Destination Unknown

Destination Unknown
Clair & Sandy's Home Away From Home

June 2004

*** We stayed at Spring Lake over the holiday weekend. Sandy really liked it there as they had cheap meals every day over the weekend. There was very little cooking or dishwashing. It’s a very hospitable campground. While there we bought a Wal-Mart haircut outfit and Sandy did her first haircut on someone (me), turned out fine.

May 31st we moved west to Dodge City where we checked out Boot Hill Cemetery and museum which was interesting. We also had a real good Kansas steak dinner.

June 1st we left Dodge City and traveled to Lamar CO. where we stayed overnight at John Martin Reservoir State Park. This is located on the Arkansas River and is also on the Santa Fe Trail. There is a lot of history in this area.

June 2nd we moved to Colorado Springs. We stayed at Colorado Heights RV Resort, a park situated on a hill with a great view of the Rockies and Pikes Peak. On Thursday we drove up to the Denver area sightseeing. The Denver area has a beautiful backdrop with the mountains and all, but it is too much of a big city atmosphere for my taste.

On Friday the 4th we went to Pikes Peak and rode the Cog Railway to the top which is 14,110 feet high. We’ve talked to many people who have done this, but you really can’t appreciate it until you see it for yourself. The view is awesome.

On Saturday we toured the Air Force Academy. What a beautiful location for such a great institution. It sets right at the base of the mountains. We visited the Visitors Center & Chapel. Most of the base is closed to the public due to 911, which is very unfortunate. Tomorrow we will move over to the Pagoso Springs and Durango area.

On June 6th we left Colorado Hts. And traveled west across rt. 160 thru Alamosa and got as far as South Fork CO where we spent the night. On Monday we traveled across Wolf Creek Pass thru Pagosa Springs and on to Durango. Wolf Creek Pass made the Ford work, its 10,800 ft. with lots of curves and 7% grades both up and down.

On Tuesday June 8th we took the car and drove up to Silverton and Ouray. What beautiful mountains. What a job it must have been to build roads through that terrain. There are lots of very steep grades with tight turns and a rock wall on one side and a sheer drop off on the other. We spent about seven hours on the 150 mile round trip and it was sure worth it. Wednesday we just looked over the town and checked the area. These mountains certainly are beautiful.

Thursday we decided to take the train to Silverton. The train in pulled by vintage steam locomotives and follows the Animas River passing thru some very deep gorges. It gives a completely different perspective than the road trip. The train trip is real nice, but driving up and over the passes is much more spectacular. Friday was a day to just do housecleaning and grocery shopping and more sightseeing.

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