October 14
To answer a question - Yes, we did make it home okay. Sorry I guess I forgot to mention that. Over 7850 miles, outstanding miles, time well spent together, a once in a life time deal.
Over 7850 miles and never a close call – until about a mile from home after crossing the Brent Spence Bridge orange barrels appeared in our lane with no warning at all. Traffic was merging down to the left two lanes. Trucks were to the left , in front and in back of us. There was nowhere to go. Jerry was driving. I hit the emergency flasher lights Jerry darted between the orange barrels. I really thought ‘this is it’. It was an interesting feeling. I must admit that I felt a sense of peace (that’s a good sign I’ll hold on to). Somehow Jerry managed to stop on the wrong side of the barrels without an incident. We caught our breath and waited for a chance to merge back on to 75. Two exits were closed, again no signage but we got home safe and sound.
A deep breath and were happy to be alive – for more reasons than one.
When we picked up our dog the next day I do believe that she too was happy that we were alive.
One last thing – My favorite bumper sticker of the trip was spotted in Crested Butte. It read:
“Non-judgment day is near”
Thanks for reading the blog!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Sunday, October 2, 2011
catch up time
Sometime during our stay in Crested Butte Jerry heard a mountain call his name. Apparently he tried to ignore it but that didn’t work so Friday morning, bright and early I dropped Jerry off at the base of Mt. Crested Butte Mountain. The mountain is marked with ski slopes and mountain bike trails but Jerry graces it with his footsteps. All the way to the summit, elevation 12,??? It was a good day for walking and he made it back mid afternoon. I spent the day tidying up Neal’s Place and gathering things together for the long haul home.
On Saturday we pulled out of Crested Butte just as the sun was coming over the mountains and bringing out all the golden color of the beautiful aspen trees. It was a little hard to leave but it was time to head home. We could feel it in our bones.
We spend our last night in the tent in Salina, Kansas. We pulled in to one campground just as it was starting to get dark. The office was closed but instructions were there for checking in late. We found the tent sites but the bathroom door was locked. What’s with that? Tent sites need a bathroom nearby. It is not like we have all the conveniences like the RVs have in their big bubble. And there were too many RVs around to play primitive camping. So it was back on the road. A short time later we found a KOA campground, not always our choice because they are big and somewhat expensive but it was getting dark so we decided to stay.
In case we weren’t aware of it already (which we weren’t) October had begun and with it the Halloween season. Well, the campground was full of the inflatable decoration. Our campsite was right next to a green Frankenstein. Next to him were three stoned buffalo - my guess is that they are there all year round. There were other inflatables – ghosts, monsters, something that popped out of a box, I didn’t look at that one too closely as I was on my way to dream land. There was a spider on the way to the bathroom (yes, they were unlocked) when you walked by the spider’s eyes glowed red and his head turned to follow you - creepy. There was also half of a witch sticking out of a grave. When I shined the flashlight on her she screamed and started waving her hands. That surprised me!!! Luckily there were no other tents around and I doubt it anyone in their RV bubble could hear it. Did I mention that the location of the campground was right next to the expressway? So along with the spooky decoration was the constant noise of traffic zooming by. Ah, the great outdoors!
Sunday was a day on the road. The road that finally brought us back home. What a wonder-filled trip!
On Saturday we pulled out of Crested Butte just as the sun was coming over the mountains and bringing out all the golden color of the beautiful aspen trees. It was a little hard to leave but it was time to head home. We could feel it in our bones.
We spend our last night in the tent in Salina, Kansas. We pulled in to one campground just as it was starting to get dark. The office was closed but instructions were there for checking in late. We found the tent sites but the bathroom door was locked. What’s with that? Tent sites need a bathroom nearby. It is not like we have all the conveniences like the RVs have in their big bubble. And there were too many RVs around to play primitive camping. So it was back on the road. A short time later we found a KOA campground, not always our choice because they are big and somewhat expensive but it was getting dark so we decided to stay.
