Living full time in our motor home allows us to be Ready To Go. . .on to the next adventure!

Golden Gate Bridge - San Francisco Skyline as seen from the Marin Headlands - California

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Full Time RV Travel–Trinidad Colorado–Trinidad Lake State Park–Carpios Cove Hiking Trail

Fisher's Peak  - Elevation 9655 - from the Campground - Trinidad Lake State Park
What a beautiful place Trinidad Lake State Park has turned out to be. . .
a little pricey at $33 per night by the time they add in all the fees. . .
but for full hook ups and a great location. . .we’ll take it.

Last night I did one of those fancy dancy hikes. . .where there’s a sidewalk all the way around. . .
with nifty little placards telling you what everything is. . .above is the beautiful view of
Fisher’s Peak overlooking Trinidad Lake. . .which as you can probably tell. . .
is suffering from the severe drought Colorado is experiencing. . .
Horno Clay Oven - pronounced oar-no - Trinidad Lake State Park
Another interesting stop on my hike. . .
Horno Clay Oven - pronounced oar-no - Trinidad Lake State Park
A Horno (pronounced oar-no) outdoor oven. . .made from clay and used by
Native Americans in past culture. . .
Spanish Peaks - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Peaks
Also visible from my hike was the Spanish Peaks. . .located about 20 miles away.
I’m sure you’ll be seeing them again. . .as I just know the sun setting behind them
will be absolutely breathtaking. . .I’m heading over there shortly for the experience.
Carpios Cove Hiking Trail - Trinidad Lake State Park 
Today. . .about two o’clock. . .not sure what I was thinking?  I decided we should
go hike the Carpios Cove Trail. . .it’s only 1/2 a mile right. . .no problem. . .
and Dave was dumb enough to go along. . .LOL. . .
Fisher's Peak - Carpios Cove Hiking Trail - Trinidad Lake State Park

more beautiful views of Fisher’s Peak. . .


Originally, five mining towns were located in the valley where Trinidad Lake is now. . .

Mine Tailings - Trinidad Lake State Park

and mine tailings are still visible in the area. . .here is a not so beautiful view of one of those.


and another, much larger one. ..part of the process. . .

Janice hiking Carpios Cove Hiking Trail - Trinidad Lake State Park

We’re having a great time. . .I’ve lost 12 pounds this summer
just by hiking and walking. . .so I need to keep that up. . .

Lots more to see and do here in Trinidad. . .so stay tuned!

Janice

Full Time RV Cooking–One Chicken–Three Meals–Plus Chicken Stock

Now that’s what I call a deal. . .

 

I bought one of those rotisserie chickens for dinner. . .it was a delicious meal, but there was a lot left over. . .so, I took the rest off the bone. . .saved the bones and skin in the freezer for making stock later. . .

 

then using Iron Chef Michael Symon’s recipe for pizza dough

3/4 cup AP flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp yeast

1/4 cup water – maybe a little more

Olive Oil for pan

Proof the yeast in the water. . .I add a smidge of sugar to help the process

Add wet ingredients to dry – mix until incorporated – knead for a few minutes – then allow to rise – shape dough and add toppings – cook in 425* preheated oven about 20 minutes or so. . .

(I decreased measurements to make one crust)

2012-08-27 Pizza 001

To the top of this dough I added bechamel sauce (cream sauce or alfredo sauce will be fine). . .

did I mention I made the bechamel sauce using bacon fat?   Yum!. . .

Shredded Chicken

a sprinkle of dried thyme or whatever seasonings you might like

parmesan cheese

mozzarella cheese

whatever sliced veggies you like or have available. . .this is tomatoes, bell pepper, green onion, and red pepper flakes.

 

Another delicious meal. . .but I still had quite a bit of chicken left. . .so I shredded it and made Chicken Salad for lunch tomorrow. . .

 

How cool is that. . .

 

How many ways can you use one $6 chicken?  Please share. . .

Friday, August 17, 2012

Full Time RV Travel–Rocky Mountain National Park with the Grandaughter

Catching up on the blog. . .
it’s hard to believe it’s only been a month since we did this gorgeous hike. . .

Not really being an outdoor, nature girl,
we were concerned about taking Bree
hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. . .

She seemed to love every minute of it. . .
Hiking to Alberta Falls
hiking with her Pa. . .
Albert Falls Hike from Bear Lake - Rocky Mountain National Park - three miles total
hiking with me. . .
Albert Falls Hike from Bear Lake - Rocky Mountain National Park - three miles totalAlbert Falls Hike from Bear Lake - Rocky Mountain National Park - three miles total
Enjoying the view. . .
Albert Falls Hike from Bear Lake - Rocky Mountain National Park - three miles totalAlbert Falls Hike from Bear Lake - Rocky Mountain National Park - three miles total
Posing for pics. . .
Albert Falls Hike from Bear Lake - Rocky Mountain National Park - three miles totalAlbert Falls Hike from Bear Lake - Rocky Mountain National Park - three miles total
Albert Falls Hike from Bear Lake - Rocky Mountain National Park - three miles totalAlbert Falls Hike from Bear Lake - Rocky Mountain National Park - three miles total
crossing the river. . .
Albert Falls Hike from Bear Lake - Rocky Mountain National Park - three miles totalAlbert Falls Hike from Bear Lake - Rocky Mountain National Park - three miles total
the REWARD. . .


