Smoked In

August 25 - 28, 2017
2 Bar Lazy H RV Park

We left Colorado and traveled through Wyoming without incident.  It was nice being on uncrowded roads after all the traffic in Colorado. 

Our plans keep changing due to the fires in Montana.  We stayed several days near Butte hoping the smoke would diminish further west. 
 
Missoula is smokier than here, but we have decided to just leave tomorrow for Glacier and not stop in Missoula on the way.








One of Butte's claim to fame is the Berkley Pit.  This former open pit copper mine is the most toxic lake  and largest Super Fund site in the country.












The viewing platform is high above the poisonous water and is reached after passing through a tunnel.  It's pretty inventive marketing - people pay $2.00 to look at toxic waste.












The only operating mine left in Butte is hardly visible through the smoke.








Our last stop for the day was the Dumas Brothel Museum.  Unfortunately it wasn't open today.  Dave is still trying to deal with his disappointment.

We Got Eclipsed!

Aug. 17 - 22, 2017
Elks Lodge #2227
Westminster, Colorado

We spent the last week in Colorado Springs with our son Derek, daughter-in-law Sarah and granddaughter Sofia. Five people in an RV meant for two poses some problems but we managed to survive the week without a serious disaster if you don't count the toilet getting plugged.

Even though it rained every day but one, we managed to find some fun things to do. Decades have passed since the last time we bowled, and our bodies certainly reminded us of that fact.  I must be aging better than Dave because I didn't have to work too hard to beat him.


We were privileged to be able to attend a dedication ceremony for three sculptures in honor of Sarah's father who had been a teacher and drama coach at the college in La Junta, Colorado.  It was appropriate that this was the one day that we didn't have rain.

After Derek, Sarah and Sofia left to fly home to Virginia, we continued on our trip towards Glacier National Park.  Obviously I'm not very good at planning because I didn't factor in the anticipated eclipse.  Due to large crowds and impossible traffic Colorado has restricted oversize vehicles from the major roads until the eclipse is over. Fuel and food deliveries in some areas closer to the path of totality have been curtailed from today until next Wednesday.  We decided the best thing was just to wait until after the eclipse before venturing into Wyoming.

Driving in the Clouds

Aug. 1-9, 2017
Elks Lodge #2227
Westminster, Colorado

We are waiting in the Denver area until our son & family arrive in Colorado Springs on the 10th.  There are more things to see and do here than in western Kansas.



One sunny day we drove into the mountains for a leisurely break from all the traffic in the Denver area.  We enjoyed the beautiful day at Grand Lake before we drove through Rocky Mountain National Park on the way back to the RV.

Notice the nice RV sites on this narrow piece of land jutting out into the lake.






It was sad to see so many dead trees as we traveled through the forests.  Wild fires and Pine Beetles have really taken their toll on the normally green landscape.



While we were on Trail Ridge Road above the tree line storm clouds quickly grew near.  We planned to seek shelter at the Visitor's Center but when we arrived we found it closed due to renovations.  There was some thunder and a few lightning bolts but fortunately most of it passed us by and the clouds settled in the lower elevations.








Unfortunately we weren't able to enjoy the spectacular views.

Luckily there was a sign telling us about the view we missed.