Sunday morning we left the Gunsmoke RV Park and headed west
again. The plan was 300 miles through
western Kansas and eastern Colorado to a well-reviewed state park outside
Walsenburg, CO. We were slightly delayed
wrestling with the tow bar and Toad once again, but prevailed and, for a
change, things went pretty much according to plan. Those parts of Kansas and Colorado have the
advantage of being populated mostly by cattle rather than cars, the highways
were good through the plains and we arrived in late afternoon at Lathrop State
Park.
Sunset from our site at Lathrop State Park |
I’m a big fan of Wisconsin State Parks, but Lathrop S.P.
gives Wisconsin parks something to aspire to.
The roads through the park were well-paved and twisty enough to give every
site privacy. Every site had newish picnic table and fire ring. Every site was pull-thru, a big plus for us
weenies who hate to back up, and every site had a view. There were clean, spacious,
handicap-accessible restrooms and showers readily available but not obtrusively
placed. It is a gem and
inexpensive. Lots of birding, fishing
and even a golf course. Definitely a
place we’ll stay again if we’re in the neighborhood.
Git! |
Monday was on to Durango, CO., where our friend Jen lives
and our stop for at least 3 nights. We
hadn’t disconnected Toad so there were no connection issues and we dumped
successfully (you knew I had to tell you that) as we left the park and head
west across the high plains. Our route
would take us across the Sangre de Cristo and southern Rocky Mountains. Lathrop State Park was about 3200 ft. above
sea level and we climbed steadily as we drove west. Chuck was up to the challenge, his big 360 hp
Cummins diesel engine keeping us moving.
Sometimes size does matter. The
scenery went from nice, to beautiful to incredible. Leaves are changing here and the colors are
brilliant. Wildlife appeared including
magpies, turkeys and a pika. At one
point a mule deer doe appeared on the side of the highway, threatening to dash
in front of us. I can’t comprehend the
chaos hitting a deer with Chuck would cause.
A short blast from the dual Hadley air horns on our roof convinced her
to move back into the woods.
We crested the Rockies at 10,856 ft. above sea level at Wolf
Creek Pass and started downhill. Now, I’ve
driven mountains before, and seen the signs warning big trucks about grades and
gears and runaway lanes before, but this time, it was meant for us! Yes, the warning sign said, “7% grade, trucks
over 30,000 lbs use low gear, truck speed limit 25 mph” And then, just a bit further on, “Runaway
Truck Lane, ¼ Mile”. Chuck weighs about
32,000 lbs, has a truck engine and a truck chassis, ergo, we were in a truck
pointed downhill and away we went. I’ll
spare you the details of downshifting and exhaust braking, not to mention the intermittent
thunder storms that accompanied us over the mountain and am happy to report
that we made it to Durango safely. We
are now comfortably settled in the AlpenRose RV Park, fat and happy with 50 amp
electrical service, good water hookup and amazing scenery.
More about Durango next time.
I can remember years ago, crossing the Rockies in my 1975 VW Super Beatle, coming down the west side in the far right lane, hearing an air horn and looking in my rear view mirror to see a grill that siad "Peterbuilt". I quickly moved to the left and a large semi flew by me and continued down the mountain.
ReplyDeleteYikes, that would be frightening. It was very sobering to feel how quickly the rig picked up speed and how much effort it took to keep it under control. I have a very healthy respect now for the mtns and the people who drive them all the time.
ReplyDeleteKatie,
ReplyDeleteEnjoy reading your blog. I took that trip through Colorado several times back in the 60's when I lived in Arizona. Lovely, lovely country!
By the way, I go by your house everyday. All looks fine there.
ReplyDeleteSafe trip home you two.
ReplyDelete