Month: June 2024

Well, I am out of the heat finally, and time to explore Colorado. I going to spend the next 3 or so weeks in the state to do a couple of things. The main thing is to see family, both my nieces and nephew have settled in Fort Collins and I want to visit and catch up. The next thing is to get solar installed on Betty, so I can do some boondocking. Then the final is just to enjoy the Rockies and all they have to show me. Do off from Trinidad State Park in the south head north.

Muller State Park

My first stop on this leg of the trip was Muller State Park which sits at the base of Pikes Peak where elk, black bear, eagles and hawks are able to roam amongst the 5,100 acres of natural land. When I stopped in at the visitor’s center, I was informed that the park was going to be crowded especially on the trails since they were holding the Great Divide Ultras which are 100m, 100k, 50k and 25k trail races. The ranger asked if I was planning to race I would need to sign up quick. I looked at the ranger and said the most I am going to do is stroll, running is out of the question. The state park sits at an altitude of 9,200 feet and this east coast guy gets winded just walking to the RV.

I spent some in the visitor’s center finding out about this area. It was first settled by the Ute Indians and was one of their popular hunting grounds. The area was also known for the Ute Pass Trail, between the prairies and the mountains by the Ute people. The Ute, a nomadic tribe, depended on the resources of both areas. Around the 1860s, settlers (mostly homesteaders, ranchers, and farmers) started moving into the area.

Then gold was discovered by a guy named Robert Miller “Bob” Womack Cripple Creek on October 20, 1890, and in the next couple of years over 50,000 people moved into the area. The town of Divide came in to existence to supply the miners with saw mills, lumber and supplies. Farmers soon found out the area was good for growing potatoes and lettuce. Called “Pikes Peak lettuce” it was packed in lake ice from Coulson Lake, by Divide and shipped as far away as Chicago. I was wondering what the terraces I saw driving into the park and now know they left from growing the lettuce. I would never have guessed you could grow lettuce at 9,200 feet.

W.E. Mueller started buying up ranches and homesteads and created the Mueller Ranch. In the 1980’s, the Mueller family designate the ranch as a game preserve. Later the ranch was purchased by the Nature Conservancy, Colorado State Parks and Division of Wildlife and became Mueller State Park.

Fort Collins

A quick drive up I-25, well not quick the traffic makes the Schuylkill expressway at rush hour look tame, I arrived in Fort Collins. After checking into the Days Inn (for 5 days), and a quick shower, I headed over to Darrin’s and Nicoles home for dinner with the kids. This was such a delightful dinner and even a surprise retirement cake.

Mayla, my grandniece, is such a hoot. She entertained us till she started getting sleepy and Jamie and Ben headed home. They only live two blocks away, while Kyle lives a couple of miles away.

Kyle handed me an apple air tag and I was informed that I must keep it in Betty. Apparently, people want to keep track of me. First an apple air tag, I am a windows guy and would never be caught with a apple product. Second, I am a grown man who does not need to be tracked. But it is nice that people are worried and just want to be sure I am safe.

Rocky Mountain National Park

After dropping Betty off to get my solar installed, I rented a car and headed to Rocky Mountain National Park. One of my favorite places in the world and I love to drive Trail Ridge Road, it is one America’s Byways in Colorado and also a national designated All American Road.

I arrived at the Forest River Park Entrance 20 minutes early for my 12 pm entrance time and was told I had to wait until noon. Now you know I like this park, because I am never early. The ranger did suggest I go back to the visitor’s center and get one of the chocolate chip cookie. She informed me they were one of the best she ever had and I would enjoy one. I took her up on the suggestion and had not only one there, I bought another one for the drive.

This entrance takes you around Sheep’s Lake, where I have seen big horn sheep before, but not today. Then up the mountains. It a quick drive up 4,000 feet, to the alpine and tundra areas of the Rockies. Although I decided to take my time, hey I retired and don’t have to rush. The views were great as ever and since they started the timed entrances it doesn’t feel as crowed. I was amazed how much snow was still at the top and they even had the alpine center closed for snow removal.

I headed down the mountain to the area I normally see moose and was not disappointed. Down pass the Holzwarth Historic Site is a open marshy area that the moose like to graze. I glanced over and was not disappointed, there were a couple of moose’s grazing. I pulled in and to my surprise I saw a mother with her calf. I spent a good 15 minutes there until other people started parking and walking up to the animals. I decide it was time to leave before I saw someone get hurt. Why are some people so stupid.

Back over the mountains then the drive back to Fort Collins. I am amazed how high and fast the rivers were running. While driving back I heard on the radio how many people have drowned this year rafting and fishing.

Solar Install

I decide to get solar installed on Betty, when I thought about traveling this summer. When I bought her she had lead acid batteries and only powered the d.c. power on the rig. If I wanted to do some boondocking or dry camping I would need 120 volts to power things like my cpap machine so the decision was made. I even found out I could get a 40% tax write off since she is considered my second home.

