Scandinavian Adventure

Here's a test of blogging with an Android tablet

This is the route we will be taking on our trip to Scandinavia in July.  We've just acquired an Android Tablet which will accept a micro-sd card from our camera.  So we should be able to update this blog as we travel next month.

Last Week at Pagosa Springs

We have just returned from 2 days of camping at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and 2 Days in Salida Colorado with the Corrado Family.  It was a nice side trip that also featured driving along the Silver Thread Highway from South Fork to Lake City Colorado -Spectacular Scenery.

Carol is happy that there will be no more mountain passes to drive over this summer.  In our last week here we hope to find and contract for a place here in Pagosa for a month of winter living, complete arrangements for next summer in Scandinavia, play one last Monday afternoon of bridge, take in one more Wednesday night of food and music at Nellos, attend a couple of sessions of water aerobics for Carol and attempt to complete a couple of challenging cycling goals for George.  We have just loved our summer here.  We came for great weather. (the windows were opened on July 15 and we will close them when we leave on Sunday)  But the real bonus was the terrific community life and all the nice people we have met here.

Some highlights from the last Month in Pictures:

George and Anita Hershman visit from California:

Anita overlooking Wolf Creek Ski Slopes

Carol on the Cumbres Toltec Train

George and Anita at Chimney Rock

Trip to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Pagosa Springs, Co

Life is still good here in Colorado even though the Monsoon Season is in full swing.  Nobody complains too much about the rain since it has been so dry.  We just got back from a camping and 4X4 trip in silver mine country near Silverton Colorado with Jim and Nancy.  Camping was a little wet but we dried out quickly once we got "home" to Pagosa.  We took advantage of a free concert last night which featured some unusual instruments and will be going to Jazz Night at Nello's tonight. No shortage of great music here!

Here are a few pictures from the camping trip:

Route from Silverton to Eureka

Along the road to Silverton

Silverton Courthouse

Jail

Jailhouse Kitchen

Ore Chute

Stove Collection

Ski Collection

Mill Ruins at Eureka

Mine buildings in the distance

Carol goes Jeeping

It's Easier by Jeep

There's our campsite

Our Campsite

Sunrise at the campsite

Close up of mill ruins

Old Hundred Mill Tour

Manual Drilling

Who will hold the dynamite

Pneumatic Drilling

The road less traveled

Miner's View

Mine near Silverton

Train leaving Silverton in the afternoon

Puff Ball Mushrooms

Dirty Car at the end of the trip

Pagosa Springs, Co

We've rented a condo in Pagosa Springs Colorado for two months this summer.  Two and a half weeks into it we have adapted to the 7,500 ft elevation and settled into the life of a "summer resident".  In the summer the population of Pagosa swells with a tide of Texans who maintain summer homes here.  They have an active local theater, lots of great bridge, and unlimited outdoor activities which are enhanced by low humidity bluebird sunny days and "picture postcard" mountain scenery.

The condo we have rented is in a former Fairfield community which is similar to our home in Fairfield Harbour, New Bern, NC.  It is a mix of time shares, condos and single family homes with golf courses, lakes, a large recreation center, and a POA community center.  Carol is enjoying the water aerobics and yoga classes and I am attempting to get into good enough cycling condition to join one of the local groups.

We are especially fortunate to have visitors during our stay.  Diane, Roy, Joshua, and Sam have already visited. We are expecting Carol's cousin George and his wife Anita from California in two weeks.  We have not seen them in years!  A couple we met camping in Zion last year , Susan and David, will visit over Labor day.  We will meet up with Liz and Brian and their family from Colorado Springs for a weekend of camping near Salida in early September.  And of course we are spending time with Jim and Nancy of Summerbreeze whom we first met as "next door" mooring field neighbors in Marathon Fla.  Jim and Nancy live in Durango during the summer and winter on their boat in Fla and the Bahamas.  Our visit with them in Durango last summer inspired our decision to come back to Colorado this summer.

The calendar for the rest of our stay is pretty full and we will be headed home to New Bern before we know it.

Diane, Roy, Josh, Sam ready to board the Silverton to Durango Train

Visiting Chimney Rock

Native American Dancers at Chimney Rock

Jim and Nancy at the Piedra River Gorge

 

Piedra River Trail

Enjoying the spectacular gorge views

Hiking in the San Jan National Forest

Kansas City, Ks

Except for a brief resupply visit home, we've been on the road since the 12th of July.  So last night we decided to forego the Gulf Coast for a more direct route home.  We had a long day today and plan another tomorrow, heading for Nashville.  We'll take a lay day there and catch a dinner show on Wednesday.  Then
 another long day to home on Thursday.  The temps are cooler now in New Bern and hopefully we can get in some fall sailing.  This will be our last blog entry for awhile.

Colorado Springs

We are now in Colorado Springs staying with Liz and Brian.  About a week ago we arrived at Mesa Verde National Park and enjoyed a very uncrowded campground and some great hiking around the Pueblo Ruins.  I especially enjoyed my tour of the Balcony House and our subsequent hike out onto the opposing mesa over Soda Canyon for a distant view of the reconstructed house.

We also enjoyed our first elaborate camping meal cooked over a wood fire.

Ever cook in knee pads?

You can view the Mesa Verde pictures here:

Mesa Verde

Then it was on to Durango and a great visit with Jim and Nancy Holland from the sailing vessel  Summer Breeze.  Carol and I met them in Marathon Fl where we were mooring ball neighbors.  We enjoyed staying with them in their home along the Animas River and a camping trip to a national forest overlooking Ouray Colorado.  After breaking camp, Jim took me on a four wheel drive adventure back to Silverton Co over the high peaks up to 1300 feet.  A truly amazing ride.

Carol, Nancy and Jim overlooking Ouray from the campground

You can see pictures from our visit with Jim and Nancy here:

Jim and Nancy