At the conclusion of the previous post, Bridget, Reggie, and I walk along the creek that borders Gore Creek Campground.
Gore Creek, East Vail, Colorado
We return to our campsite. Although I want to write a blog post, I soon realize I’d do a better job if I put that off until in the morning when my mind is fresh.
Wednesday, August 3
Immediately after breakfast I start blogging. After about a half-hour, Reggie backhoes the comforter, insistent that we take the first walk of the day.
“Okay, Reg. You win.”
Bridget, Reggie and I stroll the campground loop. It seems we’re the only ones up and outside. I dump a bag of trash in the dumpster. The early light filters through aspens, illuminating purple flowers.
“Hold up, guys. I have to get this.”
Back at the Best Little Trailer I resume blogging.
I work feverishly for at least another hour or more. Although check-out time isn’t until noon, I like to start a travel day early and I want this post done before we leave.
Right when I’m at the point of adding “THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING AMAZON FROM MY BLOG,” the post disappears! Pffft! Gone! All of it, including the revision copies. Maddening!
I secure the interior of the BLT and we pull out.
We board Interstate-70 and head east toward Silverthorne.
Vail Pass (elevation: 10,603 feet) is up ahead.
Nothing like a mountain pass to get one’s mind off losing a post!
I’m pretty confident now about passes. Soon we’re chugging up a grade in 2nd gear. I’m keeping the Perfect Tow Vehicle at a comfortable 40 mph, no problem for anyone because there’s a passing lane.
Up ahead in our lane, a big, flatbed truck creeps along at 5 mph.
It’s carrying a humongous concrete culvert or something. A long line of bumper-to bumper vehicles is beside us in the passing lane. I look in the side mirror and evaluate the situation.
By the time that line passes us, we will almost reach that truck and then I’ll slide over behind them and continue up this grade. Smooth.
Well, all is going just great.
Then the last vehicle, a white SUV, inexplicably slows down and clings to the side of the Best Little Trailer! What? The car just hangs there, boxing us in!
I bring down my window, reach way out, and whip my arm to motion the car forward. The car accelerates, goes by us, and then by the truck. Too late for us though. We’ve come up right behind the truck and I have to slow to 5 mph.
That darn fool!
This is when we pass a sign that says, “Vail Summit 4 miles.”
“Four miles? Uphill for four more miles? Are you kidding me?”
I grip the steering wheel and lean forward.
“Come on, baby . . . .You can do it!”
And she does.
We reach Silverthorne and the gorgeous Dillon Reservoir at morning rush hour. Houses and condos are clustered at the shoreline and back to the mountains and up their slopes. People pay big money to own or stay in those buildings. As for me, I’m not interested.
Quickly I make a decision.
Silverthorne is not for us, even though I’m sure the campgrounds are very nice. To go south would take us to Breckinridge, another built-up area. To go east would take us closer to Denver. Don’t want that! I’m not going to back-track west, so that means . . . .
We go north!
It’s a relief to leave the interstate and Silverthorne traffic. Route 9 is a paved, two-lane road and the driving is easy even though there are plenty of trucks on this route. After about eight miles, we come to Blue River Campground.
“Let’s see what this is like. You two could probably use a potty break anyway.”
Blue River Campground has some sites along the river. One is vacant. Even so, I don’t feel like this is the place for us. We mosey around the campground and return to the PTV.
Before we leave, I break out a container of fried chicken and share an early lunch with the crew.
The destination I have in mind is Green Mountain Reservoir.
Five campgrounds sit along the shoreline. We check out the ones on the east side of the reservoir. The first one we come to is Prairie Point which I soon discover is not designed for RVs. In fact, it’s poorly designed for tenters, in my opinion. No one is here except for a truck camper sitting in the one, fairly decent campsite. Not an attractive campground.
We drive past Cow Creek South, which is a campground for groups. I know this from previous research.
At the sign for Cow Creek North, we go down the dirt lane to a loop at the lake side.
The few sites by the water are occupied, leaving one available which is at a low level. It’s next to the water and so are a lot of reeds. I get out and walk around the site anyway.
I don’t want to feel like we’re in a swamp. These no-see-ums are only going to get more annoying by nightfall. As are those young men with the muscle vehicles and big boat next door. Nope. No good here.
I backtrack to the south end of the reservoir and proceed up the west side.
The familiar yellow and brown of a national forest campground sign comes into view.
“Maybe this will be good and you can get out soon,” I say optimistically to the crew.
The road is high above the reservoir. The campground road curves around and descends quickly.
Even though it’s only about noon, the crew and I are eager to settle somewhere.
Hmm . . . . There it is. This looks promising!
The pay station says the camping fee is $13. With the senior discount pass, our fee is only $6.50.
I’m liking this!
I drive us past the boat ramp, a few campsites, and then stop at the loop by the water.
There are three sites here, one occupied, along this turn-around. Another one looks good. I turn on the jetpack, even though I’m quite sure there is no internet signal. Just as I thought. Oh, well, it’s nice here.
“We’ve found our home for the night, guys!” I announce cheerfully.
Unlike the other side of the reservoir, a breeze blows any bugs away. The reservoir is much larger than these photos indicate. McDonald Flats Campground is at the narrow, southern end.
I find a grassy place to sit and dangle my legs in the water almost up to my knees.
As the crew and I make our way on the path we brush against the bushes, releasing the scent of sage. Scattered rabbit brush is in bloom (yellow flowers).
Three magpies drop by to check us out.
They march around on our picnic table as if showing off their new tuxedos, making comments between themselves. They fly off before I can photograph them.
At dusk two deer cut across the campground.
They get a drink out of the reservoir and then head for the hills.
In the next post . . .
I make a decision that will affect the remainder of our summer travel in Colorado — whether to keep going north to Kremmling and beyond or to return to the high mountains!
View across the reservoir from our doorway
rvsue
THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING AMAZON FROM MY BLOG!
Green Mountain Reservoir (elev. 7,950 ft.), between Silverthorne and Kremmling, CO
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