Sunday, June 12, 2016

From Rivers to Springs

June 8-10, 2016
Cotapaxi - Manitou Springs, CO


Last year's largest "deposit" from upriver - they named it Nautilus :-)
A gaggle of Canada geese hang out on the other side of the rapid river (walking bridge to the tent camping area hanging above)
It is lovely waking up to the river just out our door. Bill is on the small dock with his fly rod and a cup of coffee while I just enjoy the beautiful setting from our picnic table. Tessa is keeping an eye on things.

Making sure the sticks are all on land like they're supposed to be
In case the big metal ring does something exciting
The town of Salida is 30 miles west with several creeks and a fish hatchery - let's go check it out.

The drive through Big Horn Canyon is very pretty. There are numerous locations with access to the river. While the signs all indicate there's fishing, they are mostly used for rafting company buses to off-load and pick-up their adventurous customers while the river is so high.

Prickly Pear in bloom along a small bridge
Interesting new build on the hill
I'm surprised how big Salida is - not only a Walmart, but a Home Depot. Wow! We find a nice pond near the hatchery where I drop Bill then head to the historic district.

While I have no desire to spend any time in a mall or large department store, I do still like small town shops and galleries. Downtown Salida has several of each, plus wonderful old architecture.






There are several people enjoying the sidewalk eateries and making purchases in various specialty stores, but it is not crowded. Tessa and I take our time. I do find a handmade Christmas ornament and something for Ezra :-)

I pick Bill up and we head back to Cotapaxi where we return some phone calls before going home.

When we arrived on Tuesday we were greeted by the camp hosts who also have a Thor Tuscany. This evening we stop by their site and spend some time getting to know Rebecca and Michael, and their darling pup Brutus. Great people from Olympia, WA. Not only do they have a Tuscany, albeit theirs is 45', but they bought it the same day we bought ours, and they went fulltime just a couple months after we did. 

Unfortunately they have had several issues with their coach and less than great experience with getting them resolved - our discussion does make us feel like ours have been minor by comparison. They still very much like their home, and are mostly happy with it :-)

We agree to stay in touch, and look forward to seeing them down the road. Of course I don't remember to take a photo :-(

Thursday morning we move north on CO-115 to Manitou Springs, CO. Bill lived in the area 35 years ago, and I'm looking forward to seeing his old stomping grounds.

Pikes Peak RV Park is a tiny and tight little place enthusiastically maintained and monitored by very nice owners. Two things to note should you decide to stay here: 1) GPS tells you it's on the left side of the street, but it's on the right. 2) When you arrive the owner will guide you into your spot - don't argue. He does a very good job. Reasonably priced for this expensive area (most of Colorado), free shuttle into Manitou Springs, immaculate facilities, very quiet.

The Jeep has been running rough off and on for a while, but when we start using higher octane gas it seems to clear it up. Not the case here. We go into Colorado Springs in the afternoon and can't run the A/C without it cutting out. We have an appointment for service in Longmont (our next stop), but there's lots we want to do in this area.

Friday morning we drive the couple miles to Garden of the Gods, hoping the Jeep will cooperate.  I shouldn't be surprised anymore by the incredible beauty that Mother Nature has provided, and yet I am. 

Even at 10 AM the park is crowded so we drive through a couple of times, grabbing the rare parking spot at a few turn outs. Not smooth, but the Jeep is running. The VC is huge and very well done - we enjoy the exhibits but bypass the movie this time. 

Pike's Peak in the background adds even more Wow.
The Garden

Joining the tourist caravan
Kissing Critters rock

The natural fauna display is both lovely and disconcerting
The Land of Many Colors

The original 200 acres was a Christmas gift to the city from the family who had owned it for decades. Since then, the city of Colorado Springs has purchased an additional 1100 acres for protection and enjoyment within the park's limits. 

Bill's nieces want a photo of their childhood home in Colorado Springs so we take a drive into town. There are hundreds of beautiful homes from small bungalows to sprawling Victorians. 100 year old school buildings still house active elementary and middle school classes in tree-lined neighborhoods. 

We find their home on Royer Street and send the requested photo with their uncle among the Irises.

Hi girls!
It is very hot and humid, and with no A/C and an iffy-running vehicle, we're ready for a couple cold brews close to home. Bill finds Manitou Brewing Company and I find a place to park (a huge deal in this little tourist town).

