July 31, 2017 Monday South end of Brown's Canyon, Arkansas River, COLORADO

Brown's Canyon is known as the "wildest half-day raft ride in Colorado!"

This stay Glen and I chose to enjoy the river from the banks as this elevation (8200' plus) has affected our breathing and ability to do anything quickly!  Huff and Puff!  But we are enjoying the afternoon temps in the 70!

This afternoon we drove to Hecla Junction, the southern tip of Brown's Canyon National Monument and Wilderness, and the take out point for many raft rides.  There are 19.?? river miles between Buena Vista and Salida.  Hecla Junction is approximately 13-15 miles south of Buena Vista.

Here are some photos of rafts just above the take out point.  It was a beautiful day on the river.  A driver for one of the transporting buses sat on a bench with us.  We learned several facts from him.....

• a week ago Sunday there were 17 buses waiting in line to pick up rafters/rafts; 
• about 3000 people were on these rafts; 
• there has been no fatalities this year (praise the Lord); 
• water temp is in the 50's. We did see some people playing in the water!
• this is peak season, river users will start decreasing in the next two weeks.

Arkansas River is beautiful. Looking at the date I may have already posted this.

Different colored rafts indicates different rafting companies 

Busy time on the river. 

Now the work begins.

No carrying necessary hauling rafts or kayaks to the river.  Just get on either side of the raft and slide it down at your speed!

July 30, 2017 Sunday

The past three days have been quiet here in the Rocky Mountains.  

It has been drizzly, with a high in the upper 50's yesterday.  We even turned on the heat pump for a little while yesterday morning.

The RV park has been fairly full the past week.  Neighbors on either side have changed out several times.

We have filled our time with reading books, playing games, and watching recorded shows, and the St. Louis Cardinals baseball.

July 27, 2017 (Thursday) Scenic Arkansas River/Buena Vista CO

We spent the afternoon exploring a scenic gravel road north of Buena Vista and east of the Arkansas River.

We stopped at a garden center that sells fresh fruit and vegetables.  We came home with peaches, Olathe corn, and garden tomatoes.  

Think BT sandwiches (no lettuce) for dinner with corn on the cob; followed by fresh peach cobbler.  Yes, it was delicious.

Here's a few pictures taken this afternoon.

There's a reason the mountains are called "rocky"!

There were a total of four converted railroad tunnels.  Did the truck fit?  Yes!

Another unique rock formation.

The beautiful Arkansas River.   

July 26, 2017 Wednesday Day Trip to Leadville Colorado

Edited to show we were in Leadville, Colorado.  I am blaming the elevation!

Deadwood,LEADVILLE, Colorado is about 30 miles north of Buena Vista.  The highway follows the Arkansas River with rock-covered mountains along the river.

Deadwood Leadville is known as a mining town.  At the height of the mining success there was a population of over 80,000; today the population is 13,000.

At one time silver was mined, but now the ore being mined is "moly"--I don't know if I can spell the proper name  "molybendium".  This isn't correct, but close.

"Moly" is used as a "steel strengthener", lubricant.

We rode on the "Scenic Train Trip", "Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad, a two-and half hour trip, going nine miles north of Leadville through the Mosquito Range.

The best scenic train trip that we have been on, rates a 10 out of 10, was at Talkeetna Alaska.  Today's ride rated a 3.5.  We were glad we did the ride, but wouldn't go again.  The scenery was pine and aspen trees with some mountain tops.

1880's hospital building, now houses apartments

Close to the rocks on the inside of the curve

Talus or slurry: loose rock on the side of the mountain

Top of Mt. Arkansas, the beginning of the Arkansas River

The forming Arkansas River

The elevation at Leadville is near 10,000'.  We reached 11,000' on the train trip.

On the return trip to Buena Vista we visited a Fish Hatchery.

Rainbow Trout

We see lots of fly fishermen trying to catch trout in the streams.

More adventure tomorrow?  Maybe.

July 24-25, 2017 Scenic Drive, Buena Vista CO

In this elevation, a lot of rest is needed for us to function!  We huff and puff with any exertion!  Monday, we rested!  We watched some recorded programs, and read a book

High elevation also causes restless sleep!  Yep, I know just what that means: restless light sleep and weird dreams.  

