One long ass day....

 

June 30 4:54am

So yesterday we did Engineer pass and we had some incidents.  So before we got onto this trail, we had to do Mineral pass and it was rocky as hell!  Shelf roads were sketchy and it really tries your skill level. Then after we got through a few curves and obstacles, John and I both smelled antifreeze… a lot!  We stopped at an opening to check it out. Sure enough, his line was leaking badly. So both Bill and him were looking in there car boxes (emergency kit) for something to bind it, like tape.  As they were gerry rigging something up, another group came by and had some hose binding tape stuff. So they stopped and helped us out.  After that, we still smelled antifreeze but I guess it was leaking so bad it was all over the engine. It looks like it is still holding but it will need to be replaced.  Ouray doesn’t have much in auto stores which is funny since it is a Jeep City.  

So we rode up to the top of Engineer and at one end there was another point which I forgot the name because the thunderstorm was rolling by. You saw lighting and heard how loud thunder really can be. Zeke was already scared from all the bouncing around now add a thunderstorm, he was a mess. So we went to the other side where the top of Engineer’s sign was.  Well, first it hailed on us for a bit and then turned to snow.  We crawled down to a few touristy points; I flew my drone over an old mill with a dam.  We hit a gas station so John could get some antifreeze to top off and Bill got directions to get back to camp. It was through a ranchers’ land and they had cows roaming about.  It was really cute to see the bebes but it was so dusty. We hit a snag in the road for construction and then finally, camp.  I was done. I skipped dinner, took a shower, cleaned the RV up a bit and hit the bed. One long ass day.  I think we left about 930am and got home about 8:30pm. 

 

Again, I am not sure what we are doing today since I didn’t join them for burgers.  I do think that we may be leaving Zeke behind.  Poor guy has been rattled enough and hasn’t been on his eating schedule.  Or any schedule! I just hope we don’t have another trip like yesterday. The views were great but it was just such a long time sitting in a car and the stress of car having issues, weather and dog anxiety. I know these things do happen but it was too much for me. I think I want to get some laundry done today but that depends on what time we get home from wherever.

 

Anyway, I need another cup of coffee and watch the sunrise again.

 

A presto!

Just WOW!

 June 29 5:27am MST

Just WOW!

Good Morning and welcome to day 2 of riding the trails.  Yesterday’s adventure was indeed nail biting for me.  Zeke didn’t like the shaking of the jeep over the rocks. When we arrived back to camp, he ate a bit but really just wanted to get some rest.  I feel bad for him but he has a nice setup in the jeep..  I hope he does better today.

 So yesterday we hit the million dollar highway. I ain’t gonna lie, it was intense with the curves and cliffs.  There were some areas I just didn’t want to look.  I do try but the curves and cliffs make me feel sick. When we arrived at the trail head, we did Corkscrew, Hurricane, California, and Picayne trails. We left camp around 10am and arrived home about 5pm.  We had lunch at a old mine mill where I got some drone footage.  When we were at the top of Hurricane, we got a picture of all of us at the top.  I think it was over 12 thousand feet.  Again, pictures will be added probably at the end of this.  The KOA’s internet is poor and comes and goes.  There are going to be a lot of pictures of mountains that most people probably won’t appreciate but us.  We saw snow areas too!  I am hoping to get a picture of us in the snow.  The trails are nothing like Michigan trails.  You cannot just stop and check out your area.  You need to find an area where you can let traffic pass.  We always find a way to have a few people behind us.

 

When we at the first scenic view on Corkscrew, this idiot thought it was a good idea to pee off the mountain even though the bathrooms were not that far away.  Nice one, jackass! They were from California..figures.  What a class act.

 

We were at some high points that I was asked to take the drone up but I didn’t.  It was so windy and I am on top of a mountain.  I was already nervous being on top with the wind, I don’t have the confidence to fly while being nervous.  Sorry my stories are all over the place but it was all so amazing! I wish I could add some pictures to each day but as I type this on Word, the guest wifi just pooped out again. 

 

Anyway, today I have no idea what we are doing but I guess we will find out.  I am usually in bed after dinner because of my need to wake up so darn early.  I think we are doing breakfast at the KOA’s breakfast place.  All I know is that they have cinnamon buns and I want one before we leave for our next stop.  I love pastries!

