Pueblo CO....Bishop Castle, Royal Gorge Bridge anad Garden of the Gods

We made an overnight stop in Goodland, KS before continuing on into CO. We had been to Grand Junction, Boulder and Durango over the last couple of years so we decided to make our CO stop in Pueblo. We're expanding our types of parks we stop at which means we usually stop at parks that offer electric AND water minimum and the closest park to the things we wanted to see around Pueblo was Lake Pueblo State Park. Lake Pueblo SP only offers electric hook ups. This means we would have to fill our fresh water tank and use the water in it for 4 nights. Many State Parks are like that so if you only limit yourself to E/W parks you really limit yourself in the type surrounding you have when you stop. Actually for a few nights it's nice to know we can do with less. Lake Pueblo SP is a very nice park with pull though and back in sites. Most sites are big enough for larger motorhomes and trailers. The pull throughs are semi circle sites along the main road in each loop.

Our site was on a higher loop with some views of the lake. There was a nice covered table and gravel patio with a fire ring. As we traveled west after our visits in the Midwest, we knew this would be one of our stops so we asked some of our RV friends if they had any recommendations for sights to see.

The top recommendations were Garden of the Gods, Royal Gorge Bridge and Bishop Castle. Well Bishop Castle was closest to us so we started there. Bishop Castle has a long and interesting history. The story begins in 1959 when Jim Bishop bought the land that the castle sits on. Construction began with a cabin and turned into an ongoing build of a castle. The castle is always open and always free.

While we were there we got to  talking to a gentleman who knew Jim Bishop and told us he isn't working on it right now due to an illness. Not sure if he will get back to work because of his age and health issues. 

There is a lot of iron work a couple towers and a dragons head on the front of the structure. Very unique and still very incomplete. It looked like he couldn't make up his mind where to stop and where to finish. There was junk laying around the property, signs for advertisement and some incredible stain glass in the main structure. 

I climbed up some of the iron work stairs to the towers which were of a spiral configuration. You could see through the mesh stairs and it was very dizzying and disorienting as you climb and also coming back down. 

Unfortunately the weather was cold and damp when we were there so we didn't stop long to explore more than viewing a few rooms of the structure and a quick climb up one tower. The castle sits at about 9000 ft. above sea level. 

If you would like to learn more and get details of the castle, Please click on THIS LINK. 

The drive to the castle was scenic and worth the trip to view this unique building. 

We still had most of the day to see more sights so we drove to the Royal Gorge Bridge in Canon City, CO. The road to the bridge is very narrow and winding. We even saw a sign for a campground near the bridge. They have a large parking lot and a beautiful new Visitor's Center. 

I'm sure during the summer months this is a very popular attraction and very busy but since this was late September with children in school now, we had the place pretty much to ourselves. There were a few other folks around the bridge on both sides but hardly a crowd. 

One thing we thought was a little disappointing was you HAD to pay to see the bridge. What? They had put up fencing around the Visitor's Center and no matter where you walked OUTSIDE the area....no view. 

So we went inside and found out the fee and decided we're there so let's do it. $23 for Glenda and $20 for me(Senior Rate). They have a gondola ride across the gorge which I took and not Glenda(afraid of heights). The ride only take a few minutes and you get some spectacular views of the bridge and thegorge below with the river running through it. 

Once on the other side I walked along a path to a covered structure called Sublime Point. This is where you can get some of the best views of the whole bridge and gorge below. 

If you enlarge the photos you can get a great sense of the expanse of the bridge. 

I then walked back down the path and saw several attractions that I'm sure are highly utilized in the summer months. They have a carousel, a Zipline, a Skycoaster, theater and an outdoor stage where they hold a summer concert series.

Skycoaster

Stage for concerts

Theatre

I started back across the bridge to the other side to meet with Glenda and along the way I noticed signs and flags. Flags for each state. 

Iowa

Illinois

After we met on the bridge I took a few more photos and we walked back to the Visitor's Center for a snack and enjoyed the views a little longer. 

Water Clock

If you're interested in more information, maybe for a future visit yourself, you can click on THIS LINK. 

That wrapped up our day so we drove back to Pueblo and our campground. The next day we had to stop at an urgent care center so Glenda could get her prescription for blood pressure meds renewed.

They charged $190 and you only see a Physicians Assistant. Looking forward to Glenda getting on Medicare next year.

Our final attraction was Garden of the Gods near Colorado Springs. They have a great Visitor's Center and souvenirs. The staff is helpful with information and maps to navigate the sights and trails.  The weather was very gray, cloudy and misty but we made the best of what we could see.

We drove around the main loop to Balance Rock and did a little photo op. 

Then we found the main Garden Loop Trail at the main parking area. This is a paved trail accessible to everyone.

The rock structures are ominous and intriguing. As we parked the truck we saw several folks along the road looking up the hill. As we looked closer there was a herd of male Bighorn sheep.

Look at the white dots

I only had my phone camera with me so it's very difficult to clearly see the sheep. You may be able to enlarge the photo to get a better view.

