June 28, 2016 A Nice Day

It was 50 degrees when I got up this morning. I started the generator and started my coffee. The wind was light and it felt pretty nice. There was a big pack of coyotes running not too far away. I listened to them for about 15 minutes. I headed back in the trailer and warmd it up while I watched the news. When Susan got up we sat outside by the fire for a good while.  After breakfast Susan started sewing. I went down to Eleven Mile State Park to see if I could get a good cell signal to use the internet. I could connect but it was painfully slow. I will have to wait till we get somewhere else before I can update my blogs. I made a few phone calls and then headed back to camp. We had a really nice day until about 5. We had a few light showers and some small hail stones. It died down and we went out and sat by the fire for awhile until the wind picked up. We just watched tv the rest of the evening.

Morning sunrise

Maggie is trailing

Sitting in the morning sun

June 27, 2016 Travel Day to near Eleven Mike State Park

This is moving day. I got up about 6:10 am. It was 51 degrees. I drank my coffee and started picking things up getting ready to hook up. Susan took care of the inside stuff. We got on the road about 9. We only had about a one and half drive. There was road construction so it took a little longer. When we came thru Eleven Mile State  Park I pulled in and used their dump. We then headed up the mountain about three miles and turned on a Forest Road to find us a boondocking spot. The one we used last year was open but we went a little farther to one we liked a little better. We got the trailer all set up. We have spotty cell service and cant really do anything but text.  Susan took a little nap. Later we drove around some of the forest roads and we found a couple of spots we like. We headed back to camp and just relaxed the rest of the evening.

You Gotta Dump Sometime

Our New View

Set Up

June 26 ,2016 Laundry Day

Today is laundry day. We haven’t done laundry in two weeks. We headed to town about 10:00 am. After getting the five washers going I left and headed to Tractor Supply for a few items. I then went and filled up Ole Blue and a couple of gas cans for the generator. I headed back to the washateria and helped put the clothes in the dryer. I got on the internet and tried to catch up on my blog. It was running very slow as I didn’t have a good signal. We left and went and got lunch at a little Mexican diner. It actually was pretty good. After that we headed to the only grocery store in town and stocked up on supplies. Finally we headed back to camp except we made one more stop to fill our water bladder. We made it home about 2. We chilled most of the evening. The camp host came by and visited with us till about 9.    

Campground Entramce

Fun Fun

June 25, 2016 A Slow Day

We had another pretty morning. It was pretty chilly til the sun started warming things up. We took another walk to Chalk Lake and then around the campground. At 8700 ft you notice the thin air even on short walks. We just hung around camp all day. Susan sewed acantnd I just piddled around. The mountain showers missed us today and it warmed up to about 77 degrees. It’s the weekend and the campground is full. Our spot is somewhat isolated and with the noise from the creek running we cant hear anyone else and it feels like we are alone.  The spot we have is about the only spot that I would stay at here. The other 4-5 spots we could fit in have no shade and are not on the creek. There are a lot more tenters here than trailers. We will come back to this spot in the future.

June 24 ,2016 Another Cool Day Here at Chalk Canyon

It was a mighty cold morning when I got up around 48 degrees. I put the furnace on and warmed up the trailer. I drank my coffee in the trailer until the sun started warming things up outside. It was a beautiful morning with bluebird skys. After breakfast we ran in to Buena Vista to run a few errands. When we got back it started misting on and off. The temperature hung around 55 degrees. It sure looked like another evening inside. Around 6:30 the sun came out and the wind layed. The temperature got up to about 62 and we sat by the fire till about 8. Just another day enjoying life.

Mountain backdrop in Buena Vista

Looking out the campground entrance. There is a waterfall in center of picture above the trees

June 25 , 2016 A Day in Camp

We had another pretty morning. It was pretty chilly til the sun started warming things up. We took another walk to Chalk Lake and then around the campground. At 8700 ft you notice the thin air even on short walks. We just hung around camp all day. Susan sewed and I just piddled around. The mountain showers missed us today and it warmed up to about 77 degrees. It’s the weekend and the campground is full. Our spot is somewhat isolated and with the noise from the creek running we cant hear anyone else and it feels like we are alone.  The spot we have is about the only spot that I would stay at here. The other 4-5 spots we could fit in have no shade and are not on the creek. There are a lot more tenters here than trailers. We will come back to this spot in the future.

