Autumn in the Colorado Rockies

I am hoping this wasn't the last camping trip of the season, but as days grow shorter and colder, it won't be long before the snow is flying in most of my favorite high-country, Colorado campgrounds.  However, I was able to squeeze in at least one more with a return visit to Mueller State Park to enjoy the turning of the aspen  and the  beauty that the change of seasons brings.

Labor Day at East Portal

Campsite at East Portal Reservoir Campground (Estes Park)

 Labor Day weekend took us back to Estes Park where we enjoyed a final summer outing at one of the prettiest places in Colorado.     Also, the fresh mountain air provided a brief escape from one of the worst allergy seasons I've ever experienced.  I stopped sneezing as soon as we arrived. (Yay!)

Shrinking the Airstream

It is always fun to learn new tricks.  So just for kicks, the last few days I've been experimenting with a digital imaging technique for "miniaturizing" a photo scene.  It is amazing how easily our brains are fooled by an optical illusion.  I've gone through some old and more recent photos and have tried to miniaturize my camper and a few other things.   Now I am going to see if I can make it work on my bills....

Summer camping at Mueller State Park

From prehistoric, fossilized redwood stumps to picturesque rolling, green landscapes, Mueller State Park is the perfect location for exploring the Pike's Peak, Colorado, region.  We have been anticipating a return trip to the park after visiting earlier in the year when the campground was covered in several inches of snow.  Turns out, it is even more beautiful in the summer time.

Stillwater Campground at Lake Granby, CO

Lake Granby, CO

You know it has been too hot and dry when rain is a welcomed guest on a camping trip.  Like much of the nation, Colorado is in the midst of an  unusually dry and hot season, and any precipitation is appreciated, even if it occurs in the middle of a hike.    Although mostly a sunny and pleasant weekend, we experienced downpours and a lightning storm that cut short our leisurely hike and turned it into an all out sprint to the car for cover.

Airstreaming in Buena Vista, Colorado

Extreme heat along the Front Range of Colorado and forest fires to the north and south gave us extra motivation to hitch up the Airstream Bambi and escape to Buena Vista, Colorado, for a weekend adventure.   This small town in the shadow of the Collegiate Peaks offers a plethora of activities for the outdoor enthusiast, such as fishing, horseback riding, cycling, hiking, and river rafting, to name a few.  Unfortunately there were only so many hours in the day, and we had to pick and choose.  Hoping to head back again soon to try out other activities.

Extended Weekend in Rocky Mountain National Park

We ventured into Rocky Mountain National Park for a 4-night, extended weekend trip at Moraine Park Campground.  Each day we were treated to dramatic skies, sometimes with ominous storm clouds and at other times with views that almost seemed painted.  It was a perfect backdrop for the Airstream.  I am fortunate and thankful to live close to a beautiful National Park with so many opportunities for camping, hiking, and enjoying the outdoors.

Fruita, CO, Car Show

Grills Gone Wild

Last weekend's trip to the Colorado National Monument also afforded a side trip to nearby Fruita, Colorado, for a town festival and car show.  Beautiful automobile restorations were shown off in the town square, and I snapped a few photos of my favorites.

Colorado National Monument

Airstream Camping at Colorado National Monument

It is easy to overuse adjectives when describing the Colorado National Monument: Amazing, Dramatic, Beautiful, Stunning, Serene, Soulful, Sacred.  This unique place is a treat for the eyes and nourishment to the soul.  Red rock canyons transform in color as the sun journeys overhead casting shifting shadows and shapes on the canyon walls.   You can literally dangle your legs over the edge of a cliff while surveying a panorama filled with red spires and gigantic monoliths that almost glow in the sunset - all within a few minutes walk from the Saddlehorn Campground.

Hissing faucet - De-winterizing Lesson Learned

Flushing out the anti-freeze

My kitchen faucet would only hiss and sputter after I flushed, filled, and sanitized the water system after finally de-winterizing a few days ago.   It was puzzling because the bathroom water supply was working normally.  After over an hour or so of fiddling with it - bypassing the hot water tank, connecting city water and also  trying the internal tank and pump, I called it quits for the night.

Spring Camping in Rocky Mountain National Park

View of Horseshoe Park in RMNP

This weekend trip took us to Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) where we camped in the Moraine Park Campground.  The unseasonably warm Spring has afforded some nice camping opportunities in places where snow and mud are sometimes more the norm this time of year. 

Golden Gate Canyon State Park

Reverend's Ridge Campground, site 30

With an unseasonably warm forecast for the next few days, we made Golden Gate Canyon State Park our weekend destination and gave winter camping a second try.   Even though this is one of the closest Colorado state parks to the Denver-Boulder metro area,  it is a great destination for peace and solitude during the Winter; the campground is quiet, and sites are easy to come by.

Our First Winter Trip in an Airstream

Camping in the shadow of Pikes Peak, Colorado

On a whim and with a nice weekend forecast, we packed the camper after work and headed out to Mueller State Park for our first real winter camping experience in an Airstream.   It was about a two and a half hour drive to our destination, so we arrived under starry skies well after dark.   The campground was completely empty.  I began to worry a little about why we were the only people in the entire Denver and Colorado Springs metro areas this weekend that thought camping in the middle of February at 9500 feet was a good idea.

Scouting out Mueller State Park, Colorado

One of the best sites, IMHO.

We checked out Mueller State Park yesterday looking for some potential summer campsites. For anyone visiting or camping in Colorado this year - this is a beautiful state park located 30 miles outside of Colorado Springs. Two thumbs up!