After that sighting we started our walk along the paved trail and noticed signs related to rock climbing. These were caution sign telling folks not to climb on wet rock(which it was wet) and not to climb unless you were We kept moving.

You could see how these rock formations would call to those who participate in that sport.  We enjoyed the many rock formations as we moved around the loop trail. Eventually we worked our way back to the starting point. Along the way we came across a Mule Deer in a meadow near the trail. I believe it was a female since we didn't notice any antlers. 

Thank you for holding so still

Glenda read about the Twin Sisters rock formation so we left the main parking and trail area and drove to a short trail leading to the Twin Sisters. Being misty and rainy, it made the trail a little slick and we hadn't prepared for the mud on the trail so Glenda had to hold onto some bushes in some areas to keep from slipping.

Twin Sisters

You're supposed to be able to see Pikes Peak through the opening...Way too cloudy

Imagine Pikes Peak over our shoulder

It was a fun day and we felt like we accomplished a lot. We plan to spend more time in Colorado in the future so this will be on the list again.

Panoramic view

Our next stop was a change in plans. 

Elephant Butte Lake State Park 

Thanks for following along

Tips for Camping/RVing with a Dog

Glenda and I have had a few cats and a dog in the years we've been married but decided traveling full time with an animal didn't fit our way of moving around the country however we see a lot of folks on the road and in campgrounds that DO travel with animals and I've noticed they're mostly dogs.Which brings me to an email I recently received from a follower who asked if I would be interesting in having her write an article for my blog about camping/RVing with a dog. Honestly, I wasn't too keen on the idea at first but then it got me thinking about friends we know that travel full time with their dog and how much they love having their pet traveling with them. Even though there are considerations that must be addressed in keeping their dog happy and healthy, they enjoy the companionship and also in their case the protection their canine gives them. The following post is not from personal experience but some good common sense tips that all dog lovers and campers can use to make the experience for the owner and the animal more pleasurable. Thank you Aurora.

Dogs love the outdoors as much as you do; take your pooch with you 

You adopted a dog because you wanted a pal to go on adventures with you, right? So what’s keeping you from taking him camping? He would much rather spend time with you that sit at home or in a kennel. If you’re worried about his safety, here are a few tips to help you keep him safe in the wilderness.

Enlarge the poster above for best viewing

Links for additional information:

Health:

Is my pet ready for an outdoor excursion?

How do I check for injuries on my dog?

How do I check for ticks on my pet?

Heatstroke in my dog: what do I need to know?

Preparation:

How do I find dog-friendly campsites and important regulations?

What are the potential camping-related dangers?

What are some other great outdoor adventures for me and my pup?

Gear:

What packing checklist should I follow?

What should I put in my dog’s first aid kit?

Is a collar or harness best for my dog during our camping trip?

Now that you’re well-versed in dog-camping safety, it’s time to start planning that big trip. It’s about the coolest thing you can do with your dog. And what dog wouldn’t like hot dogs cooked over a campfire?

 AUTHOR:       Aurora James        

Visiting family in Iowa, Glenda finds an overnight stop at Wallace SP in MO and new state at Minooka COE in KS

We had a wonderful time visiting family after our whirlwind trip out east and it was time to move on to AZ for the winter. We made plans to add additional family in Iowa as we traveled westward. Glenda's brother, Bryan and SIL, Ann live in our hometown of Burlington, IA. We hadn't seen them since our visit last year. It was time to get back together. We stopped near Iowa City at Linder Point a COE campground which is part of Coralville Lake. This stop helped us stay on track to move into KS and visit her brother.

Bryan and Ann still work so we made plans to meet at their home after they got off work. Dinner at The Drake in downtown Burlington was the place and the food was good. The conversation was even better. So nice to catch up with family. Our conversation eventually got around to retirement and of course, we're loving it. Bryan and Ann have plans to make that happen in the next few years. They're great planners and I know as soon as they can it will happen.

Wish we could have spent more time but we had to make the trip back to our campground and that was about a 90 minute drive. We said our see you later's with hugs and handshakes. Thankful that we live this lifestyle so we can make these visits with family that's not as mobile. 

The weather was a little rainy the next day but we did get out for a walk on a trail in the park and even found a couple of geocaches. I had to climb a fallen tree to search for one cache and unfortunately I didn't find it after all that work. All in all a good visit.

We moved on through IA into MO and had planned an overnight stop at a Wal Mart however Glenda continued to do some research as we traveled that day and came up with a nice little state park near Cameron, MO called Wallace SP. Very convenient right off I-35 about 2 miles. We called ahead and the camp hosts told us there would be some sites available. Once we arrived we were directed to a wonderful pull through electric site. Fortunately we had taken the advice of our friends, Steve and Debbie from Down the Road and had some water in our fresh tank so a water hook up was not necessary. In addition I used the shower house and Glenda used our shower and we didn't use the black tank for #2 so we could leave the next day without having to use the dump station. We're expanding our camping experiences. 

I forgot to mention with the senior discount...$19/night

If you're traveling along I-35 in MO around Cameron and you need a place to stop....this is the place. 