This afternoon we enjoyed a drive along a scenic county road.  It is amazing how many homes/cabins are hidden in the pine trees off the road, at the top of peaks.  I don't know how the lumber gets up there to build the house.  

Here are some of the beauty we saw this afternoon.  We reached an elevation of 10,000 feet and a low temperature of 59 degrees with a misty shower.

Chalk Bluffs

Scenic, bubbly creek

Mule Deer

Ground Squirrel

Marmot

Mallard with two juveniles

Mallard

Good afternoon for a trail ride!

This pronghorn was 200 yards from the truck.

St. Elmo, Colorado: a ghost town which is being restored, at the end of the scenic drive.

Another building in St. Elmo

Might need this sign at our winter home!

The last third of the scenic drive was busy with vehicles pulling trailers with four-wheelers.  Evidently there are many trails into the forests for the many ATV's, side-by-sides, and high-clearance Jeeps.  Several of the license plates were from Oregon, Illinois, Colorado and other states.  

July 23, 2017 Sunday "Go West, Young Man!" Lv: AF Academy, Colorado Springs, CO AR: Arrowhead Point, Buena Vista, CO

We found it!  What did we find?  Cooler, comfortable temperatures!! It was 74 degrees this afternoon and currently 62 degrees at nearly 8 p.m.


It was a leisurely departure this morning, leaving the Air Force Academy.  This park is high on the list of "favorite" parks in all our years of being on the road.

We then went 90 miles west on Highway 24, passing the entrance to Pikes Peak, ending 5 miles west of the town of Buena Vista.

We drove over two mountain summits each over 9500 feet elevation.
The elevation here at Buena Vista is about 8500 feet.  We are slowly adjusting, doing okay as long as we move slowly!  😁

You may have heard of Buena Vista.  It is located on the banks of the Arkansas River.  Want a raft ride down the Arkansas River.  This is the starting point for rafting through Brown's Canyon.  We have rafted the Arkansas twice from here.

The river looks low, don't know if it would be as adventuresome as in late spring/early summer when the snow melt is filling the river.

I want to check out a jeep adventure, driving  off road up the side of one of these mountains.

These pics are of the scenery driving west on Highway 24, between Colorado Springs and Buena Vista.

We aren't far from Leadville, and FairPlay.

The late afternoon sun is highlighting a distant mountain.

Reminder:  Cell phone service is iffy here at the RV park.  As soon as we get back on the highway and head toward town, phones work.  Leave a text or email for anything we need to know.  We will check regularly for messages.

I am using the park's wi-fi for internet.

July 22, 2017 (Saturday) A Day at the Air Force Academy [FamCamp RV Park]

Our friend Leigh Beckemeier Jennings had shared a list of things to see here on the Academy.  

Leigh grew up in Poplar Bluff, near the age of our daughter, and has since moved to the Ozark MO area.  Leigh and husband Rick have a son Tucker who is a current cadet here at the Air Force Academy.

First on our list was a visit to the Visitor's Center.  We watched a 21-minute film titled "A YEAR IN THE BLUE",  which highlights the first year of the class of 2014.  We learned a great deal about a freshman class.

The motto of the Air Force Academy.  We all need to be reminded of these  impactful words.

We then walked to the Chapel, which is quite distinctive.  Leigh tells us that the chapel is going to be closed for two years for remodeling.

Third on the list is the "SOUTHEAST ASIA MEMORIAL", located along a trail near Doolittle Hall.

Glen

Inside the memorial: Glen pointing to the location of his service  in 1969

A most compelling brass sculpture honoring "prisoners of war".

A mule deer seen inside the Air Force Academy this afternoon.

This "Fam Camp"/RV park is wonderful.  We are parked under fragrant pine trees, no close neighbors.  We are able to receive satellite service through the limbs of the pine trees.

We will be checking out other "Fam Camps" throughout the country as we travel.  

July 21, 2017 Page TWO: Garden of the Gods (Friday)

Page 2--Friday's adventures, Garden of the Gods

The Gardens are amazing! and busy today.  Every parking lot was filled.

There is no entrance fee to tour the "Garden of the Gods".  The city of Colorado Springs maintains the Garden for the public!  

This is a "do not miss" place in eastern Colorado, Colorado Springs.