One of the things that has been so nice about this trip is having had the chance to spend some time and relax and enjoy the areas, but we have been "on the go" for some time now, and decided a few days of relaxation were in order. As we near Oregon, there are several resort areas to choose from, but McCall seemed to make the most sense in terms of our route, the desire to see a different area, and to be in Portland mid week, by which time the rains should have ended! Little did we know what the road there would involve! "S" turn after "S" turn following thrashing white water on one side and steep cliffs on the other, with warnings to watch not only for the falling rocks and wildlife, but open range cattle! Cattle?? These must be some sure footed cows! Maybe they are white water rafting! Signs on steep grades advised that more than two cars behind and slow moving vehicles should move over, but the pull out areas were often shallow and short, not necessarily constructed for a 40 foot vehicle with a car in tow that was still able to achieve a fair speed. I was constantly on the watch for a a gathering of my "new best friends" accumulating behind me, in addition to curves, signs, RPM's, speed.......At one point I asked , where the heck is this RV park anyway? Clem responded 50 more miles! WHAT??!! (not exactly what I said!) Thankfully we got through the twists and turns and it leveled and straightened in less than that, but I arrived a bit drained and ready for a glass of wine and a shoulder massage! I immediately called friends Bob and Gail in Portland who had spoken so highly of this place, and told them so. Bob said driving in the car produces the same results for him, so he didn't doubt I needed a stiff one after driving it in this big rig!
It is a beautiful park, with a lodge with indoor pool and hot tub, and lovely cabins, and we sat under the shade of a tree and relaxed and read, sipping our wine while the evening whiled away. The sun sets here at 9:30, and it was still light at 10pm when we called it a night.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Traveling in Idaho
Still Thursday............
Crossing Idaho on a diagonal from the southeast to the northwest, you first encounter the green hillsides, changing to the stark brown dessert, then the black dirt that is actually volcanic material, and then the upheavals, but this time black volcanic crust...lava! The line of volcanoes that are the mountains in the northwest never cease to amaze me. We stayed overnight in Hagerman, famous for its fossil beds, and the park had black cinder where it would normally have been gravel. After the dusty brown park in Green River the night before, it was a pleasure to have trees and grass between camp sights, where we enjoyed sitting out in the breeze. The park offered river trips, but we were just spending the night and moving on.
Crossing Idaho on a diagonal from the southeast to the northwest, you first encounter the green hillsides, changing to the stark brown dessert, then the black dirt that is actually volcanic material, and then the upheavals, but this time black volcanic crust...lava! The line of volcanoes that are the mountains in the northwest never cease to amaze me. We stayed overnight in Hagerman, famous for its fossil beds, and the park had black cinder where it would normally have been gravel. After the dusty brown park in Green River the night before, it was a pleasure to have trees and grass between camp sights, where we enjoyed sitting out in the breeze. The park offered river trips, but we were just spending the night and moving on.
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| Hey, mom.....what are you doing out there?? |
Traveling through Utah
Thursday, June 21
Leaving our campground in Green River, Utah, it wasn't long before we started to see the interesting geological formations caused by the upheaval of the earths crust, that come in such an array of various colors and shapes in this part of the country. The red rock formations, especially in the area of Arches in Utah, the wild formations of the Badlands in South Dakota, and the John Day Fossil beds and Painted Hills in eastern Oregon are standouts! I have flown countless times over the nation, straining to see what comprises those big squares below, imagining the height of mountains and the depth of canyons, but to se it all through the big picture window in front of me is awe inspiring!
In the western part of the US and higher elevations we see highways with gates across them, able to be closed when the snow piles up, and think we would not want to be here then! Wildlife signs start to show an amazing array of different animals besides the deer we are so accustomed to, but the most unique yet was a sign warning of Eagles On the Road! Right after spotting that, a small furry critter sped across the road in front of us, and I watched with anticipation - both that I not hit it, and to see if an Eagle came after! Neither happened, and I was disappointed about the latter!
We came upon a little mining town called Helper that straddled the road with buildings and activities enough to interest me, and I asked Clem to look it up, even though he did not want to stop at the Railroad and Mining Museum. The town is named for the helper engines that no doubt aided the mining endeavor at an elevation of 5817 feet! Unlike many mining towns it was a hub for the railroads and it grew and flourished and surprisingly is still home to over 2000 people. But the fact that I LOVED was that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid stayed overnight there before robbing the coal company in nearby Castle Gate! It is said Butch later returned for occasional visits. A fascinating history of immigration and mining, which I read in its entirety after we stopped for the day, puts it on my list for a stop next time, and no doubt is the reason for its selection in 2006 as Top Western Town by True West Magazine.
