The Great Sand Dunes and The Black Canyon of the Gunnison

As we made our way out of the beautiful Rocky Mountain NP we traveled South through Boulder Colorado. Stopping only to pick up some Boulder beer brats and Portobellas for dinner. The further south we drove the warmer the temperature became. Soaring into the 100's and topping out around 104 degrees. We drove through some beautiful country and across some pretty flat land with scrub brush everywhere you looked. Finally we arrived at The Great Sand Dunes National Park! We set up camp at the Oasis campground just outside of the entrance to the park. The campground was not the best, however the view of the dunes was amazing and the hot shower and electricity made for a great stop. Mule deer were everywhere! I almost got run over by three of them on my way to the bathroom! We took the kids for a quick tour before sundown of the Great dunes. Ryan and Alexis were giddy with delight as they ran and jumped and rolled down the giant sand dunes. Prompting Ryan to claim that this was his "favorite National Park so far". They are like no others that I have ever seen. They are Huge! We walked for about a mile without our shoes and we were nowhere near the top. You would need to walk for almost a day to get up to the top!
The next day we got up early and went to the visitor center so Ryan and Lexi could become Junior Park Rangers and get their badges. We went back to the dunes to play a little more before we shoved of for The Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
Driving up to The Black Canyon of the Gunnison provided incredible vistas everywhere you looked.  The rock formations and colors were breathtaking.  We arrived in the park with just enough time for the kids to investigate the visitors center, take a quick hike, and become Jr. Park Rangers. Their goal is to learn about all the parks we visit and collect a badge from each one to hang by their camper bed.  They are learning alot and are truly respecting the nature and beauty they encounter.

Rocky Mountain National Park

We mistakingly took the long way around Rocky Mountain NP and had to travel thru the entire mountain range with the camper. We crossed the Continental Divide, the snow was above the car! It was a white knuckle ride that none of us will ever forget, it was both frightening and exhilarating.
Our campsite was truly the BEST in the entire park (thanks to Daiv's stellar planning). We looked out across an elk grazing meadow with the mountains as a back drop. Last night at dinner, several elk and mule deer grazed their way to within 5' of our site. It was amazing.
We hiked to Alberta Falls and Bear Lake. And saw an amazing amount of wildlife, elk, mule deer, moose, ground squirrels, chipmunks, bird varieties. No bear yet.
The kids have become Jr. Rangers.
After two wonderful days of no electricity, Internet, or showers, we are headed south to The Great Sand Dunes National Park.
I will update the website when I can.

Thoughts from the road

Thoughts from the road... Literally!

Many things cross a man's mind during a 12 hour dive through the flat lands of Iowa and Nebraska. How the simple things in life can become so grand. A freshly brewed cup of coffee from my own coffee maker to hit the road with just plain made me smile. The beautiful single stall clean, hot shower made me feel like a king. As our life has just become much simpler (at least for a while) the stress of everyday life is slipping away. "The beauty of adventure and fun is literally at our doorstep." We covered more than 600 miles today! Through land that pretty much looks the same... The road goes straight and there is no end in sight... Thankfully we have pulled into a small campground in a little town called Ogallala, Nebraska for the night. Sufficient facilities and nice hosts. As we set up we watched one of those incredible thunderstorm heads racing across the sky just to the north of us about three miles heading due east and sparing our camp from getting wet. The sky is dancing with magnificent displays of lightning and a funky orange/brown color? We are all tired and excited as we have only four hours to Rocky Mountain National Park and our first two night stay! Yea... Another simple but grand thing. Not to mention the looks on everyone's face as we watch the Rocky Mountains grow into the sky tomorrow. Love to all!

Day 3- Madison, WI

We left camp about 7:30am and headed to Madison, WI to visit with our friends Nina and Steven and their two adorable kids, Noah (6) and Rory (2.5). We visited their Community garden which is the largest organic Communal garden in the US. There are 300 plots, each costing $25 a growing season! Absolutely beautiful!
We then all rode bikes to the Madison Farm Market at Capital Square in downtown Madison. it was huge! We bought our dinner for tonight- grass fed porterhouse steaks, shitake mushrooms, and asparagus. We also got some local bacon, beef jerky, summer sausage, and garlic. I can't wait for dinner. Buy local my friends!
On the road again and just crossed the mighty Mississippi River into Minnesota. I will post a few photos when we get to camp tonight.

Day 2- June 24th

Today was a long travel day. We started off in PA, drove across Ohio, Across Indiana, drove into Michigan, and are now in Illinois. Camp night in Rock Cut State Park, IL. Are we there yet?

Day 1- June 23, 2011

We hit the road at 2 pm after school let out. Heading west through PA to Grove City, about 20 miles from OH. Stopped for dinner at a great spot along the Juniata River. Sat outside and enjoyed the view. Back on the road we drove through a big thunderstorm, the truck and camper travel well. I tend to have a lead foot, so Daiv only slept in spurts! A quick camp night in Grove City KOA and hitting the road early to IL. Sleep tight.

I am officially retired!

Ok, maybe not actually retired, but it sure feels good.  Today was my 1st day of no work as
I resigned from my job to go on the bteam adventure.  So yeah, my new "job" is to pack and organize all the stuff for the trip, but today I got a haircut, a manicure and a pedicure.  I am READY for the trip!