Days 24-37: Two Weeks in Telluride

When we started "planning" this year's road trip, we always had our sights set on the town of Telluride in Colorado. 

Telluride is known for its music festivals, and one of Kevin's friends was hoping to make the trip to Telluride for "Ridefest" because his favorite band--Pearl Jam--was playing this year. And, a friend of ours was planning to stay in Telluride while on a road trip with his family. So, we thought it would be nice to cross paths with friends while out on the road ourselves. 

It all seemed too good to be true when one day in May a family that we know offered us the use of their vacation home in Telluride out of the blue. They had no clue we were planning to head that way all along, so we took it as a sign that Telluride would be a definite stop on a road trip that typically has no definite stops. 

Also, although we love camping in the trailer, the idea of some time with hot showers in a real bed in the middle of our trip sounded too good to be true. We decided to take them up on their offer. 

We got to Telluride a little earlier on than we planned, so our week turned into two weeks--which is significantly longer than our 2-3 day campsite tradition. So...that should tell you a little something about the magic we felt in this place! 

Side note: Altitude sickness is a real thing! Although Kevin didn't really feel the effects, when we first arrived I got severely out of breath just from walking up a few steps! After a few days my body got used to the altitude, but I still had to remember to take it easy. 

I've decided to try to capture our two weeks in Telluride in this one blog post, so here goes: 

We got to Telluride just in time for the Fourth of July holiday. This turned out to be a good thing for two reasons: (1) it rained for the first two days we were here and we had an amazing  place to stay (I mean...the actual mountains on the Coors Light cans were in our backyard) and (2) we didn't have to try to find a campsite for the busy holiday weekend. Little did we know that we were about to make some memories that will last a lifetime! Here are some of the highlights--

Fourth of July in Telluride: a flyover, parade, and fireman's BBQ lunch in the town park. It does NOT get more American than that! We especially enjoyed the music from an eclectic group called the Hillstompers during the parade! 

Free Gondola Rides into town: Twenty years ago, in an effort to be more green by limiting the amount of traffic into and out of the town especially during ski season, the town erected a gondola system to get from Mountain Village down into the Telluride valley. The thirteen minute ride offers breathtaking views, is dog friendly, and is absolutely FREE. Plus, it eliminates the hassle of looking for a parking spot! We loved the views and the convenience of the whole system. 

Delicious food!!!!: Telluride offers a variety of dining options. Our favorites were Smugglers Brewery (delicious appetizers and beverages), Brown Dog Pizza (get the 3-1-3...trust me), and Baked in Telluride (delicious baked goods and pasta...and we were there one morning just after Oprah!). We also enjoyed many meals cooked in the luxury of a full kitchen at the place we were staying. 

Bridal Veil Falls: The falls are gorgeous. You can hike or drive to them. We opted to drive, which we immediately regretted because there was no easy place to turn around in our giant truck once we got to the top. After several moments of sheer panic and adrenaline we were able to maneuver our way around, but the sweaty palms and anxiety kind of tarnished the falls experience!  If we ever have the opportunity to return to Telluride, I'm opting for a hike to some of the other falls that are in the area!!!

Gold King Basin: Another bumpy drive takes you back to an abandoned mine and picturesque setting. This spot is the home of the first long distance electric wire to operate the mine, this spot is a little tough to get to but

most definitely worth it. So much so that we went back twice. Here we found snow in July and found rocks filled with crystals and minerals just outside the abandoned mine shaft. 

Ridefest: Telluride is known for its festivals, and we timed our visit to align with a two day festival known as Ridefest. This year the headliner was Pearl Jam, and one of Kevin's friends flew out with his brother to share in the experience. When the lead singer of a band that has travelled the world says he has goosebumps from playing in such a setting, you know it is something special. The laid back atmosphere, scenic views, and great music all made for a memorable time. 