Leaving our campground in Green River, Utah, it wasn't long before we started to see the interesting geological formations caused by the upheaval of the earths crust, that come in such an array of various colors and shapes in this part of the country. The red rock formations, especially in the area of Arches in Utah, the wild formations of the Badlands in South Dakota, and the John Day Fossil beds and Painted Hills in eastern Oregon are standouts! I have flown countless times over the nation, straining to see what comprises those big squares below, imagining the height of mountains and the depth of canyons, but to se it all through the big picture window in front of me is awe inspiring!
In the western part of the US and higher elevations we see highways with gates across them, able to be closed when the snow piles up, and think we would not want to be here then! Wildlife signs start to show an amazing array of different animals besides the deer we are so accustomed to, but the most unique yet was a sign warning of Eagles On the Road! Right after spotting that, a small furry critter sped across the road in front of us, and I watched with anticipation - both that I not hit it, and to see if an Eagle came after! Neither happened, and I was disappointed about the latter!
We came upon a little mining town called Helper that straddled the road with buildings and activities enough to interest me, and I asked Clem to look it up, even though he did not want to stop at the Railroad and Mining Museum. The town is named for the helper engines that no doubt aided the mining endeavor at an elevation of 5817 feet! Unlike many mining towns it was a hub for the railroads and it grew and flourished and surprisingly is still home to over 2000 people. But the fact that I LOVED was that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid stayed overnight there before robbing the coal company in nearby Castle Gate! It is said Butch later returned for occasional visits. A fascinating history of immigration and mining, which I read in its entirety after we stopped for the day, puts it on my list for a stop next time, and no doubt is the reason for its selection in 2006 as Top Western Town by True West Magazine.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Holy Cow!
Up this morning to cool, refreshing 55 degrees. Look at forecast for the day.....102!! In fact, the entire 10 day forecast shows temps exceeding 100!!!
We are out of here!!!
Carol
Sent from my iPhone
Green River, Utah
We are out of here!!!
Carol
Sent from my iPhone
Green River, Utah
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Rocky Mountain High.........
The plan last fall was to drive on 70 into Colorado, but early snow in the passes made us change our plans, so I was anxious to do it this time. Despite several people assuring us that we would be ok, Clem was still nervous, and the situation was not aided by the "girl in the dash" constantly telling us to make a right turn on the next exit! I told him to ignore her, and enjoy the scenery, that we knew where we wanted to go, and it was not on Rt. 80! The scenery was spectacular, and it is obvious why they call the mountains the Rockies. We had hoped to stop in Glenwood Springs to see the springs, take a gondola ride, and also to see the grave of Doc Holliday, but the surrounding campgrounds were not very desirable, and Clem simply could not understand why I might want to see the grave, so the decision was made to catch it next time. There are also a couple of old mining towns much like Golden, and a scenic rail trip, so it gives us much to look forward to . And I WILL fit in Doc's grave sight!
We did stop for lunch in Glenwood Canyon, where I posted a photo by cell phone, and found the lovely spot by the Colorado River and the story of how the canyon became a part of the Rt. 70 corridor. They have created an amazing layered system of roadway that had us coming around a bend to see the greenery below as if we were flying in air, and the other lane well below and seemingly disappearing beneath us on the other side! An amazing engineering feat that took two years to complete.
It was neat to pass by the ski areas that we hear so much about, but they took us to nearly 10,000 feet, and the diesel was challenged, as most of the trucks were. A few managed to pass by, and I told Clem I wanted one of those engines! The landscape changed from beautiful mountains and trees to dessert, and occasional outcroppings of the beautiful red rock that is so stunning, until we approached Utah. From there it became pretty flat and open, unlike the area of red rocks we had seen farther south in Arches in the fall. The cool relief we finally experienced in the morning air in Colorado turned to hot, dry and dusty in Utah where we are camped for the night, though as I write this it has cooled.
