Thursday, August 28

Heading toward the peak of Antero

Got up at 5:30 this morning to drive to Mount Antero. It is a fourteener. Fourteeners are mountains that are higher than 14,000 feet. There are 52 in Colorado and the big thing is to climb as many as you can. I was going with Tommy and some of the other workampers to climb to the top. This would be my first fourteener. I must confess that we are able to drive a considerable way to the top, but even that is an adventure considering the condition of the road. It is extremely rough. We had driven it before in ATVs but this time it was in a truck and a jeep. I rode in Bernie's jeep.



On top

We got to the trailhead about 7:30 and to the top about 8:45. Those of you who are not familiar with altitude need to know that when you get to 13,000 feet the air gets quite a bit thinner. When you climb at this altitude it is a lung buster. What a view it is from the top though. You truly feel like you are on top of the world.



My GPS and proof that I'm on top

I filled out the log at the top with my name and address and I wrote a comment 'In memory of Mike Cooper - here's to ya Mikey'. Mike was one of the friends that I hiked with in Wyoming for years. He always liked climbing, including Square Top and Fremont Peaks. He enjoyed it above treeline. This is definitely one of those hikes he would have basked in. Mike died about 8 years ago and he is missed. It seemed appropriate to remember him when I was up there.



The KOA workampers at the top of Antero

This is a popular hike and we saw a few others climbing to the top. Over all it was a beautiful day and a great hike. My first fourteener was an outstanding success.

Carol stayed home and worked on the flower gardens here at the campground which is her favorite pastime. We moved a bunch of old wagon parts and farm equipment down from a brushy area last week and placed them around the campground for effect. It turned out well. Carol took some photos of the campground and some of her flower handiwork today.



Flowers in front of the office



More yard art



Some of Carol's handiwork

This weekend, Labor Day, is the last big hurrah for the summer. I took a photo an aspen that was beginning to turn yellow on the way down from Antero today. The first signs of fall are appearing already.



Yellow aspen leaves - the first signs of fall

August 16 through August 24

August 16, Saturday



Bernie and Loreen in the ATV

I got a little behind on the blog here so I'm writing from memory

Last night (Friday night) a cold front moved through. We came home for supper and warmed up a cup of soup, and then I dug out a jacket before going back to work. It got down in the upper thirties Friday night and Saturday dawned cold and rainy. We were suppose to raft today with a group of fellow workampers, but we called and postponed until next Saturday. We went and hit a few garage sales but there just wasn't much happening, too cold and miserable. We went to City Market and picked up a few groceries. We had invited Bernie and Loreen over for supper tonight since we owed them something for all the trouble they went to to get the ATVs lined up while we were stuck in Denver a couple of weeks ago getting the car fixed. I went downtown to get a movie this afternoon while Carol did laundry and fixed supper. There was a music festival in Buena Vista this weekend. They couldn't have picked a worse weekend. I browsed around for a little while but it wasn't all that good.

We had Settler Beans and cornbread for supper. It was a delicious meal for a cold rainy night. We watched National Treasure II after supper.

August 17, Sunday

We messed around until about noon and then headed over to Denver. We have an appointment in the morning at 7:00 to get the car looked at. I think I mentioned the 'check engine' light was back on so we had to arrange to take it back to the Honda dealer that worked on it a couple of weeks ago. We took the fixin's for chicken and noodles over and had that for supper.

August 18, Monday



August snow on a distant peak

Took the Honda in at 7:00. About 8:15 they came in and said that it needed a new valve, but they didn't have it in stock so they had to order it and wouldn't have it until 9:00 or 9:30 Tuesday. We have to work Tuesday so we couldn't wait for it. They agreed to give us a rental car and we would have to drive back Wednesday morning and trade vehicles. They agreed to do the repair work on this visit also since it was the same issue they had worked on before. We got a Suburu for a rental and headed back to BV. We decided to take a different route this time though. We headed west on I-70. We stopped at the Idaho Springs visitor center to check on the road to Mt. Evans. Bob had mentioned that it is a Fourteener that you can drive to the top. Well, our luck was holding, yes we could drive up Mt. Evans but the road was closed at Summit Lake due to snow. Yes, snow, it is August and we have already had snow in the high country due to the cold front that came through on Friday night.



