We left Houston on a Friday in September 1989 and we stopped approximately 30 miles out of Fort Worth at 3am to sleep.
7:00 am Saturday: The moon is full and very white against the blue sky which blends down to a soft pink and below that turns blue again. In a tree at the rest stop there are birds with tails longer than their bodies. The tail splits open when they fly.
9am We are leaving Wagon Master restaurant on 287 somewhere near Decatur. Keith says the hashbrowns were real good – I say pass on the waffle. The place looked like a dumpy little truck stop.
3:00 pm we are leaving Amarillo. On this trip I am having some ... car sickness issues so we're stopping at a drug store.
We ate at Luby’s cafeteria – Liver and onions – yum.
5:00 pm Stopped in Dalhart to get blizzards and of course a bathroom break. We listened to a couple of shows of the “the Shadow” old radio broadcasts. Not bad. I seem to be feeling better now.
The trees out here grow in the direction the wind blows so it looks as if it were always blowing.
9-17-89 Sunday Stayed in a Motel 6 in Pueblo last night. On our way to Colorado Springs now. Had a real tough time finding campgounds and one had closed. We were so anxious to stay somewhere after all that we decided on the KOA Woodland Park and pulled into Town & country RV park by mistake so we stayed there anyway.
Made reservations at the Cog Railway for tomorrow and then we'll go to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
Went shopping today. I got Mom and I some earrings, Lee & Kurt T-shirts and I got a handful of magnets. Then we went to see “License to Kill”.
Went to the 24 hr grocery afterward and saw balls of beef suet covered with birdseed. I couldn't imagine what one would do with that. Then later I learned these are bird treats used in the winter.
Dinner was chicken corn chowder with extra corn and rice and picante all mixed together.
9-18—89 Monday My feet were cold last night. At the last minute we decided to use the Pike's Peak Highway instead of the cog railway 19 miles to the top. Winds were gusting at 75 mph and the temperature was down at least to 34 degrees F. Yeow – it sure made for some quick picture taking. There sure was snow up there and a lot of ice too. We stopped a lot on the way down for pictures. We sure are glad we drove instead.
1:30 now we are on our way to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.
The zoo was a disappointment. They should have built nice facilities for a few animals instead of awful ones for a lot of animals.
Back to camp for dinner. We had pacific white fish (formed to be lobster) and asparagus and rice.
That night I wore leg warmers down around my feet and put the wool blanket down around the end of the sleeping bags – that was much better.
9-19-89 Tuesday We folded up camp at Town & country. We are off to Cripple Creek.
On the way we took several pictures – the colors are beautiful. Hwy 67
We took a tour of the Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine which was very interesting. We got a button that said we had been down 1,000 feet and a piece of ore with gold in it. We also went to Ghost town Victor also. We stopped at the Iron Horse Café for burgers.
Now we are going to check out Goldmine Road. Wow. We stopped a lot(to take pictures). Beautiful Aspen trees. This road leads to Colorado Springs. So we turned around and headed for Canon City. We got there Via Hwy 61 or Shelf Road. Wow again. A shelf on the side of a cliff. (just means the road isn't very wide) We saw a mountain ? with a hole in it. And some cows.
Shelf Road: Many places were wide enough for only one car. Awesome pictures here. 2 hr drive approx.
Finally we arrived in Canon City. We checked In at the KOA and rented a Kabin. Then went straight to Royal Gorge. The winds here were gusting to 65 mph so the aerial tramway was not operating. We went to the bottom and took pictures (1000 ft)
Then we walked across the bridge and saw the slide show. A storm was brewing – hopefully got great shots – used 200 and 400 film (pictures weren’t that good). Have used up 6 rolls to this point.
Went back to cam to do laundry – it’s raining so glad we got a kabin. Went to the grocery and got chicken and potato salad and Jello salad for dinner.
That Goldmine tour was really neat. An actual miner named Steve lead the tour. He was a third generation gold miner.
Near Royal Gorge we fed crackers to a mule deer.
9-20 Wed
Hopefully I just got the greatest shot! Got up at 6:30 to go potty. Clouds – fog – whatever were hanging in the mountains. I haul butt there and back to get my camera – got a nice shot. Then Keith came out and sign language a rainbow – I turned around – wow – a complete rainbow. Meanwhile there is a small barn right next to me with a critter kicking the sides – then it comes out – a white horse! I got them both in one shot whether film proves it or not. Used a blue filter on the horse once and the fog a lot. Oh yea – I forgot to mention the whole time its sprinkling. It looks as if it is set in for some time.
Pulled up camp and went to the prison museum – spooky. Right next door to the prison and this week a prisoner had escaped from a work detail.
They had weapons prisoners had made at the museum. A gift shop with items prisoners had made. It was housed in the old women’s prison (Canon City).
Then off to Gunnison. Hwy 50 is boring all the mountains are bald. Gunnison does not look promising. We are on our way to Montrose with a stop on the way at Black Canyon.
Black canyon was ….black. Well, very contrasty at the very least. 1,800 feet at the shallowest part 3,300 feet at the deepest.
