Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak

Colorado Springs –  we decided to stay at the Garden of the Gods RV resort because it looked like it could handle us and it was fairly convenient. I had no idea why it had that name but soon found out that there was a wonderful park within a long walking distance that was so named. There were beautiful rock formations and a terrific set of walking paths.  The real highlight of this area was pikes Peak. It is called America's mountain because in 1893 Katherine Lee Bates viewed the land from the summit at 14,000 feet. She was inspired to write America the Beautiful from this view.   Pikes Peak is the highest summit on the front range of the Rockies. For a mere $12 each you can drive to the summit, which of course we did. It was very interesting, so beautiful it really is difficult to describe. On a perfectly clear day you can see to Kansas.   We will leave here on May 27 and head to Estes Park Colorado, near the entrance to the Rocky Mountain National Park. Happy Memorial Day!

Road looks like it will disappear!

Behind u

Cog Railroad departing Summit

Looking back at the ski area

We made it!

Colorado

After journeying through Green River Utah and a brief stop in Grand Junction Colorado, for some warranty work on our engine, we headed to Montrose Colorado. I did not realize there was a national park located near there,  Black Canyon of the Gunnison. It was made a National Park in 1993 and it is a stop that should not be missed. I am posting some photos of the beautiful black canyons. We also  wanted to check out Cimarron, with many of the wild West movies were made, as well as Owl Creek Pass. Owl Creek Pass is at about 10,000 feet and was the site of some John Wayne movies. We headed off in the jeep, packing our lunch and looking for adventure. We made it almost to the top of the pass when we ran into significant snow. We got through the first snowbank twisting and turning and going back-and-forth, but when we got to the second snow barrier and the road had narrowed Les made the decision to turn around.  We did connect with Kynlee (happy 2nd birthday) and Lyla via FaceTime from here!

Black Canyon

Back up!

View from Owl Creek Pass 

We then headed to our destination of Canon City, Colorado. We had to cross the Monarch Pass and of course ran into snow and ice. It was a little sketchy with the RV and a tow vehicle and winding mountain roads, but you know Les never stops for anything! Unfortunately when we arrived at Royal Gorge the weather was very cloudy and cold so there was no point in driving to one of the places we wanted to go, Cripple creek. We did end up viewing the Royal Gorge Bridge, one of the largest suspension bridges in the world. It was nice, but we did not pay $25 each to walk across it, and I was fine with that because I do not like heights.

Monarch Pass

Royal Gorge Suspension Bridge

Lake Havasu, AZ, San Diego, CA, Las Vegas, NV, Bryce Canyon National Park, UT

Happy May!  My friend Janet reminded me that she couldn't go any further than Deadhorse because I hadn't posted for a month!  That was just the impetus that I needed to get back on track.  We left Deadhorse and went directly to Lake Havasu State Park in LH, Arizona.  Again another recommendation from Ron and Alison and they were right on the money with how neat this one was. We had a great site only a stone's throw from the Lake and although there were a couple of days with very high winds we had great weather and managed to put on the sneakers and get to walking!

First photo is pano of Les overlooking a tiny piece of Lake Havasu.  

This is the original London Bridge relocated and reconstructed in Lake Havasu.

Replica of Hatteras Lighthouse, one of many recreations here in Havasu.

We then meandered down through Yuma, Quartzsite and over to Santee Lakes outside of San Diego.  We stayed at the Santee Lakes State Recreation Park and this was also a winner!  This park even had full hookups, unlike most SP that have only water and electric.  We will definitely stay here again when we visit brother-in-law Bill.  Speaking of Bill we had another fantastic visit with him and he even secured us tickets to the Padres/Pirates baseball game one night.  It was so much fun and perfect weather.  Of course Les was all into the food! We must have brought the Padres some luck as they sounded defeated the Pirates (sorry J-Rod) that night.  I had been anxious to try our Bill's newly renovated kitchen and new appliances and I was not disappointed, beautiful job with the design and layout and love the natural gas for cooking!  We had chicken, corned beef, tri-tips (Bill cooked this meal) and finished our last night with a Turkey Dinner.  We will be making this stop each and every time we are close to California!

Panorama of Petco Park

And who doesn't like a little slot machine action once in a while?  Nobody I know!!  We headed to Vegas and as a bonus our friend Yvonne was flying in to meet her daughter and friends for a girls weekend!  We had a chance to spend a little time with them and enjoyed seeing them, although we did miss Richard!  You know that Les' nickname is "Lucky Les" and he was, again!  If I hear that "goldfish" song one more time I'm gonna scream!  No photos!  You know the saying, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!

We ended up staying in Vegas longer than we had anticipated because we needed some warranty work done on the Coach and had to wait for a part so we skipped a planned stop in Hatch, UT and came directly to Bryce Canyon where I write this epistle...and although the reader will not know her we lost a good friend M&M recently and wanted her to know that we blew her a kiss from the Hoodoos!

Posting some glorious photos.  We hiked down to Queen's Lace trail this morning and at almost 9000 ft. above sea level, puffed like a steam engine all the way back up!  Tomorrow he plans to do the loop trail which is about 1 mile longer and 400 vertical feet lower.  Apparently he plans to cash in on my life insurance!  Ciao for now!