Mueller State Park

 

We discovered why Mueller is so highly rated.  As nice as the campground was at Heaton Bay, Mueller State Park is Primo.  Over 100 campsites climbing the mountain with views of Pikes Peak to the East.  And with over 50 miles of hiking trails, we enjoyed walking the many trails.  We chose the perfect week as the Aspens were in full color, the sky was so blue, and the temperatures were in the 60s.  Pictures tell only part of the story; we'll be back.

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

 

29 million years ago, Redwoods growing in Colorado were covered by ash from a nearby Volcano.  Over time, the wood of these giant trees were replaced by minerals.  The petrified stumps were then "discovered" in the late 19th century, and this area soon became a tourist attraction.  Competing owners who managed this land did everything they could think of to increase revenues; they even used dynamite to help break up the stumps into small pieces that could be sold to the tourists.  Fortunately, but almost too late, 50 years ago, this area became protected by becoming a National Monument.  

Up in the Mountains of Colorado

 

After 500 miles of driving from Kansas, we arrived at Heaton Bay Campground at over 9,500ft elevation.  Oh, I should mention, that our GPS routed us off of Interstate 70 one exit early and sent us on a drive across the Dillion Dam... well almost...A dam Ranger stopped us and asked us why we didn't see the sign that said "NO RVs".  What sign?  So how do we get to the campground?....."our problem."  Back on I-70 one more exit and then to Heaton Bay...

no problem....WOW!

Heaton Bay is one of the best National Forest campgrounds that we have ever stayed at.  Paved sites and even electric (which came in very handy as the temp dropped to as low as 27 on a couple of nights).  Great views of the Dillion Reservoir, and right on the paved bike path that surrounds the reservoir as it travels 18 miles and connects to many other paths.

With our full time RVer friends, we biked and hiked.  First day out, we biked 10 miles out to the Copper Mountain I-70 Exit.  A beautiful trail...we even spotted a Moose!  Next day we hiked 4 miles on the McCulloch Gulch trail; 700 feet of climbing to 11,000ft elevation on a fairly rocky trail -- We could tell we hadn't acclimated to the altitude.  Then a stop for ice cream in Breckenridge.  

We continued to bike and hike, all in beautiful surroundings.

Great stops along the way to Colorado

 We said goodbye to the NJ shore and started our motorhome adventure for this Fall.  

First stop was at Fort Frederick where we set up camp and then biked part of the West Maryland Rail Trail, and then the next morning, a portion of the C&O Canal ride.  Needed to limber up for our upcoming travels.

We next positioned ourselves by "camping" at an Ohio Turnpike Service Center, so we would get to Cuyahoga National Park to bike their rail trail.  The highlight was a stop at a local veggie and fruit market where we filled our bike paniers...Morey did have to return the cantaloupe to the store...a little too much?

Then to Mohican State Park in Ohio for a great campsite along the river; then a hike and we were back on the road.

 Next was a two day stop in Hermann, MO; an old German settlement which became one of the first wine producing areas in the United States -- so of course a walk up the hill to the Winery for snack and a bottle; a rest after biking the KATY trail, which runs across the state of Missouri.  We did a couple of segments which included stops along the Missouri River where Lewis & Clark camped.

 

And maybe the most exciting part of the trip to get west?  A stop at Mushroom Rock State Park in Kansas.  And then we camped at an ACE campground nearby to relax and celebrate the New Year.

           

It's time to pack up & head west

 It's September, so it's RV time!  Our plans are made and we can't wait to hit the road.

But first we must say, considering COVID-19, quarantining and being careful and safe; Summer was good.  

From "hitting the beach" to celebrating birthdays to a sojourn to Pennsylvania's Grand Canyon and to flying RC planes and rockets....all was very good.

 

   

  

 

You get what you pay for?!

     We've been storing our motorhome in Tuckahoe for the last ten years at the same storage facility.  Our monthly rentals have been going up until this year.  What's always been a problem....10ft wide parking spots for our 8 1/2ft RV, reached a new closeness.  Our storage fees did go down this year......