LEADVILLE TO COPPER MTN TO VAIL TO MINTURN TO LEADVILLE

It is a warm 82 degrees in Buena Vista this afternoon with a whopping 9% humidity? Since it was a day off afternoon for us, we decided it would be a great day to take a ride to cooler air. 

We headed north to Leadville, and took Hwy 91 over Fremont Pass and on to Copper Mountain, where it was 68 degrees.

WELCOME

COPPER MOUNTAIN SKI SLOPES

 After a couple pictures and cruising the streets, we got out of the way so the golf carts could cross the street. Golfers on both sides appeared to be enjoying a beautiful day in the mountains.

We drove on Interstate 70 West to Vail Pass and down the mountain to Vail. It is quite a busy place even in the summer. Too much traffic and congestion for this country boy. 

SKI SLOPES AT VAIL

VAIL CELEBRATES

HEADED DOWN THE STREET TO TURN AROUND

We found a place to turn around and headed back down the highway a couple of miles to the Hwy 24 Exit to Minturn. Headed south and through Minturn, we climbed the summit to Tennessee Pass.

Only an hour to Snowy Peaks RV Park at Buena Vista. Another great ride and some beautiful scenery. After all, this is Colorado, and this is why we are here.

         WHEREVER YOU ARE IN YOUR LIFE AND TRAVELS, ENJOY THE JOURNEY.

VALLEY GATEWAY RV PARK--WINTER 2014-2015

We will be spending this winter near Edinburg, Texas at Valley Gateway RV Park. We visited the park last winter and liked it and the location. Apparently, they liked us too. Sharon contacted the owner, Jim Bob Feller, and they seemed to hit it off. Sharon has been offered a job for this winter and we have accepted and plan to arrive there in November. The pictures and text below are taken from Valley Gateway website.

 

                        

                                                 Donna and Jim Bob Feller

   Valley Gateway RV Park is located 16 miles north of Edinburg, Texas on Hwy. 281, just one mile south of Linn-San Manuel, Texas. It is 46 acres of quiet, peaceful atmosphere with trees from native oaks to palms, and orange trees as well.  This is a country park with large lots and plenty of wide open space. It is a short drive to town, yet miles away from the border troubles.

   Family owned and operated since 1984, it is owned by Donna and Jim Bob Feller. Jim Bob has been a professional rodeo clown for over forty years traveling all over the country. He is aware of what travelers expect when they pull in off the road. You can expect a clean park with friendly, courteous management.

   There is plenty of room for quiet, leisurely walks. We just opened a new Nature Trail on the back 23 acres of the park. We are constantly making improvements in the park to make your stay enjoyable. Also new Wi- Fi system is accessable throughout the Park. ( Wi- Fi is a free amenity and Park will not be resposible for Carrier service/ Interruptions)

 

   As you begin looking for a place to spend the winter, think about the Rio Grande Valley and Valley Gateway Rv Park. We welcome our new guests and look forward to catching up with our old friends. So come to see us and stay a day or a lifetime...

Call today to reserve your spot.

 

           (956)381-1883  

 

CLEAR LAKE RESERVOIR

CLEAR LAKE

          

A short ride to Clear Lake was our only outing last week. A few miles north to county road 290 and we see the lake. The road is gravel but smooth the first couple of miles. Then off to the left is a campground. Well, it is a campground, not an RV Park. Dry camping.....no electric, water, or sewer hookups. Tents, pop up campers, and toy haulers were scattered in a small, compact area. Campfires, water jugs, boats, and kids were among the dry, dusty campsites. Definitely not our style of camping. 

We drove through the campsites and on down the road. It changed from a smooth road to a washboard gravel road. Having already done some shopping and being ready to go have lunch, we only went a short way and turned back toward Hwy 24, and back to our "full hookup RV Park." 

WHEREVER YOU ARE IN YOUR LIFE AND TRAVELS, ENJOY THE JOURNEY!

LONG ROAD TODAY

Long stretch of road

It was after 10:00 a.m. before we had finished our coffee and our showers and decided on a "roadtrip." Where to today, Garden of the Gods near Colorado Springs, or the Royal Gorge near Canon City? Of course, I got the usual "I don't care." So, I thought we would just do both. I would head to Colorado Springs, then down to Pueblo, over to Canon City, across Hwy 9 to 

Hartsel, and back up Hwy 24 to Buena Vista. I had no idea that would be 275 miles. A long trip but we were home by 6:00 p.m.

Guess where this was taken?

                                          It is an interesting place with lots of huge rocks.

Balanced Rock

After a drive through the park and stopping at the Visitors Center for a quick look we were on our way. We were headed south toward Pueblo, but soon down the highway Sharon spotted a Camping World store. We couldn't pass it without stopping. Fifty bucks later with a new residential style toilet seat (TMI), and a few needed items we are on the road again. It wasn't long until we were through Pueblo, and into Canon City. Twelve miles west of Canon City, was the turn toward Royal Gorge. 

River below Royal Gorge

We didn't know there was a fire around the Royal Gorge area last year that destroyed most of the area and the buildings. The road to the bridge is closed but there was a road to go above and view. I had to hike down a ways to get this picture right into the sun. 

It was a long ride but we did create some memories and got a new seat for the "throne." And, Sophie had been bored and wanted to get out of town. Now that the day is over with, she is tired again.

Sophie

         WHEREVER YOU ARE IN YOUR LIFE AND TRAVELS, ENJOY THE JOURNEY.

AFTERNOON DELIGHT

On a much appreciated day off, we spent the afternoon riding up to Cottonwood Pass. Leaving Buena Vista we turn west at the four-way stop and we are off toward an afternoon of scenic sights.

AT 12,000 FEET THE CLIMATE IS DIFFERENT

The higher we went the cooler it got. It was near 80 degrees as we left Buena Vista and 54 at Cottonwood Pass marking the Continental Divide. Snow melt running down the east side of the mountain heads toward the Antlantic Ocean and on the west side of the mountain to the Pacific Ocean. As the pictures show, there is still lots of snow. Some places it is several feet deep. It gives you insight into understanding why the pass closes in October and was not open until late May this year. The view from the pass is awesome. 

Snow at Cottwood Pass 12,000 ft above sea level

Snow at Cottonwood Pass

View from Cottonwood Pass looking west

Chaffee County Road 306 leading up to the pass is a paved road all the way. The road down the west side of the mountain, Gunnison County Road 209,  is dirt and gravel. It is curvy with numerous switchbacks and passes near Taylor Park Reservoir (can be seen in the picture above) and continues down to the town of Almont. 

After seeing the sights at Cottonwood Pass we drove several miles back down the mountain and turned on to a gravel road leading us about three miles to Cottonwood Lake. Several fishermen lined the shore of the lake. Whether you catch any fish or not, it is a beautiful place to spend a spring afternoon in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.

Mountain road to Cottonwood Lake

Arriving at the lake I almost wished I had gotten a fishing license and brought the old Zebco out this afternoon. Maybe next time?

Cottonwood Lake

What an afternoon delight.....

Cottonwood Lake

This is why we are here. There are some beautiful sights within a few miles of Snowy Peaks RV Park. If you are thinking about where to go on vacation, the Rocky Mountains may be an option you should consider. I know not everyone enjoys driving in the mountains. However, to us the mountains are some of God's most beautiful and fascinating creations.

       WHEREVER YOU ARE IN YOUR LIFE AND TRAVELS, ENJOY THE JOURNEY.