It's finally time to escape! These past few weeks have been slightly hectic planning for Shelly's and Sheron's birthday party. We usually celebrate quietly in Santa Fe, with Shelly's phone going off constantly as we go into town to eat out. But this year was different. We knew we would be in Wyoming on her birthday, and she's turning the big 50. Wow! We can't let that go by quietly, so we had to plan for family to celebrate with us this year. I worked on my work bench in my shop for over a week, finally finishing that project I have procrastinated on for over 5 years. Tyler, Ashlee, and the kids came early on Tuesday afternoon. We canoed, swam, floated, and played in the sprinkler until it was time for bed, and got up early on Wednesday to play hard again. These kids are hard to keep up with. Kudos to Tyler and Ashlee for their ability to keep up with them. We had the rest of the family over on Friday afternoon for a late lunch. With about twenty people over, we decided to eat in the barn. It turned out to be the hottest day in 10 months, with a forecast of 102! It was only 97 in the barn, and with the fans blowing, it was almost tolerable. 
After eating fajitas, the grown ups decided to go home, leaving us kids to jump into the pond and float in the tubes. It was much cooler in the pond than the barn, and we stayed there until almost dark. We threw bean bags and had fun until even us kids were tired enough to go to sleep. We packed the camper on Saturday, and left Sunday morning. We drove through West Texas in mostly 100 degree temps without incident, and stopped in Artesia, New Mexico for the night. The first place we checked on was $43.50 a night, and we didn't want to pay that much. We decided to keep driving. Our Allstays app didn't show any other Rv parks in Artesia, but there was one going out of town, and it was only $30 a night.
Monday, July 25
We slept great, and left this morning about 8 A. M. We got into Cloudcroft about 10, and checked all 3 campgrounds, and settled on Saddle campground. We couldn't get the site we were in last year, because it was taken. After setting up camp, I went to pay, and was surprised to see Scott Lide there talking to the host, Danny. He said they were the ones in the site we were in last year. Scott was as surprised as I was, and said to come surprise Donya. I thought it would be funny to not let Shelly know either, and told her the site we were in last year might be available later. She was reluctant to go up to their site, but her and Donya's reaction was priceless. We drove around town, and checked on several Boondocking sites down forestry roads. We found two sites that were relatively easy to get to, and planned on moving to one tomorrow. We visited with Scott and Donya, and laughed about our neighbor's generator. It was so loud, Scott and Donya could hear it easily from their end of the campground. They had that generator about 50 feet from our camper, and it made us decide to go into town to get away from the noise.
Tuesday, July 26
We woke up to a beautiful 55 degree morning. We left camp about 8 A. M. To go to Ruidoso, and try our luck at the casino again. I got lucky on the first few tries, was up about twenty dollars. I decided I was playing with casino money after that, and gambled more than I would on my own money. I kept getting lucky, and we left with more than we started with. Shelly tried a $5 slot machine for the first time ever, and hit a $135 jackpot. It was fun winning for a change. We had planned on moving to the dispersed campsite when we got back, but didn't get back until 3, so we changed our mind, and invited our other quiet neighbors over later for a campfire. Generator hours are from 5 P. M. Until 7 P. M. , and our loud neighbor cranked up his jet engine powered noisemaker right on time. It sounded like it might blow up at anytime, and I kept praying it would. Apparently there is power in prayer, and it broke down after only an hour and a half, and we got 30 minutes of extra quiet. Our quiet neighbors, (Gerald and Robin Kaspar, from Kingsland) came over along with Scott and Donya. They were as close as we were to the infernal noisy contraption, and confessed they also prayed it would break down. Whatever it takes. We sat by the fire talking, and listening to the thunder getting closer. 
The rain drove us in about 9, but we had a great visit.
Wednesday, July 27
With the luck of the Irish, we both wanted to see if my "system" actually works. Ha ha ha. We tried the same thing as yesterday at the casino. Shelly did ok, but I kept on trying the same tactics as yesterday. I had luck , but not the good variety. So I gave back most of my windfall from yesterday. Easy come, easy go. It was still fun, but not as much fun as the winning. Back at camp, we had a lazy afternoon, and sat by the fire in the evening. Scott and Donya came over, as well as their friends from Austin, Joey, and Kristin. What a great way to spend life!
