Saturday, September 10, 2022  Autumn Approaches on the Great Divide

We are at a high elevation campground–9300 feet–Meadow Ridge Campground outside Woodland Park, Colorado.  The city’s motto is “The City in the Clouds”, and now I know why.  It began raining last night and the temperature dropped from mid-seventis to low 40s overnight.  We woke up to thick fog and scrambled to figure out where we had stashed our warmer clothes and boots.  We took a tour around the area today–to Cripple Creek and its Heritage Museum, to Florissant Fossil Beds (saw some cool petrified redwood stumps, so huge) and various plant and insect imprints in paper shale rocks.  This area used to be sub troopical.  Some of these fossils are of things that today only exist in Mexico and Central America.

 

Sunday, September 11, 2022  Rain and fog passes, but Autumn is almost here.

 

Still at Meadow Ridge Campground.  Today the fog is gone, and the high is projected at 73 degrees, but in the shade, with a breeze, it is chilly.  Dave is giving the van an organizational revamp.  Warm clothes should be easily available after this.  Plus we are thinking the “winter” usage of the tent will be to set it up with the picnic table inside so that we can have some control over the wind that wants to blow our camp stove out. Lately we have been talking about insulation and a heating system for the van.   We sleep in the van with heavy sleeping bags,  wool socks, and warm hats.  It’s very cozy, but eventually it will not be enough. When we leave here tomorrow, we will drive to Manitou Springs and enjoy Garden of the Gods Park, then head southwest toward Salida.  We want to see a little more of this area before the snows come.

Monday, September 12, 2022

 

Left Meadow Ridge, still in partial fog, but able to see Pike’s Peak from here this morning.  Drove through Garden of the Gods.  Went to Salida and got a room at the Circle R Motel because we were both very tired.  Color scheme here is turquoise and red,  All the towels  AND the little fridge are turquoise.

 

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

 

Drove to O’Haver Lake Campground but didn’t stay.  Many spots were reserved, so we left although it had a terrific view of the small lake.  We ended up at Hayden Creek Campground. 

Which was totally empty until one guy with two dogs pulled in behind us.  He decided to camp  RIGHT NEXT to us!!  Can’t understand why people want to be so close.  Rainy, gray, and chill wind here.  Time to seek the sun now.  Aiming for Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.

 

Thursday, September 15, 2022

 

Leaving Hayden Creek.  Drove south to Alamosa.  Stealth camped on a residential street in town.  No problems.  Had a $3 shower at the Alamosa Rec Center.