In case we weren’t aware of it already (which we weren’t) October had begun and with it the Halloween season. Well, the campground was full of the inflatable decoration. Our campsite was right next to a green Frankenstein. Next to him were three stoned buffalo - my guess is that they are there all year round. There were other inflatables – ghosts, monsters, something that popped out of a box, I didn’t look at that one too closely as I was on my way to dream land. There was a spider on the way to the bathroom (yes, they were unlocked) when you walked by the spider’s eyes glowed red and his head turned to follow you - creepy. There was also half of a witch sticking out of a grave. When I shined the flashlight on her she screamed and started waving her hands. That surprised me!!! Luckily there were no other tents around and I doubt it anyone in their RV bubble could hear it. Did I mention that the location of the campground was right next to the expressway? So along with the spooky decoration was the constant noise of traffic zooming by. Ah, the great outdoors!
Sunday was a day on the road. The road that finally brought us back home. What a wonder-filled trip!
Friday, September 30, 2011
So here we sit
in Crested Butte, CO. Crested Butte - elevation 8.885. Crested Butte – the wildflower capital of Colorado. (There are still wildflowers blooming as the trees are turning.) Population – it depends on the season. Things are fairly quiet here at the moment. Crested Butte - where everyone owns at least one bike. Crested Butte – where no one locks their bikes up. In Crested Butte you wake up to a mountain outside your window every morning. Crested Butte – filled with ‘beautiful people’ most everyone below the age of 30, all in tip top physical shape. One shop keeper our age described the town as a place where men are men, and the women, they’re men also. Apparent this area has produced more that its share of world famous athletics.
We took the free shuttle up to Mt. Crested Butte, just 2 miles up the mountain from Crested Butte, and there was no one there. It is a town of many lodges, motels, inns, homes built everywhere. It is definitely an up-scale community. It is where the chair lifts begins, where the ski runs are cut in to the mountain side, where in a few weeks, after the first snow fall, there will be a lot of activity of people enjoying the ‘good’ life. It’s a community where you will not find a soup kitchen or a cold shelter.
For us today was a laid back day. Jerry went for a run today – that is a little easier to do when you don’t have to break up camp. Computer work at the library, laundry. The first day we did not spend any time in the car since August 29. That was a treat.
Talk of heading home and of things we want to do before we do. We’re just mellowing out at Neal’s Place. Thank you Neal. I really never thought we would here doing what we are doing. Adding to the uniqueness of the trip.
+++
On Thursday we took in another National Park, Black Canyon of Gunnison about a 2 hours drive from Crested Butte. It was beautiful. Jerry of course appreciates Canyons and Mountains on a different level than I do. I like to look. He likes to understand. Geology has become the topic of the day on this trip. Each and every day! That’s okay. I think I might be learning a few things by now.
On the way back we stopped and picked up a few groceries, enough to get us home. Somehow Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream also found its way in to our bag. After we unloaded the groceries as the sun was beginning to set, we headed out in search of Oh Be Joyful Creek and Campground. What a name! We had to try and find it. And we did - off a dirt county road at the base of a mountain, through an open range area, (which means that there were cows on the road to maneuver around), Aspen trees the color of shinning gold amid the deep green of the evergreens, wildflowers still in bloom. It was once again breathtaking. The campground was nice and not at all crowded. If it wasn’t for the chilly/down right cold nights we might be tempted to stay there. However having slept the last few nights in a nice warm real bed we will probably forgo the camping experience while we can. It was a special place to discover. We made it out before sunset and headed up to Mt. Crested Butte. We found the perfect spot to watch the sun set. Again, breathtaking and inspiring. The colors were unlike anything I’ve seen before. The light dancing on the mountains to the music of the breeze. ..
What a gift this trip has been. Thanks to all who had a hand in helping this happen.