Last Dollar Road: We spent one afternoon driving to neighboring towns (Rico and Ouray) and checking out local campgrounds. On the way back we took a gravel but scenic road called the "Last Dollar Road." It's strange for us to put down roots for so long during a road trip, so this drive helped us feel like we were still on the road. 

Tubing through Town: OK. Kevin and I were too chicken to get into the ice cold water ourselves, but when our friends and their three kids arrived in town, we gladly watched the kids enjoy the experience! It looks like fun...maybe when it is a few degrees warmer! Scout enjoyed playing in the creek, too. 

Farmer's Market/Concert in the Park: Telluride offers a variety of options for family and entertainment. From farmers markets to free outdoor concerts, there is always something to do. We especially enjoyed the Sunset Concert and browsing the library sale  at the Farmer's Market (where I got 5 books for a total of 10 bucks!)

Time to Relax: We also enjoyed hanging out at the house. Kevin carved walking sticks to give as a thank you gift to the owners of the house, I enjoyed the hammock in the Aspen forest that surrounds their home, we watched some movies, showered, and did laundry. It was a perfect time to recharge from a month on the road!

Time with Friends: It was a crazy coincidence that our friends were staying at a house less than a mile from us while we were in town, and we enjoyed hanging with them and their kids in such an amazing setting. Kevin also got to experience Ridefest with another friend. The memories that we made in Telluride will last a lifetime. 

Dog Friendly Town: There were dogs everywhere in Telluride. On the Gondola. In the Creek. In the Town Park. And...at my personal favorite...puppy parking stations. We "parked" Scout a few times when we went into Baked in Telluride to pick out our breakfast pastries each morning or when we ran into the grocery store a few times. Scout was so worn out from all of the activity and attention that he just sat and quietly waited for us to return. It was nice to be able to be in a town where water bowls line the street and pups are welcomed, too! 

When we return back to "The Real World" people will ask us about our trip. I'm certain that Telluride will be the time that stands out. We are so thankful to the friends who opened their home-away-from home to us. It was so difficult to leave, but we know there is more out there to see and we will carry the memories of our time in that special place with us. We hope to be able to return...but only time will tell. 

Day 23: Capitol Reef National Park, Utah to Vega State Park, Utah

I had no trouble waking up early this morning  for one very good reason. Pie. Capitol Reef is also a working orchard, and the historic Gifford House sells fresh mini fruit pies, cinnamon rolls, and bread each morning starting at 8:00 am. You better believe I was there waiting for the doors to open at 8:00 am on the dot. 

I picked out a Strawberry-Rhubarb pie, a Mixed Berry pie, and two cinnamon rolls. They were still warm. I love the sweet breakfast treats, but I also like the walk along the creek from the Gifford House to the campground. With pies in hand, we enjoyed the walk back to our home away from home and then quickly dug into one of the pies and one of the cinnamon rolls. 

The previous day's rain cooled off the area, so after enjoying our sugary breakfast I decided to set off to take the hike Kevin took the previous day before it got too warm. The one mile trail starts with an easy stroll alongside the Fremont River, but then rapidly begins a 500 foot ascent to the top of one of the bluffs. I HATE hiking hills, but Kevin assured me that the view was worth it, so I forced myself up the trail. I didn't see a single other soul during my journey, but I did see some breathtaking views along the way. Literally. Breathtaking. I was out of breath from my climb. 

After enjoying the view from the top and catching my breath, I made my way back down the trail towards our campsite. When I left, we were undecided about whether we were going to stay another day or move on to someplace else, but when I returned to camp Kevin had packed up and was ready to go in search of a new adventure. Although we love Capitol Reef, it is still a National Park which means dogs are very limited about where they can go so they were getting a bit restless. So...we set out to find someplace they could play a bit while we relaxed. And...it would take us to another state--Colorado! 

