and the most enjoyable camping experience we had thus far.
We did forget some vital essentials like; paper plates-we ate cannibal style and loved it. We forgot our suntan lotion and got burned like a lobster. We forgot knives-fingers worked great (clean ones-mind you). The worse were our matches-but other campers came to our rescue.
Who could have asked for anything better? We hiked, canoed, sat by a wonderful camp fire, cooked on the fire and just enjoyed each other’s company with no TV, cell phone or computer. I think more couples should do this….
No comments:
Post a Comment