Summer 2023

 To back peddle a little to tell you where we've been this summer before Dolores.

As always we start our summers in Kansas in the middle of May seeing Dr and family. We left Wichita 5-24-2023. First night stayed at Coldwater Lake, Ks. where my brother Don and wife Debbie work. Had dinner with them and caught up.

The next night we stayed in Elkhart,Ks. at Prairie RV Park. Then onto Cimarron, Nm. for Memorial Day weekend. At the Ponil RV Park. On Saturday we took a drive around the Enchanted Circle, stopping for lunch at Michael's Kitchen Restaurant & Bakery. We have eaten there many times before. If you're ever in Taos this is a must. Breakfast is the best but all food is great.

After lunch we continued on to Questa then to Red River. As we got close to town about 4 miles out the traffic stopped then a slow crawl into town. The motorcycle rally was something to see. From one end to the other bikes lined both sides and center of the streets. Took over an hour to get through Red River

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(This was about 30 min. before the shooting.)

Sunday we attended First Baptist Church. Monday drove through the Philmont Scout Ranch.

On Tuesday 30th we stayed at Black Mesa Winery, which is part of the Harvest Host travel club for one night stays. 

Our Harvest Host stop for one night.

Then on to Cochiti Lake for 5 nights. While there we were able to visit Ronda's cousin David at his company. The Whispering Bean Coffee Roasters. Also had lunch at Upscale Rio restaurant, one of his coffee customers.

We were able to also visit downtown Santa Fe and see the Loretto Chapel Spiral Staircase and the oldest house in the USA.

On the 5th of June we went to Farmington NM to see Ronda's Aunt and Uncle. Stayed at a Harvest Host. Desert Heights Church. Visited and had dinner with them and next morning before leaving. Took Uncle to Dr. appointment.

The view when setting outside at Junction Creek Campground. Site#9

We then went on to Junction Creek Campground by Durango Colorado. This is a beautiful campground in the forest, just a little challenging to get to but worth it. While there we made a trip to Pagosa Springs to go to the Overlook Hot Springs.  Also back to Farmington to take Uncle to Dr again.

The view from the roof of Overlook Hot Springs,

After 6 nights there we moved to Abiquiu Lake in NM. for 2 weeks. While here we visited Espanola a few times for groceries, laundry, drugs and Church. We took a drive to Jemez Springs for lunch at Los Ojos Restaurant & Saloon.

Our lunch stop in Jemez Springs.

Also stopped and hiked Jemez Falls and visited the Bandelier National Monument. Both are beautiful places to see.    

                                           Jemez Falls.

                       After our time at Abiquiu Lake we moved to Conejos River Campground and RV Park by Antonito, Colorado. for 5 nights. Our friends the Whites are staying here for the summer. So great to see them again. We spent our time with them on some hikes and just visiting.

Our lunch spot and the Cumbres and Toltec train coming into Chama Station.

We took a day trip with them to Chama. Walked, shopped and had lunch as you most do in a tourist town. We had lunch at the Box Car Cafe. It's a beautiful drive to Chama and back on Hwy 17 if ever in that area.

As Bob & Beth had never been to Taos and the enchanted circle before. Off we went again on another adventure. We stopped in Taos for lunch at Guadalajara Grill. Not a fancy place but the best Mexican food you'll find. Then on to Eagles Nest, Red River and Questa.

On the 30th we moved on to La Veta, Colorado to stay at Sammy's Campground and RV Park for a week. On the 3rd we drove to Bear lake and Cuchara Pass and came back and walked the streets of La Veta and shopped and bought like you must do in a tourist town.

Bear Lake just south of Cuchara.

A view from top of Cuchara Pass.

The 5th drove to Stonewall, Colorado over Cuchara Pass. Had lunch at the Stonewall Lodge. On the way back we stopped to walk and shop the streets of Cuchara again is what you must do in a tourist town.

As driving into Stonewall from the east.

Our lunch time entertainment at the Stonewall Lodge Restaurant.

Again it was time to move on. On the 7th we arrived at Elk Creek Campground on the Gunnison River 16 miles west of Gunnison, Colorado to stay 2 weeks. While here we visited Crested Butte hike to Judd Falls and visited the North rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

Lunch stop from La Veta to Gunnison on Hwy 114.

Our 4 mile round trip hike to Judd Falls. Ronda taking a break.

Also Ronda's brother Randy and his fiancee stopped to see us on their vacation. We took them up to Crested Butte and on up to Emerald Lake. The road the last couple miles was an adventure for a 2 wheel drive. But well worth it.

This is where we turned around at Emerald Lake. I stayed with truck as the other hike a 1/4 mile to Lake.

We also took a day trip to Lake City one day and drove around Lake San Cristobal which is a beautiful mountain lake. We bought veggies at a farmers market in Lake City.

The view from above Lake San Cristobal.

On 7-21 we moved to Montrose, Co. to Meadows of San Juan RV Park for a couple nights to do a day trip to Ouray. As we were getting there we heard from some friends from the Lone Star Corral. Which is our home park in Hondo, Texas. They were at Ridgeway State Park just south of us. 

Mike & Janice

On Saturday they went with us to Ouray.

We hike from town to Box Canyon Falls.

Then back to town and had lunch at Thai Chili Restaurant.

And as you must do in any tourist town. We walked and shopped. Then we drove over Red Mountain Pass to Silverton and walked and shopped as it is a tourist town. On our way back there was a brown bear along the road causing a wildlife jam.

A little girl told her mom as she was taking pictures that all you're getting is bear butt.

Monday we were to move on to Dolores. But to spend more time with Mike & Janice we changed plans. We stayed at Ridgeway State Park where they were for 3 nights. While there all of us took a drive to Telluride. Had lunch and walked and shopped as you must do in a tourist town.. 

On Wednesday before we were to go to Dolores to The Views RV Park & Campground. We went to Montrose to see the movie. Sound of Freedom. A must see movie.

Then 7-27 we moved to Dolores, Colorado. Which is when I started blogging. There's a post about our time at Dolores.