Stillwaters run deep!

Tuesday, June 30th, 2015. After lunch we headed east on scenic Route 50 and cruised along the shores of Blue Mesa Reservoir. It was as beautiful an area as its name. There are several campgrounds around here as well but onward we went. Climbing and curving we reached Monarch Pass, our first of 5 Continental Divide Crossings in about 48 hours. There are several ski areas around in the Rocky Mountains and the slopes are quite steep. I've never had the pleasure of skiing on their soft powdery snow. But imagine it's a challenge! At the junction of 50 and 285 in Poncha Springs we stopped at an interagency information center and again picked up a BLM (Bureau of Land Management) map of the area. We headed north on Route 285 to about 1/2 mile past Mile Post 136 and turned right at a BLM sign for Hecla Jct Rec. Site. After a mile or two we saw the BLM sign and started climbing a hill. At the top on our right was a plywood sign with "Dan's Free Camping". The only requirement was "No Fires!" That is easy enough to respect. We entered a dirt round-about- parking area and chose a level sight along one side. There were two other groups here, and a young woman and her dog. She said that she'd been coming here for 17 years and that the other group of tenters were part of the local rafting guides and would probably come in later. They were quite when they did, I'm sure exhausted from their daily workout!

We had a relatively quiet night and left about 8 am at the same time as the woman. In an hour or so we crossed Hoosier Pass, elevation 11,539 feet and back down the other side to Route 9 and Breckenridge. Breckenridge is a lovely ski resort town and has lots of interesting historical buildings and current shops. I was able to find the perfect rain-gear and we stopped at a coffee and pastry shop. We strolled along Main Street for a while then continued on our way and turned on a side route along the east side of Dillon Reservoir. This dropped us onto Route 6 taking us through Loveland Pass, elevation 11,990 feet. Bob climbed the 45 stairs up the hillside across the parking area and we watched as a couple of skiers did the same then swooshed down what remained of the winter snow. The can claim having skiied in July!

We Continued down to Route 70 and noticed before we headed East on it that if we went West we would have traveled through a long tunnel on the Main Interstate! Somewhere in that direction is a gorgeous hike to Hidden Lake. We will have to research that when we return. But we headed east a short ways (about 3 exits) to Route 40 North as the heavens poured rain upon us. We have had it pretty dry all along and this was a "free truck wash!" It even cleaned the red dust from our tire rims that accumulated back in Valley of the Gods. We stopped at a picnic pull off and had our lunch and then continued on after the rain ended.

We crossed the continental divide again but now through Berthoud Pass, elevation 13,315 and hoped we would find our next camp at much lower elevation. Route 40 took us to Granby where we picked up Route 34 which would take us all the way through Rocky Mountain NP. Just before the NP lands we were in and out of National Forest areas and along a couple of large lakes. On the shores of one we chose to stop at Stillwater Campground for the night. We found a lovely spot that had it's fire ring and picnic table just a few steps from the water. It is the perfect spot for kayacks, canoes, sailboats and even motor boats were anchored around the bend. Several campers were here early to get a great view of the fireworks display that would be just across the lake in a couple of days. I wish I could say we had a quiet night, but a "not-so-nice" woman and her son arrived after midnight and parked about 2 feet from my window. Granted we had chosen a twin site but she was local and surely could have come in earlier. At 8 AM she decided to turn on her smelly engine to "charge her batteries!" and gassed me out. I walked off for 20 minutes then having to break camp asked if she could kindly shut it off. Thankfully she did!

We boogied out and hit the dump-station and took on clear mountain water for the remainder of our trip. After stopping at the National Park's gate for a map and info we cruised along the route and stopped at the lovely scenic viewpoints. Again we crossed the Continental Divide and saw a small group of Marmots frolicking on a large old snow patch. Near a peak on the road we came across a herd of elk making their way across. We got to stop and enjoy their crossing. At another stop we hiked in a ways and viewed the many beautiful alpine blossoms, I was able to count 13 different kinds. At one of the forks in the route we took Route 36 and stopped at the other main visitor center before exiting the park. In Estes Park we spotted yet another brewery and stopped to taste their sampler. This one had "free samples!" So we picked up a mixed six-pack of some of our favorites. Then headed to the parking lot for our lunch.

There was a go-cart race track just beyond the lot and several activities for kids of all ages. We headed out and tried to avoid the tourist packed main street and turned south on Route 7 a scenic and leisurely trek down to Route 72 which brought us into Arvada and where both Paul and Becca live with their mates.

We are spending just over a week relaxing with them, saw the fireworks just steps from Paul's patio while sitting in the back of his pick up truck. They were set off just up the road and we had a perfect line of sight at the spectacular display. Wednesday night after a 2 hour rain delay we were able to take in the entire Rocky's and LA baseball game. It was a close one but the hometeam lost. We watched the first half from "The Rooftop" and the rest of the game at field level along the first base line. Justin got the seats and parking all arranged ahead for us. We had a great time! Tonight we are camping together at Stanley Lake just 2 minutes from Paul's work and 20 minutes or so from both their homes. Monday morning hopefully before the Denver traffic bogs down the highway we will head East to Alabama first to meet up again with Dave Hoyt and his lovely wife before pushing North to New England!

"Going Places With Smiling Faces!"