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

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Full Time RV Living at Rocky Mountain National Park

The Park Rangers and Office Staff keep telling us how they didn’t get a lot of snow pack this year. . .and how dry everything is going to be. . .so we wanted to go up into the park while there was still a lot of snow on the ground.

View from Alpine Visitor Center

We headed straight for the summit. . .

Snowplow

They’ve been closing Trail Ridge Road off and on. . .so this guy is up on the mountain. . .ready for duty

Elk

This cow elk was boogying across the tundra. . .

Alpine Visitor Center - Snowdrift melting at 55* and 50 mph wind gusts

about an hour’s drive to the summit. . .11,796 feet. . .where everything was still closed. . .hmmmm?

2012-05 Colorado - Estes Park - East Portal Campground - Day Trip - Rocky Mountain National Park - Janice (4)

where there was plenty of snow. . .temps about 55* (not bad). . .but wind gusts at about 50 mph. . .you just couldn’t stand to be out there. . .seriously. . .

2012-05 Colorado - Estes Park - East Portal Campground - Day Trip - Rocky Mountain National Park (3)

a view of Fall River Road. . .all gravel, one way road. . .from the bottom to the top. . .

at the Summit of RMNP - the Beast

a road which the Beast will never, ever travel. . .we may take a jeep tour though. . .driven by a professional. . .thank you very much!

We want to see the rest of the park. . .all the way over to Grand Lake. . .but we are thinking, that since we have all summer. . . we’ll hold off until the weather warms up a wee bit. . .cold weather folk we are not!

We have a busy Memorial Day Weekend coming up. . .park is full. . .and although we are not scheduled to work. . .of course we will pitch in. . .and our friend Brenda and hubby Jimmy are coming up from Denver to spend the weekend. . .so it’s going to be great. . .

Check us out on Janice and Dave’s FaceBook where we’ve been posting lots of awesome photos of all the amazing wildlife. . .love it!

Talk to you after the holiday. . .enjoy!

 

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Full Time RV Living–Estes Park–Our Summer Home

Home in the Rockies til October

Isn’t this a glorious, gorgeous place to live for five months. . .

we just keep walking outside saying . . .WOW!

It took some doing to get us settled in up here. . .let me tell you. 

Now we know our rig is big and heavy. . .and has very low ground clearance. . .

so that’s why we upgraded to the big truck “the BEAST”. . .

but, with all the loose gravel,

even the Beast could not back us up the hill to get us into this spot. . .

that required a fellow camp host’s 4X4. . .

thank you Terry and Becky. . .you guys are awesome! 

It's a tough life. . .but somebody's gotta do it. . .

Dave designed us a sitting platform. . .

overlooking the mountains and the meadow below. . .

life is good!

YMCA Horseback Riders riding across the meadow at East Portal Campground

The YMCA horseback riders come across the meadow almost daily. . .

The hummingbirds are just swarming around our feeder. . .we love it!Female Ruby Throated Hummingbird at our homemade feeder in Estes Park

The hummingbirds are literally everywhere. . .

and if you get between them and their feeder, they will buzz your head!

I am currently designing a feeding platform for the bluejays and the magpies. . .

and am looking forward to adding several new finds to my Birding Life List. . .

We can feed the birds, but not the wildlife. . .as that would draw the bears. . .hello!,

and we must take in the feeders at night. . .

Oh. . .if only I can just cram in one more peanut. . .just one more!

of course the squirrels and the chipmunks can climb anything. . .

so there will be no keeping them out of the feeders. . .

as if I would try!

Mule deer still have their raggy winter coats

the mule deer wander through our camp each evening. . .

Wild Turkeys crossing our camp this morning. . .

as do a flock of five wild turkeys. . .

 

It’s hard to believe we have only been here one week. . .

As you can tell we are loving every single minute. . .

and will have lots, and lots more to share. . .

 

Today, we are going over to Rocky Mountain National Park,

where we plan to do a couple of easy hikes. . .

and tomorrow. . .back to work. . .

it’s tough, but somebody’s gotta do it. . .

 

Hugs to you all,

Janice

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Full Time RV TraveL: Wishing you a great day!

1-Single Pink Rose-001

Friday, May 11, 2012

Full Time RV Travel: Enjoying Estes Park~Next Week We Work

 

It has been a very quiet, enjoyable week in our temporary home

at Mary’s Lake Campground in Estes Park

Estes Park Memories

We arrived last Sunday. . .