We took the free shuttle up to Mt. Crested Butte, just 2 miles up the mountain from Crested Butte, and there was no one there. It is a town of many lodges, motels, inns, homes built everywhere. It is definitely an up-scale community. It is where the chair lifts begins, where the ski runs are cut in to the mountain side, where in a few weeks, after the first snow fall, there will be a lot of activity of people enjoying the ‘good’ life. It’s a community where you will not find a soup kitchen or a cold shelter.
For us today was a laid back day. Jerry went for a run today – that is a little easier to do when you don’t have to break up camp. Computer work at the library, laundry. The first day we did not spend any time in the car since August 29. That was a treat.
Talk of heading home and of things we want to do before we do. We’re just mellowing out at Neal’s Place. Thank you Neal. I really never thought we would here doing what we are doing. Adding to the uniqueness of the trip.
+++
On Thursday we took in another National Park, Black Canyon of Gunnison about a 2 hours drive from Crested Butte. It was beautiful. Jerry of course appreciates Canyons and Mountains on a different level than I do. I like to look. He likes to understand. Geology has become the topic of the day on this trip. Each and every day! That’s okay. I think I might be learning a few things by now.
On the way back we stopped and picked up a few groceries, enough to get us home. Somehow Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream also found its way in to our bag. After we unloaded the groceries as the sun was beginning to set, we headed out in search of Oh Be Joyful Creek and Campground. What a name! We had to try and find it. And we did - off a dirt county road at the base of a mountain, through an open range area, (which means that there were cows on the road to maneuver around), Aspen trees the color of shinning gold amid the deep green of the evergreens, wildflowers still in bloom. It was once again breathtaking. The campground was nice and not at all crowded. If it wasn’t for the chilly/down right cold nights we might be tempted to stay there. However having slept the last few nights in a nice warm real bed we will probably forgo the camping experience while we can. It was a special place to discover. We made it out before sunset and headed up to Mt. Crested Butte. We found the perfect spot to watch the sun set. Again, breathtaking and inspiring. The colors were unlike anything I’ve seen before. The light dancing on the mountains to the music of the breeze. ..
What a gift this trip has been. Thanks to all who had a hand in helping this happen.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Awe and Wonder Yet Again
Sunday we arrived at Arches National Park early afternoon. We come to find out that the campground that reservations and fills up a year ahead of time. So there was no room for us in the inn. However there are some BLM campsites next to the Park along the Colorado River. There are a little more rustic with vault toilets. But it served us just fine. If anyone would have ever told me that I would ever spend over a month sleeping in a tent much less now on a river bank I never would have believed them.
When we drove back to the park Sunday afternoon it was really crowded. There were bus loads of people everywhere. We decided instead to drive up the canyon next to the park. It was breathtaking. The rock walls, the Colorado River, the towers, the blue skies so unique, so inspiring.
Later in the day we headed back to the park. The crowds had thinned a little. So we drove the arches road. We stopped for the views and we walked to some of the amazing arches. We got back to the campsite just as it was getting dark.
Monday morning we broke camp early. Then headed out for a 4 hour rafting trip on the Colorado. It was a gentle trip with only class 2 rapids. Very enjoyable. There was only one other couple on the trip with a guide just a little younger than us. After the trip we went in search of showers. We ended up at the Community Aquatic Center - $3. Showers – we’ll take it!
On the road again to Grand Junction to visit cousin Ken and his wife Kate and their sons, Nick & Ross. Haven’t seen them for a long time and a one on one visit was even longer. They live Near Colorado Monument. Actually the Monument is in their back yard. We had a great visit. Getting caught up on family, kids, reflecting on memories of so long ago, recalling all the good times and the good people who made us who we are. Ken and Kate made us feel so welcome and for the first time in a long time we slept in a real bed. We also had some wonderful meals and ended the even by sitting on their deck watching the heavens and again enjoying the Milky Way.
Tuesday morning they drove us through The Colorado Monument. More great views and great company. We left Ken and Kate early afternoon and began the drive to Crested Butte CO.
