Russ and Rob's Travels

Friday, 3 June 2011

Denver to Tenton National Park

Before heading out of Denver we restocked at a super Walmart and went to Camping world to replace a set of two way radios that did not suit our needs. We chose a set of handhelds, one for each vehicle which has been a great way of communicating between ourselves along the way.

We headed out through Empire along state forests to Idaho Springs climbing Berthoud pass to an elevation of 11,353ft. We had lunch at the top of the pass amongst the snow. The roads were extremely busy as it was the beginning of a long weekend. We had a stop over at Hot Sulphur Springs, followed the Elk river to the beautiful snow resort town of Steamboat Springs where we stayed in an RV park overnight. This stay allowed us to catch up on the laundry, and gave the men folk time to install the converter we also purchased at camping world. We now are able to keep our appliances charged.

The following day we travelled in and out of three different states. The area around Craig was lush rural irrigation farmland. We then crossed the Green River and was soon back into Utah. Our lunch stop was just south of Vernal in Red Fleet State Park, right in the heart of Dinosaur Land where evidence of 200 million year old dinosaur tracks remain.

It was a climb once again to the beautiful snow covered peaks of Ashley National Park through to Flaming George Dam which is one of the major hydro schemes in the USA. It was then out of Utah and into Wyoming through Flaming Gorge National Forest for a short drive before pulling up to camp for the night. Went to sleep listening to the patter of rain on our roof and woke to a snow covered vehicle and zero temperature.

Our exit from the campsite the following morning was a little exciting as we were unaware that the track we had taken off road to camp was clay capped.

Our drive through Wyoming was just as we had imagine, across wide open flat plateau plains, ranch properties with horses and cattle and areas of scrub bush. The real old west character. It was then a delightful lunch stop on the banks of the Fockart River before stopping at a “Maverick” shop in Jackson Hole for our coned icecream desert. While in this beautiful town we got some information on Teton and Yellowstone National Parks which was where we were heading to next.

Along this route we spotted our first wild animals, a herd of bison and a few elk. The scenery had changed again to the bends and winds of the snowy mountains . Upon entering Teton National Park at the parks pass booth a lady come running up to Geoff because she had seen Australian Outback on the vehicle. She and her husband had previously lived in Alice Springs for 15 years. We went back to their camp site for a visit but were unable to camp with them as the area was allocated for tents only. We drove a little further on to Signal Camp ground where we enjoyed the comforts of the RV, another home cooked meal and a night of heavy snow falls.

Ranch farming

camp in the Forest

canyons alongside our travel

continental divide pass

geese outside Jackson Visitors Centre

elevation

Flaming Gorge Hydro

Flaming Gorge

Geoff coming out of camp site in 4WD

houses in the rockies

Dinner in the RV

Entering Wyoming

One big irrigation rig

snowing

Steamboat springs

RV in the mud

Lunch Stop along colorado

Roads Out of Denver

Lunch stop

Rural farming land Rockies

Woke to snow covered vehicle

Steamboat RV park

Steineker Dam

Wilkerson Pass

CanyonLand to Denver

A beautiful drive along the Colorado river through a very long canyon onto the interstate where we left Utah and started our travels through Colorado. A stop at Fruita Visitors centre (welcome centre) was worthwhile as we gathered information and viewed live web cam images on road conditions. Our intention was to travel through Aspen but due to heavy snow falls we were unable to get through so took the next best route through the Rocky Mountains bound for Colorado Springs. Our disappointment about not seeing Aspen did not last long as our climb and descent across Tennesse Pass was spectacular.

Our camp in the White River National park was beautiful, looking out our window at the light falls of snow, treasuring the warmth and cosiness of the RV. We awoke, laying under the covers for as long as possible looking out our window at patches of white from a fresh snow fall overnight.

Our journey continued through Leadville, a historical mining town at the “top of the Rockies” that was once home to the silver boom in 1879, through Buena Vista following the Arkansas river then across trout Creek pass and Wilkersons Pass all at an altitude of around 9500 ft.

Crossing the high plains we arrived at the beautiful town of Manitou Springs, famous for the natural mineral spring water located within the town. There are 10 different locations with each having it’s own flavour. It is also home to the 100 year old Cogs railway. We took an afternoon trip on the train to Pikes Peak where the Summit lies at 14110 ft. Due to snow on the summit covering the train line we were only able to reach 12,000 ft.

It was then only a short distance to Palm Springs to “Valley of the Gods National Park”. We drove through the park admiring the rocky outcrops and then went for a short stroll along gateway trail seeing chipmunks, deer and rabbits.

Driving on we arrived at Castle Rock where we spent the night in the RV in a quiet cul-de-sac in front of Geoff’s friend’s home. A lazy morning followed as us ladies enthusiastically waited for the outlet shops to open. Great buys at great prices. It was noted when walking back to our vehicle that the men were carrying more bags, and No! they did not contain ladies items.

After lunch we drove onto Denver to the fabulous Outdoor World Bass Pro store. This store is BIG and stocks every conceivable outdoor supply for the sporting, fishing, hunting, boating, canoeing and camping enthusiast. Everywhere throughout the store there was American taxidermy animals. We had spent hours wondering this amazing store and before we knew it is was 8.30pm and with securities approval the car park became our overnight stop. Before retiring we went to the cinema to see Pirates of the Caribbean in 3D . A movie enjoyed by some.....