Our temporary home at Mary's Lake Campground until East Portal is open. . .snowing

It snowed most of the day Monday. . .

Estes Park Downtown

but warmed right back up. . .

so Wednesday we trekked to downtown Estes Park

to check out all the tourist shops before the

summer crowds arrive around Memorial Day. . .

Estes Park Downtown

had a great burger with a great view. . .gotta be able to tell the folks in the

campground where the good eating places are. . .

 

Yesterday and today are training days with the Larimer County Staff. . .

learning all the ins and outs of being a Camp Host. . .

 

It’s sounding pretty great so far. . .

except for the Ranger’s scenarios of doom and gloom. . .LOL!

 

They were telling all these horror stories about what to do in out of control situations. . .but did admit that 98% of the folk are just here to have a great time. . .

and only need to be reminded about the basics. . .putting away food. . .

after all, we are in bear country. . .that sort of thing. . .

 

Here’s hoping for Happy Campers. . .

‘til next time!

 

Monday, May 7, 2012

Tips and Tricks for Full Time RV Living–Following your Favorite Blogs



I follow about 60 different blogs. . .some are RV How To Blogs, 
some are friends who blog about their travels, some Ministry Blogs, 
and some are just Life in General Blogs. . .

Now, of course, everyone on every blog 
doesn’t write a post every day, or that would be overwhelming. . .
but I have a very efficient way of keeping up with them all. . .
so simple:

GOOGLE Reader. . .
but here’s the trick to making it even simpler than that. . .

GOOGLE Chrome. . .
and the Google Chrome Bookmarks Bar. . .

Open your Google Reader. . .
it’s listed on your GMail Tab on Google Chrome. . .

Click on the Tools Icon
 (on the far right side by your name) looks like a little cog. . .

Open READER SETTINGS

Open GOODIES

Scroll down til you see the NEXT icon. . .
drag it to your Google Chrome bookmarks bar. . .

Scroll down til you see the SUBSCRIBE icon. . .
drag it to your Google Chrome bookmarks bar. . .
That’s it. . .

Open one of the favorite blogs you love to read. . .
hit the subscribe button in your bookmarks bar. . .
follow the instructions. . .done!

Once you have subscribed to all your favorite blogs, 
and have them listed in your Google Reader, 
all you need to do is click on the NEXT icon in your bookmarks bar. . .
and read away. . .so much easier than looking them all up.

Hope some of this makes sense, and is helpful to someone. . .

Good luck,
From Blogger Pictures
Dave and I have lived in our RV Full Time since 2003, when we sold the house and everything in it, and have traveled fulltime since 2009. Follow our tales by signing up to follow our blog on your favorite Blog Reader, and check back often as we share the tips and tricks of living the lifestyle. Connect with us on our
where you’ll meet lots of other RV’ers just like you. . .
traveling and enjoying this great adventure.

If you would like to receive our blog updates, just enter your email in the top right corner.

We respect your privacy, and never share your email address

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Full Time RV Travel: Day Tripping–Colorado State Capitol and the Denver Skyline

My goal is to personally photograph all 50 State Capitol Buildings, so with that in mind we set off for
Downtown Denver this morning. . .oops, we forgot about it being Cinco de Mayo. . .traffic was bad. . .crowds were thick, but we persevered and got this awesome shot of . . .
2012-05-05 2012-05-05 Colorado State Capitol and Denver Skyline (4) 043
Colorado State Capitol
2012-05-05 Colorado State Capitol and Denver Skyline (24)
In addition to wanting a photo of the Capitol. . .I also love city skylines. . .so I researched the
best place to get a good shot of the Denver skyline. . .City Park. . .so that’s where we went.
Standing on the back landing of the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, we also got the
beautiful panorama of the Rocky Mountains with the Capitol Dome in the foreground. . .
2012-05-05 2012-05-05 Colorado State Capitol and Denver Skyline (4) 011
My favorite skyline shot. . .
2012-05-05 2012-05-05 Colorado State Capitol and Denver Skyline (4) 032
and a close up. . .there was a MS run at the park today. . .
and as a bonus. . .a few shots for my Birding Life List. . .
Snowy Egret - page 97 - Peterson Field Guide to Birds - Bad hair Day?
this Snowy Egret was having a bad hair day. . .
Double Crested Cormorant - page 93 - Peterson Field Guide to Birds
the Double Crested Cormorant were plentiful. . .on the shore
2012-05-05 Colorado State Capitol and Denver Skyline (3)
in the water. . .
2012-05-05 Colorado State Capitol and Denver Skyline (16)
and nesting.
Black Crowned Night Heron - page 99 - Peterson Field Guide to Birds
gave my Peterson Field Guide a workout researching this one. . .
it’s a Black Crowned Night Heron. . .
2012-05-05 Colorado State Capitol and Denver Skyline (8)
They were also in nesting mode. . .
2012-05-05 Colorado State Capitol and Denver Skyline (7)
and of course. . .Canada Geese. . .I know, I know. . .they are everywhere,
and they are loud and messy. . .but I think they are beautiful. . .
and I want to see how many places I  can get pics of them in. . .