Along the way, we drove through Fruta, Colorado. The homestead in Capitol Reef that was originally settled by Mormons is known as Fruta, so we thought it would be neat to be in two Frutas in one day. After three weeks on the road we were both craving pizza, so we decided to pick up a pizza as we drove through the town. Once I had service, I used trusty Yelp to select the restaurant--a solar powered pizza place called Hot Tomato Cafe. When I looked at the map to find its precise location I made a surprising discovery--Suds Brothers Brewery II was located directly across the street! What are the odds of accidentally stumbling across the two brewery locations in two random towns in two different states in just two days? So...we took it as a sign and went in to have a drink while we waited for our pizza to cook. 

After enjoying our brews, we picked up our pizza and climbed into the car to eat and put in some more miles. Tonight's destination--Vega State Park. 

It was only about an hour drive from Fruta, and so in no time we found a campsite right on the lake nestled high in the mountains. We had only two neighbors all night, but we did see that every single campsite was reserved for the following night through the Fourth of July holiday!  We were glad we were at least able to find a site for the night! 

Once again Scout wore himself out in the water. Kevin spent a little time fishing with no success. I finished up another book (The Forgotten Girls). Then, we all enjoyed a campfire once we thoroughly lathered up in bug spray! The Mosquitos were out in full force at the lake! Before long, we noticed lightning on the horizon. We sat and watched the storm as it slowly rolled in. It seemed to take forever, but then all of a sudden the wind picked up and the rain began. Kevin and I quickly put everything away and jumped into the Scamp as the storm began to unleash its forces on the campground. 

It was sooooo windy up on that mountaintop! We played a little Hive and then climbed into bed as the wind howled and the rain fell upon the roof. My favorite way to sleep in the Scamp!!!! 

Day 22: Uinta Mountains, Utah to Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

As we began our fourth week on the road, we woke up bright and early with a clear destination in mind. A return trip to our favorite National Park that we have visited so far--Capitol Reef National Park.

A few hours of driving was all that stood between us and breathtaking Utah scenery, orchards, and fresh fruit pies.

We love Capitol Reef because even though it is a National Park located close to other popular National Parks (like Zion, for example), for some reason it remains relatively uncrowded. And...the scenic loop in the park allows you to get up close and personal with the landscape in ways we haven't experienced in other parks. Forget scenic overlooks--you can reach out and touch the landscape as you drive! 

We were pleasantly surprised to see that our campsite from the previous year was available--67--and so we quickly set up camp and sat down to enjoy the breeze and views. 

While I stayed with the dogs and watched deer graze in the orchard by our campsite, Kevin went for a hike on the Freemont Trail up to a bluff that offered amazing views of the park. 

Thankfully he saw that a storm was rolling in, so he quickly hiked back to our site where we prepared for the rain. As the storm descended upon the park, we settled into the Scamp to relax until it passed. 

The storm rolled through rather quickly, and so we emerged from the scamp around sunset and decided to enjoy the 20 mile scenic drive through the park before it got dark. We only saw two other cars on the road as we drove, so it felt like we had the whole park to ourselves. We wisely did NOT drive down the "Great Wash" road because to the rain--as the name implies, the road is prone to flash flooding when storms are in the area. I highly recommend that drive, however, when the skies are clear!!!

When we returned to camp, Kevin made some hot dogs in the dark and drizzle and then we settled into bed with visions of fresh fruit pies in our heads!!! 

Day 21: Teton Bridger National Forest, WY to Uinta Mountains, Utah

Early in the morning on day 21, I was awoken by an unusual sound. Mooing. Close by. And lots of it. I nudged Kevin awake and asked him to listen. He rolled over muttering something about seeing cows in a field across the bridge at the end of the lake the night before. So, I closed my eyes and tried to fall back to sleep. 

But the mooing continued and increased in volume until both of us jumped out of bed to see what was happening. Turns out, some Cowboys were on a cattle drive right past our campsite. At least 150 cows and several Cowboys paraded on by as we watched. 