Thanks to Neal, a friend who’s house we are staying to tonight. We headed out to get something to eat. First impression – we are the oldest people in Crested Butte at the moment. Second impression – after we ate we walked back in our shorts and t-shirts. Most everyone else had on winter coats and scarves. Mental note – it gets cold when the sun goes down.
When we drove back to the park Sunday afternoon it was really crowded. There were bus loads of people everywhere. We decided instead to drive up the canyon next to the park. It was breathtaking. The rock walls, the Colorado River, the towers, the blue skies so unique, so inspiring.
Later in the day we headed back to the park. The crowds had thinned a little. So we drove the arches road. We stopped for the views and we walked to some of the amazing arches. We got back to the campsite just as it was getting dark.
Monday morning we broke camp early. Then headed out for a 4 hour rafting trip on the Colorado. It was a gentle trip with only class 2 rapids. Very enjoyable. There was only one other couple on the trip with a guide just a little younger than us. After the trip we went in search of showers. We ended up at the Community Aquatic Center - $3. Showers – we’ll take it!
On the road again to Grand Junction to visit cousin Ken and his wife Kate and their sons, Nick & Ross. Haven’t seen them for a long time and a one on one visit was even longer. They live Near Colorado Monument. Actually the Monument is in their back yard. We had a great visit. Getting caught up on family, kids, reflecting on memories of so long ago, recalling all the good times and the good people who made us who we are. Ken and Kate made us feel so welcome and for the first time in a long time we slept in a real bed. We also had some wonderful meals and ended the even by sitting on their deck watching the heavens and again enjoying the Milky Way.
Tuesday morning they drove us through The Colorado Monument. More great views and great company. We left Ken and Kate early afternoon and began the drive to Crested Butte CO.
Thanks to Neal, a friend who’s house we are staying to tonight. We headed out to get something to eat. First impression – we are the oldest people in Crested Butte at the moment. Second impression – after we ate we walked back in our shorts and t-shirts. Most everyone else had on winter coats and scarves. Mental note – it gets cold when the sun goes down.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Another Day - Another National Park
Jerry put in 10 hours of hard hiking on Wednesday. He said that he had gotten the hiking bug out of his system. I don’t believe that one for a moment.
Thursday morning we left the South Rim and headed for the Petrified Forest . Once again we were on the road almost all day. The Petrified Forest was so unique. There were hundreds of huge petrified logs lying everywhere. The forest butts up against the Painted Desert. Another unique place.
Ever since we left the Grand Canyon the landscape has changed. We have been traveling through desert for the last couple of days. Hot, dry, dusty desert. You can see the dust in the air and you can feel it in your lungs.
We camped at Canyon de Chelly for the night. The campground was free. Can’t beat that! We didn’t realize that it came with a resident dog(s). The kind that bark all night! No exaggeration! The dogs roamed the campground. Jerry even said that he saw one on the top of the restroom building during the night – as far as I know he was not drinking anything stronger than water.
We left as soon as the resident alarm clock bird went off – that’s fairly early. Another day of driving through desert brought us to Mesa Verde. We set up camp and Jerry is now doing a Ranger lead hike to some of the ruins of the canyon. Some of the ruins you can see from the overlooks. I only wish I could get around this fear of heights thing and do a little more.
Two nights here and then on to Grand Junction to visit a cousin and then to Crested Butte to debrief and relax a little at a friends condo before the trip home. I think we’re both about ready to head east – home to family and friends.
Thursday morning we left the South Rim and headed for the Petrified Forest . Once again we were on the road almost all day. The Petrified Forest was so unique. There were hundreds of huge petrified logs lying everywhere. The forest butts up against the Painted Desert. Another unique place.
Ever since we left the Grand Canyon the landscape has changed. We have been traveling through desert for the last couple of days. Hot, dry, dusty desert. You can see the dust in the air and you can feel it in your lungs.
We camped at Canyon de Chelly for the night. The campground was free. Can’t beat that! We didn’t realize that it came with a resident dog(s). The kind that bark all night! No exaggeration! The dogs roamed the campground. Jerry even said that he saw one on the top of the restroom building during the night – as far as I know he was not drinking anything stronger than water.
