Turkeys!
A flock of seven turkeys frequently visits the watering hole in view from our campsite.
Fortunately the pond is far enough away that Bridget and Reggie don’t notice when the turkeys come out of the woods to drink and cool off. The turkeys are almost out of range of what my camera, hand-held and through the window glass, can handle.
Even so, I’m posting the best of what I was able to photograph.
Sometimes the turkeys, curious about our camp, sneak past in the woods, concealed by brush. I hear their gobbles while I’m washing dishes outside.
One day a guy in a pick-up drives by, and, up on the ridge, he practices shooting.
Reggie isn’t happy about that. He does better than usual though. I look forward to the day when he can ignore gunshots.
I bring it up to tell you about the raven.
There are several of those big, black birds around here. It seems one or two appear whenever I step outside, circling above and making a gravelly call.
I like to sit in my lounger and watch as they ride air currents. One uses the top of a snag as his command center. From that height he “talks” to the lowly, earthbound creatures like me and the crew.
Immediately after the first gunshots, here comes Mr. Raven, swooping up and down the meadow at the forest line, squawking a distress call.
It’s remarkable how he effectively alerts the meadow’s community with a public service announcement that cannot be misunderstood or ignored.
How about we look at some campsites at Kenney Flats?
Bridget, Reggie, and I walk the lane through meadows and forest every morning, the best time of the day. As usual, this morning the air is brisk, the light is lovely, and the birds are excited about the start of another day.
There aren’t many campsites along the roads at Kenney Flats.
The road forks shortly after one drives in from Route 84 (south of Pagosa Springs). At the fork is the first campsite, which Bridget shows you in the next photo.
It’s an easy pull-through, large and very convenient.
However, I’ve seen this spot occupied by a utility trailer for 4-wheelers (I assume; it was empty at the time) and another day by a horse trailer. If you camp in this site, expect company!
Bearing to the left at the fork, one eventually comes to our campsite.
(See previous posts.) Beyond our site the road goes up onto a ridge and soon deteriorates, becoming narrow and deeply rutted. I drove up there soon after we arrived at Kenney Flats and found one site, after too much trouble getting to it. ( I neglected to take a photo of it.)
I’m under the impression our campsite is the only one along our road.
It’s a surprise when on our walk we discover there are three more!
The campsites are easy to miss because they aren’t used much, the vegetation has grown around the fire rings, and the sites don’t have a “driveway.”
See the fire ring in the photo below?
(It’s in the center of the photo.) Okay, so there’s a fire ring. Does that mean one should drive a camper, a travel trailer, fifth wheel, or motor home over to the fire ring and set up camp?
What do you think? What would you do?
I wouldn’t camp in these sites with the Best Little Trailer. I think they’re better suited for the smallest of “footprints.”
Like this . . . .
That’s my opinion. I’m not saying that someday I won’t park the Best Little Trailer in a campsite like the one above, but it would be out of desperation for a place to spend the night.
Okay, as I was saying . . . .
Bearing to the right, one takes Forest Road 006A which meanders through open forest with views of meadows. In the next photo the crew shows you the condition of the road.
It has a few ruts, not bad, but it isn’t a wide thoroughfare like the main road through Kenney Flats.
Bridget, Reggie, and I go quite far before coming upon a campsite.
This one is suitable for a rig such as the Best Little Trailer. Large rigs would fit here. I’m not sure about the road in. Walk it first or drive in with your toad to decide.
On the left side of the photo, see the bare ground?
That’s the pull-through lane that curves around a clump of gambel oak. This is a pleasant campsite. I’d move us here if I didn’t love our present campsite as much as I do.
Always need to find a fire ring to make sure it’s a campsite . . . .
The crew and I walk uphill from the campsite.
At the top of the ridge I look down to another meadow valley. There may be a campsite or two down that way. I don’t check it because it’s too far for us to walk.
Remember that Kenney Flats has few campsites.
I point this out because readers mention in comments how they plan to come here. They’ve added this boondock to the list they are compiling from my blog posts. That’s fine. I understand the eagerness. It is gorgeous here, at least at this time of year.
I’m just sayin’ . . . . If you are thinking of camping in this area, be aware of the scarcity of campsites on Forest Road #006 and its spur roads. Also remember the vulnerability of the plants and wildlife in this area.
Please tread lightly . . . .
Don’t despair!
Between Pagosa Springs and Chromo are National Forest roads for you to explore. You can find great campsites. This whole region is beautiful.
Look for the brown signs along Route 84 that say “Forest Access.”
If you do come to the San Juan Forest, please leave it as you find it.
Don’t drive off the road — not even a foot! That’s where wildflowers grow.
.And if it has rained recently, well, look at the damage your vehicle can do.
(Not meaning to insult those of you who wouldn’t dream of doing damage. I’m writing to the idiot who may be reading this, assuming he CAN read, and who has a big pick-up and takes it onto a forest road when it’s muddy in order to feel really, really masculine driving back into town in a truck with mud splatters on it. *rolls eyes.*)
When I see disregard for our forests, I go haywire!
Since I don’t have a bundle of haywire to photograph, the plant in the next photo will have to do.
Let’s look at another flower, shall we?
(Calm down, RVSue.)
The classic . . . a wild rose with dew drops.
See how I snuck that rose into this post? I’ve been trying to find a place for it all week!
“This is the longest walk we’ve taken since I don’t know when! You two ready to go home?”
rvsue
NOTE: Please continue with your updates and stories of life where you are, your plans for the rest of the summer, and anything else you want to talk about or questions you’d like to ask. If you asked a question under the previous post and would like to ask it again under this one for blogorino input, feel free to do so.
Join us and write something! It’s fun reading comments! — Sue
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