Our new location - Carbondale, CO

Today we became official Host Campers at the Gateway RV Park in Carbondale.  The campground was purchased by the city as part of a land and boat launch preservation project and River Walk development project. At 20 spots and 5-10 tent area's it is a small campground but as camp host we enjoy no fee's for full hookup's and Wifi in return for meeting and helping any new campers that come in.

We are within a 5 minute bike ride to Bill's apartment and 10-15 minutes to downtown Carbondale. Downtown is very similar to Ann Arbor although the population here is approximately 7,000. About the size of Saline when we first moved there in the early 90's.
We will be here at least through mid-June maybe longer.






The campground and adjoining boat launch was purchased for 2.5 million. The boat launch was the primary purpose for the purchase because of a lease that was owned by a individual that was reducing access to the launch which is one of the busiest boat launches in Colorado to the river. The campground is going through renovation with a laundry area being adding during the summer.
















In a couple of years this is going to be a very nice spot and convenient to a lot of areas for biking (trails come right to the part), rafting, fly fishing, hiking and more.

Playing in the dog park at Carbondale...

Chewie and Daisy played for over two hours although Daisy did most the chasing. The dog park is the size of a small dairy pasture with a small pond that Daisy couldn't stay out of!. Chewie got her feet wet but never made it in all the way.

Chewie liked the cattle in the field next to us and the other dogs running around. She was definitely tired out at the end although Daisy was still running strong.

Stay where you're at!

Ready, set, go!

Tonight we are going to the film festival that is being hosted at the Rec Center. Should be alot of fun.

Schedule change and new addition

Last night Bill got a new dog! Daisy is a 1 year old lab mix that he got from a local family. Unfortunately, the family had members with allergies and after trying not to get rid of daisy they finally decided they had too. Kathy and Bill saw her early this week and Bill and I went and picked her up last night around 8.

This was the only shot where she was still!

She is a great dog, but very confused right now having her world turned upside down. I guess Bill got limited sleep last night :)













Delayed maybe?

This weekend we move from Glenwood Springs (12 miles northwest of Carbondale) to the city owned campground in Carbondale. This is their first year of operating the campground and they really don't have much insight into how to run it or what expecations are of RV'rs.

We were asked today if we would be hosts for a while and help get things setup and running. We have tentatively accepted at least for the month of May. Yup, we'll be delaying our departure at least two weeks, maybe more if we like it. There is a lot to do here outdoors and helping with the campground startup sounds interesting and fun.

We have some meetings at the rec center with Bill's boss to discuss what they can do. The campground is limited with 14 sites, no office, limited lighting and none of the typical ammenities on site other than showers and bathrooms. There is free Wifi though and full hookups !

It will be nice to be within walking distance of Bill's apartment, stores and trails.

We will keep everyone updated.

Red Hill Trail

Mount Sopris in the distance with Carbondale in the valley

This is a nice hiking trail with a moderate incline of about 800 feet over 1.2 miles. All "red" dirt. Plan to share the trail with mountain bikers and runners. Many beautiful sites. There are three trail systems, easy, moderate and advanced. We took the moderate trail. We talked about doing this trail a couple of times a week for excersie.

Lot's of red dirt. You'll have red shoes at the end.

Amost to the top!

Bill's new office:

The Carbondale Rec Center is a really nice facility. It is one of the "greenest" rec centers in the country with the majority of its power coming from solar panel array's on the roof.

We checked out the pool, and the skate park as well as the Rugby team Bill is going to join on Saturday. The staff at the rec center are all great.  There are a ton of activities going on. Like Michigan the outdoor pool doesn't open until Memorial day and Bill and his staff are busy getting ready for the opening. Pool cover and cleaning starts this week.

We are in Glenwood Springs, CO

We arrived in Glenwood Springs Wednesday afternoon at Ami's Acres Campground. Campgrounds in this area surprisingly are no where near what we are accustomed to. Of the 3-4 campgrounds within 20 miles none offer ammenities like laundry, LP,  Dog area or a small store. They are all kept up somewhat, but not the best. Long trains are common on a regular schedule.