June 23, 2016 A Trip to Salida and a Rainy Evening

I was able to sleep till 6 this morning which is late for me. It was about 53 outside. I sat by the fire outside and drank my coffee. Susan joined me about 8. I cooked us a little breakfast and we decided to go to Salida. Susan did some shopping while I tried to catch up on my blogs and pictures. We just have spotty service at the campground and I cant use my laptop.  After finishing up I joined Susan and we browsed around. We got back home around 1. Susan started sewing and I took a little nap. When I got up I just watched tv awhile. We then sat outside and the rain and wind started. It cooled down to 55. We just went inside and Susan sewed and watched tv and read.  

June 22, 2016 Twin Lakes and a Rainy Day

It was another nice morning. I got up about 6 and turned the generator on to make coffee and watched a little news and weather. After that Maggie and I took a short hike to Chalk Lake. It’s a pretty small mountain lake. When we got back we sat by the fire till Susan got up and joined us. I cooked a little breakfast using my new grating over the fire pit. We decided to drive up to Twin Lakes and look around. It’s a pretty drive up there and the lakes are gorgeous. We looked at a couple of campgrounds that we might stay at in the future.  When we got back to Buena Vista we ate a late lunch. I also filled two propane bottle up and we headed back to camp. It started raining on the way and the temperature dropped from 77 to 55 degrees. I took a nap and Susan sewed. It rained and misted all evening. We did sit under the canopy and had our little fire pit going. Went back inside about 8 and watched tv. It’s a tough life.

Chalk Lake

Twin Lakes

June 21, 2016 A Lazy Day

I left the windows open last night and it was 51 degrees inside and out. Not sure of the generator hours here I made coffee on the stove with a drip pot. There wasn”t any wind so I sat outside by the fire pit till Susan got up. I turned the generator on for a couple of hours. We ran into town and I went to the library to use the wi-fi and Susan went to the quilt shop. After that we went to a hardware store and I got a grating to use on my fire pit to cook with. After getting back to camp it looked as if we might get some rain. I decided to put our canopy up so if it was just drizzling we could still sit by a fire. I was able to cook supper while we had a light mist. It quit soon after and we sat by the fire till about 7:30. We had lots of wind so we went inside and watched tv.

June 20 2016 Travel Day to Chalk Canyon

It was cooler this morning than yesterday . We were in no hurry to leave as we only had about a 2 hr trip. We got on the road about 9:45 am. It was a pretty drive and we just took our time.  We got to Chalk Canyon Campground around 12:15. It had warmed up to 83 degrees which is a heat wave here. Our spot is in a nice shady spot along the creek. There are no facilities here so you live off your trailer. We just chilled outside all day and evening. The camp host stopped and visited with us for a little while. All in all a pretty relaxing day.

June 17- 20 Mike Z arrives, Bishops Palace, We are Alone Again

Friday morning was a really cool morning. I love the 40 degree mornings. We didn’t do a lot today but hang around camp. Mike Zeller arrived in Colorado Springs about 4. We ran down to Colorado City and talked to him making sure he was on the road and knew how to find us. He made it about 6:00 pm.  Sammi was really happy to see her Daddy. We cooked hamburgers for supper. We built a nice fire and stayed up very late for me.

Saturday morning it was about 52 degrees. I had my coffee pot set up outside so I could slip past Mike and Sammi. It was cool so I built a nice fire and just relaxed. The rest of them got up about 8.  I scrambeled eggs and bacon for breakfast. Later we drove to Bishops Castle .  Mr. Bishop has been building his castle for 45 years. It s free to tour  and Sammi really loved the place.  After we left there we went to Pine Lodge and had lunch. Back at the trailer, Mike and Sammi went to the lake and we just chilled around the trailer. I cooked a pot of chili for supper. We had a nice evening fire and went to bed a lot earlier.

Sunday morning was a warm morning around 62 degrees. We all went to the Pine Lodge for breakfast. When we got back Mike and Sammi packed up and cleaned up. They left at noon to fly back home. We are sure going to miss having Sammi around. Later we drove to Pueblo as I wanted to get a propane fire pit. We had looked at a neighbors and they said they got theirs at Lowes. After going to the second Lowes they had a display model they would sell me. I got 20% of the sale price so I was happy.  The heat wave had arrived and it was 101 in Pueblo. When we got back to the trailer it was 81. What a difference elevation makes. It was another nice evening and cooled off fast as the sun went down. We tried out our new fire pit and we loved it. It heated up quickly and had a nice flame with no smoke. You could sit anywhere and enjoy. We had some neighbors Hector and Martha who came over and sat with us for the evening. They really liked the pit and will probably get them one.