Snowy road on Mt. Evans

We went ahead and drove up to Summit Lake. It really is a beautiful drive. We stopped at a lodge on the way up and browsed some. We got back to Idaho Springs about 1:00, just in time to have lunch at Beaujo's Mountain Pie. My brother Mike and I both enjoy eating here. This is a fairly well known pizza place here in the Denver and front range. It is somewhat unique in the fact that the center of the pizza is thin but the outer crust is huge and thick. They provide you with a dispenser of honey to put on the outer crust to eat, thus you have a built in desert.



Beaujo's on the main street of Idaho Springs

After that we went on west on I-70 and stopped at Georgetown, Dillon, and Frisco and drove around. We have passed these places numerous times but never stopped before. From Frisco we took a highway south through Leadville and on to BV. It was a fun trip.


August 20, Wednesday

Got up at 5:00 this morning and went to Denver to drop off the rental and pick up the Honda. It seems to be working fine now. We got back to BV around noon, plenty of time to eat before we head to work.

August 23, Saturday

Rafting day today. Two other workamping couples and Sarah (one of the owners) along with us are going to take a raft trip down the Arkansas today. The season is almost over so we decided that we had better do it if we were going to. I had already floated this stretch with the kids and Annabelle but the water is lower now and it actually made it a little more challenging. The rapids weren't quit as fast but the maneuvering was much more difficult due to the fact that a lot more rocks were rising above the surface. Luckily the weather was perfect for our float. Our guide, John T., has been rafting the Arkansas for 18 years and even he seemed to enjoy the challenge of the rapids and protruding rocks. We only got stuck on rocks one time. We didn't lose anyone out of our raft but one guy feel out of another raft and hit his head. They put a butterfly bandage on it and he will probably require stitches when we get back. I didn't get any photos of the raft trip since there would be the chance of getting the camera wet.



The camper now that we turned it to face east

Luckily warm weather has returned, at least temporarily to our area and we had great fun running the rapids, splashing and being splashed, and enjoying the beautiful scenery.

We got back from the float about 2:00 and went to town to grab a sub sandwich and go to City Market. We also picked up a DVD titled 'The Great Debaters'. It was a great movie starring Denzel Washington and Forrest Whittaker. I would highly recommend it.



Mountain sunset

August 24, Sunday

We drove down to the Poncha Springs area today. Explored some of the national forest area there and revisited O'Havre Lake. We had visited this area with Shelby about 8 years ago. It is a very pretty national forest campground surrounding a nice fishing lake. We also did a little hot springs soaking today. It was another perfect day, sunny and warm.

August 10 through 14

August 10, Sunday



Carol, Me, and Bob at Monarch Pass

Well, it looked pretty yucky out this morning. It was rainy and cool. Can't believe how much rain we've gotten the past week. It seems like a lot since we have not really had any rain since May. Carol wanted to go fishing today so we packed up our gear and headed out. She wanted to go to a different place, so we ran up to Clear Creek Lake. It is much larger than our usual fishing hole. We caught nothing. Didn't even get any bites. I gave up early and sat in the car out of the rain and read and napped. I guess I'm just a fair weather fisherman. We gave up on Clear Creek Lake and headed up to Cottonwood Lake but still didn't get any bites. I think it was the weather. We had to get back so Carol could cut Loreen's hair and we were expecting Bob to show up in the afternoon also.

Carol cut Loreen's hair and Bob showed up about 4:00. Bob helped us make a salsa of our own and it turned out great. We use a can of diced tomatoes with jalapeno peppers and put in some onions, lime juice, a good lot of cilantro, a little garlic salt, etc. It turned out really good and is much cheaper than store salsa. We grilled some bbq chicken for supper and watched the Olympics.

August 11, Monday



The main drag through Gunnison Colorado

We headed out this morning to explore some new area. We went down to Salida first and hit the Walmart. Then we headed west to Gunnison. Gunnison is a nice little town. We stopped at the visitor center and then found a little produce market where the owner was selling home made tamales, some of Carol's favorites. Bob bought the tamales and we found a shady spot a little ways out of town to stop and eat them.



