Wrapping up Western Colorado

So, let's wrap up Western Colorado, and yes i know it has been a while, but we have been having too much fun, and yes I should have posted this early June, somewhere around  the 9th, I think. But at least I am getting it done.

Once we left Moab, we headed to Palisades, Co., just east of Grand Junction. We were invited to stop by and visit Donna & Dan Thorn at her father and mother's house.  When we arrived we were shown where the water and a dump was nearby, but no power. But hey no issue for DaGirls as we had our generator and a quiet spot away from everyone. 

We still continue our walks in the morning, which we had started in the Tall Pines of Az., and even though the weather was heating up we just left earlier. We took 1 day off and headed to Grand Mesa. We heard that the Mesa was over 10,000 feet and was in the National Forest. This gave us a chance to check it out for boon-docking. We spied some likely places, but only during the non-busy season. The areas we wanted to get to, were still closed due to the late snow in May. 

So we will have to come back and investigate the area again. 

Once we left, we headed southeast on Hwy 50, this would lead us thru Montrose, Gunnison, Salida, Canyon City and Monarch Pass, which stands at 11,312 Ft. So, how did DaGirls do? Easy as we took it slow. There were many turnouts and passing lanes, which we made use of. When vehicles were not behind us? I just moved over to the left lane away from the outside lane. When I saw a vehicle coming up, I moved back to the right.

However I do have to back up, as we were going to boon dock, but due to the heat we stayed west of Canyon City on a spot next to the Arkansas river. We were still over 6,000 ft, and night time temps were in the 50's with a good breeze. 

In the morning we headed to the Royal Gorge. The previous day, we stopped in to see it and when we found out it was dog friendly, we decided to come back the next day with Dakota & Tilly.

As you can see Royal Gorge is Dog friendly.

We were going to spend the day in Canyon City, but decided to continue on, even though Dakota wanted us to stop for a Dairy Queen. Sorry Dakota. 

Our final stop was in Las Animas, Co.  This is where Eric's mother now lives. Rose, Susan & I are close friends and grandparents and we enjoyed our visit with her for the afternoon.. 

Our present position in just inside Kansas. Where we are hunker down due to the  heat and high winds. We located a Fair Ground just inside Garden City, Ks. We were not expecting to stay, this long, but with the wind and heat, we choose 50 amp power and water over boondocking for now. Once everything settles down, we'll head back to Co., hopefully we will start the eastern / central side of Colorado. But, as you know, the direction can always change due to the weather.

Dale 

Dakota & Tilly DaGirls Rv,

Safe Travels and Journeys

Wrap up in the Tall Pines and Where are we today

We spent 3 weeks, 4 miles north of Hwy 260, on Forest Road 122 (Nelson Fire Rd). This is truly one of our best camping spots.

Quite, along, just 6 miles from Forest Lakes, and 19 miles from Heber. Nestled between tall pines where wind is all around you, but not eh really strong winds that would make it unbearable.

In our time here, we added 60 gallons, or fresh water, our gray tank hit 55%, and it was getting very close to dump the black.

Dakota caught her first lizard, not realizing it, until she spit it out. Dug many holes, found many elk bones, ran around searching for many more things and yet walked like a very calm dog when leased. Tilly was learning not to get loss, and catch up to us when she was called.

Mike and Mauer make it up for a day, Wayne and Kathy, made it up and stayed in Heber for 2 days, visited us at our spot and enjoy the cool weather far away from Gold Canyon. They realize what it is like to spend time in the Tall Pines, and dry-camping.

But all good things must come to the end, we expected friends to come up, but that did not materialize and so, we decided to head North East, as we decided to head out and see some more of this country.

Our first stop, the Ute  Casino Rv park, which is just a few miles south of Cortez, Colorado, and north of Shiprock, New Mexico. This is where National Park called Mesa Verde, one of the largest cliff dwellings are located, and where they conduct hiking tours down into 3 of them. Where you can walk among, the kivas. Where you learned what is was like in the 12 century living on the side of the cliffs.

Susan touching a 2000 year old wall

By this time we learned of a heat wave coming through Colorado and Utah, where the unexpected highs are in the 90’s. With lots of sunshine through the week.

Upon our arrival at the Ute Casino, we were informed, that Friday and Saturday, would get noisy, as the local tribe was having a Pow-Wow. If you have never been to one, bring chairs, and be prepared to be amaze. And the noise of the drums well let me tell you, I fell right to sleep. The chanting of the drums were smoother and better to listen to, than the noisy music people play and the screaming and yelling.

DaGirls Rv – Dakota and Tilly
Safe Travels and Journeys