At Ami's Acres because it is located in a mountain pass and I-70 is next to it, highway traffic noise is fairly constant and echo's off the mountain sides. The staff here is very nice and helpful.

All the campgrounds seem fairly small too....14-30 sites and because of the lack of rain and snow there are fire bans in place everywhere. We will be here until May 2nd then we move to River Park RV Campground (owned by the City of Carbondale and operated by the Rec Center). It's about a 5 minute walk to Bill's apartment and 15-20 minute walk to downtown Carbondale. May 1st seems to be the "approximate" opening date for campgrounds depending on the weather.

Its not a large campground with 14 sites and again, no ammenities. This is the cities first full year of operating the campground and no one basically has a clue how to do it. Should be interesting.

With the exception of Ami's Acres which is about 15 miles west of Carbondale, rates are high for what you get. The two campgrounds in Carbondale are $240 a week or $840 a month. There is a third RV Resort which is nicer but much further away from Carbondale (closer to Aspen) which is $64.00 a night. But hey, they have a laundry room and LP on site.

In comparison Ami's Acres is $150 a week but futher away from Carbondale and Aspen which lowers the price. It also helps that they were open April 1st.

We are about a month early for everything. Next time I think we'll wait until mid April to leave.

Overall it is a beautiful area with Sopris Mountain standing out with snow covered peaks and Aspen in the distance. Today (Saturday) we are going to a Rugby game with Bill and then to Aspen. Last night we walked around Carbondale which is a nice small town about the size of downtown Milan, MI. It has the feel of downtown Ann Arbor and a lot of old and young hippies :). It sort of reminds me of Alaska in that you could "fall off the grid" here never to be bothered again. Carbondale was also rated as one of the most "fit" cities in the US with the average age being in the 30's.

Ami's Acres

Another view from our site.

We are HERE:
Clear skies, 65-75, low 50's at night

A little late on the updates!

While still in Richfield we went to Fremont Indian State Park and Museum where the largest collection of Indian rock art can be seen. There are many paths through the park where you can view the rock art as well as a museum that explains what is known about the Fremont Indians. In approx 900 AD the Fremonts lived in the area and very little is known about them. During excavation of I-70 a complete Fremont village was found which had approx 200-300 people. Up until that point, historians thought the Fremonts were a very loose community with not much structure.

It's amazing that so many of these images are still on these rocks.

Art in the center

Zoom in on the center rock

Not all paths are level :)

Richfield Utah KOA

This is very nice campground. Too bad we still didn't have our ATV's. Trails start right at the campground. The sites are very level, packed gravel with well manicured lawns at each site. From almost any direction you can see mountain ranges.

We went into Richfield this evening....one main street but fairly big. Snow University is the towns claim to fame with emphasis on Psychology and a collation with Julliard. One thing that stood out. In Wilmington, NC there was at least one bar on every corner. In Richfield we did not see one bar. I expect the Mormon influence. Image a college town with no bars.

We ate Chinese out tonight at "South China" which was a good meal and would recommend it if you are in the area. Prices are reasonable.

Not much else exciting in the area. The usual Home Depot, Super K-Mart, Walmart, every fast food and a Fly J truck stop.

Snow covered mountains

"Utah" a new addition to our map

On our way to Richfield, UT

Ahhh....leaving the snow behind. Now I know why we decided to stay south where it is warm. It's bad enough scraping the truck off but the 5th wheel is a little more challenging.

We arrived in Richfield around 5 MDT and will be here until Wednesday.

We are here now:

55 degrees. This week mid-60's.



Pictures say a thousand words.......
Saturday morning in Flagstaff. 28 degree's and up to 8" of snow today :)

A view out our back window

It could be worst...we could be the 20+ tent campers from a University in California!

3:00 pm Update

About 8 inches and growing. It has been snowing ALL day. May have to spend a few extra day's here until the weather improves.

The Grand Canyon -

What a unbelievable place. This is our 2nd time coming and it is still like it was the first. The only difference now and last time is part of the park is restricted for driving, but just a small portion from the Visitor center to Hermits Rest. Buses run every 15 minutes and there are plenty to catch to get anywhere you want. There is more than ample parking for RV's. Lots of restaurants, gift shops but still plenty of natural walkways where you can go right out on the edge.