Bob enjoying the weather at Crested Butte

Next we headed for Crested Butte. Carol and I were here about 20 years ago. Man, has it ever grown and changed, not necessarily for the best. It is turning into a new Aspen. Prices for real estate are ridiculously high. Carol shopped while Bob and I had a beer at a local outdoor bar and grill. It was a pleasant stop and the main street of the historic district is a neat place to stroll down and window shop. Bob bought some necklaces for Jan, Missy, and Lindley.



Carol at Crested Butte



Main Street Crested Butte

Carol was anxious to get up to Tin Cup and explore so we headed out of Crested Butte about 2:00 and backtracked to Almont and then took the road up Taylor Canyon toward Taylor Reservoir. This is a very pretty drive with lots and lots of campgrounds. I guess people frequent this area to fish the Taylor River. It is a gorgeous drive. We got to Taylor Reservoir and took the road up to Tin Cup. Some of you will remember the name from out ATV trip. Carol and Loreen made it up to Tin Cup pass. We had planned on going on over to Tin Cup that day but bad weather prevented it. Well, we made it today. There are a lot of old homes and buildings here, all privately owned. We took some photos and ate a late lunch at Frenchy's Cafe. Bob and I split the daily special of a chicken bacon sandwich and fries and Carol had a bowl of chili. It was a little cool up this high. I guess Tin Cup is about 10,000 feet.



A late lunch at Frenchy's in Tincup Colorado



Cabin and wildflowers at Tincup

From Tin Cup we headed back to Taylor Resevior and back over Cottonwood Pass toward home. We weren't really hungry so we had chips and homemade salsa for supper.



The road leading out of Tincup heading back to Taylor Resevior



Mountain sheep near Cottonwood Hot Springs

August 12, Tuesday



Bob and me at Lost Lake

We had a staff meeting this morning so Bob and I had a late start on our hike to Lost Lake today. We got to the trail head about 10:30 and I wanted to be back at the car by 1:00 so I could get back for work. We made it in and out by 12:45. It was a quick trip but at least Bob got to see the lake. The wildflowers are beginning to wilt, a sign that fall is not far off.
We made it back to the camper by 1:15 had a quick bite and then Bob headed home to Springfield and Carol and I had to get to work.

August 13, Wednesday



Carol with our stringer of trout from Chalk Lake

Carol wanted to go fishing again this morning so we went out to our regular fishing hole, Chalk Lake. It was a beautiful morning but there weren't many people out there. We fished for about an hour without a bite and then wham, they started biting. Carol was using a worm and I was using a Roostertail spinner, kind of a florescent green. I could see the trout following my lure as I reeled it in and eventually they just started taking it. We caught our limit again in about 45 minutes. It was a great day. We got back to the campground in plenty of time to eat lunch and get to work.

August 14, Thursday



Hikers at the trail head of Poplar Gulch trail



A fork in the trail

Tommy had planned a hike up Poplar Gulch trail from Cottonwood Creek over a summit and down into Chalk Creek Canyon. They said I could be a little late for work if I wanted to go so I said sure. We left the campground about 6:30 and got to the trail head around 7:00. It was a beautiful hike. The overall length was 7 miles. We had to ascend 2,000 feet to the summit and then descend back down that far. In relation to that ascent it would be about equivalent to walking up a building 140 stories high and back down. It turned out to be a great hike. The climb up was a lung buster and the hike down was tough on the upper thighs but it felt good to get out there and do it. We passed through a pretty mountain valley about 2 miles long and that was my favorite part. It is hard to explain the scenery and beauty of the mountains. One just has to experience it for themselves.



A rest break at treeline



Evidence of tough winters near the pass summit

I was only a half hour late for work. It was a long day since I had to work until 9:30.



Enjoying the mountain scenery

August 2 through August 6

Saturday, August 2



Jean, Howard, Me, and Carol at the Chafee County Fair/Rodeo

We had a voice mail from Luke Haddock last night. He is in Denver with his fiance and wanted to get together. I returned his call this morning and mentioned the possibility of getting together at Shelby's house tomorrow night, since we had to take the Honda in for service Monday morning. He said that would be fine. Luke and his brothers, Matt and Dan, grew up playing with our girls and we did a lot of floating, hiking, etc. with the Haddocks. Don and Linda, Luke's parents, now live in Franklin, Indiana, and Luke is living in Chicago.