In researching what I needed I found Solar Power My RV on youtube, who were located in Fort Collins. All the writeup’s and reviews were good and talking I got a good feeling. So, I had them install four solar panels (800 watts), a 12V 300Ah lithium battery, an inverter to power all of the 120 volt appliances in the RV, a dc-dc charger that will charge the batteries when driving down the road. David and Roland were great to deal with and I even had them install a soft start motor started on the AC and a outside connection for my starlink so I don’t need to run the cable out the window.

After checking out of the hotel, Roxy and I picked up Betty and said good by to Fort Collins. While have dinner with Jamie and Ben, they told me to drive Poudre Canyon which was on my way to my next spot and they were not wrong.

Poudre Canyon

The Cache la Poudre River (pronounced pooh-der) is Colorado’s only nationally designated “Wild & Scenic” River. From its headwaters to the South Platte River east of Greeley, the river drops some 7,000 feet and boy it was flowing full.

Colorado state highway 14, follows the river between Fort Collins and the town of Walden where I would be spending the night at State Forest State Park.
I stopped at information pull-off and found out that Cache la Poudre River was the place where French-Canadian trappers hid their gunpowder during a blizzard in the early 1800s, and the name stuck.

About 50 miles up the canyon, we came to Cameron Pass, at elevation 10,000, then down to North Park Valley. Visitors will want to stop a moment and take in the view of Nokhu Crags

State Forest State Park

Camped in the Bockman camp ground and it was beautiful and remote there. Arriving after dark and could not see much, but the next morning was different. After setting up it was time to try out the new solar installation. Everything worked perfect and when I woke up I still had 73% left on the battery. When I got out for my morning stroll there was snow on the ground and this was June, amazing.

The visitor’s center was worth stopping in to reading about the area. When Colorado was admitted into the Union, the federal government gave, in trust to the state of Colorado, approximately 4.5 million acres of land for the specific purpose of generating revenue to support state schools. (Congress granted lands to all western states for use in establishing and maintaining public schools.) This provided the state with incentives to pursue land exchanges and sales or exchanges of “in-holdings” of state parcels within federal lands for contiguous blocks of federal land. The Colorado State Forest (CSF) officially established on December 2, 1938, by President Franklin.

I didn’t have much luck seeing wildlife with only a few deer and a bald eagle. I also found out State Forest is known for moose, according to the ranger “Moose is our claim to fame” and I was disappointed I did not see any.
Time to head down south through the center of the state.

Heading south down the spine of the rockies next

It was it to get out of the heat and looking at the storms in north Texas I knew it was going to be quite a drive. I left late from South Padre and started my trek north, but first I stop at a DXL store in Brownsville to get some more shorts. Then off I went with Roxy sleeping soundly we drove for about 5 hours till I hit Jourdanton south of San Antonio and had it. I was supposed to stay at Garner State Park, but had it and need a good shower and to wash my cloths. So off to a La Quinta Inn for a night stay. One good thing about the stop was Restaurante Chile Bandera a great Mexican place where I had a great meal. So if your ever in Jourdanton stop in.

We started early the next mourning so we would miss the storms and headed to Abilene State Park.

Abilene State Park

Abilene State Park and the groves of oak, elm, and pecan trees, sit along Elm Creek and Lake Abilene. I found the park was developed in several stages—fall of 1933 through September 1934 and then June-September 1935–by two distinct CCC companies–one a mixed-race unit of World War I veterans, the other an all-black veterans’ group. Pool building built by Company No. 1823 of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) from native sandstone in 1933 and is really a neat building. I spent the next mourning checking it out. The stone work was amazing.

This park is nothing like the CCC parks in Pennsylvania. The sites were really cool driving down tree lined roads and my site was tucked in a secluded section. At night I was lulled to sleep by the sounds of owls hooting and a gentle rain fall. The storms did not get down this far.

I started off walking the short trail from my site to the hub of the park where the Pool building is located. From what I was told by the ranger this is the main draw of the park, all original CCC constructed buildings with exception of the swimming pool which was just renovated. I really enjoyed the architecture and the walk there and back was shaded and cool in the morning.

I got a late start from the park due to some exploring and again headed north to Caprock Canyons.

Caprock Canyons State Park

I arrived at the park around 3:30 and was checked in, during that process the ranger told me where the storm shelter was, since they were expecting high winds and thunderstorms. Great, my site was on the rim of the main canyon, while great made me nervous

Driving to my site I saw a heard of bison. Apparently, bison roam freely throughout the park, and I was told they are accustomed to being around people, they are still wild animals and stay at least 50 yds away from them. All around the park, I could see piles of evidence left by the bison that showed me they truly do roam freely throughout the park.

That night the storms rolled through and the gusts were up to 60 mph. Really made the RV rock and roll and I got a little nervous when the flashes of lightning lit up the camper. We made it through the night although Roxy stayed under the covers.

After an early break down of camp I was ready for a long drive to Trinidad Lake State in Colorado to get out of the heat and humidity finally. Its time to get out of Texas.

On the way out as I rounded a corner, I saw what appeared to be a herd of lounging bison, right on the road, where I needed to go. Caprock Canyons State Park is home to the official state Texas bison herd, and they were in my way.