We looked the entire length of the area for the trail we hiked last time we were there but could not find it. Not sure if it is still used or the new updates and buildings concealed it.





From Flagstaff the canyon is 77 miles north. Its about an hour and a half drive. Next time I think we will stay at trailer village at the canyon.





The Colorado River in the middle

It was nice this time of year because crowds were small and it was easy to get around. We are glad we went Thursday. It was supposed to snow at the Canyon today and in Flagstaff in the next 36 hours we are suppose to get 5-8 inches. What a switch from Tucson!!!

Still a little dare devil left!

Sunset Crater Volcano

This is another National Park area that is close to Flagstaff, 12 miles north and pretty neat to see.
It has a nice walk around and a lot of information.

Unfortunately today it was 39 degree's, 20-30 mph wind and sleet.  Not the greatest day to go on a 1 mile walk :) Although it was cool looking when the clouds lifted and there was snow on the peaks.

Walnut Canyon -   Cliff Dwellers

This is a great National Park that is about 15 minutes from the KOA campground in Flagstaff. There is plenty of room for RV's and 5th wheel parking. We walked the Island Tour which is about a mile and requires a 185 foot decent and return. It's pretty cool to see the dwellings that are still present. The dwellers lived there around 1125. The canyon area is beautiful. We also had the opportunity to see an eagle flying the thermals.

It's definitely a place to go see if you are in the area. Thursday we are going to spend all day at the Grand Canyon and at some point this week plan a trip to Sedona.

Flagstaff - much cooler.....

We arrived in Flagstaff Sunday afternoon. Much cooler than Tucson with highs in the upper 50's to mid 60's and lows in the mid 20's to low 30's. Today is a relax day nothing planned. We went to historic downtown Flagstaff and to the visitor's center. Looks like Wednesday we'll spend the day at the Grand Canyon.

The KOA in Flagstaff is very nice and what you would envision for a mountain type campground area. There are over 200 sites here for both RV's and tents. Lots and lots of hiking trails, biking trails. Many of the tours will pick you up right at the campground. Its also very close to a Safeway grocery store and the Flagstaff mall.

This is definitely on the radar for next year to spend maybe 3-4 weeks here. There is so much to do.

Approaching Flagstaff from the south

Flagstaff KOA

We are here:

Flagstaff 4/8 - 4/15
High's 60's
Low's mid 20's

Richfield, UT is our next stop on 4/15. We changed some, because Moab, UT (our original plan) has too many steep grades with 2 at 11%. The trip to Richfield has 6% and 7% as you can see by the RED route.

Not too much happening....

It has been a relatively quiet week going to my parents each night. Yesterday we went to the "The Mini-Time Machine" Museum of Miniatures. It was a pretty cool place with most of the exhibits at 1/12 size with unbelievable detail. Unfortunately, no pictures are allow.

The museum is downtown Tucson and relatively cheap at $9.00. It's open from 9 a.m .- 4 p.m.

Sunday we leave for Flagstaff where it has been in the upper 50's and mid to low 20's at night...burrrrrrrrr

Tonight we drove to Tubac, Az about 50 minutes south of the campsite and met Crystal Sabol for dinner at "The Italian Pheasant". A great meal and a very good price.

On the way back we snapped this just before sunset

In Tucson and its not 90 degree's!

Arrived in Tucson yesterday around 1 MST. Arizona does not observe daylight savings time so it is 3 hours behind eastern time.  We will be here a week and have plans with my parents just about every night but Wednesday. Wednesday we will be meeting Crystal Sabol for dinner. She used to live in Dearborn but now is in Arizona.

We are staying at the Lazydays campground in Tucson. A really nice place and connected to Lazydays RV sales as well as Campingworld. Hmm...this could be trouble!!!

More to come...

Picture of the "folks"

We are here:
Tucson, AZ
Cool this week...high's in the 70's today warming to the 80's later in the week.