We enjoyed the company, and the fire, and sat out until about 10. 
Thursday, July 28
We drove through Ruidoso to Albuquerque, and even though it was about 15 minutes longer, I think it was worth not having to drive down the steep hill toward Alamagordo. We got back into the heat as we went to lower elevations, and remembered quickly why we wanted to get out of the heat. We set up camp in Isleta Rv park on the south side of Albuquerque, $34 per night for full hookups. The park is ok for the price, but closer to the hotel where Erica and Damon are staying. We met Erica and Damon at Fuddrucker's for lunch. The burgers were good, but expensive, and the grilled cheese sandwich we ordered for Makayla was all bread, and nearly burned. Surprisingly she didn't want a burned bread sandwich. We enjoyed the atmosphere and the company, and planned tomorrow's events.
Friday, July 29
I jogged up the hill to the convenience store to get a cup of Douwe Egbert coffee. Shelly noticed the coffee yesterday, and suggested we get some this morning. We decided on a picnic lunch in Black Canyon, and planned on meeting Erica and Damon at Smith's grocery store in Santa Fe. The traffic was bad on Cerrillos road from an accident, and people were ornery because of that, but we made it anyway. We set up camp in site 14, and built a fire to cook lunch. We grilled filet mignon, two salmon steaks, fresh asparagus, baked potatoes, and heated up some lefsa. After gorging ourselves, we decided to work off lunch by hiking up the trail to the top. 
Our campsite #14
Makayla 's first hike in the mountains
Makayla decided it was easier to ride up the hill
We made it to the top of the trail
Makayla stole Erica's sunglasses 
All this excercise made Makayla sleepy
A fifth wheel camper stopped in front of our site, and the lady told us we were in their site. They said they reserved it yesterday, and we needed to move. I told them we reserved it several months ago, and we should just talk to the host. They said they would talk to the host, and drove off. We never saw them again. We sat by the fire, and Erica, Damon , and Makayla had s'mores, as it sprinkled rain. We said goodbye to them, and sat by the fire until dark.
Saturday, July 30
Woke up to a beautiful, cool, sunny morning with the smell of pines in the air. It doesn't get much better than this. The hummingbirds were thick around the feeders that Shelly put out for them.
I spent most of the morning watching and taking pictures. 
I hiked up Black canyon trail for exercise, and we both spent a lazy afternoon reading.
Sunday, July31
Drove into Santa Fe for propane. Fill up was $20.90 at Santa Fe skies Rv park. We spent another relaxing afternoon, and sat by a campfire until dark. Another day in paradise.
Monday, August 1
Shelly dropped me off at the Santa Fe basin ski resort area to hike the trail to the Pecos wilderness. Unbelievably, she would rather go wash clothes, than hike six miles. I hiked up Winsor trail to the wilderness boundary, and then followed a trail along the border of the wilderness up to a point overlooking Nambe lake. It was almost three hours of hiking uphill, but only an hour and 15 minutes back downhill. 
The trail on the border of Pecos wilderness
An overlook looking north
It is hard to make out Nambe lake in the center. It looks more like a green puddle. 
One of the few level areas on the trail
A squirrel checking on me
Shelly picked me up at 2:15 after I hiked. I was tired since I wasn't used to the altitude yet. That and hiking 4 hours.
Tuesday, August 2
Drove into Santa Fe, and had lunch at Red Lobster. We found the new location for Restore, and found a few bargains, but I realized we would be carrying these bargains around the country for another month until we got home, so I passed them up. We checked the thrift store on Hickock street, but passed on the bargains there also. Backing up about ten days, Shelly got a text, the day after the party, with pictures of Sheron on the swing. She thought the texts were from Martha, since she didn't recognize the number, and added the number as Martha. We got another text from "Martha" with a picture of an Airstream, saying they were in Ridgway state park. While talking to her mom, Shelly mentioned Martha and their new Airstream, and found out we were confused. The pictures were from Jeff and Debra, and now they make more sense. Sorry for the confusing texts we sent back, Jeff and Debra. All this technology and we are more confused than ever.