It was a great day. . .tomorrow we head to Estes Park to start our newest project. . .
Updates soon from our summer home. . .

Friday, May 4, 2012

Full Time RV Travel: Day Tripping: Peak to Peak Scenic Byway–Estes Park to Golden CO


The things we saw along the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway in Colorado
Elk grazing on Peak To Peak BYWAY just out of Estes Park CO
Just out of Estes Park, we saw elk grazing in a meadow. . .
Long's Peak in the Center - Rocky Mountains - Peak to Peak Scenic -  Byway 14,259 feet
the highest summit in Rocky Mountain National Park
2012-05-03 Day Trip - Estes Park - Chapel on the Rock (3)
Chapel on the Rock – designated a Historic Site in 1999
2012-05-03 Day Trip - Estes Park - Peak to Peak Scenic Byway - snow in the mountains
still snow in the mountains
2012-05-03 Day Trip - Estes Park - Peak to Peak Scenic Byway - scenic views (1)
Scenic views. . .
2012-05-03 Day Trip - Estes Park - Peak to Peak Scenic Byway - Blackhawk CO - a gambling town (2)
Blackhawk is a gambling town. . .
2012-05-03 Day Trip - Estes Park - Peak to Peak Scenic Byway - RIVER
driving along the river between Blackhawk and Golden
was reminiscent of driving the canyon road
between Bozeman and West Yellowstone MT. . .
2012-05-03 Day Trip - Estes Park - Peak to Peak Scenic Byway - tunnel
Three tunnels. . .big rig friendly. . .not sure!
2012-05-03 Day Trip - Estes Park - Peak to Peak Scenic Byway - Denver Skyline
Denver Skyline
Golden CO Welcome
The End

Other Peak to Peak Scenic Byway stories you might enjoy:

Colorado Rocky Mountain High « Our Adventure in RVing
Up the Raton pass putting New Mexico In our rear view mirror, we cross the Colorado border and wonder if Rocky MountainHigh” is caused by the thin air and lack of oxygen. Maybe the high is from the excitement of ...
Publish Date: 05/02/2012 22:10
http://ouradventureinrving.wordpress.com/2012/05/03/colorado-rocky-mountain-high/


Peak to Peak Scenic Byway | Colorado Scenic Drives on ...
The Peak to Peak Scenic Byway is Colorado's oldest Scenic Byway (designated in 1918) and travels between Longs Peak and Pikes Peak passing through the spectacular beauty of Roosevelt National Forest, Rocky Mountain National Park ...
Publish Date: 05/19/2011 1:28
http://www.myscenicdrives.com/drives/colorado/peak-to-peak-scenic-byway

Full Time RV Travel: Garden of the Gods & Pike’s Peak ~Colorado Springs

After our hike at Seven Falls. . .
we were too pooped to do anything more than. . .
drive over to the Garden of the God's Visitor Center. . .
stand on their balcony, and take this gorgeous photo
View of Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods from the Overlook of the Visitor Center
of Pike’s Peak, with Garden of the Gods in the foreground. . .
#17 Exploring the rocks 2#16 Exploring the rocks
#28 Visiting the artist in the hills#25 I ain't scared
Twenty four years ago the boys enjoyed 
exploring every inch of Garden of the Gods. . .
#88 the Summit at Pikes Peak
and we took the cog railroad to the summit 
of Pike’s Peak. . .where it was snowing. . .we all loved it!

