Last post about our maiden RV voyage. We made it home yesterday about 1330--missing the cool Colorado weather as soon as we opened the door. Spent 5 hours scrubbing bugs and cleaning and removing all our junk. It's quite like packing and moving out of your house. But now it's all clean and shiny and ready to return to Louisiana. Quite bittersweet - I totally enjoyed having it on this trip, but I'm ready to get this thing out of my driveway.

Several things we learned on this vacation and how taking your house with you is such a totally different experience:
1. Wind is not your friend. William looked like a bronc buster the entire time constantly steering and correcting. And I know it wore him out. Can't drive as long distances as in a car.
2. It's amazing how many RV Parks are out there. We see signs now for them everywhere. In every little town--big or small, tucked behind grocery stores, next to and under highways.
3. It's way too cool to fix lunch or potty without leaving the road. (unless you're the driver!)
4. Posted bridge heights are significant. As well as paved roads and their widths.
5. RV's sound like some wild abstract musical band when you're driving. Squeeks and rattles and bumps and thumps. Starting and stopping at all odd times during the trip. Mr. Bill said not to be concerned --just keep on driving. And we did...and everything was fine.
6. Close quarters definitely allow for more stressful encounters with your loved ones.

I asked Lorna what was her favorite part of the trip: white water rafting. Wm- mountain biking at Keystone; for me -- the Capulin Volcano.

All in all--we had fun, made some good memories, met the nicest people, and are willing to do it again. Now that we've practiced and honed our motor-camping skills, next time will be bigger and bolder.

Until next adventure......

Sleeping good in the motorhome.

Last day: Sunday. We're about to leave Pratt, KS. All full on diner breakfast. Swam until 930pm last night. Nice relaxing evening after 12 hours of driving. Windy this am--but we are in Kansas. Actually had to run the AC for the first time in 5 days. Should be in Tulsa this afternoon. Then the cleanup begins....

Ask ol' Bill here (I can say that now that I'm 40) -- Headed back to Tulsa time today, temp on departure 39 degrees, 12 hours on the road, wanted to stop in Dodge City for the night but our Spanish speaking skills were not up to par, and I am not sure I had enough ammo to shoot our way out, no Boot Hill for us found a nice park and pool in Pratt, KS. Only passed 6 or 7 Kansas corn fed beef lots (whew!) takes the luster off 'Beef - its whats for dinner!'

Friday 08/07: The birthday continues. 42 degrees - Wm cooked breakfast outside again. The grill warrior! William headed off to Keystone and biked at River Run Village. Biked all day. Only crashed once--no broken bones-- Got a flat tire--had to hike down for repair.(Note to self: remember CO2 and tube next time). Lorna and Jan met up around 3pm for shopping and beer (Lorna had root beer on draft). Came home for dinner --more fabulous grilled corn and stuffed pork chops from Hebert's. A thank you goes to our new friend David that helped with the awning that wouldn't behave. Pictures are from Wm's day at Keystone.

Pictures of Breckenrdge Bike Park and top of the lift. 8/6/09

Happy Birthday 40 year old William! Black socks and sandals. Proper old man gear for Colorado!

Thursday: Breckinridge.
William spent the morning downhill biking off Peak 8. Lorna tore through the Fun Park--doing the rock climbing wall (she went all of 6 feet off the ground and called it a victory!), the bungee trampoline, the walk-through maze, putt-putt (she was the only one to make a hole in one), and did a little gold panning. A storm rolled in around 2pm, and we headed home for a rest. It's almost time to head back into town and check it out. The sun has come out and it's warm outside - 66 degrees.

Wed: Woodland Park to Breckinridge. Got up this morning to 50 degrees and a wonderful outdoor breakfast of pancakes and bacon. Ran one more time to the store before taking off for more fresh corn in the husk (Dang this Colorado corn is FABULOUS!). Had lunch in Fairplay. Arrived in Breckinrdge this afternoon with a little shock. Upside-Breck is a beautiful village; Downside-the pine beetle. The majority of the trees are dead or dying. We're slightly bummed about it, but we've decided to make the best of it. Hung out tonight with the fire pit, recovering from driving the RV through mountain passes. Life in the low gear!

Lorna white water rafting. 08/04/09

Tuesday: 08/04/09 Day trip to the Royal Gorge for some white water rafting. This was Lorna and Jan's first raft trip so we chose a fun half-day trip. We did about 10 miles in the Big Horn Sheep Canyon on the Arkansas river. Rapids were rated 2's and 3's. Saw something we've never seen --a herd (about 8) of big horn sheep grazing on the mountainside. Water was nice about 60 degrees. After lunch, and with a nice nap under her belt, Lorna and Jan went to the Dinosaur Resource Center in Woodland Park while William hit the bike trails.

It's almost 8pm and the day is quickly catching with us. It's dinner at home off the grill and margaritas!!

Monday: Capulin,NM to Woodland Park, CO. Got up bright and early -- Went back to the Capulin Volcano. Hiked the rim trail that goes around the top rim of the volcano. Alt = 8100 feet. Lorna did some "field work" for the park service and became a junior ranger. She had to take an oath and received a badge. It was swarming with lady bugs - they were all over the tree trunks and bushes.

Spent the afternoon driving to Colorado Springs and battling some crazy crosswinds.

Drove to Cripple Creek for dinner.

Sunday: Guymon,OK through the Black Mesa to Capulin, NM.

Greeted at the New Mexico border by a road runner (I think he's on staff by the NM Welcome Center). Found the "end of the road" on NM highway 456. Had to turn around and back track 20 miles -- Lesson of the day **Trust your map reading! Went to see the Capulin Volcano-hiked down into the mouth. Had a great burger at the Capulin country store/restaurant.

Here are pictures from yesterday. Our First day on the road.

Day one: Tulsa to Guymon,OK. Went thru Gloss Mtns- "Painted desert of Oklahoma" Arrived in the Panhandle at 5 pm. Played a fierce game of UNO and Wm is the declared victor. Lorna now playing with Mexican local kids and drinking gallons of root beer. Off to Capulin Volcano in the AM.