Shelly walking Sadie
The sun setting on the mountain after a rain
Purdy flowers
Wednesday, August 3
We are lunch at the Tune up cafe again. It was lunch hour, and was crowded, but the food was delicious. Shelly got quesadillas,and I got the chicken enchiladas. They came with mole sauce on the edge, which I didn't see on the menu. Fortunately, it was just on the edge, and the rest of the enchilada was great. Shelly only ate half of her quesadilla, so we get leftovers. $20.25
We paid bills online while in town, and got a text from Gerald and Robin, saying they were in Farmington, and coming this way. We bought several books at Goodwill, since Shelly finished the one she bought last year.
Thunderstorm in the mountains
It rained a little in the evening, but barely got the ground wet. We visited with Gerald and Robin around a campfire. Thursday, August 4
Another beautiful morning, with clear skies, and about 55 degrees. Just about the same every morning since we've been here. If we have to have monotonous weather, this is the kind to have. We drove through Los Alamos, to Jemez Falls. We have never been here before, and I wanted to see this area. It starts out in a rocky desert, and the drive gets into a sandstone area similar to Utah near Zion. The temperature dropped from the 90's to 70 degrees at 9000 feet. A lot of the forest near Los Alamos had burned a few years ago, but the underbrush was coming back green. We were stopped at a checkpoint going through the research area, and asked for identification, and told not to take pictures.
These pictures are at the falls, and not where we were told not to take pictures.
Jemez falls
Shelly overLooking the falls
The hike down to the falls was only a quarter mile
Me blocking scenery
A view of the burned area, and a thunderstorm in the mountains
We decided the camping would be ok here, but the drive was very steep and curvy, so we'll stick with Black Canyon. It rained in the afternoon , but quit by evening. Gerald and Robin brought their firewood over, and we talked and laughed, and solved all the world's problems. Now, if we could just convince the rest of the world to listen to us. Oh well, the best part is, we get to do this again tomorrow.
Friday, August 5
It rained lightly all night, but the morning was sunny again. I wanted to hike again, and Shelly decided laundry was more fun than hiking. I'm not sure what is wrong with her. She's not sure what is wrong with me. She dropped me off at the ski basin, and I hiked into the Pecos wilderness on Winsor trail. 
I took trail 101 to the Nambe River, and trail 160 back to the Winsor trail (254) about 7 miles total.
The hike is considered moderate, with the elevation gain, and the rocky paths. I took over 3 hours to get to the furthest point, before turning back. It was cool all day, but I broke a sweat making sure I got back to the ski basin by 2:30 for Shelly to pick me up. 
An unhappy horny toad After an hour of hiking, I got to the top, and could see Santa Fe, and the thunderstorm rolling toward our camp. Shelly's phone started dinging, so I realized there was cell phone service on the mountain. I called mom and dad to say howdy, and check on them. They said it was 101 degrees, with the same forecast all week. I told them it was 73, and maybe rubbed it in a little.
Erica texted a few pictures of Makayla, and I sent her a picture of the thunderstorm getting closer.
These pictures don't do much justice, but they are the best I could do.
It started thundering as I was hiking back, and it started raining just as Shelly picked me up. Shelly talked to Erica while in town. She and Makayla were at our house watering the house plants. Erica said Makayla looked lost trying to find us, asking Poppy?, Nene? It rained all afternoon off and on, and most of the night. We played cards to pass the time, and Shelly won most of the time.