We left as soon as the resident alarm clock bird went off – that’s fairly early. Another day of driving through desert brought us to Mesa Verde. We set up camp and Jerry is now doing a Ranger lead hike to some of the ruins of the canyon. Some of the ruins you can see from the overlooks. I only wish I could get around this fear of heights thing and do a little more.
Two nights here and then on to Grand Junction to visit a cousin and then to Crested Butte to debrief and relax a little at a friends condo before the trip home. I think we’re both about ready to head east – home to family and friends.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
#42
And so when we moved, we ended up in site #42. Now for all you Douglas Adam you know that #42 is ‘the answer to the meaning of life, the universe and everything’. What more could we ask for ?!
Neither one of us felt too enlightened from the experience but the site did provide some entertainment – we were right next to the bathrooms so we could people watch – the people across the road apparently didn’t have much experience in tenting so they were fun to watch - a group of 4, one man three women. Two ‘rent a tent’ tents. Didn’t know you could rent tents! Learn something new everyday! Both were two person tents which means that are fit one pweson comfortably. There was a guy next to us who put up a piece of plastic to sleep in. Seems he was rafting the next day and had sent we were headed to Crested Butte in a couple of days and (Karen you should appreciate this) he offered us the use of a house he has there. Seems he is in housing market. He was hoping we stay there and want to buy it. Back to the entertainment – the Ravens are real pranksters. The fly low, real low and make a woosing sound with their wings. Sometimes you swear they are aiming for you. And on the North Rim they have squirrels with white tails. Really strange looking creatures – I may have mentioned that before.
We moved on to the South Rim but not before crossing some pretty fascinating scenery. We passed the Vermillion Cliffs and crossed the Colorado River on the Navajo Bridge. We saw cliff dwellings, rocks and formations that Jerry continues to giggle at.
We were able to get a campsite for two nights. It came with its very own dumpster and recycling bins – oh, wait, I guess we have to share them with the entire camping loop. The Ravens here are plentiful and the little gray birds are not afraid of anything. If you shoo they off your picnic table they just fly to a branch above you and threaten to poo on you. Jerry is hiking in to the canyon again today, hoping to get to the river and back. I spent the morning on shuttle busses taking in a few views, doing a few short walks, seeing the canyon from at least 6 feet from the edge-my way. Shared a seat with a woman from MD who agreed with me that the canyon is almost too big to appreciate-her words not mine.
Sitting at the campsite a few moments ago, I looked up and saw a bull moose in the campsite across the road. Keep the camera handy at all times.
Backing up a little – when Jerry was last hiking in the canyon from the North Rim he met two people who had hiked the AT – Jerry was wearing an AT shirt and they always bring comments – they hiked it in ’03. The same year Clair did – so Clair, Sparky and Zip-man said to tell you hello. Once again, everyone sing now-Its a Small World After All………
Neither one of us felt too enlightened from the experience but the site did provide some entertainment – we were right next to the bathrooms so we could people watch – the people across the road apparently didn’t have much experience in tenting so they were fun to watch - a group of 4, one man three women. Two ‘rent a tent’ tents. Didn’t know you could rent tents! Learn something new everyday! Both were two person tents which means that are fit one pweson comfortably. There was a guy next to us who put up a piece of plastic to sleep in. Seems he was rafting the next day and had sent we were headed to Crested Butte in a couple of days and (Karen you should appreciate this) he offered us the use of a house he has there. Seems he is in housing market. He was hoping we stay there and want to buy it. Back to the entertainment – the Ravens are real pranksters. The fly low, real low and make a woosing sound with their wings. Sometimes you swear they are aiming for you. And on the North Rim they have squirrels with white tails. Really strange looking creatures – I may have mentioned that before.