Escape and the storm

During the time driving the RV I have found that it drives much differently than my Terrain. One of the reasons for this is that it’s a rear-wheel drive and acts like a big sail. I have been told It’s best to drive slowly when driving through a rainstorm to prevent slipping and sliding on the road.

So armed with this knowledge I headed off. After a quick thunderstorm in the morning the afternoon sky turned bright and started to heat up. From my time living in Kansas, I know this is a bad omen and around 3 pm I started seeing the clouds form in the west. The pan handle is flat and you can see these monster storms coming. After getting off the phone with my brother at a rest stop the storm hit. First there was the wave of dust and high winds, my RV actually was pushed from the right-hand lane to the left by a gust of winds. I slowed down to about 30 mph and the storm hit. The lightning was all around me and the rain was coming so hard I was at on time going 5 mph. Damn I never want to go through something like that again.

You know I really need a weather radio.

Trinidad Lake State Park

The storm stopped when I got to the New Mexico boarder and after short way I finally made it to Colorado. I arrived at Trinidad around 7 pm and got set up for a short stay. The park sits above the lake and I had a great view.

Located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains Sangre De Cristo Range at an elevation of 6,200 ft. on the Purgatoire River, and bordered by the historic Santa Fe Trail. Trinidad Lake is a multipurpose project for flood control, irrigation and recreation, authorized by the 1958 Flood Control Act. The dam protects the city of Trinidad, Colo., from flood waters and sediment, and holds irrigation water for the Purgatoire River Water Conservancy District.

If I had some more time I would have loved to go down to the lake and do some fishing. The lake is stocked annually with rainbow trout and offers largemouth bass, channel catfish, crappie, and walleye. But I needed to get a fishing license and was leaving at 10 am.

On the way out I stopped at Bob & Earl’s Cafe for one of the best breakfasts I have had in a long and highly recommend it.

Next Colorado

LAKE SOMERVILLE STATE PARK BIRCH CREEK UNIT

The Birch creek unit felt like a small state park. The visitor center is secluded down the curved road from the entrance. The trees surrounding the camping sites gives overall feel of camping in the wooded areas near water. I loved the fact that the area was so wooded and secluded, you can’t see your neighbors, unless you want to.

The only problem was the heat. I got up for my morning walk and it was already 90 degs making the walk down to the lake really uncomfortable. One back in Betty I hunkered down in the AC for the day.

SOUTH PADRA ISLAND – MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

Interesting fact, bordered by the Laguna Madre on the one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other side, Padre Island stretches for 113 miles down the southern coastline of Texas. It’s the world’s longest barrier island, and home to South Prade, a shore community. It’s also habitat for 16 wildlife species with federal or state conservation status.

South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center

The nature center in 2009 and in 2019 became an alligator rescue center that has over 43 acres of coastal wetland habitat comprised of both saltwater and freshwater marsh. Due to this duel ecosystem it attracts a multitude of different birds as well as other animals such as fish, turtles, crabs, dragonflies, mammals, and alligators. In the center there is a 3,300 foot boardwalk trail that’s loops through the wetlands with viewing blinds and a rescued nuisance alligator sanctuary, where Big Padra a 56 year old, 12’-8”, 800 pound alligator lives.

It offers 43 acres of protected coastal wetland habitat comprised of both saltwater and freshwater marsh. The dual wetland ecosystem attracts an incredible diversity of birds as well as other animals such as fish, turtles, crabs, pollinators, dragonflies, mammals, and alligators. A three-quarter mile raised boardwalk trail loops through the wetlands with five shaded viewing blinds and a rescued nuisance alligator sanctuary along the way.

I arrived in time to hear Gator Jacob Reinbolt talk about alligators and what actually is a nuisance alligator. According to Jake once a human feed an alligator, it immediately loses all fear of us and associates all humans with providing food. So major lesson is don’t feed gators, except if your Jake putting on the show.

During my walk on the board walk I spotted all types of birds, gators, and butterflies with no noise except from the animals. Really a peaceful stroll.
I opted out of the snake talk and headed over to the Sea Turtle rescue center.

Sea Turtle Inc.

There are also opportunities for watching the sea turtles during feeding time, as well as talks given on the turtle residents. One turtle named Gerry, a 200-pound sea turtle, has a daily snack to simulate how sea turtles would dine on sea grass beds in the Laguna Madre in the wild. This is done to maintain the physical and mental health of the turtles.

Gerry stranded on South Padre Island during Hurricane Allen in 1980. Funny story Gerry originally was named Geraldine. Apparently green sea turtles mature in their mid-20s; and when Geraldine reached about 25, she grew a long tail. That’s when they found out that she was not a she, but a he! Geraldine then became Gerry.

SpaceX

So, I got to see Elon’s Starbase. This place is totally amazing, you can get within 500 yards of the lunch site and they had the ship fully stacked for the wet dress rehearsal which was scheduled for Tuesday. The lunch is scheduled for June 5 so I will miss it by a week.

Unfortunately, I visited on Memorial Day and not much activity was going on. All I have to say is if I was 30 years younger, I would try to get a job here and be part of the future.