Things didn't go as planned today. I originally planned to head towards Estes Park, Co, to check out the Rocky Mountain National Park. But that was a little longer run than I had hoped for, and also I had read something about gradually acclimating to altitude. So I routed through Colorado Springs, instead, intending to go west a while to a Mueller State Park. When I got to CS, I called Mueller, and they were FULL (and this at noon). So I saw on the map that there were a number of private campgrounds, so I just went ahead up highway 24 west.
But, each one that I stopped at was full, as were the motels I tried. When I got to the town of Divide, a lady advised me to head south to Cripple Creek, where I would find lots of campgrounds and motels. Opposite direction than I wanted to go, but...
The 20+ mile drive was like the Pig Trail, but with ups and downs two or three times the PT's. Incredible views, as there had been on the highway 24 earlier, but when everybody is whizzing by at 65, there's not a lot of time to rubberneck. But on this little road, I could look around a little, and enjoyed the drive a lot.
Found a KOA campground and got settled. Nice spot, no one else in sight. I unpacked and saw my first Aspen trees up close, even took a picture.
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| Rick's first Aspen trees |
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| Campsite 3, tent behind me |
Felt a little blue last night, as things weren't going as planned. But in the atlas my neighbor Mike had loaned me, he had marked the best routes in blue. And the southern route through Colorado, which I hadn't planned to take, had a large stretch that began just an hour and a half from where I was. So I dropped my boot to the ground and kicked my plans around in a sharp turn. In the morning I would head south instead of north.
Night became cool, 50 when I awoke. I won't say I am getting used to spectacular views, but there was another one just fifty feet from my campsite. I got an early start, and was on the road by 9.
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| View out the tent as I shiveringly pulled on sweats |
For the last three hours I have been driving along the most incredible road I have ever driven. But you're going to have to wait till tomorrow to hear about that, as I am only about halfway to today's goal, and I want to put on some more miles. I type from Gunnison, Co, and hope to reach the million dollar highway today.
Don't know if you reached gunnison co yet, but so glad you are going that route. Del mentioned to you that the Black Canyon of Gunneson Natl Park is absolutely spectacular. I've never been there but he loved that whole drive. Sometimes one has to be flexible with plans. Sometimes it all works out for the better. Keep posting.
ReplyDeleteYes Kay is right, plans are only a starting point to live ones life; the inertia that shows us new doors to the unknown. Yes good plans are meant to be expanded upon.
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