It was a glorious hike. . .so worth it!

Monday, August 13, 2012

Full Time RV Travel–a visit from the Grand

We offered all the grands a trip to Colorado to visit. . .

but, due to work schedules, sports schedules, and camp schedules,

(it’s crazy how busy these kiddos are,)

only one, our oldest grandaughter, Breaunna,

was able to take us up on the offer. . .so we picked her up at the airport on Saturday. 

This was her first solo flight. . .and even with four delays she did beautifully. . .so proud!

Since getting out in a tourist area on the weekends is not usually a great idea. . .

we took it easy on Sunday. . .and started Breaunna’s sightseeing adventures on Monday. . .

First, a picnic lunch at a beautiful sculpture park in Loveland,

Breaunna's trip to Colorado by herself

Benson Sculpture Park is an amazing place. . .

we only saw a small fraction of the sculptures. 

Art Castings of Colorado is located in Loveland,

so sculpting is a huge part of the local economy,

which is obvious everywhere in the city. 

Being an artist, I loved it all. . .and so did Bree!

 

She asked me to teach her to paint. . .ha ha. . .no small task mind you. . .

but we spent lots of time “painting” when she was little and I had a workshop.

I would hang a long roll of paper out on the fence. . .

pull an old t shirt on over her clothes. . .and she would go to town. 

She got really good at the Donna Dewberry style painting. . .

I’ll be getting all those tapes back out,

so she and I can practice while we are in Texas.

Breaunna's trip to Colorado by herself

My favorite. . .

More beautiful pics of our grand and the sculptures at
Benson Sculpture Garden in Loveland Colorado

.

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Full Time RV Travel: Mt Evans Colorado–We Gotta See It!


Curtis and Brenda’s last day before we took them to the airport
also happened to be our favorite sightseeing day. . .

Mount Evans Post Cards

You didn’t think we could be in the State of Colorado
for the entire summer. . .
and not make it to see Mount Evans did’ya?

Mt Evans located thirteen miles out of Idaho Springs, CO -

It was a great day. . .

Mount Evans Post Cards

There are 54 fourteeners in the State of Colorado. . .
Mt Evans is the closest one to Denver. . .

Echo Lake as viewed from the gift shop - Mt Evans located thirteen miles out of Idaho Springs, CO -

and beautiful Echo Lake. . .
which is considered an alpine lake. . .so pretty.

Mount Evans Post Cards

We were at about 10,000 feet elevation here at the lake. . .
and did not do the final 4,000 feet to the summit. . .
but one of the ladies we talked to at the gift shop, 
said the wind was blowing about 45 mph up there. . .fun!

I would have love to have gone up there. . .
but, alas, the airport beckons. . .

Denver_State Capitol Building

so off we went to Denver. . .

Denver_State Capitol Building - One Mile Above Sea LevelDenver_State Capitol Building - One Mile Above Sea Level

Curtis said that on the Capitol Steps was a placard 
indicating one mile above sea level

Denver_State Capitol Building - One Mile Above Sea Level

Well. . .I gotta see that!

Denver_State Capitol Building

the State Capitol Building is under construction 
with this ugly wrapping around the top. . .

Denver Post Card

so I bought me a postcard. . .

Denver_State Capitol Building

and Dave took this shot with this kind of cool effect. . .
not sure how he did that. . .but I wanted you to see it. . .
There’s his brother at the right of the steps. . .

We thoroughly enjoyed our week with the fam. . .

Now it truly is time to head to the airport. . .
drop off Curtis and Brenda. . .and pick up our oldest grandaughter. . .
It’s her first solo flight. . .so stay tuned. . .

Friday, August 10, 2012

Full Time RV Travel–Cripple Creek Colorado

Ah. . .Friday. . .one of our less successful days of playing tourist while Curtis and Brenda were visiting. . .

Cripple Creek CO - Day Trip with Curtis and Brenda

Cripple Creek Colorado. . .

Cripple Creek Colorado

We brought our boys here in 1988. . .and loved it so much,

I just had to go back and see it again. . .or so I thought.

Cripple Creek CO - Day Trip with Curtis and Brenda

After driving about an hour or so from Colorado Springs to the original

World’s Greatest Gold Camp. . .