We moved on to the South Rim but not before crossing some pretty fascinating scenery. We passed the Vermillion Cliffs and crossed the Colorado River on the Navajo Bridge. We saw cliff dwellings, rocks and formations that Jerry continues to giggle at.
We were able to get a campsite for two nights. It came with its very own dumpster and recycling bins – oh, wait, I guess we have to share them with the entire camping loop. The Ravens here are plentiful and the little gray birds are not afraid of anything. If you shoo they off your picnic table they just fly to a branch above you and threaten to poo on you. Jerry is hiking in to the canyon again today, hoping to get to the river and back. I spent the morning on shuttle busses taking in a few views, doing a few short walks, seeing the canyon from at least 6 feet from the edge-my way. Shared a seat with a woman from MD who agreed with me that the canyon is almost too big to appreciate-her words not mine.
Sitting at the campsite a few moments ago, I looked up and saw a bull moose in the campsite across the road. Keep the camera handy at all times.
Backing up a little – when Jerry was last hiking in the canyon from the North Rim he met two people who had hiked the AT – Jerry was wearing an AT shirt and they always bring comments – they hiked it in ’03. The same year Clair did – so Clair, Sparky and Zip-man said to tell you hello. Once again, everyone sing now-Its a Small World After All………
Monday, September 19, 2011
And we did move on to the Grand Canyon.
Sept. 19
We even got a campsite. Since we didn’t have a reservation we were flying by the seat of our pants. It was a good site with a resident white tail squirrel nearby. And we managed to secure a site for a second night. Apparently that does not happen too often. But we had to move to another site – tear down and set up. First we had to wait until the previous camper moved on. They stayed as long as they legally could. But now we are moved. I’m doing laundry once again and hopefully a shower will happen. Jerry is out doing a ½ day hike. He’s happy, I’m happy.
The Badlands had their endless space, Custer the big buffalo, Glacier the huge mountains, The Tetons also big mountains, Yellowstone the geysers, Dinosaur the fossils, Butch Cassidy Campground the noisy trucks, Brice the wonderful hoodoos, Zion thebig rock walls, and now the Grand Canyon – well in my opinion it is just too big to appreciate. Maybe if you could get a bird’s eye view. All the trails go down and then up. I for one appreciate level. The wheezing isn’t quite as bad on level. We did attend a couple of ranger talks yesterday. One was talking about geology. The other was on the California Condor. The presenter was a great storyteller. She had the whole audience captivated. Jerry even had an active part he got to hold up one of the wings of the felt condor.
Things seem to be warming up a little. Seems like this area had its monsoon season last week – so maybe we’re in luck.
We’ll move on to the south rim tomorrow and then start to head back east – with a few stops along the way.
We even got a campsite. Since we didn’t have a reservation we were flying by the seat of our pants. It was a good site with a resident white tail squirrel nearby. And we managed to secure a site for a second night. Apparently that does not happen too often. But we had to move to another site – tear down and set up. First we had to wait until the previous camper moved on. They stayed as long as they legally could. But now we are moved. I’m doing laundry once again and hopefully a shower will happen. Jerry is out doing a ½ day hike. He’s happy, I’m happy.
The Badlands had their endless space, Custer the big buffalo, Glacier the huge mountains, The Tetons also big mountains, Yellowstone the geysers, Dinosaur the fossils, Butch Cassidy Campground the noisy trucks, Brice the wonderful hoodoos, Zion thebig rock walls, and now the Grand Canyon – well in my opinion it is just too big to appreciate. Maybe if you could get a bird’s eye view. All the trails go down and then up. I for one appreciate level. The wheezing isn’t quite as bad on level. We did attend a couple of ranger talks yesterday. One was talking about geology. The other was on the California Condor. The presenter was a great storyteller. She had the whole audience captivated. Jerry even had an active part he got to hold up one of the wings of the felt condor.
Things seem to be warming up a little. Seems like this area had its monsoon season last week – so maybe we’re in luck.
We’ll move on to the south rim tomorrow and then start to head back east – with a few stops along the way.
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