8-1-19 - (Day 8 - Hanging around North Salida BLM)

It was a quiet and cool night of boondocking which makes for a great nights sleep.  We woke up this morning to the sound of a Raven calling and a cool 51 degrees.

We got the Coleman stove out and cooked breakfast.  Breakfast always taste better when you are camping.

The pretty morning turned into clouds with on and off light showers deterring our plans of riding Amber, giving us time to catch up on banking and our blog.

We strolled around the campground, hiked up a hill, and made it back down without a slip.  Although, I really took my time with my footing to make sure.

Today was not a rain out, but just enough to keep us off Amber.  We went to the Poncha Springs Visitor Center and rode around checking out other boondocking spots.

The visitor's center had changed since the last time we were here.  George, Lisa, Lauren, and I, had picnicked at the visitor's center a few years ago when we rode there from Gunnison.  They have taken out the picnic area and put up flags, but I am pretty sure we had the same sweet lady manning the Visitor Center.

The boondocking spots had really rough roads.  It was not the kind of road we would like pulling Rap, but definitely not the kind of road we would ride Amber on.

We came back to the camper and waited for a while for the rain to quit.  We finally gave up and pulled out the awning to cook our burgers on the almost, stainless steel Hollywood Casino Charcoal Grill.  When we were finishing eating, the sun came out and a rainbow appeared above the canyon.  It was Mother Nature's precourse of  a beautiful afternoon.

Ferny Kat came out to wander a bit and then drank fresh Colorado rain water that had collected on a rock.  She is doing her part in conserving water while we are boondocking.

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7-31-19 (Day 7 - North Salida BLM)

We traveled a whopping 21 miles today to our boondocking spot.  We made a couple of stops along the way to get a few necessities at Wally World and fuel for the truck.  We are boondocking at North Salida BLM.  We have a view of the mountains and the canyon.

After we set up camp, we decided it was time for a relaxing day.  We sat around looking at the Rock Squirrels, birds, butterflies, and such, enjoying the afternoon.

While we were sitting outside enjoying nature, we heard a moo every now and then.  We knew there was a gate at the end of the BLM and assumed it was cows in the pasture.  Much to our surprise, we walked around the camper and found about 15 big horned cows. They continued grazing and walked on by.

As we were grilling steaks over the charcoal grill, they came back by.  They stopped and gave us a look, then continued on.  Glad they didn't know what's for dinner tonight.

Ferny Kat loves this place.  She likes to lay near the canyon wall in the tall grass.  The Rock Squirrels, on the other hand do not like that she is there.  One of them sat on a rock on the canyon wall and fussed about her being there.  It didn't bother her one bit.

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7-30-19 - (Day - 6 - Ride to Independence Pass)

Ferny Kat beat us to the door when she saw us headed out with our coffee this morning. We all enjoy going outside at 6 am with the temperature is in the mid 50's.  Lauren had to go back inside to put on warmer clothes.  We watched a few birds fluttering around and a Doe stroll through the campground.

We had a 6 1/2 hour ride on Amber today.  We checked out several boondocking spots on our way to Independence Pass.  Independence Pass is the tallest, paved Pass in Colorado.

It is a very beautiful ride along the snow topped mountains, rivers, and water falls with steep drop offs and no guard rails.  There was evidence of a previous avalanche with trees plowed down and their trunks laying in neat piles along the slopes of the mountain..  That was some powerful snow.

About the time we got to the top of the pass, we started getting a few rain drops.  Some of the prettier  pictures of scenery I took today,  had a big ole rain drop right in the middle of the camera lens.  Oh well, stuff happens!

We had to slow our pace down when we walked up the hill to the overlook.  Us flatlanders can't walk the same pace as we usually do in these hills.

We had our picnic lunch at a roadside pullout overlooking Twin Lakes, then rode  to the quaint and touristy town of Leadville.

On our way back from Leadville, we traveled in on and off light showers.  Once we put on our rain jackets in Salida, (about 10 more miles to go), the rain stopped. I guess we should have done that sooner.

Ferny Kat came back outside with us this afternoon.  We have Amber loaded up and will relocate tomorrow.

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7-29-19 - (Day 5 - Black Bear CG, Howard, Co.)

We went outside at 6 am to drink our coffee by the lake and enjoy this beautiful morning.  After breakfast we hiked about 3 miles, then headed to Howard, Colorado.

It took a little over 4 hours to travel 189 miles.  We went up and down on the curvy Highway 50 along the Arkansas River.  The further west we went, the prettier the scenery got.

Lauren's co-pilot, Ferny Kat, was very attentive when we got in the hills.   She would lean with the curves and press her feet hard into the console to help Lauren drive.

Ferny Kat really wanted to come out with us as when we stopped for lunch at a pull off along the Arkansas River.

We are at Black Bear RV Park on site 8.  This campground is tight.  There is nothing like a 90 degree turn driving up a steep hill pulling a 38 foot fifth wheel.  Whew!  The campground is small, but has every thing we need, full hook ups, nice views, and friendly folks.  A great place to stay for a couple of days.

We walked around for a bit and found bear scat about 50 feet from our camper.  Hence, the name,  Black Bear Campground.  Needless to say I have my bear spray handy.  I just might be a little bit,
arkoudaphobiac, aka scared of bears!  🐻🐻

Pictures:

7-28-19 - (Day 4 - Lake Hasty)

There was about 18 overnighters taking advantage of this free camping area when we woke up this morning. We took our time and lounged around getting on the road about 11 am.  We were all in need for some slow down time.  When we left the park, only one overnighter was still there.  We almost had the claim to fame of the first one's in and the last one's out.

We spent most of the morning deciding where we wanted to go today.  We chose to head toward Salida, Colorado.

It took us almost 5 hours to cover 198 miles today.  We are at John Martin Reservoir State Park Hasty Campground.  We are on site 35 on the banks of Lake Hasty.

We sat around this afternoon, bird watching, grilling, and relaxing.  After dinner, we took a 3.5 mile walk around the lake, photographing birds and stuff.

A Plains Garter Snake darted in front of me.  I hurriedly got it's picture before it slithered off.  There was a time I would have screamed and run in the opposite direction of a snake.  Life sure has changed after hanging around the refuge.

Ferny Kat rested up all evening, and was ready to prowl about dark.  We now have another Ferny Kat approved campsite.

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