Cripple Creek CO - Day Trip with Curtis and Brenda

this was the view of town with the Rockies in the background. . .beautiful, isn’t it?

Cripple Creek Colorado

and a pretty historical area. . .what you can’t see in this picture

is that every other storefront is now a casino. . .

so, if you are into gambling. . .you would probably enjoy a day in Cripple Creek. . .

Cripple Creek Baptist Church - Established 1898 - Cripple Creek CO - Day Trip with Curtis and Brenda

We enjoyed the architecture and the setting of the town. . .

but it was so different than what we remembered. . .

we didn’t stay very long.

 

 

Cripple Creek Baptist Church - Established 1898 - Cripple Creek CO - Day Trip with Curtis and Brenda

This is the Baptist Church, located about a block off Main St. . .

established in 1898. . .beautiful building.

Cripple Creek Colorado

The Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine still does tours. . .

This is one of the things we had done with the boys

all those years ago. . .so didn’t really feel the need to do it again. . .

Cripple Creek Colorado

but if you are interested in how things work. . .you would really like it. . .

and if you are 10 years old. . .like our boys were at the time. . .

you would, of course, love it. . .

 

If you are close to Cripple Creek, you should go and see it. . .

If you’ve been to Cripple Creek, we would love to hear your

thoughts about it. . .so leave us a comment. . .

 

Have a great day. . .and happy travels. . .

Janice

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Full Time RV Travel–Manitou Springs Colorado - Chapel at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and Focus on the Family


After we finished our jeep tour of
we headed straight to Colorado Springs
where our friends have a beautiful home on eight acres . . .
Wild Turkeys in Brenda and Jim's Yard in Larkspur CO - Colorado Springs Scenic Views


with this gorgeous view from their back patio. . .
where we sat and drank coffee each morning.

These wild turkeys wandered through every afternoon while we were there. . .
and they said they normally see elk in the pasture. . .
and even a resident bear makes a pass through. . .

We certainly enjoyed our stay with them. . .
and although we love everything about RV’ing. . .
I must admit, the private bath in every bedroom was a huge bonus!
Colorado Springs Scenic Views - Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods
First thing on the agenda Thursday morning,  well, after we visited the Focus on the Family Campus, 
was to take Curtis and Brenda out to the Garden of the Gods Visitor Center. . .
where there is a postcard quality view of Pikes Peak from the balcony. . .spectacular!
View of Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods from the Overlook of the Visitor Center
although not quite as spectacular this trip as it was when we saw it in early May. . .

Manitou Springs Colorado
Next stop. . .Manitou Springs. . .
What a beautiful little town, right on the edge of Colorado Springs.
Town Square Clock - Manitou Springs Colorado
Town Square Clock
Manitou Springs Colorado
and a little history. . .
Manitou Springs Colorado
and being an artist. . .I loved this mural.

Although mostly tourist shops, (very hippie style tourist shops)
Manitou Springs is also where you need to go to
take the Cog Railway to the top of Pike’s Peak,
and is also famous for it’s Soda Water Springs.

Since we are taking our grandaughter there next week. . .
I’ll get more pics, and tell you a little more about all of it.
Air Force Academy to see Air Force Chapel
our last sightseeing stop of the day. . .
the Chapel at the Air Force Academy. . .gorgeous!
Air Force Academy to see Air Force Chapel
the cross hanging over the altar looked like a sword to me. . .
Air Force Academy to see Air Force Chapel
and I always, always find pipe organs intriguing. . .
Air Force Academy to see Air Force Chapel
the glow from the stained glass windows added to the ambience. . .
Air Force Academy to see Air Force Chapel
and the sunbeams breaking through the clouds,
as we came out of the Chapel, certainly seemed appropriate. . .

It was a wonderful day with our family. . .
but it wasn’t the end of our sightseeing. . .
we’re doing more tomorrow!

We love to hear from you so leave us a comment. . .
and if you’ve visited Manitou Springs
or the Air Force Chapel in Colorado Springs,
include the link to your posts. . .
we’d love to read your impressions. . .and see your pics.

Safe travels everyone,
Janice

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Full Time RV Travel–Rocky Mountain Land Cruiser Tour

Old Fall River Road in Rocky Mountain National Park
is gravel, and is only open two months of the year. . .
RMNP Entrance
we’ve wanted to do the Top of the World Tour since we got here,
and it finally happened this week when
Dave’s bub & sis in law arrived from Fort Worth. . .
Trail Ridge Road PostCard
If you drive the paved road, Trail Ridge Road,
you will drive 21 miles from Estes Park to the
summit in Rocky Mountain National Park. . .
Old Fall River Road Hummer Jeep Tour - Scenic Views - a view of the dirt road from the Summit. . .
If you drive the gravel, Old Fall River Road,
visible in the right hand side of the pic,
you will travel 11 miles from
Estes Park to the Summit. . .
Old Fall River Road Hummer Jeep Tour - Scenic Views