The next day we continued our travels westward into a new state for us. KANSAS. 

We had a reservation at Minooka COE on Wilson Lake near Dorrance, KS. There are 3 different campgrounds that are part of the COE however Minooka was closest to the Interstate and they had great pull throughs with electric and water right on the lake. Unfortunately for us the weather was not cooperating. It was extremely windy, hot and humid. No opportunity to use our kayak or bikes but we did get out in the morning for a nice hike on the Prairie Fire Trail.

Do you see the windsock blowing straight out?

The trail was a wide grassy path along the lake and through a part of the park. Even getting out early it was humid, hot and dusty. Not really complaining...that's just what it was. We found the remnants of the old campground from days gone by.

Enlarge photos for best viewing

                                                    Even some old car parts left behind. 

It was a short stay but we enjoyed our time there. A nice find in KS. It would have been nice to use more of the resources there but weather is the one thing you can't always plan for. 

I know, so far not that exciting but our next stop is in Pueblo, CO. We love CO and contacted friends on FB for suggestions on what to see and where to go. That's what's up next as we continue our travel toward AZ. Thanks for following along. 

Family time before heading west

This summer has been so much fun. Visiting states we've not been to before, meeting up with friends and traveling together through the NE states. Memories abound with those travels but it was time to move on and spend some time with family before we begin our trek west. We started with our daughter, Sommer and grandkids in Indiana....this was a logical move since we were coming right by their home after we left Niagara Falls and spent a night in OH at a Cabela's. We had a wonderful time catching up and relaxing at their home. I was able to bring a few beers to Todd from the NE that he enjoyed. Unfortunately some of the grandkids weren't there. Brooklyne lives with her Dad in Georgia and about to start school. Jasmyne lives in MI and is working and attending nursing school and Mason works and lives in OH. So we made the best of our time with who was there. Not a lot to talk about....just enjoying the family. Todd and I put up a new garage door opener. They had one with a chain drive so we changed it out to a belt drive. We grilled out a couple of dinners and had a couple of campfires in their fire pit.

We did have one more issue with our truck while there. The vacuum pump started leaking oil so I took it in for an oil change and they were able to diagnose the problem and fix it. Of course it was NOT under warranty and the truck extended warranty wouldn't cover it either. Nothing like shelling out $400 when a warranty should have covered. All in all a great time.

Taken on a walk along the Mishawaka River walk and St. Joseph River

Then it was off to Bloomington/Normal where my Dad and brother live. Dad's 92 now and we may not have too many more years to enjoy his company. He tells us to go and enjoy our travels but I know he would like to see us more often. We try to spend as much time with him as we can while we're there. He likes us to bring dinners in to share with him. His favorites are Steak N Shake, Thai food and BBQ. We did all of them while we were there.

Dad and his two boys

After a week of visits we moved northward to see our daughter, Heather and grandson in the Chicago area. Her husband, Paul and I share a love of different beers and I had picked some interesting ones up for him in the NE like I did for Todd. I needed to drop those off too.

Of course our grandson Aiden being the youngest needs his Me Maw and Grandpa to play with him ALOT. So we did as much as we could handle. He has some Splat balls and loves to throw them and watch them SPLAT on the ground. They only squish out and then reshape after hitting the ground. He's also very big into trains and has several small sets with wooden tracks that are set up in their foyer. Aiden and I would run the trains around the track over and over again. Changing engines and box cars. Pretending to load and unload the cars and fuel up the engines. On Saturday night while there Heather and Paul went to a party with friends so we got to watch Aiden. Fantastic opportunity to bond with the little guy. As I said he's the youngest so he wants us around more. Not that the older grandkids don't....it's just that they had their time with us and they like to do more things on their own with friends or they've grown up enough to be working or going to school in another state.

Splatballs

Trains 

Aiden's taking swimming lessons so we went to a lesson to see him swim.....well float and put his face in the water. He's getting better every lesson. The teacher is very patient and gives a lot of good praise.

He needs a little encouragement from Dad

Now we're having fun

Our last day with them Paul smoked some baby back ribs. He's become very good at this smoking meat thing and I took several photos of the process to document and for my future use. I would love to get a small smoker and do some different meats while in AZ this winter.

Ribs ready for seasoning

Yellow mustard to aid in holding the seasoning on the meat

Famous Dave's Rib Rub....not the Famous Dave that I know

Ready for the smoker

In they go for 3 hours

Ready for more seasoning and 2 hours in the oven wrapped in aluminum foil

Butter and more seasoning before getting wrapped up

Delicious

Again we didn't do a lot of special things, we just wanted to spend time with them and drink some beer with Paul. :-)

Photo from previous visit

I seem to take lots of photos of Aiden but not one of Heather and Paul so a photo from a prior time at their favorite restaurant....Coopers Hawk.

After our long weekend with them, we packed up the rig and began our western movement. First stop Iowa then on to Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona.

I'm gradually getting you caught up on our travels as we move quickly across the country. Thanks for following along.