Back On the Road Part 1

Bad Blogger, Leslie! Yes, I slacked off my posting after our return from Alaska October 1st 2008, but I promise to be better in the future. We actually were on the road from early December 2008 until April 1st 2009 but you didn't hear a whisper from us. Sorry about that!

We're headed out for a 5-6 week short trip to Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. We'll return to Colorado by the end of July since I had decided that I really wanted to spend the end of summer in Colorado this year. Late summer in the mountains of Colorado is the best weather anywhere.

On Wednesday, June 10th we moved the rig into a neat park in Golden, Colorado. Just the rig moved because we were actually trying to cool down the refrigerator and freezer. We stayed at home in stix 'n brix working on the packing project.

After a few more trips to the RV, on Thursday we moved the cats into the RV. (That's when you know we are there.) Oh no, who forgot the left-over salmon in the fridge at home? We made one extra trip back to the house.

Golden, Colorado is known for the whitewater opportunities in Cold Water Creek. Our campsite looked directly out over Cold Water Creek.



Some of the sites back along the walking path that borders the creek.



The city of Golden even provides changing quarters for whitewater participants.



You can see the competition gates hanging above the creek.



I watched some the the kayakers practicing for the big competition on Friday.



On Friday, June 12th we actually hit the road. I-70 west of Denver goes through the Eisenhower Tunnel and crosses over Vail Pass. These were the steepest climbs we've experienced towing, but the truck did fine (well, with the pedal to the floor we could stay barely above 45 mph).

Our first stop is Glenwood Springs, about 3 1/2 hours west along I-70. Glenwood Springs is known for the hot springs that feed two huge swimming pools. The pools are open to the public, but I consider them a bit pricy ($18.50/pp daily admission). Regardless, it is one of my favorite places. The "therapy pool" is about 3 1/2 ft deep and is 106 degrees hot. Signs suggest that people remain in the therapy pool for only 10 -15 minute increments.



The second pool is easily the size of a football field; it is kept around 90 degrees hot. (The water into both pools has to be chilled with fresh water because the natural water is too hot.)



It ranges in depth from 3 ft to 14 ft (in the diving area).



Me, being a water-rat throughtly enjoyed our day at the pool.



I even captured a few sun-rays (after all the rain we've had, that's a major accomplishment).



Although the water in both pools is completely replaced every six hours, state law requires that they also maintain a proper chlorine balance.

I like Glenwood Springs so much that we've talked about coming back for a week at the end of September. It's about the perfect water activity in Colorado -- the water is warm and the backdrop of the mountains is impressive.

For our fellow RVing readers, in Glenwood Springs we stayed at Ami's Acre's Campground. Ami's Acre's overlooks I-70 on the north-side, just west of town. We had seen the campground from I-70 previously and been most unimpressed. However after staying there, we would stay again. The sites that are visable from I-70 are permanent sites that appear very shabby. The sites reserved for travlers are very long (maybe more than 65 ft.) and are located further up the hillside. We rarely were aware of either the highway or the train noises. Management was very friendly.

Leslie