ANOTHER CAMPING EXPERIENCE

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….

TRIP TO THE ROCKIES-Part Three

After a somewhat restful sleep at Lake Dillon, we got up and headed out.  I slept ok, but Brian was worried about me, so he didn’t sleep very good.  Anyways when we woke, the temp had to be near 40 degrees and tearing down camp became very cold on our hands.




In our haste the night before, Brian accidentally spilled what coffee grounds we had, so we had no coffee to help warm us up until we got to a gas station.  After fueling the car and our tummies with hot coffee, it was time to adventure on back home.  My breathing went back to normal and the wheezing had stopped-but I still felt low key and low energy-but I wasn’t going to give in.

As we headed westbound on I-70 the temps slowly warmed up.  It was time to shed the jogging outfits and put on shorts, and finally put more than coffee into our bellies, oh and of course-feed Leah.

We made a stop at a rest area that also was the entrance to the Hanging Lake Trail.  We had all good intentions of hiking on this trail.  However, first sign we saw said no dogs allowed on the trail!  Well that sucked, for we obviously could not leave her in the car either!  So the trail would have to wait for another time….We do understand why and the reasoning why dogs are not allowed on the trail, and therefore will by by the rules.

So back on the Interstate heading homeward bounds.  Next rest stop and pull off was fascinating to us.  We discovered where they put in for rafting on the Colorado River and was fun to watch them get ready to head down the river.  This was called Grizzly Creel Rest Stop.



We had to laugh at this one poor guide.  He was trying to get those on the right side of the raft to start paddling-and all they wanted to do was wave at us while I took their pictures.  The river guide had to do everything from keeping them from going in constant circle with no help from his crew mate!  It was funny, and they did finally headed downriver-in the right direction.

Next stop was back to Rifle where we picked up a pizza and headed towards Rifle Gap to rest and eat.  After a rest, we headed to Rifle Falls where we finally was able to hike a little and even taken our little girl with us.






Wished we would have grabbed our flashlights our of the car.  We knew there were some caves, but not sure how far they really went in and without flashlights and having Leah with us-we didn’t explore any farther than the entrance to the caves.

After walking a while, I was once again feeling not so good and it was just time to head back home.  I think with the elevation I may have developed a sinus infection.  We will do this trip again, when we have more time to allow are bodies to adjust to the elevation.  It’s trip well worth and hope that others enjoy the beauties of the Rockies as we sure did!

TRIP TO THE ROCKIES-Part Two

After turning back around at the Georgetown exit, it was time to head towards Breckenridge, where we will try to find us a camping spot for the night.  The descend downwards was a long haul and the road construction made it even harder-specially to truckers.  We actually had one trucker just ahead of us that had to use the runaway ramp.  We think he was having more engine trouble than brake trouble.
We couldn’t help but laugh at the signs on the Interstate that stated something like this:  “Lost brakes?  don’t take the exit, the road ascends just ahead…”  I know it’s really not funny, but just sounded funny.  The other sign that caught our eye was:  “Truckers don’t be fool, descend for another (number) of miles.”

We decided that we will have no trouble taking our  motorhome through the Rockies.  the worst descend for us will be in the heart of Denver-or so we are told, but I think we will be just fine.  So now comes some fun time…..

You could easily see that the town of Breckenridge was not only a college community but also a richly ski resort community.  You saw no run down homes, and again all carried the Swiss Alpine looks.
After carefully reading the instructions to the Lower Chrystal Lake, and taking only two wrong turns, we finally found our destination and found it-disappointing.  According the directions and usage guide-it stated “mildly busy”.  To us we would think a few cars, and some hikers-NOT!  The parking lot was over flowing.  We put the car into 4-wheel drive and went just in a little ways deeper into the Crystal Lake area.  Found a camping spot, but wasn’t totally sold on it.
Time to grab a snack and then hike further on up-maybe in hopes of finding the Crystal Lakes and maybe another camping spot.





As we walked, we kept ascending, making our breathing a little labor.  We only went so far and decided that this just wasn’t the spot for us.  time to look at the map and maybe find another camping spot.  It wasn’t quite noon-so we still had plenty of time to find something.

We continue farther down on HWY 9 with intentions of taking a loop cross country on 4 wheel drive.  I knew we would find a camping spot along the way that would be remote and quiet for us.
As we kept ascending up hill we wonder what we were getting ourselves into when we came upon Hoosier Pass on the Continental  Divide!  I was so excited to be on the divide and wanted to explore the area a little.