We are spending the night in the town of Green River, and we went to a museum across the street after setting up, which tells the story of a man named Powell who was the first to map the Green and Colorado Rivers by traveling down them by boat all the way through the Grand Canyon, shooting the rapids in a rowboat! Interesting story of a very dedicated individual. There are 4 hotels in this little town that apparently serve the folks visiting the parks to the south, and those seeking fun on the rivers.
The town is also known for its "world famous" melons!
The campground owner is from Vermont, and the man who led us to our sight is from Connecticut, and I have to wonder why they would leave those verdant places for this hot dusty brown land! The other thing I started to ponder as we had dinner at the local restaurant, is living in a town this small, population 950. I had asked a waitress in a small town in Missouri what she intended to do after college, and she said she would stay. It brought to mind the song my sister Kathy had suggested I sing to Clem in Indiana as we drove through and I was at a loss.....Small Town, by John Mellencamp. I now also remember the guy in the town of 24 who, when I asked why he had moved there said....listen. do you hear that? I don't hear anything, I replied. Exactly, he said. And that is the way I like it!
We did stop for lunch in Glenwood Canyon, where I posted a photo by cell phone, and found the lovely spot by the Colorado River and the story of how the canyon became a part of the Rt. 70 corridor. They have created an amazing layered system of roadway that had us coming around a bend to see the greenery below as if we were flying in air, and the other lane well below and seemingly disappearing beneath us on the other side! An amazing engineering feat that took two years to complete.
It was neat to pass by the ski areas that we hear so much about, but they took us to nearly 10,000 feet, and the diesel was challenged, as most of the trucks were. A few managed to pass by, and I told Clem I wanted one of those engines! The landscape changed from beautiful mountains and trees to dessert, and occasional outcroppings of the beautiful red rock that is so stunning, until we approached Utah. From there it became pretty flat and open, unlike the area of red rocks we had seen farther south in Arches in the fall. The cool relief we finally experienced in the morning air in Colorado turned to hot, dry and dusty in Utah where we are camped for the night, though as I write this it has cooled.
We are spending the night in the town of Green River, and we went to a museum across the street after setting up, which tells the story of a man named Powell who was the first to map the Green and Colorado Rivers by traveling down them by boat all the way through the Grand Canyon, shooting the rapids in a rowboat! Interesting story of a very dedicated individual. There are 4 hotels in this little town that apparently serve the folks visiting the parks to the south, and those seeking fun on the rivers.
The town is also known for its "world famous" melons!
The campground owner is from Vermont, and the man who led us to our sight is from Connecticut, and I have to wonder why they would leave those verdant places for this hot dusty brown land! The other thing I started to ponder as we had dinner at the local restaurant, is living in a town this small, population 950. I had asked a waitress in a small town in Missouri what she intended to do after college, and she said she would stay. It brought to mind the song my sister Kathy had suggested I sing to Clem in Indiana as we drove through and I was at a loss.....Small Town, by John Mellencamp. I now also remember the guy in the town of 24 who, when I asked why he had moved there said....listen. do you hear that? I don't hear anything, I replied. Exactly, he said. And that is the way I like it!
Lunch in Glenwood Canyon
We stopped on the way through the Canyon and found a picnic spot along the water. Folks were taking raft trips, and I was game, but Clem, not surprisingly, said no! Don't know why I ask him these things!! Took a walk along the water before getting back on the road.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Tuesday June 19
Today we returned to Denver, only about 20 minutes drive, to visit the home of Margaret Brown, now known to all as The Unsinkable Molly Brown. Though she was never actually called Molly, and the movie of that name is mostly fictitious, she was no less a fascinating woman, who indeed survived the sinking of the Titanic one hundred years ago. I had no idea that she was a woman ahead of her time, fighting for conservation, aiding the poor, and actually running for office in a time when women could not even vote! The war ended that campaign, but her life after the Titanic was spent in helping and paying honor to those who lived and perished that day. Her home, one of wealth and privilege, her husband having made millions in mining, was as beautiful and charismatic as was the woman.
The debate of the day then remained, Art Museum or Coors Brewery tour! Clem has been affected by the altitude and his allergies, and I succumbed to the latter. Bad choice! Rather boring, NOT cool, as we had anticipated, and in fact, pretty warm in certain areas, and a docent who finished every single sentence with that sliding scale upwards of her voice that some people seem to posses that drove me to distraction! A cool beer at the end was at least reward for Clem.
