Spring Camping Trip

It's about time to load up the trailer and head to Montana for the summer.  In preparation we decided to take the trailer out for a few days to make sure everything is still in working order.  Strange things happen to trailers that have set idle for several months over the winter season.

Off we went to Cheyenne Mountain State Park about 25 miles to the west of our house.  We had originally booked a site for two weeks ago, but the weather was still cold and snowy so luckily we were able to reschedule it for this week.  We went from cold and snow to 88 degrees on the day we arrived.


We took the dogs on a lot of hikes although most of the trails are prohibited to dogs.  As you can see everything is still brown and dead in Colorado although I was able to find a lot of lamb's ear that is coming back to life.


Both dogs did really well.  Sometimes they like to be right next to each other for comfort even if the big puppy has to scrunch up to fit in the little dog's bed.


By the last day the dogs had gotten to know the trails quite well because of the many loops we had done.  Little Maisy kept up with the big puppy really well and would never admit that she might be getting tired.


Most of the campsites were occupied even though the park was not fully operational yet.  There was no guard at the gate, you were on the honor system to buy your pass.  All camping is pre-reservation only so if you show up without a reservation you're out of luck although I did see a lot of people sneak in after dark and sleep in their vehicles overnight.  Camper services, the cabins, the laundry and some of the showers were still closed for the season.  It was a nice quiet time to be in a state park.


One night I got the Dutch oven out and cooked some beef stew.  If you've never had beef stew cooked over a campfire, you are really missing out.



We were right at the base of Cheyenne Mountain.  The scrub oak doesn't look like it's anywhere close to budding out.  In all our hiking we saw maybe a handful of other hikers.  I love it!  Not many pictures were taken.  I just wanted to be one with nature and get charged up for a summer in Yellowstone.


We packed up early this morning and came home.  The weather is supposed to make a drastic change with rain and snow in the forecast.  As we were preparing to leave the herd came over to say goodbye.  Nothing makes me happier than being in the mountains and trees.

Speaking of Yellowstone, so far I've received offers from just about every national park in the West.  From Devil's Tower to Rocky Mountain to Glen Canyon and Mesa Verde.  Everywhere is having a hard time finding gate attendants.  Yellowstone even reposted the job announcement again because they're still 15 people down.  You know what this means, don't you?  There's going to be long lines at the gates with overworked rangers attending them.  Please be kind if you are travelling to public lands this summer.  We obviously don't do this job for the money, it's for the love of the parks.


Comments

Yogi♪♪♪ said…
It looks like you had a lot of fun, including the pups. Camping in a trailer is my speed. A couple weeks ago I got rid of all my camping equipment. Hadn't been in years.
April 16, 2023 at 1:47 PM
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