South Park City

What a day Friday was.  No rain, thunder, lightening, or hail, and I got to go to South Park.  We started the day off early for a 250 mile ride - or at least we tried to get started early.  That was before Amber bolted out of the door to chase squirrels.  Fifteen minutes later she decided she had had enough and we were able to take off.  Our destination was South Park City.  Of course, we took the scenic route.  Our first stop was for coffee at this little coffee shop.

We then took off and rode some wonderfully scenic and twisty roads.  I wish I had more pictures to share, but these narrow mountain roads do not have a lot of places where you can stop. I was glad we were going west when we were in the mountains, because the road going east  had places with about a six inch shoulder and then a vertical drop. Very few guard rails too.

These roads led to a beautiful valley surrounded by mountain peaks.  The valley, known as South Park, is at approximately 10,000 ft. elevation.

After the ride into Fairplay, we stopped at the courthouse/library/coroner's office for a picnic lunch.

However the highlight of the trip was our visit to South Park City - a recreated 1880's mining town.  Some of the buildings are in their original locations while others were brought in from other parts of the county.  The authenticity is amazing.  The only new building is the visitors center.

One of the things that makes South Park City so special is that it is not blocked off to the extent most museums are.  In many of the buildings, there are no partitions and you can really experience the way life was.

Following are a few more scenes from South Park City.  Can you even imagine teaching a room full of students of all ages and all abilities?

Of course, this scene may be a little easier to imagine!

For the first time, Joseph found a road he could do 100 mph on and still rode under the speed limit in order to enjoy the scenery. Of course, if he had been doing 100 mph, I would have been pounding him on the back!

Well, it was a great day - and a memorable one. 

Things have been rather quiet lately.  Saturday was a housekeeping day and on Sunday we went to the movies.  After not doing much over the weekend, I really wanted to get out Monday, so we decided to go hiking.  As I have often mentioned, Colorado weather changes rapidly, and a half a mile or so into our hike, it began to thunder.  Oh great - another ride in the rain.  We escaped the worst of it until we were on the grounds of the Academy when it began to rain hard and hail (of course).  But the really scarey incident was when we saw a flash of lightening in the middle of the street in front of us.  I was really glad to find cover.

Tuesday we went on a ride - actually the same ride as last week, but we reversed it so that it would look different.  It really did not matter though, the scenery is so wonderful, we could do the same ride every day.  In Canon City we stopped at a neat winery which was started by the Benedictine Fathers at the Holy Cross Abbey.  Their wine was very good, but then you know how much I enjoy my wine.  I would add pictures, but I forgot my camera!  Here is a link:  http://www.abbeywinery.com/

Yesterday we decided to take a hike along the railroad tracks near the RV Park.  It was only going to be a 1 hour hike, but after missing our entrance back into the park, we were walking for almost 2 hours.  Well, we got a good workout.  Joseph then went to a Rotary meeting.

Today may be a movie day as rain is in the forcast and I am getting real tired of getting caught in the rain - especially when it hails!

Lightning and Thunder

"Lightning is Colorado's most dangerous weather hazard."  The average number of lightning strikes each year in Colorado is 494,000.  The "hot spot" for lightning is the Pike's Peak region.  Yep, that's where we are.  That is why our hiking trip was postponed Thursday.  As we set out on a hike in the Florissant National Monument, a large storm formed so we hurried back to the visitor's center.  After allowing the worst of it to pass, we got on the bike and had another ride in the rain.  When we looked over our sholders and saw blue sky, we decided to camp out in Colorado City with a burger and a beer for a while to let the good weather catch up with us.

So, on Friday, we headed back to Florissant.  This is the site of the Florissant Fossil Beds where they have found fossils from over 1,700 species - 1,500 insects and 150 plants.  However, the most spectular fossils are the petrified redwoods.

Many years ago when this area was much warmer, this was the site of a grove of redwood trees.  Amazing!

We came back to this area to hike because, due to the elavation, around 8,600 feet, the weather was much milder - probably in the low 80's.  The hike was really great.  Here is Joseph's favorite flower.

And here is the vew we had of Pike's Peak.

Rather than ride directly back to Colorado Springs, we decided to go by way of Cripple Creek.  Though this is our second time up there, the ride continues to be amazing.

