The flexibility of re-routing to take care of family is a real blessing, as is being able to stay in our own home when that care is for several weeks. Others have needed to stay much longer to care for aging and ill parents so our month in Roswell is really not that long.
Our site at Town and Country RV Park is much nicer this time - an end spot with a large shade tree.
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| A nice shady tree over our door |
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| full of birds leaving gifts on our steps :-( |
Not only did we get a very reasonable rate of $425/month, but they gave us credit for the four unused days to use in the future.
But when Thursday morning comes we can't wait to get back on the road!
We spend the night in a sad little park in Las Vegas, NM - the only park in town - that is just fine for our needs.
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| Vegas RV and Storage |
We have been in Arizona and New Mexico (with a couple quick ventures into California and Nevada) since October so Friday morning we are very excited to be heading for a new state! We've both been to Colorado separately (Bill lived here in the mid-70's), but this is our first time together in our new home.
Thanks to Lisa's great campground review I reserved four nights at Trinidad Lake State Park, just over the border. Unlike other border crossings, we can tell immediately that we are somewhere different. It's sooooo green here :-)
With the exception of Saturday night, when every site is full, we have no neighbors. It is the perfect spot for us to regain our exploring mojo, and to reconnect with nature.
After a quick electric-only-set-up we head into the town of Trinidad. A wonderful old mining town with wonderful architecture and many brick streets.
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| East School built in 1921 - don't know when it closed |
We follow a dirt road out of town to a small valley with old ranch buildings - we're already feeling back in the groove!
Saturday morning Bill is out early to get a hook in the water. Tessa and I take our time and walk the Parkview Trail from the campground, overlooking the water. It's a beautiful, clear morning.
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| Looking out from Parkview Trail to where Bill is fishing on the south shore |
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| Carpios Cove |
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| The Day Use area has lovely, private tables |
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| and two very large, very nice, group areas |
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| I love these trees with the silver leaves and nearly black trunks |
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| Also in the Day Use area is an archeological site. It is hard to get a good photo of the ancient rings of rock - dated at over 1000 years old. |
The fish aren't biting so Bill comes back and we head northeast out of town - looking for Bill Creek. A well maintained county road takes us through several ranches to a very deep, very winding, very dry creek.....
Oh well, it's beautiful out here.
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| Acres of wildflowers |
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| I think we can see Kansas |
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| No fish |
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| More beauty around each corner |
The weather is lovely and back in town we find an outdoor table to enjoy lunch at the The Lunch Box. Deserving of it's high ratings, our salad and sandwich are so good we decide to indulge in their spaghetti ice cream!
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| Vanilla ice cream spaghetti, raspberry marinara, brownie meat balls |
We love our new state, and can't wait to see more of it!
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| The dog-tv is really good here! |
It is nice to have your own space when helping with family matters but even better to get back on the road. Colorado is So full of amazing sights. Don't think I've seen so much brick, especially streets, since childhood. The spaghetti ice cream looks really good.
ReplyDeleteWe're loving it already. There is lots of brick in Trinidad - even some newer brick streets!
DeleteIf you drive the scenic highway loop be sure to check out Lathrop State Park too. I do love CO state parks, they do a mighty fine job!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your post I knew we had to do that drive! We loved every mile of it, and some more just off from it. Lathrop is very nice as well :-)
DeleteWe almost stayed at Trinadad Lake State Park Last year, but kept going South to get to the Dentist in Yuma.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a good place, I'm sure we will be spending some time in CO in the future, so we will keep it in mind.
It's definitely a lovely place to stay - hope you find yourselves here in the future.
DeleteYour delight in being back on the the road—and in a new state!—really shines through in this post. Colorado is so beautiful, and we've not spent nearly enough time there. It's high on our list, though! Looks like you have a cute new chauffeur. :-))
ReplyDeleteIt has certainly grabbed me in our first few days! We may give it more than a month :-) She loves that big window and would probably drive just so she could look out of it on the road!!
DeleteLooks like a lovely place. I think you all will like Colorado. You are there at the right time of year for temperatures and hiking. Not sure about crowds. We went to Rocky Mountain National Park for 2 weeks and loved it. Same with Great Sand Dunes. Teluride and Silverton are cute and touristy. Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Mesa Verde - FANTASTIC! I know....enough ...enough. You could easily stay a year in Colorado. If you like snow that is!
ReplyDeleteWe originally routed through Gunnison, mainly from your posts there, but I don't think we're going to make it this time through. Still, we are so looking forward to RMNP and the Pike's Peak area.
DeleteTessa says "It's green here...we're staying." :)
ReplyDeleteExactly! She loves the grass - and the bunnies!!
DeleteI understand the desire to get back on the road. When we stay put too long that hitchitch really starts to itch. That's why our homes have wheels.
ReplyDeleteWe can't imagine being in one spot all the time!
DeleteHaving your home with you at all times is so very nice, especially when visiting family. Good to see you back on the road. It doesn't take long at all to get back in the groove:) Can't wait to follow you around Colorado!
ReplyDeleteI laughed about wondering if I'd remember how to drive - but yeah, it all comes back very quickly!! Glad you're coming along - it's beautiful so far :-)
DeleteI love green scenery too and fresh cut grass is my favorite smell :-) As a teenager I had the chance to go to a summer youth camp for a week in Estes Park, CO. I can't wait to get to that part of the country one day. The ice cream looks great and a fun way to finish a meal :-)
ReplyDeleteWe're hoping to see Estes Park when the kids join us next week - will be sure to share lots of pics! It was a yummy treat for sure.
DeleteWe love CO, it's where Dave really developed a love of travel. We've spent many vacations there since my brother and one of our sons lives there. So much diversity, lots of great back roads and old mining roads. Can't wait to follow your adventures through the state.
ReplyDeleteI can certainly understand that love, it is already showing us so much! Glad you're coming along :-)
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