Saturday, August 6
We tried our luck at the casinos again, with similar expectant results. Back at camp, I hiked up black canyon trail, and instead of stopping at the closed Santa Fe watershed, I hiked up the trail to the right. It is a steep trail, and I was guessing the mountain overlooked Santa Fe. An unhappy horny toadThunderstorm over Santa Fe getting closer
I decided to run downhill back to camp, and made it back in about 20 minutes. I got back before it started raining, but it rained about half the night.Sunday, August 7
Up before dawn, we were on the road by 6:15, and the black tank dumped by 6:30. We ate breakfast at McDonald's, and made it to Colorado by 11. As we were topping Raton Pass, a policeman was slowing traffic. A motorcycle had wrecked just over the pass, and it was probably a fatality. Life is fragile. We made it to Lake Isabel about 12:30, and set up camp in the rain. We got the only campsite available, site 23, and paid for 3 nights @ $24 per night with electricity. After an hour, the rain stopped, and we walked up to St. Charles campground. We decided if LaVista camp is full next time , we liked sites 2, 8, and 9. Scott and Donya, we won't tell you which one we liked better. Haha! I walked down to the creek, and by lake Isabel. 
Monday, August 8I remembered a vintage Airstream in the neighborhood above the lake, so I went to see if it was still there. There were a couple of ladies outside of the house that the Airstream was behind. I asked them if that was their Airstream, and one replied with a snort of disgust. NO, THAT IS NOT OUR AIRSTREAM! I apologized for bothering them, and went on my way. 
It looks like a 57 or 58, and the outside is in great shape.
I hiked the Cisneros trail up to the Marion mine. Shelly went to Colorado City to buy groceries. At least that was her excuse to not go hiking. I left before 9, to get back before the rain. 
Hungry squirrel
Marion mine ruins
Inside looking up
Timber frame construction
In the box canyon above the mine 
We walked around Cripple Creek, and I was amazed how it changed, since I was here 25 years ago. The casino money seems to have rebuilt the town, and we decided to donate to their cause. We took the easy way back to camp, and it was almost as scenic, and much smoother. 
Waterfall in the box canyon
This was as far as I got in the box canyon
I scrambled around the mine, and wanted to explore the creek above the mine. I got to do some rock climbing, while going up the box canyon as far as I could. The clouds were building up, so I decided to start going back about 11:30. When I got back down to the mine, the thunder started, and I started hiking faster. I guess not fast enough, because it started hailing pea size hail.
We drove north to Florence, and up the famed Phantom canyon road. I have been on the road twice before, but Shelly hasn't. The road follows the old narrow gauge railroad from Cripple creek, and is very narrow and curvy. And bumpy. Shelly was not as impressed as I was, and wanted to take the paved road back to camp. The hail was better than rain, because I didn't get wet, but I was hoping it never got larger than pea size. The hail was short lived, and turned to light rain. The walk in the rain was a fun experience, listening to the dripping water from the trees, and thunder. It quit raining by the time I got back to camp, and it was nice to relax after the hike. The sun came out for a while, followed by another thunderstorm, followed by sun, and one more thunderstorm. We visited with Victoria and Joseph in their 1970 Airstream Tradewind. Their Airstream was rebuilt by the Airstream factory, and was essentially brand new. It had all new skins outside, and the interior was new also. They are members of Hotc, and will be going to the November rally.
Tuesday, August 9
One lane road
Bishop's castle is still standing
We visited with Joseph and Victoria around their campfire until after dark. Wednesday, August 10
We stopped at Ray and Nancy's house near Castle Rock for a quick visit, before heading north. Ray was ready to leave yesterday or before, but had last minute things to take care of. Nancy was at the dentist getting a root canal done. Ugh! Better now, than on the trip in the middle of nowhere. We drove through Denver about 3 in the afternoon, thinking we were beating rush hour, but if it gets worse than this, I don't want any part of it. It makes us appreciate living in the country, and not having to deal with this every day. We drove to Loveland to stay at Boyd lake state park, but the phone decided to lock up as we were getting close. Shelly was getting mad at the phone trying to remember the user name and password, while I was watching for signs to the state park. I missed any signs, and stopped at a shopping center to ask directions. We finally got the phone reset, and found the park. 
The sites are $32 if you don't have a Colorado pass, and are decent. They are side by side, but the park wasn't full, so there was a little space between us. It rained lightly, and we watched the movie, "Tom Sawyer". Tomorrow, we'll head to Wyoming.
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