June 16, 2016 Just Another Day

It was another warm morning for here, about 60. The wind was was blowing so it felt cooler. For the first time on this trip Sammi slept till 8. We had no plans today, after breakfast we went down to the Valley to go the grocery store and check o messages. We have TV which I could do without but I do miss the internet. I know for the next two weeks we will be without for sure. We just piddled around camp all day. For supper we decided to go get BBQ down at Obies in Colorado City. This place is owned by a cousin of a friend of mine John Kocurek. They were really busy and I didn’t get a chance to talk to Gwen, but I did talk to her mother for awhile. We built a nice fire when we got back and had a nice evening. 

June 13 2016 Day 1 Lake Isabel

June 13, 2016

I tried to sleep late but was up by 5:15 am. It was cold in the trailer as I didn’t leave any heat on. The outside temperature was 46. It was a beautiful morning. When Susan and Sammi got up  the sun had warmed up some and I built a fire outside. We decided to run into Pueblo to get a few things and Susan needed her glasses adjusted, the frames had  somehow bent. When we got back we ate lunch at a little resterant near our campground. They have great green chili cheeseburgers. I asked several folks where I could find firewood to buy in bulk. I want ½ a truck load. One lady gave me a number for her husband in Colorado City which is down the mountain about 18 miles. Since we have no cell service we drove down the mountain. Never got an answer on the phone so we headed back to camp. Susan took a nap and Sammi watched a movie. Later Susan set up her featherweight and her and Sammi sewed.  Maggi and I walked the park. We talked to a few folks and got some places to get firewood. A cord of firewood up here goes for $250.00.  A bundle of firewood is $6.00 in camp. It would cost us more in wood per day than our campsite cost if we bought in bundles. I have been thinking about getting an propane fire pit and trying that.  We had an evening fire and sat out enjoying. Susan had bought two hummingbird feeders and I put them up. It didn’t take long before they found it. Tomorrow my goal is to find some firewood. 

June 15 2016 The Royal Gorge

This morning was a little warmer only about 53 degrees. I didn’t build a fire as we were going to the Royal Gorge today. It was a really pretty drive thru the mountains. It took us about an hour and a half. We had been there before but it was totally different. They had a major fire in 2013 and had to rebuild. They added some things for kids to do and put in a concert setting.  Sammi really enjoyed the gondola ride across the gorge. She played in the kid’s playground and her and Susan rode the little carousal. Susan decided to zip line back across the Royal Gorge. Sammi was to small so I took her back by the Gondola. This is supposed to be the 2^nd highest zip line in the USA.  Susan really enjoyed it. We left there and then stopped by a wood yard and bought some firewood. We left there and ate in town. When we got back Susan took a nap. Allergies have been really working on her. I got my water bladder out and went and filled it up, then hooked up my pump and filled the trailer. We built a fire and chilled all evening.

June 14 , 2016 A Cold Start

It was the coldest morning yet about 41 degrees when I got up. I out the furnace on and warmed things up. I drank most of my coffee inside as I waited till it warmed up before I went out and built a fire. Susan cooked pancakes for her and Sammi while I had fried eggs and sausage. Later they stayed in camp as I went in search of firewood for sale. I went to several places and no one knew of anyone local with wood for sale. I returned empty handed.  Susan and I took a little walk while Sammi watched a movie.  We just chilled the rest of the day.

6/12/2016 Travel Day to Lake Isabel

 

We were in no hurry this morning.  I had my morning coffee outside looking at the mountains. When Susan and Sammi got up they started picking up the trailer up getting ready to move. I cooked bacon and eggs for breakfast. Sammi and Susan went and said their goodbyes  I finished hooking up and we were on our way.  We got to Lake Isabel about 11. It was a pretty good pull up the mountain. We went from 6,000 ft to 8700 ft.  It was 2^nd gear and 45 mph all the way.  Checkout time was noon and we parked in a day use area above the lake. Sammi and I walked down to the lake and let her check out the water.  We got in our camping spot around 12:15.  This campground is about 25 miles south of Pueblo and then 18 miles west of I-25. The nearest little town is Rye, Co.  When we left the interstate the temp was 83. When we got here the temp was 71. We sat outside all evening enjoying the wooded view and all the birds. We got a couple of rain showers . I built a fire and it was a nice evening.

June 11,2016 Our Last Day in Laveta

We had another pretty morning with the temperature about 51 when I got up. Both Susan and Sa

mmi slept late. I fixed breakfast tacos for breakfast. We did some cleaning up and straightening in the trailer. I went to Walsenburg and restocked some groceries. After lunch we went and got ice cream. Sammie's friend Tylene and her grand parents were there.When we got back to the trailer the girls played all evening. I started to load a few things in my truck preparing to leave tomorrow. We had another really nice evening to sit outside. Tomorrow we move on and we probably wont have cell or internet service so my blogs will be spotty.

Getting a Tan

Sammi  Tylene

La Veta