We then drove to the Ouray KOA. There were some nice Kabins by the stream but we decided to tent. Only had time to set up camp and eat (chicken corn chowder) and go to bed.
9-21 Thursday We got up and drove into town (Ouray). Stopped at San Juan Scenic Jeep Tours for info. Found some trails we could do in the station wagon. Yankee Boy Basin and something Camp Bird Gold Mine (which I read they are re-opening in 2014).
Got a couple of nice shots and saw other trails would require a 4 wheel drive. So we decided to rent one the next day.
Then we went to box Canyon Falls. The walk down to the falls was easy and impressive. Great volumes of water rushed loudly to the bottom. The walk up was – as described – strenuous, and as experienced not quite worth it. Except the chipmunks were very eager up there. Eager to eat that is. They climbed up my leg on to my shoulders! – whatever was necessary to pork down as much food as chipmunkly possible. There was also Fat Albert the squirrel (we named him) - also nick named Hoover for his superior ability to collect seed whole in his cheeks. Also birds landed on my hands for food. This was really thrilling because birds tend to be so much more timid than rodents. I could have spent the whole day at Box Canyon falls – renamed Sharon’s paradise.
Back to camp – we reserved a jeep for tomorrow from KOA 60.00 1 day 6 to 5pm. Then went to dinner at Cecilia’s in Ouray. Had crispy breaded shrimp. Yum. Then to silver eagle saloon for a drink then to the San Juan Oydessey (apparently we saw a film - I don't have notes on this).
9-22 Friday Up early and off to Cecilia’s for breakfast before our day 4 wheeling on the trails. Breakfast was great.
Off to Imogene Pass to Telluride via Black Bear. We saw falls, abandoned wood houses, etc. There was snow on top of the mountain. We saw Colorado marmots too. Went off the trail a little at the top – saw a pond and another house. Took several pictures of birds there a ptarmigan I think.
It was pretty all the way to Telluride. What a cute town. Lots of saloons – didn’t stay long – just drove thru and left via Ophir Pass.
Saw some real pretty trees early on and the we saw a guy on a horse. We stopped while he and his dog herded sheep around us – that was cool.
The rest of that trail was really rocky and ugly.
Then back on hwy 550 to Engineer Mtn trail 3:15 pm. Went up for an hour – started back down – scenery not great – very very rocky – yuk - and got a flat tire that cost us $83.00 then back to camp.
Went into town and ate at Cecilia’s – liver and onions – yum. Back to camp to write this log and sleep.
We are off to Durango tomorrow.
9-23-89 Sat
We went back to Cecilia’s for breakfast. Love those hashbrowns. Also had one of their giant cinnamon rolls. Yum! (I still remember those cinnamon rolls)
Took a few pictures of the saloon and the Bank down the street (old - from the 1800's). Then we left for Durango via Silverton. Stopped in Silverton, went in a couple of shops – then we heard the train coming. We drove to the depot in time to get some pictures of it coming in. Then some of it sitting still etc etc. Also I took several pictures of 3 old trucks near the depot. I have some black & whites of the train.
Then we headed for Durango – picked up our train tickets and headed for Mesa Verde (Indian Ruins).
Wow – we had no idea this park was so large. We didn’t get there till 4:00 or so and we were starved. We drove 36 miles to the entrance of the park and another 20 to get to the end. Food was priced high.
Balcony House was a ranger guided tour and described as most strenuous so we decided to do it first – good thing – we caught the last tour. Here’s what we had to do to visit this cliff dwelling: climbed stone steps, a 32 foot ladder, crawled thru a tunnel approx. 14” wide, ad climbed 2 ten foot ladders. Amazing structures – amazing people that built them.
We also saw Cliff Palace – the largest cliff dwelling at Mesa Verde.
As we were leaving the sun was setting. We got a few pictures on the way out.
It was pretty cold at East Durango KOA.
Tomorrow we ride the train.
9-24- Sunday The KOA free shuttle took us to catch the train at 8:30. We needed to be in our seats at 9:00 and it left at 9:30.
It took 3 hours to get to Silverton. We stayed in Silverton for 3 hours and it took 3 hours to get back. Lunch was great. We ate at Zhivago's. Took a whole roll of black & white and shopped for 20 minutes and had mint ice cream. Yum!
The ride had lots of pretty scenery – we went to the concession car twice. The cars sway back and forth a lot so you really had to hold on. I took a lot of pictures of the Animas River and recorded as much of the train whistle as I could (back when we used cassette tapes). We were lucky – the train was not totally full so Keith and I each got our own seats (better for taking pictures).
Cinders flew in the window and were all over our shirts – pants and the floor. The smoke in the air was also very hard on our eyes- but of course pictures were more important – so the windows stayed open a lot. Now that I know I’d bring moisture drops.
We were really tired when we got back – but still managed to get the laundry done. And for dinner we had creamy chicken and mushroom soup, cheddar pilaf, and asparagus. We did 2 loads of laundry this evening.
9-25- Monday Went shopping in Durango we can’t afford to go shopping here! On our way to Pagosa Springs now
Pagosa was supposed to have a wildlife display and a tour of a sawmill – but we never saw hide nor hair of either. We did, however, see some literature on a 100 ft falls at a park near there. Treasure Falls. It was a little bit of a walk up hill but we did take several pictures of it.
