On the Road to Cripple Creek

We opted to take a road trip today. So we packed up the Jeep less Della (Ho-Hum) and Tilly.

Got our GPS, forgot the road-map and off we went. Our destination was Muller State Park and Cripple Creek.

So on the road we go, up the road north west of Manitou springs

Did I mention this is the Colorado High Country - this means snow in some areas. 

Mueller is a Colorado State park. With many camping sites. It sits at an elevation of 9600 Ft. The view from on high are spectacular as you can see from the Photos below. 

Check out the Link to Mueller State Park  . We found out from Becky and Jim they spend time there with there camping club. The sites in back and able to handle a 40Ft Diesel like the DaGirls Rv.

White board on the wall says it all. 

As we checked out the park we came upon this small lake, Susan spied some deer hanging around in the meadow.

Next it was onto Cripple Creek, Co. CC is an old gold mining town, and is still producing gold. 

Link to information on Cripple Creek . As we came into town you can see it off in the distance. As Ipulled over for a photo shot.

Cripple Creek is one of 2 cities which allow Gambling. I dare say that they have more casinos then any other city we have been in. On good days they bus them in from every direction.

Safe travels and journeys.

Dale & Susan 2003 SeeYa1084

Santa Fe to Colorado Springs Adventures

Our travel from Santa Fe to Colorado Springs wasn't without excitement. We left early enough to miss the wind advisory for New Mexico. I started out and drove to Las Vega, where we took on fuel. Our MPG has exceeded over 7 MPG even in the mountain’s.

While we were fillin up, Della said she wanted to start driving again.

We both veto her drivin. The last time she drove, the cost was over $2000.

Susan took over driving, she’s getting better at driving the mountain passes. Raton Pass is  over 7000 Ft elevation, she took it like a trucker. Downshifting when necessary, watching the temp gauge, along with worrying about the road construction. This is the 2^nd time she has driven Raton Pass. She mentioned something about next time it’s my turn. But I am a believer that once trained, that’s the go-to-person.

We switched drivers around Trinidad and noticed the winds were picking up, however wasn’t too windy, so off we went.

The road between Trinidad and Pueblo seems nice, but looks can be deceiving. Spied signs warning “Gusty Winds next 10 miles”. Well the sign did not really tell the whole story………………….Gusty Winds! They forgot to tell you they were cross winds, which makes driving harder and then add to that winds gusting up to 40 mph …… It was due to these winds that we were forced over a few times to check everything on the outside of the rig. Making sure everything was tightened down. Climbing up on the roof, with the winds. Well I am glad Susan was on the ground ready to catch me on the 2^nd  bounce if needed. Definitely this was a Kodak moment.

We arrived safe and sound at the Elks Lodge 309 in Colorado Springs around 3 pm, got settled in, signed into the lodge and relaxed for the evening. Susan has decided that we need to do a better job of reporting on the different Elks lodges we stayed at.

Thursday got us out and moving around town.  Many changes since I lived here in the late 70’s. At that time this was truly God’s country, except for economics. Enough said on that. Nonetheless a trip thru Garden of the Gods is always worth the drive.

  

Trip thru Garden of the Gods

Once we left Garden of the Gods, it was off to Manitou Springs, where I knew some people that once owned a custom furniture business. Wanted to check out the area, see what the changes were.

Manitou springs co

1891 Building

As we got ready to leave Manitou Springs, we spied this traveling singer on the sidewalk.

We have now opened a Da Girls Blog Complaint Dept. in case you need to complain about anything or everything…..Ha Ha

Safe Travels and Journeys 

Da Girls Rv

Susan, Dale, Della & Tilly

On the Road from Winslow to Santa Fe

Landed in Santa Fe (SF), NM this morning, after leaving Winslow at 5am. Neither one of us could sleep, so we decided to headem up and movem out. Arrived in Santa Fe around 12ish including the time change, (lost an hour).

We refueled in Gallup, NM, took on 50 gals of diesel @$3.79. We have been getting over 7 mpg with the rig. This has included running the generator for few hours. Pretty good considering the hills we have hit.

Once in SF we headed for the Elk’s lodge, #460. This lodge was established in the 1800’’s. They moved into the existing building in 1965, after being in the same building since early 1900. The evidence is seen in the photos inside the lodge. Our host, Ron (PER) was kind enough to show us around the lodge.

While in SF we decided to head to old town and see what was happin. Susan spied a unique set of earrings, which she purchased. The earring is a unique design that the artist, holds a patent on.

As we wander around we located the Loretta Chapel, (Link) the chapel has a very unique spiral staircase. The staircase was built in the 1600’s by an unknown traveling craftsman. What makes it unique is no supporting structures hold it up. The only support is the center column. Originally built with no banisters.  The church is now a museum for all to see. The cost is $3 per person, a must see.

As we continued our wandering, we spied other interesting items, such as the Eagle and Warrior statue. By the looks of it, it is a bronze statue. Sorry Bill, I did not get the artist or store’s name.

 This is the best I can do for the Address of where the status is located:

The shop is located directly across from the Loretta Chapel.

Address in the 201 - 207  Old Santa Fe Trail .

We’ll let you ponder the other photos we took in our wandering of SF, including the inside of the state capitol with 4 floors of artwork in the rotunda and halls including an exhibit by local school children, grades kindergarden/8th grade.

We rounded up our wandering by traveling to the end of the Santa Fe Trail, this is where we will leave you as we need to get back to the rig.

Safe Travels and Journeys thru life