We were both excited to be headed west again. The parks are still crowded but we are going late in the season and should not have any major issues getting campsites. We are still trying to ID the best way to break up the long road trips. This time around we decided to drive just 4-6/day. We will see if that works for us.
TURKEY RUN STATE PARK, INDIANA
Hard to believe we are in Indiana, great hiking and we will be back.
We both liked the colors in the rocks
PERSHING STATE PARK, MISSOURI
We liked our campsite but Leann was not a fan of a guy smoking a cigar in the next site. Of course it blew right into our camp while we were having dinner.
We hiked every trail in the park, not worth a return visit but it was a convenient place to stop for the night.
The ride across northern Kansas on Route 36 was very nice, great roads and no traffic. Avoiding the interstates is the way to go if you have the time.
We had to see this.
This is in Cawker City, Kansas. Apparently it is a very popular place to stop.
During long drives my mind definitely wanders. During today’s drive, 2 things caught my eye. First was a trailer load of Tesla’s being pulled by a diesel tractor. The second was one blade of a windmill being pulled by a diesel tractor with 4 Ford 150s as guide vehicles.
PRAIRIE DOG STATE PARK, KANSAS
We pulled into the camp and thought this is interesting. Our site was up on a ridge but no showers or bathrooms in site. We took a walk around the campground and found the facilities. By the time we got back to our site, we really liked the campground. We had wide open views and a nice breeze to keep things cool. This would be a good place to bring our bikes: miles and miles of smooth, empty roads. Added bonus, we heard coyotes calling.
You have to love Prairie Dogs.
MUELLER STATE PARK, COLORADO
We had a long day on the road after a 90-minute detour to see Arikaree Breaks did not bear fruit. We saw Arikaree in the atlas but could not find it in Google maps. We gave it a shot and found information at a rest side stop. Apparently the breaks covers most of NW Kansas and not one specific spot.
We finally arrived at Mueller and instantly liked it. Nice camp sites and 94 trails. Only bummer, dogs are not allowed on the trails. Sammy seemed to be OK with chilling in the van.
We camped on the main campground road, next time we would pick one of the side roads for more privacy.
We gained elevation quickly getting here and we definitely felt the change while we were hiking.
FLORRISANT FOSSIL BEDS NATIONAL MONUMENT, COLORADO
The Aspens were changing color
This is a beautiful valley, the picture does not do it justice.
BROWNS CANYON NATIONAL MOUNUMENT, COLORADO
We stopped at this park on a previous trip to do a hike and the camping looked good so I wanted to return. Little did I know how popular it is with off road vehicles. They were obnoxious constantly driving by our camp site. This place is dead to me.
TURRET TRAIL
I like these off road vehicles. We were sitting at camp and kept hearing cows. I walked up the hill and ran into a cowboy and cowgirl. I talked to them and they were taking the herd across the river.
CHIMNEY ROCK NATIONAL MONUMENT, COLORADO
I loved the architecture of the visitor center. Stacked stone exterior with rusted iron beams outside, acid etched cement floors inside gets me every time.
Companion Rock and Chimney Rock on the right.
Mule deer, AKA Mulie’s
MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK, COLORADO
The site was not very level so we stopped at Walmart the next day and got levelling blocks. Morefield campground had a unique feature, a laundromat! We did laundry, took showers and logged onto WIFI. Civilization!
We had a bad storm our first night in Mesa Verde (glad we were not in a tent). The next day was going to rain all day so we checked weather and decided to do a mini road trip. It wasn’t raining to the west of us so we decided to visit 2 national monuments we have not seen before: Canyons of the Ancients and Hovenweep.
CANYONS OF THE ANCIENTS NATIONAL MONUMENT
These 174,000 acres became a national monument in 2000 and contain the highest known archaeological site density in the United States. It is estimated the area contains up to 30,000 sites.
PAINTED HAND PUEBLO
Painted hand pueblo dates to the 13th century
We were the only one’s there.
HOVENWEEP NATIONAL MONUMENT, UTAH
Hovenweep includes 6 prehistoric villages built between 1200 and 1300 AD. It was home to an estimated 2500 people. The people left by the end of the 13th century. This was potentially due to drought, resource depletion, and warfare.
RUINS TRAIL
This is called the twin towers
Hovenweep Castle.
square tower
We loved the trail, ruins and views
BACK TO MESA VERDE, THE SUN IS SHINING
PRATER RIDGE TRAIL
Back to the visitor center: The Ancinet Ones by Edward Fraughton. It is made of cast bronze and is 20 feet, 2 inches tall
High point in Mesa Verde, 8,572 feet
After our hike we drove to the southern most part of the park and saw Cliff Palace.
DRIVE FROM MESA VERDE TO KODACHROME BASIN STATE PARK
The drive today was spectacular. Lots of twisty roads but we went through Bears Ears NM, over the Colorado River and through Capitol Reef NP. There was plenty of awesome views most of the drive.
Colorado River
KODACHROME BASIN STATE PARK, UTAH
Our old Coleman camp stove finally croaked so we needed a replacement. The Eureka Ignite got really good reviews so we decided to give it a try. So far so good, it definitely feels more robust than the Coleman, has a better lighter and flame control. Time will tell. View from the kitchen was pretty good.
I really liked the campground, great trails starting near camp, sites with a view and the facilities were as good as we have seen. They also had ice cream and WIFI at the ranger station, I had chocolate-raspberry.
PANORAMA TRAIL & COOL CAVE
Cool cave, temperature and scenery
Headed to Panorama Point
This is not a good trail if you have a fear of heights.
BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK, UTAH
We did a day trip to Bryce and hiked the under the rim trail starting at Bryce Point. Starting elevation was 8,300 feet. Words fail me, I will let the pictures do the talking.
MINERSVILLE LAKE, UTAH
We booked 2 nights here since it was a good stopping point on the way to Great Basin and we could do a day trip to Cedar Breaks National Monument.
The rocks were hurting Sammy’s feet so Leann put on his boots, he sounded like a mini Clydesdale.
CEDAR BREAKS NATIONAL MONUMENT, UTAH
We went here when the kids were young and decided to head back and do more hiking. Bad choice, there were limited hiking options but we did our best. It seemed like most visitors would just drive to an overlook, take a picture and then go to the next one. Apparently 95% of park visitors don’t go more than a mile from their car. That is OK with me.
Aspen grove
Leann saw a few vehicles (trucks, jeeps, etc) going up this dirt road so of course we had to drive up in the van
Brain Head Peak Overlook, 11,307 feet.
Welcome to the moon
Sunset on Minversville Lake
On the way to our next campground we stopped at a pullout and read this sign. Leann saw there was a dirt road to the abandoned mine and wanted to take a look. I was game.
We read this sign and decided to turn around.
NEXT STOP, NEVADA
HAPPY TRAILS, STEVE