Manitou Common and Apricot Strong Ale
The house porter doesn't do much for him, but the house red ale - Manitou Common - is a winner for Bill. I stick with the delicious apricot ale. While we share a yummy plate of nachos the rains come again. It's a light, but steady, rain that doesn't keep us from taking a stroll along the main street. Packed with small boutiques and specialty stores, it is a shoppers' paradise. By the prices you'd think you were in Aspen ....ouch! Bill and Tessa find a spot under a narrow eave while I peruse a few colorful offerings. Thunder rolls over us and now the rain seems a bit more serious so we return to the Jeep and then home.

We still have lots to see here in the next few days.




24 comments:

  1. I enjoy browsing independent shops and galleries, too. It's such a great way to get the "flavor" of a town. And that apricot ale looks mighty tasty! Valley of the Gods is spectacular! It's wonderful to be continually surprised by the beauty of nature. :-)

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    1. The contrast between really stoned street people and really dressed up weekenders is pretty fun!

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    2. Oops, I meant Garden of the Gods! I know Valley of the Gods is in Utah (because we've been there). Just a little slip of the keyboard.....:-))

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  2. Salida is a great place to spend lots of time hiking and mountain biking along Monarch Pass on the Crest Trail. We lived in Manitou Springs for a few months after selling our home and would ride our bikes and hike in the Garden of the Gods. Not an easy ride but beautiful. Glad you are getting a chance to enjoy our former stomping grounds.

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    1. You lived in some beautiful country! It seems like there is a trail around every corner here.

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  3. Looks like you found yet another great spot. Isn't it fun to find all these places. Just think you have many more states to discover in this part of your life. Even if you've been to the states before, I've discovered you see them in a different way after you retire. You have time so go enjoy.

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    1. I think time is the greatest gift we can give ourselves. I've heard so many people say it, but I wish we had started traveling a lot sooner.

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  4. Hope your jeep problem is an easy fix. So glad to see Tessa is taking care of making sure everything stays in its place. Seems like you guys have lived in a lot of places that you are revisiting. Cute house. Love the Garden of the Gods. So sorry you had to do it in a caravan. Wonder when that's not true? Probably when there is a foot of snow on the ground.

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    1. We're going to try GotG again on Tuesday to see if it's "lighter". This is our last "old home" stop :-) But we still have lots of high school friends to visit as we cross the country! Think the Jeep is the fuel injectors....hoping they can blow them out.

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    2. Forgot to mention how much I agree with and have said ever since about 6 months into full timing that I wish I had started 10 years earlier. We retired early but not early enough. Anyone who waits until full retirement out of fear may well regret it

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  5. One quick thing to check before taking the Jeep to the dealer...the air filter housing. Sometimes critters (not Tessa) take up residence in them and starve the engine of air, making them run rough. It's worth popping the hood and taking a look.

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    1. will do! think it's fuel injectors, but easier is always better!

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  6. hot here in Iowa... could enjoy a cool shower

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    1. It's been hot and humid here too - today's cool storm in the high elevation was WONderful!!!

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  7. Love your site along the water:) The water is so calming. Good that Bill got to kick back with some fishing:) It is so nice to visit towns with a vibrant old downtown. Great bathtub filled with flowers:) Can't wait to see all your next stop has to offer. Garden of the Gods is spectacular. Were there any climbers?

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    1. There were a couple up on top of one of the spires, but you know me and heights, I couldn't watch :-)))

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  8. Looks like some swift water singing a melodious and changing song. Such a contrast next to the cactus. Could that building be a conservatory? Sure has a lot of solar panels. I definitely prefer quaint downtowns to shopping malls. I see Garden of the Gods needs to go on my ever growing retirement list.

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    1. It might be but there were no signs at all. Definitely a lot of panels and windows to take full advantage of the southern facing structure. You'll love the Garden - come when it's a bit cooler if you can (but just a bit!)

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  9. We enjoyed a month long stay in Colorado Springs a couple of years ago...I love the "color" of the historic shopping areas as well and spent quite a few hours walking in Manitou Springs. Garden of the Gods is gorgeous...

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    1. The is certainly enough to see and do here, I'm sure our six won't see it all!

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  10. Beautiful!!! Gorgeous pictures Jodee. I love the little shops as well. They're more interesting. Hope you get the jeep fixed. Sending positive vibes. Xoxoxox

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    1. Thanks much. They didn't find anything wrong.....we'll see!

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  11. Every time we're in CO Springs we visit Garden of the Gods, my brother used to have his postcards in their gift shop. Hope the jeep cooperates until you get to Longmont. Loved the walking tour of Salida, love the architecture in the old towns.

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    1. How cool for him - he must be very talented! It is a beautiful place, and wonderful to have it so close for multiple visits :-) I can't imagine we'll "land" anywhere but a small town with great architecture now that we've traveled even a little bit away from the big city!

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