You will travel around 23 switchbacks,
and get up close and personal with the dropoffs. . .
(yes, that is the guardrail right there)
a very good reason in my book to
take a tour and let the experts do the driving. . .
Alluvial Fan Waterfall - Curtis & Brenda
At our very first stop, the Alluvial Fan Waterfall
2012-08-08 Colorado_ Rocky Mountain National Park - Jeep Tour - guys looking under the hood
our tour guide, Alex, opened the hood
on the monster, and entertained the guys. . .
it was all greek to me. . .gear ratios. . .torque. . .yada, yada, yada. . .whatever!  LOL. . .
Old Fall River Road Hummer Jeep Tour - Scenic Views
as close as you can get to the remaining snowfields without hiking. . .
Alex said he had lived in this area his entire life. . .
and he has never seen the snowfields completely disappear. . .but. . .
because the snow pack was so light this past winter, these last few
snowfields will probably completely melt away. . .
that will be sad, because the snow on the mountain peaks
is really what makes them so stunningly beautiful. . .
Old Fall River Road Hummer Jeep Tour - Scenic ViewsOld Fall River Road Hummer Jeep Tour - Scenic Views
a Marmot was out sunning on a rock. . .
he stayed put just long enough to get a shot of him. . .
They hibernate 8 months of the year. . .
so they try to triple their body weight in the four months of summer. . .
Evans Brothers
More gorgeous views and family pics. . .Brenda and I are the only original in-laws. . .
so we gotta get our shots together whenever possible. . .
our hubby’s did good, didn’t they?  Lucky guys!
We had a great day in the park. . .and lots more fun later in the week. . .
More pics and posts later. . .
Elk standing on the side of Trail Ridge Road
The END!

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Full Time RV Living ~ Thank Goodness for Company

ugggghhhhhh. . .I’m BORED!  Now there’s a statement you won’t hear very often coming from me. . .life’s just too short, and too precious not to make the most of every moment. . .however. . .we are in a bit of a holding pattern here. . .so we wait!

 

Thankfully, we had company this past week which added a little excitement to the mix. . .

Many Curves Lookout - Rocky Mountain National Park

My awesome oldest brother (who’s still younger than me) talked my Dad into going on a road trip with him.  I’m still not sure how he accomplished that amazing feat. . .but once he got Dad in that truck. . .there was NO backing out. . .

Rainbow Curve - Rocky Mountain National Park

Dad was all aquiver by the time they made it to Colorado. . .he had seen so many amazing things!  Since Louis’ mission was to deliver an air conditioning unit to an oil rig in North Dakota. . .they stopped by St Louis and saw the Arch. . .Dad kept asking when they were going to get to the “golden arches”. . .ummmm. . .wrong one Dad. . .LOL!

 

Since they were stopping by Mt Rushmore. . .I talked Louis (by phone) into driving the Needles Highway. . .Dad loved it. . .there’s nothing like that moment in time as you’re coming through that tunnel. . .and the entire panorama of Mt Rushmore is there in all it’s glory. . .breath taking!

 

After finishing business in North Dakota, they made a quick. . .and I mean a one day quick drive by pass through Yellowstone. . .with a stop to see Old Faithful in action.  No matter how many times you see it happen on a video. . .there’s nothing like the real life experience. . .hearing the sounds. . .smelling the sulphur. . .feeling the spray. . .

 

Knowing they only had one full day with us here. . .we wanted to cram in as much as possible. . .so of course we needed them to see our original reason for being here. . .Estes Park!  So a quick drive up to East Portal Campground to view our old stomping grounds where we volunteered for ten weeks. . .and to show my brother “the fix.”  He’s the smartest man I know about stuff like that. . .yep. . .we were right. . .can’t run 10 gauge wire 200 feet and expect to still have 30 amps.   Okay. . .now a “professional” has validated our decision. . .good to know!

 

Lily Lake - Rocky Mountain National Park

A quick drive out the Peak to Peak Scenic byway to Lily Lake. . .

and a group pose with Long’s Peak in the background. . .

Lily Lake - Rocky Mountain National Park

See the camera in Dad’s hand. . .he ‘bout wore it out. . .

Louis downloaded that memory card at least ten times. . .

digital cameras are the most awesome invention ever!!

Many Curves Lookout - Rocky Mountain National Park

On to Rocky Mountain National Park. . .Dad was worn out. . .

but he had a really, really great time. . .

Bear Lake Road - Rocky Mountain National Park

and a perfect ending to the day. . .

a huge herd of elk on Bear Lake Road!

Thanks Bub for creating wonderful memories. . .you’re the best!

 

This Monday, Dave’s oldest brother Curtis and our beautiful

sister by law, Brenda, will be here. . .so next week should be hopping. . .yaaaa!