tshelfer
0
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2009
- Messages
- 13,467
- Reaction score
- 2,822
- Location
- Centennial, CO
- First Name
- Tim
- Last Name
- Shelfer
Wifey & I just got back from 2 weeks camping in Colorado. No bike involved, but the scenery is equally beautiful with a Jeep & trailer. My kids, who now live in the Denver area, were nice enough to come down & stay in our house to look after my mother so that we could leave.
The trip started with a bang – literally. Before we were even out of town on Sunday morning, we found ourselves in creeping traffic while merging from Loop 820 to I-35W North. When I glanced back to check the oncoming traffic (and there was none), the truck in front of me inexplicably picked that moment to stop suddenly. A 10-mph hit can be a show stopper, but the Jeep survived it with no damage other than Ugly-Bumper-Syndrome.
2017-0604 - Colorado (86) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
At the other end, the shock did a number on my hitch. The shank and 2” ball were mangled and had to be replaced, in a parking lot, with parts from a handy Walmart.
2017-0604 - Colorado (phone pix) (2) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
The receiver on the Jeep was slightly bent, too. I’ll replace it this fall. But for now, we were determined to get on with our trip.
Sunday night was at our favorite Super 8 in Raton. Always clean, always reasonably priced. The last couple of times I’ve been through, I’ve spotted this strange looking fellow on a homemade contraption. Essentially, it is two bicycles put together on a homemade frame, and powered by (I think) a lawnmower engine. This year, I managed to catch a picture of his rig, parked at McDonald’s. I noticed that he's grown a trailer since last year.
2017-0604 - Colorado (phone pix) (3) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
Moving on down the road, we camped Monday at a favorite hideaway spot – a nearly unknown NF campground south of Saguache, and some 15 miles off pavement. This is the view of the valley from our front porch.
2017-0604 - Colorado (5) - Copy by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
We love it because it is beautiful, peaceful, and blissfully empty.
2017-0604 - Colorado (20) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
The place was alive with songbirds. But they didn’t cooperate with my camera, so I had to settle for a picture of this fellow.
2017-0604 - Colorado (7) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
Lots of wildflowers in the campground, and along the road. Here are a few samples. Feel free to correct me if I misidentify one.
Dandelion bloom.
2017-0604 - Colorado (10) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
Dandelion (which happens to be the official symbol of the Military Overseas Brat, of which I’m one).
2017-0604 - Colorado (9) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
Wild Iris.
2017-0604 - Colorado (12) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
Wild Mustard.
2017-0604 - Colorado (57) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
Butter & Eggs. I’ve usually seen these in yellow/white. This is solid yellow, but as best I can tell from Rocky Mountain flower sources, it is just a variant.
2017-0604 - Colorado (55) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
Out for a days’s drive. If you recognize this landmark, you know where we were camping.
2017-0604 - Colorado (24) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
There are several abandoned ranch houses or line shacks along the way.
2017-0604 - Colorado (25) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
2017-0604 - Colorado (27) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
We encountered this trading post in Saguache. Outside, they have an impressive collection of old military vehicles from Jeeps to 1-tons. Calling M38A1, please. Scott, I thought of you when we spotted the Jeep line.
2017-0604 - Colorado (31) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
2017-0604 - Colorado (33) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
2017-0604 - Colorado (38) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
Inside, there are uniforms and other military collectibles. As far as I can tell, everything is for sale or trade.
2017-0604 - Colorado (46) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
2017-0604 - Colorado (45) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
2017-0604 - Colorado (43) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
The owner gave me a free tour, knowing full well I wasn’t going to spend a dime. So I promised I’d plug his business. He’s a military retiree, and he opened this place maybe 5 years ago. Seems to be doing fine.
20170618_195655 - card by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
On the way back to camp, we picnicked in this meadow. Sadie, the wonder Brittany, guarded the Jeep against marauding chipmunks.
2017-0604 - Colorado (50) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
We ate lunch, dangling our feet in this stream, watching 3” baby trout fighting their way up current.
2017-0604 - Colorado (49) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
The southern approach to the road passes through this landmark, which is identified on NF maps as “Hellsgate.”