 

So I will  close this entry by saying, yes these trails made me nervous but I am trying to be more positive about it.  My hubby and friends will protect and keep me safe.  Happy trails and until tomorrow….

 

A presto!

Good Morning World!

 

June 28^th 5.27am MST

It’s way early but I wanted to get things organized and pictures off for today’s trip.  Today we are going to do some easy trails before hitting the Jeep badge trails.  At least that’s what I heard what we were doing.  This might change due to weather or conditions.  As for the names of these trails, I forgot.  But I will make note when we do them.

 

Last night I had a charging fest with the electronics.  This is the list of things:

• Gopro batteries
• Kodak video camera
• Drone
• Battery backup
• SLR
• Walkie talkies
• Our phones, obviously

 

I am also going to try using a waist pack instead of carrying my purse.  I took it yesterday to the waterfall and my shoulder is killing me.  Thank goodness for motrin! The internet at this KOA is poor but hey, who cares. This is why I type my thoughts on words and then I will adjust the time/date when I can. 

 

I did have a bit of light-headedness when we arrived into Ouray and walking about the town sightseeing.  We stopped for ice cream and when I sat down, I felt kind of off.  This was, after, we walked the trail to the waterfall and it was hard but I did it with the help of my friends and John.  Zeke is doing ok with all the driving and whatnot.  I hope he is not feeling too bad with the thinner air.  I packed him some bully sticks for this trip to help with the ear popping and nerves.  I know they are going to smell but that’s what you do for your pups. 

 

Backtrack….The drive from Michigan to Colorado wasn’t too bad once we got out of the crazy city drivers but then the RV had to deal with the mountains.  The beastly was trying to get up those inclines.  Speaking of beastly, we did finally name her!  Her name is Cocoa Jo. Why that name? She’s a Coachmen and a brown color (Cocoa) and Jo…well John likes to name everything with the middle name Jo.  She will always be known to me as beastly.

 

Onto my second cup of coffee, charging my fitbit and watching the sunrise here in Ouray.  This morning, I am making breakfast for the crew.  We are having sausage gravy with biscuits and dinner is steak sandwiches.  I am hoping to stay up a little later tonight but being up so early this morning, and then with the crazy heights of these trails…I guess we will see.  This is not our typical camping but so worth it!  So I will close this entry with see you later with our adventures trail riding! Scared out of my mind but so looking forward to it!

 

A presto!!

Morning video

 

Last stop!

Our last rest stop before Ouray.  

It was another rainy day and the hills were hard on the RV.  Really much to say about today.  Just driving and dealing with traffic and weather. 

Full day of driving

 Sorry I didn't write last night.  It was a long day of driving.  

We started in the rain which turned into a thunderstorm.  Got through that.  If course,  crazy ass drivers.  Went through a few states pretty uneventful until we saw this sign:

It was a welcomed sight!. We still had about 3 hours to go for our overnight stay. I think we arrived at 7:30pm and we were hungry. The Longs made us some hamburgers and tater salad.  After year, went back to the RV, cleaned up and went to bed.

It is now 7:18 am and the skies look beautiful. Going to take Zeke for a walk and get ready for today's drive.

Our first day

 Well.... we are in Ottawa, Illinois at a Cracker Barrel for the night.  We also got dinner so we have happy bellies!  It was an ok drive.  Construction,  Chicago drivers and more bad roads were part of our drive. Zeke did well too. We drove from 3pm EST  to 8pm CST.  Not once did he whine. He sure had to pee when I got him out.   

I think tomorrow's plan is to get on the road about 7.  We have a 10-12 hour drive in front of us. 

Ok... off to bed.  Goodnight!

Trying out video-gram!

 Trying out doing a video and uploading.  Not sure on what Blogger allows for space.  

Rough Idea

 Ok so we are about 2 week away until we leave for our road trip.  I got a rough idea what the itinerary on food and drive.  

We leave Friday (June 24) and drive I think until we pass Chicago then find a place to spend the night.  

Saturday (25) - breakfast is quick with donuts or cereal and then more driving and a stop for lunch.  Another place to stay for the night and maybe hamburgers.

Sunday (26) -  Again with pastries or cereal, drive, lunch and wherever we stay for the night. 

Monday (27) - Pastries/cereal, drive and lunch and should arrive in Ouray sometime during the evening.  Dinner will probably be easy hamburgers/brats.