The town of Golden where the brewery is located is charming, and we had gone in for dinner last night with David and Susan, and I would have liked to walk the streets with the stores open, but it was just too darned hot!! We decided to call it a day and return to AC and prepare for the road tomorrow.
Denver is a rather small and manageable city, and we will definitely return again next year and do the Art Museum, and see some of the historic as well as modern buildings and interesting public art when hopefully it will be cool enough to walk around. The heat is just so draining, even with the lack of humidity. One man on the brewery tour commented that he didn't think it was so bad! I asked where he was from, to which he replied Kansas. Ah!!!!
Exploring Denver
Monday, June 18. First just let me say that, while it is a DRY heat, 98 degrees is still hot!! Our second record breaking day in a row!
Our friends Susan and David from Florida are spending the summer just south of Denver, and they met us yesterday for some exploring, which we decided was best done at indoor attractions. But we stopped first at the nearby Red Rock Amphitheater and Park, a performing arts center carved out of the red rock formations, which was amazing. We were disappointed that only hard rock bands.......not our cup of tea........are performing here right now, or we would have attended a show. The visitor center showed an amazing array of performers dating back to 1901, the names of whom are legendary. The area also serves as a great spot for locals to get fit, running up and down the stairs, doing pushups on the flat areas, and sit ups in the seats, and there were tons of folks doing just that! Definitely worth a visit just to see this venue, even if you don't attend a concert.
Our next stop was Denver, and the Forney Transportation Museum, which turned out to be even better than we had hoped. A big draw for Clem was a gigantic train, the largest ever in fact, called the Big Boy, and it was amazing. David was amazed at the size of the wheels.....Clem explained to us that it is in fact the number of wheels that makes it so incredible. Far more than your average gigantic steam engine! Cars from Model T's era, Amelia Earhart's car, a really long old car with double rear axle that I can only describe as a stretch limo but from the 20's, an amphibian, cars from the 60's with the fins......all too cool! Plus bicycles and motorcycles, including something like 50 Indian Motorcycles. We all had fun viewing, as well as getting into the ones where we were encouraged to do so. The train dining car was especially neat, and we all decided we would splurge and have the expensive steak dinner complete with all the trimmings and dessert for $3.50!
After the museum we went to the 16th Street Mall to experience that area, and have a bite before heading to the Capital Building. Made of native Gunnison granite and sporting a beautiful 24 K gold leaf dome, it dominates the skyline. The inside was stunning, with wainscoting made of Rose Onyx found nearby, whose coloration has never been found anyplace else in the world. Marble floors came from Marble, CO, even though shipping it from Italy would have been less expensive. There was gleaming brass, bronze and stained glass everywhere. You can see the houses, and visit all the floors and marvel at the workmanship in every detail, but of special interest was the attic, where you could see into the dome, and learn of the process of applying the gold leaf which is burnished on with cotton balls! I cannot imagine! Especially if they have to work in this heat, which many are doing right now, as the building is under a two year renovation! Gorgeous building , very interesting, and well worth the visit.
Our friends Susan and David from Florida are spending the summer just south of Denver, and they met us yesterday for some exploring, which we decided was best done at indoor attractions. But we stopped first at the nearby Red Rock Amphitheater and Park, a performing arts center carved out of the red rock formations, which was amazing. We were disappointed that only hard rock bands.......not our cup of tea........are performing here right now, or we would have attended a show. The visitor center showed an amazing array of performers dating back to 1901, the names of whom are legendary. The area also serves as a great spot for locals to get fit, running up and down the stairs, doing pushups on the flat areas, and sit ups in the seats, and there were tons of folks doing just that! Definitely worth a visit just to see this venue, even if you don't attend a concert.
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| Amelia Earhart's car |
Our next stop was Denver, and the Forney Transportation Museum, which turned out to be even better than we had hoped. A big draw for Clem was a gigantic train, the largest ever in fact, called the Big Boy, and it was amazing. David was amazed at the size of the wheels.....Clem explained to us that it is in fact the number of wheels that makes it so incredible. Far more than your average gigantic steam engine! Cars from Model T's era, Amelia Earhart's car, a really long old car with double rear axle that I can only describe as a stretch limo but from the 20's, an amphibian, cars from the 60's with the fins......all too cool! Plus bicycles and motorcycles, including something like 50 Indian Motorcycles. We all had fun viewing, as well as getting into the ones where we were encouraged to do so. The train dining car was especially neat, and we all decided we would splurge and have the expensive steak dinner complete with all the trimmings and dessert for $3.50!