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Full Time RV Travel: Seven Falls Colorado Springs CO

 

Although you can’t really tell it by looking at the pics. . .

there really are seven distinct and separate waterfalls. . .

2012-04-27 Seven Falls

each one as beautiful as the last. . .

2012-04-27 Seven Falls

but the only true way to see each and every one of them distinctively

Just a portion of the 277 steps to the top of Seven Falls

is to climb the two staircases like this one, totaling 224 steps. . .

I heard one of the guys telling someone that when you get

short winded. . .don’t stop. ..cause then your legs will freeze up. . .

great huh. . .I climbed 10 steps. . .rested. . .10 steps. . .rested. . .

and so on, and so forth. . .of course I pretended to be reading

the signs about each waterfall. . .hey, whatever works!

2012-04-27 Seven Falls

I love, love, love this horsetail fall, with the pool at the bottom. . .

You know how you always read in those historical romances. . .

(I mean novels) about bathing under the waterfall. . .

can’t you just imagine that happening here?  So beautiful. . .

Trail map copy

So. . .as if climbing 224 stairs straight up wasn’t enough. . .

we decided to hike an additional mile and 400 more feet in elevation. . .

Hike to Inspiration Point -  Seven Falls

to Inspiration Point. . .

Hike to Inspiration Point -  Seven Falls

This was the trail. . .

Dave catching his breath - Hike to Inspiration Point -  Seven FallsJanice catching her breath - Hike to Inspiration Point -  Seven Falls

catching our breath. . .

Hike to Inspiration Point -  Seven Falls

love these granite outcroppings. . .

The view from Inspiration Point -  Seven Falls

our first view of Colorado Springs

Hike to Inspiration Point -  Seven Falls

from the summit.

The view from Inspiration Point -  Seven Falls

and with the zoom. . .so beautiful. . .and so worth it!

Yes I plan to make many more hikes like this during the

summer we spend in the Rocky Mountains. . .wish me luck!

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

RV Park Review - Colorado: Golden - Golden Terrace RV Resort

Golden Terrace South RV Resort
17801 Colfax Ave
Golden CO 80401

My best recommendation. . .

Do NOT stay here unless you really, really 
like to be close to your neighbors. . .


This was our parking space for the week. . .
at about $27 per night. . .hello. . .

Our slides are so deep, 48" that we had to measure
to make sure we wouldn't bump the guy next door. . .

Not a good experience. . .


RV Park Review - TEXAS: College Station - Lazy G RV Park


Disclaimer:
These are RV Parks and Resorts that we have stayed in across the country.
As you know, things change, management changes, etc. . . so verify any information, rates, and so on before you make a reservation.

These were the conditions at the time of our visit. . .

We stayed at the Lazy G RV Park in College Station  located right on Hwy 6, south of College Station, for the month of November 2011. . .

IMGP1167

Lazy G RV Park

16554 S. Hwy 6
College Station, TX
77845

(979) 690-8658

IMGP1165
We had a fairly good sized pull though spot for $395 for the month. . .pads are gravel, and fairly level. . .all hookups are centrally located center. . .so easy to access.



The park is a member of TACO – Texas Association of Campground Owners. . .which will get you a 10% discount on daily rates. . .they accept cash, checks and credit cards (NOT American Express though)



I was unable to determine if they were members of any other discount programs. . .as best as I could tell. . .they are not.



The highway was very close. . .within 200 yards of our space. . .so if that will bother you, I suggest requesting a spot in the rear of the park.



It also seemed to us that the front spaces were reserved for overnite  and weekend stays. . .since it was Texas A&M FootBall Season, we seemed to have the party groups coming in next to us on those weekends. . .you never heard so much door slamming. . .and kids squealing. . .thankfully all was quiet during the week.



IMGP1158

This is the rear camping area. . .as you can see, there is no shade. . .however, I am sure it is much quieter back there, as you do not have the highway noise, or the traffic going in and out.   One vehicle in particular with a very loud exhaust seemed to go in and out at least 10 times per day. . we did find it extremely annoying, especially late at night.



This seems to be a working man’s park, so it stayed pretty full the entire month we were there.   They also provide RV and Boat Storage as you can see in the rear, behind the camping area.

IMGP1163
There was a large laundry area. . .three washers and three dryers. . .$1.50 each per load.  Also a comfy place to sit, both inside and outside.