Tuesday (28) - Pancakes and bacon for breakfast, then trail rides with lunch on the road then cheesesteaks for dinner.

Wednesday (29) - Sausage gravy with biscuits, trail rides with lunch then fried rice with egg rolls for dinner.

Thursday (30) -Breakfast sandwiches, trail rides with lunch, then hamburgers or pizza for dinner.

Friday (July 1) - French toast with sides, trail rides with lunch, then steak/chicken fajitas.

Saturday (2) - Quick breakfast and drive off to Colorado Springs. Lunch on the road then a place to rest with an easy dinner, possibly hamburgers/hotdogs.

Sunday (3) - Quick breakfast and should arrive CS in the afternoon/evening.  Dinner may be pulled pork sandwiches.

Monday (4) - HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!  Breakfast of omelets, trail rides with lunch and dinner of prime rib.

Tuesday (5) - Sausage gravy with bicuits, trail ride with lunch, easy dinner of hamburgers and sides.

Wednesday (6) - Quick breakfast and ready for our drive home.  Lunch stop and evening rest.

Thursday (7) - Quick breakfast another day of driving with easy lunch and dinner.  Rest

Friday (8) - Quick breakfast, hopefully closer to home.  Lunch and dinner. Rest

Saturday (9) - Quick breakfast, arriving home!

Sometime during CS, I hope to see Nicole and she may trail ride with us so I can visit and John can drive.  It's going to be a long ride but the pictures and memories will be worth it!

#camping #Colorado #roadtrip2022

Home Sweet Home

We arrived home safely and tomorrow starts the cleanup from vacation.  Our last day was fun and the weather was beautiful.  

We celebrated Sheila's birthday with porkchops and a mess of sides plus cake!  Also, their neighbors brought over a piece of cake with a candle and sang happy birthday to her!  That was so sweet!  Terry and Patty came by for a visit as well.  It was a great day of just hanging out with friends.  

As promised, here is the link for the album on Google Photos.  Obviously not all of them but you get the idea.  Now we work on our roadtrip to Colorado!  See you on the next adventure!

Memorial week at Hoeft and Lakeport

We moved!

 I got an early start today since I couldn't sleep. Yesterday we left for Lakeport to meet up with Robert and Sheila for her birthday.  It's actually her birthday today!  The best gift ever!  Today we are just hanging around the park.  It's kind of breezy here and a bit on the cool side too.  Normally, this isn't our kind of camping since it is super crowded and the children are everywhere.  What I do like is how many dogs are here.  It's almost everyone had one sometimes 3!  

So little bits of info for reference... the hotspot works with my lappy. This makes me happy since I plan on using this when we do our Colorado trip.  When we were at Hoeft, I had to type of my thoughts on Word and copy/paste.  At least if I have some internet, I can get my thoughts down.  I plan on putting the full link to our Google photos from the trip.  There will be some pictures here and there.  My last post will have the link to all of them.  

Anywho, gotta make my second cup of coffee and enjoy nature before the spawns get up and fill the air with screaming. yay

#camping #Lakeport

Hoeft camping part 2

 June 2 2022

Good morning!  It is 7:36am and enjoying my first cup of coffee while writing this entry.  Yesterday we did some exploring around town.  We went to Seagul point which has a foot trail that was about 2.5 miles and the park is a resting portion of the foot trails.  We stopped there to get some pictures and enjoy the view.  After we finished that, we went to another park.  I can’t remember where or the name but it had a hidden waterfall.  It was so pretty!   Our last stop was at Ocqudec waterfall park.  I have a few hundred pictures of that area!  Hahaha.  But it was really nice!  The rapids were clipping at a great pace and the water felt great on the feet (it was cold). I tried to fly the drone up but there were gusty winds and the aircraft and controller were not reading each other well.  This whole area has very poor reception.

 Last night I did get the drone up and got some pictures of Lake Huron.  There were some kids watching while I was taking off.  You cannot see our campsite since this campground has a lot of trees. Makes it difficult to find a clear opening to go above and then try to watch the aircraft.  Then I had the poor communication between the drone and controller.  Challenges!  Gotta love them!

 Today I think we are visiting a Marine time museum and get some ice cream.  This is our last night here then we move off to Lakeport tomorrow. 

#camping #hoeft