I next called Bob McCoy who is in Denver visiting his daughter Libby and her husband Cenk and their baby Leo. He said he could meet us at Shelby's tomorrow night also, but didn't know about the rest of his clan. So guess we will have a get together at Shelby's tomorrow night. Hope Shelby doesn't mind.

We started the day's activities by hitting a few garage sales. The folks around here don't put out as good a signs as they do at home. You really have to hunt for them. I found a couple of bird feeders (metal) at one for $4 each and a couple of little knick knacks for the tree house at another. I was by myself because I wanted to stop by he BV ATV place and see about renting some ATVs on Tuesday. There was nobody there so I called the number posted. I arranged to rent to Rhinos (double seats side by side) and one regular ATV. Bob is going with us, as is Bernie and Loreen, a couple of other workampers here at the campground. We arranged to pick them up Monday night so we can get an early start on Tuesday. Hope I get the Honda fixed in a reasonable amount of time Monday.



Carol browsing at the fair

About noon we headed to Salida with our neighbors and coworkers Howard and Jean. They took us to the China Wall, a Chinese restaurant, and it was delicious. After that we went over to finalize a lease at a duplex that Howard and Jean are going to be renting for the winter while their house is being built. Then we went out to their lot to see what had been done with their house. From there we went to the Chaffee County Fair and Rodeo. We got there about 4:00 so we had some time to kill before the rodeo started at 6:45. We browsed through the displays of the award winning foods, photos, paintings, and other items associated with a fair and then walked through the barns and stables looking at livestock. It is fun to go to a fair out here and just watch the people. I wonder what each one is like and what their lives are like. I thought about the kids involved in their 4-H projects and how hard they worked for this moment.



Dog/frisbee show

Six o'clock arrived and we went to the bleachers to find a seat. They had a dog/frisbee exhibition to start out with and then the rodeo followed. It was fun to watch the dogs, mainly border collies, doing their tricks with the frisbees. They were quite good.



The view from our bleacher seats

The rodeo was fun to watch. I sure don't know how those guys can stay on those broncos and how they can literally throw themselves off their horses tying up the calves they rope. I certainly couldn't do that now. I thought about the cost to their bodies when they reach my age.



Bronc buster



Calf roper

We got home around 9:30 and found we had had a strong rain, and apparently a strong wind. I had left my awning out and something is loose now. I guess I'll have to check it out in the morning.

Good night all.

Sunday, August 3



Stephka, Luke, and Shelby

We headed over to Denver today. I made an appointment to get the car serviced at a Honda dealer near Shelby's house on Monday. We thought we would go over and stay the night cause we had a 7:00 appointment to take the car in. I found out a couple of days ago that Luke Haddock and his girl friend Stephka were going to be in town, as was Bob McCoy. Therefore, I basically arranged to have a party at Shelby's house Sunday night. We took the ingredients for tacos and for fajitas. We told everyone to be there around 6:00. We asked Rob to make up some of his great guacamole. When we got there we figured we had too much food so Shelby and Carol invited Roger and Leslie, Shelby's neighbors.



Carol with Shelby's cat Emily in her lap

We had a great time. It was good to see Bob again. I hadn't seen him since last winter. Bob is the guyI hiked the Grand Canyon with for those of you who have not read all the blog entries. We have hiked and traveled together for years. Luke is the youngest son of Don and Linda Haddock, some of the gang from Springfield. We had seen Luke in Franklin, IN. back in February when we visited Don and Linda. We had not met Stephka yet though and we were delighted to meet her. She is so lovely and very nice. Luke has a keeper there.

We had a great evening just chatting and enjoying catching up on news.