IMGP1162

The four restroom facilities, and shower houses were self contained and private, which is a plus.  The one I looked into had been smoked in. . .even though there was a huge NO SMOKING sign. . .and the shower looked as though it could use a dose of bleach. . .but overall, very adequate for those times a shower house is needed.

As stated earlier, this is a working man’s park, so no frills. . .pool or spa. . .but great monthly rate.  . . not really sure I would be willing to pay the $32 nightly rate for 50 amp service though.
IMGP1160

This is the pet area. . .I did read in the rules that all pets were to be on leash at all times.  I did not find that rule to be enforced. . .as I observed several animals being allowed to roam free.  I guess the owners feel as long as they are outside, their pet should be okay.  .  .

Shopping is easily accessible. . .Lowe’s and HEB Grocery are at the next exit. . .Walmart is within five minutes or so. . .by the time you make it to Walmart, you are almost to the business district, where every store and restaurant imaginable is available.

The mall is huge, and easily accessible from Hwy 6 as is Sam’s Club, Academy, Home Depot. . .you name it. . .if you need it, you can find it in the area.

Texas A&M Campus Tours are available. . .be sure to check the website as scheduling in advance is recommended.

RV Parking and hookups are available on the campus. . .please contact the  Texas A&M Transportation Dept. for more info. . .

No trip to College Station would be complete without a visit to the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, also located on the Texas A&M Campus.

We did not eat out too often this trip. . .Dave was teaching classes, and we had projects going on. . .but we did enjoy a meal at Crazy Cajun’s in the campus area. . .and lunch at Los Molcajetes in the neighboring town of Bryan. . .and we always make a pass by our favorite Tex Mex place. . .Chuy’s.  Their jalapeno ranch green sauce is so amazing, I’ve had to learn to make it at home.



If you have any questions about the information here. . .or would like to contact us you can do so at RTGMarketing@rtgmarketing.net


Restaurant.com - Most $25 Gift Certificates for on


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RVParkReviews.com - “Lazy G RV Park” in College StationTexas ...

http://www.campertoys.com/ - I would definitely recommend this park. The owners were great in helping us take care of some… (Read the full review at www.rvparkreviews.

Publish Date: 07/09/2011 9:51

http://www.rvparksconnect.com/rv-community/rvparkreviewscom-lazy-g-rv-park-in-college-station-texas-was-rated-10-56733.html

RVParkReviews.com - “Lazy G RV Park” in College StationTexas ...

http://www.campertoys.com/ - Try to stay in the front for more shower/restroom availability. Long term workers have caused… (Read the full review at www.rvparkreviews.

Publish Date: 05/02/2011 20:16

http://www.rvparksconnect.com/rv-community/rvparkreviewscom-lazy-g-rv-park-in-college-station-texas-was-rated-9-2-53671.html

From Blogger Pictures

Dave and I have lived in our RV Full Time since 2003, when we sold the house and everything in it, and have traveled fulltime since 2009. Follow our tales by signing up to follow our blog, and check back often as we share the tips and tricks of living the lifestyle.

Connect with us on our FACEBOOK Ready To Go Full Time RVing Page. . .where you’ll meet lots of other RV’ers just like you. . .traveling and enjoying this great adventure.

If you would like to receive our blog updates, just enter your email in the top right corner. . .

We respect your privacy, and never share your email address

Full Time RV Travel Days ~ Colorado Springs to Denver

It seems when we are in the mountains,
everywhere we turn is another postcard opportunity,
and today was no exception. . .
Scenic View of the Mountains west of Denver. . .
the Rocky Mountains to the west of Denver are still snow covered. . . 
but the most amazing thing is. . . a few days ago,
a  blogging friend, Marsha. . .who writes a great RV’ing blog
called Where’s Weaver flew from Ohio to Las Vegas
and got a shot of these same mountains from the air. . .
Mountains of Denver 2
isn’t that just beautiful?
Mountains of Denver
Thanks Marsha for giving me permission to borrow a copy of your shots. . .
Scenic View of the Mountains west of Denver. . .
and one last shot of how my pics really look
before they are cropped and doctored. . .LOL. . .

Could you ever take that view for granted?

It was a very short, easy travel day. . .
and although I am still traumatized by
it has been very, very quiet here in the park. . .
and this too shall pass. . .

More of our adventures later. . .til then. . .stay safe!