It was a strange wake-up call, but since we were wide awake by the time it was all finished, we started packing up to move on to our next destination. 

Kevin was feeling a little better after a good night's sleep, so we all piled back into the truck and set out for a new state! Utah!

Along the way, we stopped in Evanston, Wyoming to wash the truck and Scamp. Both were covered in dust from our adventures. Then, we decided to grab a bite to eat at Suds Brother's Brewery for lunch. After chatting with the waitress for a bit, we got back into the truck and set out for one of the prettiest drives of our trip so far--Route 150 through the Uinta Mountains. 

The road winds through the mountain range, and national forest campgrounds are abundant throughout the drive. We drove through several and even discovered that snow was still on the ground in some of the sites and some at the very top of the mountains still hadn't even opened yet for the season!!!

We eventually settled upon an isolated site in the Shingle Creek campground and set up camp for the night. As the name suggests, a creek meanders alongside the campground, and once again Scout enjoyed wearing himself out in the water after a long day in the truck. 

Once we got settled, Kevin got to work making some steak fajitas. It was then that I noticed that Scout was sniffing the air, but Kevin and I both just thought he was smelling the food. A few seconds later, though, I went into panic mode when Kevin tensed up and whispered, "What is that?" 

In the field behind our site, he saw a large brown object and heard some breathing. I instinctively went for the bear spray, but then we both exhaled a sigh of relief when we saw that it was just a cow. Whew! In fact, there were about five cows (2 adults and 3 babies) grazing in the field. 

We didn't think too much of seeing cows roaming through the field since so much of the areas we drive through are open ranges, but when an angry cowboy came riding through the field on his horse shouting obscenities at the cows we realized that they were actually runaway cows! All we could do as the cows and cowboy ran by was stand and stare--stunned that our day began with cows and was ending with cows. 

After the excitement was over, we sat down to enjoy our meal in peace. As we were cleaning up, the cowboy came riding by once again--this time on the road by our site--and sans cows. He said that he caught them and wished us a good night, but not before riding through our campsite to wrangle his dog who was reluctant to leave Scout behind. 

I'm telling you--you haven't lived until a cowboy calls you "honey" and rides his horse right through your campsite. 

You never know what each day on the road will bring. Today brought gorgeous views, Cowboys, and cows. Lots and lots of cows. 

Day 20: Elk Creek, ID to Teton Bridger National Forest, WY

When we left Elk Creek on Monday morning, we were planning on driving into Teton National Park and staying in one of their campsites. The park has several different campgrounds, two of which are first come first served and have over 300 campsites.

We also planned to stop in Jackson Hole, Wyoming just outside the park to do laundry (yay!!!!), restock on groceries, and maybe do some window shopping in the town. Whoa. When we pulled in, the town was packed. And I mean packed. After being out in so many isolated places, the traffic and so many people was overwhelming to our senses. So we revised our plan. I did the laundry while Kevin got groceries. We drove through the town to at least see the iconic antler arches, and then continued on into Teton National Park.

I'm always prepared for National Parks to be crowded--especially since this year is the 100 year celebration--but after spending so much time in National Forests the crowds were too much for us. So...we decided to drive the scenic loop in the park and then made our way south of the park a few miles to the Teton Bridger National Forest. We used our atlas as a guide once again to find some campgrounds, but ultimately stumbled upon an isolated campground just off the road and along another creek. 

The weather today was hot, so we quickly set up camp and headed down to the creek where we set set up our chairs in the flowing crystal clear water and relaxed until the sun started to set. 

This creek was a little too fast flowing for Scout to swim in! It was making me nervous! So we only let him wade around a bit and then we put him on a leash!!! 

When we went back to camp, Kevin said he wasn't feeling so great, so we sat by an early campfire and Kevin headed to bed early while I sat out by the fire and finished an AMAZING book (A Man Called Ove). 

Hopefully Kevin is feeling better in the morning...we plan to head on in to Utah next!!!