Friday, July 19, 2013 Narrows Campground (Roosevelt National Forest, CO)

Now this is REAL camping, folks!

This is what we’ve been waiting for – real mountain camping.  Tonight is our first night to get out of the city and into the mountains.  Unfortunately, the only campsite we find on a Friday afternoon backs up to Highway 14.  We relax in our chairs facing the road and wave at passing vehicles as they make their way to their own destinations.  Now this is REAL camping!  Actually, we’re just happy to have a place to park "The Moose" without heading further up the mountain canyon.

The highway going up Poudre Canyon is just beyond the fence.  I catch a moment in time with no vehicles flying past our campsite.

 

Although our campsite backs up to the highway, the Poudre River is still just steps away in the opposite direction.  Jack finds some quiet time along the river with thoughts of, "Which fly do I need to catch the BIG ONE?"

 More thinking and feet soaking in the river.

 This guy braves the cold water to get his chance at a trout.

"What do you think this is?"

That is the question posed to us by some neighboring campers.  My guess is an ice cream maker since I've had it on my mind all day.  Jack thinks it may be a disposable toilet but doesn't express his opinion to the folks from Tennessee.  After the guessing game is over, the lady camper tells us it's a homemade yard light.  They picked up a free empty 3 lb. frosting bucket from the grocery store, bought a light kit from the big box store, cut a hole in the bottom of the bucket, inserted the light kit, and ta-da -- you've got yourself a yard light.  In fact, a yard light that lights up several surrounding campsites along with their own.  Thanks a lot.

This couple has been full-timing for a few years now and want to give us some pointers on how to save money on the road since they "spent $20,000.00 the first year trying to figure out how to get free stuff."   We're new at this and all ideas are worth listening to - but, we've decided to pass on the yard light.

Oh yeah, they also tell us that everyone in Tennessee has at least one frosting bucket light fixture.  Please, someone in Tennessee tell me it's not so!  

July 4 – 6, 2013 Sportmans Lake Campground, Seminole, OK

Out of Texas – and into Oklahoma!

We make our way out of the great state of Texas, having picked up the motorhome (a.k.a. "The Moose") and the Jeep (a.k.a "The Caboose") in Killeen a couple of days earlier.  Friends in Holdenville, OK suggest a campground we may be able to get into on the 4^th of July – imagine that!  We make our way toward Seminole, OK and call ahead to the Park Ranger at Sportsman Lake.  Indeed, he has a spot that our rig will fit into.  We arrive and set up camp and settle in for a 3 night stay.  Our friendly park ranger has saved us a nice site overlooking the lake.

 

Wildlife?  These Canada geese are about as wild as life gets in this quiet country campground.  "Ranger Rick" (I can't remember his name) said until recently this park was overgrown with weeds and mostly used by local kids for parties.  With a dedicated staff, it's been cleaned up and is monitored closely so families can come here and enjoy time together.     

 

Sunrise over Sportsman Lake.  What a beautiful sight!

This was worth getting up early for!
 

Next destination - Cherry Creek State Park in the southeast Denver, CO suburbs.  Lots of family and friends to visit, and final details to take care of before we head for mountains.