Friday was just about a perfect day - we had a great hike and a great ride.  On - and the sky was blue all day!

Colorado Roads and Trails

Tuesday we took the BMW on the road - and oh, what a road.  This is only our second ride and it was better than the first.  The roads were twisty and also straight - but the scenery was always spectacular.  Riding in the mountains is of course a challenge, but Joseph loves it.  I think he enjoyed the straight sections just as much as the twisties since it gave him the opportunity to look at the passing views.

Our destination for this ride was the Royal Gorge Bridge.  It is the highest suspension bridge in the world - or so they say.  We came in the south entrance, which is not the main entrance, and rode across the bridge on the bike - dodging pedestrians along the way.

The area is a virtual amusement park with a skyway and a cog railroad to the bottom of the gorge.  The gorge was created by the Arkansas River.  However, I am still trying to figure out why they bothered to build the bridge at all. 

Yesterday we went for a 4 mile hike at Cheyenne Mountain State Park.  I know I am beginning to sound redundant, but the views were great, and the hike was just challenging enough to be considered a training hike for the Rockies.

So until I am able to get on the internet again, so long.  And I hope all of you are not "frying" in the heat I am hearing about!

Colorado Springs and Cool Weather

Well, we made it to Colorado Springs.  The internet is not very dependable, so I have had a hard time getting something posted.  We have been here for one week, and I think the best part is the weather.  The high is usually in the low 80's, however, it has been very hot and I believe the high today was in the high 80's!  We are staying at the RV Park at the Air Force Academy.  It is lovely.  Here is my view as I "work" on the computer.  As you can see, life is pretty rough.

Yesterday, we visited Garden of the Gods.  As you will see from the pictures, it is really beautiful.  I think I really love Colorado!

But, after all, everything is never perfect.  Riding the motorcycle back yesterday was hell...or I guess I mean hail.  We got caught in a storm with lots of rain and hail.  Not a fun ride.

Friday we rode to Cripple Creek.  The riding here is amazing.

Earlier in the week, we rode up Pike's Peak.  That was terrifying very exciting.  Part of the ride was on gravel.  Due to the extreme weather conditions, the road is not paved all the way up.  When we reached the top, the summit was covered in clouds - and so no pictures.  I don't think I am going back though - even if they guarantee clear skys.

So long for now.  I am going to get a lot better with this blogging stuff!

On the Road in Texas

Okay, I admit it. I have been negligent updating my blog. I blame it on the Turtle. It has been ill lately. I had imagined my first blog on the road saying something like “We had an uneventful trip to …”, but that was not to be. As we were attempting to pull out of Seabrook, the Turtle would not start and the generator would not start either. We managed to get off and then about 45 miles out of Dallas, we blew a tire. After two hours sitting by the side of the road, help arrived and we were off again.

Once we reached Grapevine, we stayed at a nice park on Lake Grapevine. On Monday, instead of leaving for parts west, we put the Turtle in the shop. We spent a little longer in Grapevine than planned, but that was okay because I got to spend even more time with my granddaughter, Mia.

On Wednesday, we arrived in Amarillo. At last, I am beginning to believe that this trip is really going to happen! Thursday we headed to the Palo Duro Canyon. This is the second largest canyon in the US. It was kind of humbling to have to admit that everything is not bigger in Texas! The place is spectacular - and hot.

 You drive down into the canyon where there are incredible vistas and good hiking. We took a short 2 mile hike on the Sunflower Trail - and that was enough for a hot summer day.  Tonight we are going to the outdoor musical.

Tomorrow we head for Colorado Springs where we will be staying at an RV park at the Air Force Academy.  Reportedly, the internet is sketchy, but now that we are on our way, I will add to my blog more frequently.

And by the way, when I named it, I did not realize how the internet address would look.  My mistake - but no, I am not changing it.

July 16, 2010. At long last the day has arrived for our departure. But wait - I am still sitting here in Seabrook. Alas, the Turtle is broken. We have no brakes, and since we are heading for higher altitudes (i.e. the mountains) we determined that it would be best to have the brakes fixed before we hit the road. So, instead of experiencing the thrill of the road, I sit here in Seabrook changing reservations and trying not to think of what could have been!

Check back soon - we are now planning on leaving next Wednesday, July 21.