Then we decided we had seen enough of Colorado and wanted to revisit new Mexico. So we headed for Santa Fe. There were some really pretty plateaus on the way. Santa Fe was really strong into the indian and Spanish culture. Many bldgs. Including professional buildings were Adobe. Lots of streets were Calle del – whatever.
We saw Short Circuit II in the room at Motel 6 in Santa Fe. That was after having a rib-eye at the Western Sizzlin and getting a chocolate shake to go at Denny’s.
9-26 Tuesday We went to an old section of town. Went shopping. The Indians had their jewelry on blankets in front of the Palace of Governors – dating back to the 1600’s. There were many shops – a lot of them were expensive.
We decided to move on to Albuquerque – but not before having an éclair and some sort of biscuit cookie.
We stayed at a KOA in Albuquerque (central) that was really neat. Some of the bathrooms had a shower and sink and all that in enclosed rooms. Also there was a kitchenette outside our Kabin we used. A stovetop and sink. We cooked steaks – potatoes and onions.
Also that afternoon we went to Petroglyph State Park. It was said to have 15,000 indian drawings. We only did the first trail. It was kind of steep and we took a few pictures of the drawings.
Some were 500 to 1,000 years old.
After that we went to Anderson Vineyards. Wine Tasting.
Keith bought 2 bottles , a Riesling and last year’s Balloon Blush.
We are staying in the Albuquerque Central KOA. The only Kabin we have had a heater in and the only one we did not need it in! Loved the outdoor kitchen.
9-27- Wednesday This morning Keith made pancakes and we had spun honey on them.
Into Old town Albuquerque for shopping. I bought some jewelry made by the Navajo Indians. Sterling Silver turquoise and coral shaped like feathers.
After leaving we ate at the same Furr’s Cafeteria we ate at last year. Liver and onions, mashed potatoes and broccoli soufflé. Now we are on our way to Ruidoso by way of Alamogordo. Long drive.
On 380 I saw a pronghorn. Just one. Last year I saw a couple, separately. I’ll have to remember to read up on them and find out why I see them alone.
The drive to Carrizozo, NM wasn’t much fun. Ruidoso, Ruidoso Downs, and Tularosa are all near each other. We stayed at a KOA Kabin. Stayed in a Kabin. There were six or seven loud geese there too. I bought some lettuce for them while at Safeway. They enjoyed that plus a couple of bagels for breakfast.
There was a river I think Rio Ruidoso running right past our Kabin. Nice to sleep to. For dinner we had Krab and noodles and peas.
9-28 Thursday After feeding the geese we headed for Cloudcroft. We had hot chocolate and hashbrowns at the Western Café there. Then decided to see Bluff Springs. It was off the same road you use to go to Sunspot Observatory. Took pictures of the spring and resulting creek. We ate an apple picked from a wild apple tree there. It was tart, but good.
We started toward Alamogordo and stopped at a fruit stand on the way. The best sweetest apples. Yum. Didn’t buy apple cider, smallest quantity was 1 gallon. No room in the ice Chest. Hwy 54
On to El Paso – not much going on. On our way to Fort Stockton via I10.
Only one thing we saw – a piece of the space shuttle Main Engine on its way to NASA we suppose.
We stayed in a Motel 6 in Ft Stockton. It was only 1.00 more than a KOA Kabin. The 1st movie didn’t look too promising so we went to dinner at K-Bobs. The 2nd movie was Feds. Not Bad.
9-29 Friday We arrived in San Antonio around 3:00. Took a fast nap. Went to the mall and then we ate dinner down on the river. Rendezvous was the restaurant. Also we were there in time for happy hour. I think our waiter had already been to some form of happy hour.
Then on to the Melodrama Playhouse and saloon.
The play was called "Draculina's Revenge – or … Throats are so Juicy” Not bad.
9-30-89 Saturday On to San Marcos. Went to some shops in Wimberley and then to Wildlife Ranch.
We ate at Peppers at the Falls in San Marcos for dinner and back to the room. Saw "Crossing Delaney" – good movie.
This trip was 3600 miles.
List of accomodations:
9-16 Motel 6 in Pueblo
9-17-89 Town & country RV Park for 2 nites
9-19 Canon City KOA Kabin 1 nite
9-20 Ouray Tent 3 nites
9-23 Durango KOA East
9-26 Albuquerque central KOA maybe
9-27 Ruidoso campsite
9-28 Santa Fe Motel 6
9-29 Fort Stockton Motel 6
9-30 San Antonio Motel 6
9-31 San Marcos Motel 6
Attractions:
Pikes Peak Hwy 5.00 each
Cheyenne Mtn Zoo 5.00 each
Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine 6.00 each
Royal Gorge 8.00 each
Prison Museum 3.00 each
Box Canyon Falls 1.25 each
San Juan Odessy 4.00 each
Jeep rental 30.00 each
Train in Durango 32.00 each
Mesa Verde 5.00 total
Petroglyph State Park 1.00
Melodrama San Antonio 7.50 each
Wildlife Wilderness Ranch 4.00 each
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