Monday, August 4

Well, I took the Honda in at 7:00. The diagnostic showed it needed quite a bit of work and they had to get parts from around town so I called Bob and he came and got me and we headed for Boulder. We walked around the shops on Pearl Street and found the Walnut Brewery on Walnut Street where we had a couple of beers and some nachos for lunch. I called the dealer and the parts still hadn't come in so we headed back to Denver to pick up Bob's clothes since he was going to BV to stay with us for a couple of days. After we left Cenk and Libby's I called again and the parts had not been picked up so they sent another person out to pick them up. Now it was going to be 4:30 or 5:00 before it was done. We headed back to Shelby's house and Bob took a nap while I visited with Shelby. Bob took me back to the Honda dealer around 5:30 and we finally got out of there at 6:30. They had the car nearly 12 hours and finally finished it.

This was a fairly costly repair. I think I have learned my lesson and will not be taking the Honda on any rough roads again.

Tuesday, August 5



Heading up to Antero with our two Rhinos and the Quad

All during my ordeal yesterday I had been in touch with another couple who we workamp with, Bernie and Loreen. We planned on renting ATVs and going up some ATV trails today. Bernie was great and picked up all the ATV's and other equipment last night so we could get an early start today. We had what is called a Rhino which is a side by side seat with a little truck bed behind. It was fantastic at traveling up and down these mountain trails though. Bernie and Loreen had the same thing. I had rented a 4 wheel scooter type thing for Bob though since he would be alone.



Loreen, Carol and Bernie, up toward the top of Antero



Carol and I just below Antero peak



Me at Baldwin Lake

We started our exploring by taking the trail up to Mount Antero, a 14,000 foot plus peak. We made it to within about 300 feet of the top. What fantastic scenery and views. After leaving Antero, we headed to Baldwin Lake and had lunch. After lunch we headed back to the trucks and loaded the ATVs on the trailers and went down to St. Elmo so we could head up a trail that would take us to Tincup Pass. It was pretty cloudy but we headed out anyway. Carol drove one Rhino and Loreen rode with her. Bob rode with me in another Rhino and Bernie took the quad up the trail. We got pretty close to the summit and the guys stopped, I wanted to head back cause I could see some real rain on the other side of the pass. Carol wanted to go on up to the pass, so she and Loreen did. As soon as they got back we raced down the trail back to the trucks. We just barely made it before the rain hit in earnest.



The view down the trail from Tincup Pass

We took the ATVs back to BV and checked them back in and then headed back to the camper. We were going to take Bernie and Loreen out to eat for all the footwork they had to do for us yesterday, but it got to raining so hard we just stayed in the camper and made supper. We had our shrimp/rotelle/pasta dish. It was delicious.



The sign at Tincup Pass

We were all beat so hit the sack about 8:30.

Wednesday, August 6

We got up about 7:30 this morning. Eleven hours of sleep. Guess that's what fresh mountain air will do for you. Bob took me out to the Evergreen Cafe for breakfast. Carol opted to stay home and do her own thing. After breakfast we had to run over to the ATV place and pay our bill. From there we headed up to Cottonwood Pass. On the way back down we stopped and visited with the camp host at Collegiate Peaks Campground (a national forest campground). It is contracted by Rocky Mountain Recreation Corp., and that is who he works for. He said they pay him $1300 a month. He said he works about 4 hours, 5 days a week. His site doesn't have any hook ups. He had a solar powered battery system with panels that he moves around the site so they will always be collecting rays. He showed us how it worked. He said he averaged 4 amps per hour. He actually had to get a monitor so he wouldn't overcharge his batteries. He has eight 6 volt golf cart batteries. He uses an inverter to generate 120 volt alternating current power to operate his TV, microwave, etc. He said he has all the power he needs. He has been working here for the past seven years. He said RCMC is always looking for workers. In the winter he works at Quartzite for Beaudry RV delivering RV to people who buy them there. He is a full timer by the way.



Bob on his ATV yesterday

After that Bob and I ran out north of town so I could show him the old railroad tunnels. Then we headed back to the camper for lunch. We had to go to work at 2:00 and Bob headed back to Denver to stay with Libby and Cenk.

It has been raining the past three days here. This is very unusual. We haven't seen any rain to speak of since we got here and now we're making up for it. It is amazing how the water erodes the roads and ground here at the campground. Now I can kind of see why the Grand Canyon came into being.