Safety first

 Monday morning I awoke to snowfall, not a good sign. Checked conditions on our route and is was all snow. On Friday we had noted all the truck traffic heading north and coming south. It was strangely quiet with no traffic. I guess it was when the two snow plows passed heading north that our decision was made. It was forecast  to rain the first two days in Colorado Springs. Add in some planned items would not be available, change of plans seemed appropriate.

  We are now outside Amarillo Texas. As luck would have it the friends we were to meet in Colorado were heading this way. We decided to meet here and enjoyed a nice evening. They head on to Colorado and points north. They live full time in their RV. We head for home. All things work out as my navigoddess started feeling bad yesterday and is deteriorating today. 95 in DFW area today and Manga pass is clear. What a difference a day makes.

La Manga pass

First off, happy Mothers Day to all who qualify!

 It has been snowing off and on this morning. Did start to accumulate on the lawn chairs but will not be a problem here. Our route out of here takes us north on 17 and over La Manga pass, 10,000ft in elevation. Road cameras show it really coming down up there. Forecast calls for chance of rain or snow today with odds increasing tomorrow.  Will have to keep an eye on the road situation. To avoid the pass is a 200 mile additional in wrong direction. Stay tuned!

Rio Chama RV

  Lazy day catching up on laundry and watching some PBS on TV. Thought you might enjoy some photos of our campground. They have 100 sites here and stay full all summer. People come here, and other places in the area, to escape summer heat. There are only a couple other campers here now so we are not cramped at all. When full, it would be too tight together for our liking.

 A river runs thru, or beside, it. Run off has it too strong and murky for me to scare the trout too much. Was told one of the other campers was successful.

  Beavers have been busy

 Part of this park contains some of the abandoned tracks of the Cumbres & Toletec railroad. You can find out more HERE

 And while you folks are enjoying the warmth of spring, it is snowing here. Will not stick or accumulate but snow, not rain, nonetheless.

Chillin in Chama

  Been enjoying some down time here in Chama. Did drive over to Pagosa Springs an walked around a bit. Found a few treasures to bring home. Rain and colder temps supposed to move in today

  Happy Mothers Day everyone.

Mesa Verde and more

  We have enjoyed our stay here in the Cortez area. After a rainy, snowy start the last couple of days have been severe clear. To be precise we are in Towaoc as guest of the Ute mountain Utes. No, I did not type that wrong.  Of many things we have learned, one item was yesterday at a museum (shocked aren't you) in Animas near Durango. In the 1800's when the white man was stealing the Indians homes and lands, the tribe split up. One group made Towaoc it's home here at the base of Sleeping Ute mountain. Hence the name Ute Mountain Utes. In fact we are next to  their casino and have contributed to the local economy. Just in case you care, more about museum can be learned HERE


  Speaking of the white man of the 1800's, our ancestors, we have little reason to be proud. Over and over what the white man did has been repeated. Wiped out the great bison herds, stole land from it's native owners. Looted and decimated ancient ruins. Made and broke treaties because we wanted what little they had left. Drive thru the Navajo Nation and look at the hogans, (house/home), many without electricity or running water. Before we worry too much about middle east refugees, we need to do our homework here. Cannot undo the past wrongs, but can make things right/better.


 Back on March 27th I promised visits to 13 National Parks/Monuments. Well we let you down on that promise. Sorry. The weather got in our way for Cedar Breaks NP. Winter storm warning, heavy snow and the parks 10,000 ft elevation was not a good combination. So 12 was the best we could manage. We plan to return to the area and visit it then. Tomorrow we head to Chama New Mexico and change. We leave behind the desert and sandstone mesas and national parks. Chama is a little town at 7800ft elevation at the edge of the San Juan mountains. Been thru it many times an vowed to return. Nothing planned but scaring the trout in the river. It is the southern terminus of a narrow guage railroad but we are too early in season for it. But if you wait for it you fight the crowds and kids.  We then head for Colorado Springs. The heavy, late spring snows of the past week will probably mess up our return to the summit of Pikes Peak. Have a full agenda while there, so may be for the best. So as you can read a change in scenery, a change in objectives. Bet we can still find a museum...


  Today's photo essay:

More of my tribute to the work of the CCC's.  They did a lot of good for this country

  My buddy Fred requested a close up of Mary's boobs so here you go Fred!!

Back in time...

  No, Marty McFly did not show up in a deLorean. But we did step back about 800 years in time. I told you before about the ancestral Puebloans in this area. Today was a cultural day learning more about them, where and how they lived.

  Our first stop was the Anasazi Heritage Center outside Dolores Colorado. You can find more information HERE. Most the artifacts unearthed during the Dolores archaeology program starting in 1977 is housed here. Yes, another museum well worth your time and effort.They have the remains of a woven basket that is 7000 years old.

 Our next stop, some 50 miles away, was Hovenweep National Monument. More about it, and it's reason for being, can be found HERE.  To walk where there was a thriving community 800 years ago makes you pause for reflection.

 I fully understand that some would find this as exciting as watching paint dry. Well we find it to be quite the opposite and go out of our way, a long way out, to experience it.


  Last years subject matter was the deep south and the low country. Obviously more appealing as my readership is way down comparatively. No matter, Mary and I decided this blog was our diary of our adventures. And as such would continue it for us and anyone who happens onto it.


  Some fool went off and left his camera behind when leaving. To compound this he did a poor effort with cell phone camera. My apologies...

Anasazi Heritage Center

  And in an effort to show how remote it is, a view from Google Earth

 Tomorrow brings a play day in Durango. Mary and I spent the weekend at the Strater hotel some years ago and just want to return. Train is not yet running so will just walk the streets. If you like old historic hotels check out the Strater HERE




 Dear reader, that is all for today's lesson

WTH?

 Spring equinox was March 21st right? Somebody forgot to tell Mother nature. Before we left Texas we were under winter storm warnings. Drove in snow fall in New Mexico around Roswell. Then more winter storm warnings in Utah around Bryce Canyon. Now we are outside Cortez Colorado watching snow accumulate in the mountains around us. Rain here, but a few hundred feet higher it is snow. For two kids who are not fond of cold weather, we seem to have attracted it. We will be here till Thursday when we move to Chama. Weather is supposed to improve and we have many things to see including Mesa Verde. Hope the propane holds out...



snuggle time!