2017-0604 - Colorado (71) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
Another Jeep drive took us up this road. Beautiful sights along the way.
2017-0604 - Colorado (68) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
2017-0604 - Colorado (66) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
We spent the weekend camping at our kids’ house in Centennial. Showers, hot water, & a real bed. On Monday, we headed up to the Cache la Poudre River area along Hwy 14, northwest of Ft Collins. We spent a few nights in the Dutch George NF campground, listening to the roar of the Poudre River day & night. Here’s a picture of our campsite from the river.
2017-0604 - Colorado (136) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
The view up the canyon from our campground.
2017-0604 - Colorado (110) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
The river is wild and rocky. It presents a thousand looks, each one scary awesome.
2017-0604 - Colorado (88) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
2017-0604 - Colorado (96) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
2017-0604 - Colorado (121) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
2017-0604 - Colorado (132) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
And it attracts its share of aquatic sportsmen.
2017-0604 - Colorado (109) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
2017-0604 - Colorado (126) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
I was actually trying to take a picture of a rock in the river when this kayaker literally appeared from nowhere in my lens.
2017-0604 - Colorado (122) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
And right behind him….
2017-0604 - Colorado (123) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
2017-0604 - Colorado (124) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
The road itself is a twisty treat.
2017-0604 - Colorado (98) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
2017-0604 - Colorado (92) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
Naturally, there are lots of RVers on the move.
2017-0604 - Colorado (141) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
But also riders. Most are on cruisers, but plenty of adventure bikes.
2017-0604 - Colorado (143) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
And occasionally, one of our smaller two-wheeled cousins.
2017-0604 - Colorado (142) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
And this being Colorado, an occasional throwback from the Age of Aquarius.
2017-0604 - Colorado (145) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
And there’s always some dunderhead like this. Only 20 feet away there was a whole row of empty parking places that didn't block the path to the river.
2017-0604 - Colorado (131) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
I spent a morning hiking up this canyon.
2017-0604 - Colorado (139) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
Again, lots of wildflowers. This area was dominated by Blue Flax.
2017-0604 - Colorado (82) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
2017-0604 - Colorado (83) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
Penstamon.
2017-0604 - Colorado (102) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
A white Lupine.
2017-0604 - Colorado (111) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
Jacob’s Ladder, I think.
2017-0604 - Colorado (103) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
We did some Jeeping….
2017-0604 - Colorado (115) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
And found some beautiful vistas.
2017-0604 - Colorado (116) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
And we found Pride Rock. Who knew it was in Colorado? Apparently, Simba and Nala were not in residence at the moment, or so Rafiki told me.
2017-0604 - Colorado (119) by Tim Shelfer, on Flickr
We also spotted, of all things, the Wheel of Fortune bus on 287, north of Ft Collins. Unfortunately, I couldn't get a picture. I have absolutely no idea what their destination would be along that road. Taping Wheel of Fortune in Laramie???
And then it was over. On Friday, as the weekenders were flowing in, we hitched up and drove back down to Centennial to spend the night in our kids’ house. We unhitched the trailer and left it so that they can enjoy the summer camping with it. Saturday we made the 800-mile run home to Arlington so that the kids could drive home Sunday, and my son-in-law could be back at work on Monday.
And another camping year gone by. My profound thanks to my kids, Becca and Mitch, for babysitting Grandma, thus making this trip possible. And thanks to Walmart for having a riser shank and a 2” hitch ball in stock when I needed it.
The trip started with a bang – literally. Before we were even out of town on Sunday morning, we found ourselves in creeping traffic while merging from Loop 820 to I-35W North. When I glanced back to check the oncoming traffic (and there was none), the truck in front of me inexplicably picked that moment to stop suddenly. A 10-mph hit can be a show stopper, but the Jeep survived it with no damage other than Ugly-Bumper-Syndrome.
At the other end, the shock did a number on my hitch. The shank and 2” ball were mangled and had to be replaced, in a parking lot, with parts from a handy Walmart.
The receiver on the Jeep was slightly bent, too. I’ll replace it this fall. But for now, we were determined to get on with our trip.
