June 13th-15th

June 13^th On to Buena Vista, CO

Monday was a travel day, where we checked in at an Snowy Peaks RV park, ate a great steak dinner at Quincy’s, and then went to Bongo Billy’s for some ice lattes.  We also scouted out our next mountain camping venue. We found a great spot in the San Isabel National Forest called Collegiate Peaks camp ground.

June 14^th Collegiate Peaks Campground

This campground was made for total relaxation, no cell phone service or internet, no electric, and no running water close by, unless you count the stream rushing by our campsite. 

There was the buzz of hummingbirds at our RV window, larger than life rabbits (snow hares), and cool breezes off the snowcapped mountains.  We liked it so much we have decided to stay until Sunday.

Our neighbors down on campsite 5 were a little shy, but we still got their photo.

June 15^th Jeeping Around the Forest

Lars created a Jeep loop of about 115 miles that would include Cottonwood Pass, Taylor Reservoir, and several campgrounds for us to scout out for the next RV spot.

There was still plenty of snow when you were above 10,000 feet. 

Cottonwood Pass, just outside of Buena Vista.

Taylor Reservoir – Recreational Area

Lakeview Camp Ground in the Gunnison National Forest…potentially the next camp spot.

We were also quite fascinated by the snow sculptures created by the melting snow.

June 11th & 12th Pine National Forest & Cripple Creek

June 12^th Cripple Creek Next

On our way to Cripple Creek we took the Skyline Drive, why take the highway when you can take path less taken?

Our next leg of the trip to Cripple Creek was by way of Phantom Canyon drive, where we wound our way through a one lane, red rock road and various tunnels into the old mining towns of Victor and Cripple Creek. This road was once the railroad bed during the gold mining times.



Why go to Cripple Creek you may ask?

In 1890 gold was found in Poverty Gulch, which is now Cripple Creek. Between 1890 and 1910 it was known as the world’s largest gold camp with more than 22.4 million ounces of gold extracted from over 500 mines. In today‘s dollars that is about 11.2 billion in gold. Today, you can eat, drink, gamble, shop in boutiques and explore the gold mines via tour or museum. We opted for the food and drink… but thought about winning a motorcycle in one of the casinos.  As Lars would say, “only in a America” would you find a 24k bike.

July 11th
Our first official night of camping was in the Pine National Forest between Woodland, Colorado and Buena Vista, Colorado.

We took a little afternoon hike to get a bird’s eye view of camp spot.  Look closely to see the RV and Jeep.

We also found a great place to sit outside and enjoy the mountains (unfortunately Pikes Peak was behind us and not in front of us), but we did have a freshly brewed beer and a pretzel as an appetizer.

June 9th-10th Finally on the Road

Under the cover of a hot and humid night, we loaded the RV and finally got on the road to Colorado a little after midnight. After mechanical difficulties, repair costs ($300 towing + 3,077 RV + $570 Jeep = Yikes!), and a week delay we left St. Louis with a hint of anxiousness, our fingers crossed, and anticipation of a great trip. As Lars drove over the night, I awoke in the morning to crisp Kansas morning (58 degrees with an 11 mph wind). And this is how to tow a 19,000 pound RV (the week before).