After the museum we went to the 16th Street Mall to experience that area, and have a bite before heading to the Capital Building. Made of native Gunnison granite and sporting a beautiful 24 K gold leaf dome, it dominates the skyline. The inside was stunning, with wainscoting made of Rose Onyx found nearby, whose coloration has never been found anyplace else in the world. Marble floors came from Marble, CO, even though shipping it from Italy would have been less expensive. There was gleaming brass, bronze and stained glass everywhere. You can see the houses, and visit all the floors and marvel at the workmanship in every detail, but of special interest was the attic, where you could see into the dome, and learn of the process of applying the gold leaf which is burnished on with cotton balls! I cannot imagine! Especially if they have to work in this heat, which many are doing right now, as the building is under a two year renovation! Gorgeous building , very interesting, and well worth the visit.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Interesting neighbors in park
We went for a stroll last night after the sun set and the air cooled to a reasonable temperature, and happened upon two rental motorhomes. Since that is how we started, we look at them with great interest, and their inhabitants were also out enjoying the evening, so we struck up a conversation. One couple was from Germany, and a bit challenged with the language, but he told us it was their fourth trip to the US, each time doing a different section. This time was the Northwest, and they had been to Seattle and back, and were turning in the RV in the AM to fly back home.
The one right next to them, oddly, was another rental, and they were from Holland! I remarked that their neighbors were from Germany, upon which he said I know, with a big smile and wide hand gestures! Since his English was very good, I offered that we had been to both of their countries, and he asked which I liked best. Holland, of course, I replied! It was their first trip to the US, and they had done the Dakotas and Colorado, and would be headed back soon. We chatted a while about different areas, and he said that in their country too, people don't see what is near, but travel. He lived right next door to a museum, but never visited it until he married and moved away, and then came back and visited! Another gentleman stopped to chat who was from upstate NY, and recognized Clem's accent and remarked, and the woman from Holland said they do not hear our accents, and her husband laughed and said, people tell us we have an accent! Lovely couple and fun chat! One of the neat things about traveling this way.....folks are usually friendly and ready to chat. I mentioned this to Tammy, my niece, and she said, that's because they are happy!! Good observation!!
The one right next to them, oddly, was another rental, and they were from Holland! I remarked that their neighbors were from Germany, upon which he said I know, with a big smile and wide hand gestures! Since his English was very good, I offered that we had been to both of their countries, and he asked which I liked best. Holland, of course, I replied! It was their first trip to the US, and they had done the Dakotas and Colorado, and would be headed back soon. We chatted a while about different areas, and he said that in their country too, people don't see what is near, but travel. He lived right next door to a museum, but never visited it until he married and moved away, and then came back and visited! Another gentleman stopped to chat who was from upstate NY, and recognized Clem's accent and remarked, and the woman from Holland said they do not hear our accents, and her husband laughed and said, people tell us we have an accent! Lovely couple and fun chat! One of the neat things about traveling this way.....folks are usually friendly and ready to chat. I mentioned this to Tammy, my niece, and she said, that's because they are happy!! Good observation!!
Sunday, June 17, 2012
A Very Hot Fathers' Day!
The trip up the mountain was a series of sharp hairpin turns for miles, which afforded a fantastic view of the flatlands and mountains, and unfortunately some white knuckled driving for Clem! In addition to the narrow , winding road, there was a cycling event which caused him to have to make way for them when the road coming down became blind, and often turned up an unexpected cyclist barreling down the middle! Fortunately by the time we made our return trip, most of them had finished.....and I drove down!
It included a very unusual train, called Galloping Goose, of which only 7 were ever made. Composed of a truck or bus cab attached to train wheels, they were able to be operated by just one person, as opposed to the steam engines which required 5 men to operate, and they carried goods and mail, and eventually people, before being retired due to lack of business. There were 6 of the 7 here for a once in a lifetime special event, and we were fortunate enough to hit the day!
Unfortunately it also turned out to be a record breaking hot day, topping out at 98 degrees, and we were dragging by the time we were finished here, and headed back to the motorhome for a cold drink and some AC! Tomorrow is expected to be hot again, so our adventures will be indoors!
The Colorado chapter of the Scrufari family
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