Sunday night was at our favorite Super 8 in Raton. Always clean, always reasonably priced. The last couple of times I’ve been through, I’ve spotted this strange looking fellow on a homemade contraption. Essentially, it is two bicycles put together on a homemade frame, and powered by (I think) a lawnmower engine. This year, I managed to catch a picture of his rig, parked at McDonald’s. I noticed that he's grown a trailer since last year.
Moving on down the road, we camped Monday at a favorite hideaway spot – a nearly unknown NF campground south of Saguache, and some 15 miles off pavement. This is the view of the valley from our front porch.
We love it because it is beautiful, peaceful, and blissfully empty.
The place was alive with songbirds. But they didn’t cooperate with my camera, so I had to settle for a picture of this fellow.
Lots of wildflowers in the campground, and along the road. Here are a few samples. Feel free to correct me if I misidentify one.
Dandelion bloom.
Dandelion (which happens to be the official symbol of the Military Overseas Brat, of which I’m one).
Wild Iris.
Wild Mustard.
Butter & Eggs. I’ve usually seen these in yellow/white. This is solid yellow, but as best I can tell from Rocky Mountain flower sources, it is just a variant.
Out for a days’s drive. If you recognize this landmark, you know where we were camping.
There are several abandoned ranch houses or line shacks along the way.
We encountered this trading post in Saguache. Outside, they have an impressive collection of old military vehicles from Jeeps to 1-tons. Calling M38A1, please. Scott, I thought of you when we spotted the Jeep line.
Inside, there are uniforms and other military collectibles. As far as I can tell, everything is for sale or trade.
The owner gave me a free tour, knowing full well I wasn’t going to spend a dime. So I promised I’d plug his business. He’s a military retiree, and he opened this place maybe 5 years ago. Seems to be doing fine.
On the way back to camp, we picnicked in this meadow. Sadie, the wonder Brittany, guarded the Jeep against marauding chipmunks.
We ate lunch, dangling our feet in this stream, watching 3” baby trout fighting their way up current.
The southern approach to the road passes through this landmark, which is identified on NF maps as “Hellsgate.”
Another Jeep drive took us up this road. Beautiful sights along the way.
We spent the weekend camping at our kids’ house in Centennial. Showers, hot water, & a real bed. On Monday, we headed up to the Cache la Poudre River area along Hwy 14, northwest of Ft Collins. We spent a few nights in the Dutch George NF campground, listening to the roar of the Poudre River day & night. Here’s a picture of our campsite from the river.
The view up the canyon from our campground.
The river is wild and rocky. It presents a thousand looks, each one scary awesome.
And it attracts its share of aquatic sportsmen.
I was actually trying to take a picture of a rock in the river when this kayaker literally appeared from nowhere in my lens.
And right behind him….
The road itself is a twisty treat.
Naturally, there are lots of RVers on the move.
But also riders. Most are on cruisers, but plenty of adventure bikes.
And occasionally, one of our smaller two-wheeled cousins.
And this being Colorado, an occasional throwback from the Age of Aquarius.
And there’s always some dunderhead like this. Only 20 feet away there was a whole row of empty parking places that didn't block the path to the river.
I spent a morning hiking up this canyon.
Again, lots of wildflowers. This area was dominated by Blue Flax.
Penstamon.
A white Lupine.
Jacob’s Ladder, I think.
We did some Jeeping….
And found some beautiful vistas.
And we found Pride Rock. Who knew it was in Colorado? Apparently, Simba and Nala were not in residence at the moment, or so Rafiki told me.
We also spotted, of all things, the Wheel of Fortune bus on 287, north of Ft Collins. Unfortunately, I couldn't get a picture. I have absolutely no idea what their destination would be along that road. Taping Wheel of Fortune in Laramie???
And then it was over. On Friday, as the weekenders were flowing in, we hitched up and drove back down to Centennial to spend the night in our kids’ house. We unhitched the trailer and left it so that they can enjoy the summer camping with it. Saturday we made the 800-mile run home to Arlington so that the kids could drive home Sunday, and my son-in-law could be back at work on Monday.
And another camping year gone by. My profound thanks to my kids, Becca and Mitch, for babysitting Grandma, thus making this trip possible. And thanks to Walmart for having a riser shank and a 2” hitch ball in stock when I needed it.