As we walked around, we found the perfect campsite that would suit us just fine.  It was time to set up camp for the night and hunt down some wood.  Wood finding was easy, for many fallen pine tress were on the ground-dead from the beetles.



Now it’s time to hike up the Continental Divide and be in the heart of the Rockies.  What an awesome experience!!!



The view was so breath taking that I had to stop and take constant pictures.







As we walked, we kept climbing higher and higher, and decided that our lungs and heart needed a rest, so back down to our campsite we headed.  Sure wish we had more time to spend in this area, but we would need our bodies time to rest for the height of the elevation that we were on.



After finishing cutting our wood, starting a campfire it was time to get something to eat and just sit back and relax.  As we are relaxing, I finally realized I had lost my watch.  The watch meant a lot to me, since Brian bought is special for me over 17 years ago.  But I think when I picked up Leah, the clasp must have come undone and therefore was lost at the Continental Divide.  There was no way we were about to climb back up to find it.  So it was a sad time for me…

As the evening went on, my breathing started to get more labor, my sinus completely shut down and my face started to swell a little.  Brian said I was getting paler by the minute and then I started to feel sick.  If I got up, everything would spin.  It was decided that I was getting altitude sickness and we would need to get to lower elevation.  Thinking our camping trip was done and we would head back home, I really felt sad that this had to happen.  Poor Brian had to pack everything back up on his own and we had to head on down.

As we got down to Lake Dillon, about 1000 feet lower, I was already feeling better.  I told Brian I would feel fine if we would spend the night at lake Dillon.  I would rather camp there than try to drive all the way back to our park in the dark.  So we found a nice spot at Lake Dillon on the White
I think if we would have more time at the higher elevation and rested before exploring,  I would not had that trouble.  But we were on a short time schedule…

Part Three will continue on our saga heading back on I-70 Westbound-homeward bound.

INEXPERIENCE CAMPER

 

The other morning, while trying to enjoy a cup a coffee, I notice a gentleman looking around our RV, eating a banana. Then he came to our door, but never knocked. So I went out to see what I can do for him. He wanted to know how to fill his RV with water. He was told not to fill it while coming through the Rockies. So instead of getting water while parked here at the State Park upon arrival, he has decided to get it before hitting the road to Utah.
I had Brian go out and explain it to him how to fill his tank with fresh water. Brian comes back in after a few minutes, to enjoy more coffee, when again I looked out our door window and stood this man again. Brian went back out to again explain the water fill situation. Upon talking to him for the second time, this gentleman and his family hasn’t even used the toilet, because they didn’t know how to use it….
Brian told this guy that we would be out and about walking shortly and if he was at the dump station, we would come by and assist him with his water fill. 15 minutes later, again, this gentleman was at our door for a 3rd time. He had parked in a spot behind us to fill his tank. He told Brian that he thought something was wrong because the water started to fill and a few minutes later, water started to sputter out at him. Brian try to explain to him that his tank was full and he needed to shut it off. He kept asking how does one know if their tank is really full….
I’m proud of my husband for his patience with this particular gentleman for I know he was starting to wear Brian’s patience thin. Brian however didn’t have the patience to tell this particular gentleman that there are some other things he should have checked out before heading out, for he knew if he got into with him, it would be hours on end….and we did have to work that day.
He did suggest to this person in purchasing books on becoming an RV’er…..wonder if he will take the suggestion?
Now I’m not calling this gentle “dumb” or anything, but I would just like to point out to any newcomers that is either thinking or has just recently purchased a new RV for the first time to just take these few steps to make their lives (and others) a little more pleasant:

• Take time to get to know your RV inside and out BEFORE heading out on that long trip.
  
• DON’T be afraid to ask questions to the Dealer or the person whom you bought the RV from. There is no such thing as a “dumb” question.
  
• Take short trips close to home and try EVERYTHING out to make all is working properly.
  
• Maybe consider purchasing some RV books before purchasing your RV. Determine what kind of an RV you want, whether it be a 5th wheel, travel trailer or a pop-up. Do you want slide outs or not? There is a lot to consider when purchasing a RV.
  
• And NEVER be afraid to ask another RV’er some questions-most will be glad to help you-but on that same note-don’t take up a whole lot of their time either; They are there to relax as well.
  
• If you’re not use to backing up a rig, take the time and find a huge empty parking lot and practice!
  
• Remember all rigs are built differently and will operate differently in all aspects-so don’t totally rely on how another rig is set up to function-thinking yours will work that way as well.

We enjoy and really don’t mind helping a newcomer along the way and we will continue to help others whether “working’ or just playing ourselves. If we can give a helpful advise and share our experience-we will be glad to do it.