Horsetooth Reservoir, CO

8 – 10 Oct 2010

Lat/Long:  Coming Soon

Location:  Horsetooth Reservoir, CO

Electric Hook Up:  Yes

Water Hook Up: No, but within 5 yards

WiFi: No

Bathroom: 25 yard walk, vault toilet

Shower:  Yes, 2 bucks for 6 minutes – showers are clean and very modern

Reserve on web at: https://www.larimercamping.com/

Site:  I53

Last trip of the season with our little T@b.  We decided to keep it close to home but go somewhere we wouldn’t normally go –Horsetooth, CO it was.  Just west of Ft. Collins hidden in a valley up against the front range.  Reservoir is really low, but even with the lack of water – we survived.  ;)

 

Got a great spot in a cul-de-sac.  There are hardly any campers out this weekend (which we kinda hoped for).  When we got here Friday there was ZERO people on our side of the campsite, but a few have trickled in.  For the most part we’re all very scattered. 

We have enjoyed and I’m sure the dogs have enjoyed the lack of neighbors.  Less to bark at, less for us to listen to.  We took Kayle down to the dock to swim Saturday – she was pooped afterwards.  Dog loves water no matter what the temperature.  She dove in time and time again after her precious ball.  Chase has been ultimate watch dog, as always.

Had a great wake up call early Saturday morning.  Kayle gave a bark (she must have heard him)…and then we smelled it.  Skunk…close, like right under us or right next to the wheels.  It was so strong.  Friday evening we saw a fox that was just a little smaller then Kayle—HUGE.  But very pretty.  Made me nervous b/c he just stopped and looked at us (keep in mind he was about 20 feet from us).  But he ran off after Kayle went into full alert. 

 Drove up about 10 miles into the foothills.  Ran across this weird little place.  Creepville USA for sure.  Had a open field full of random stuff.  Across the street in the “this and that” store was a whole bunch of “this and that.”  Was bizarre stuff, old time dress up costume stuff, red hat society stuff…and then everything in between.  One section of the store said, “Please remove your shoes before coming into this room.”  That’s about when we did an about face and left.

We’re sad to put the bullet into storage, but thankful such a wonderful few months.   We are so thankful to our seller, you know who you are—you rock, we’re enjoying heck out of this thing!  We plan to do some maintenance on it Monday before we roll back into the gates of Buckley, but we are already looking forward to next year already!

Lake Ogallala, NE 24-26 Sept

24 – 26 Sept 2010

Lat/Long: 41.2281, -101.6614

Location:  Lake Ogallala, NE

Electric Hook Up:  Yes

Water Hook Up: No, but within 10 yards

WiFi: Yes, but it’s some homegrown network – 10 bucks for 30 minutes – no thanks!

Bathroom: 200+ yard walk

Shower:  Free….but a push button shower, 30 seconds each push

Reserve on web at: http://www.reserveamerica.com/

Site:  3

Had a great visit with my brother Jason.  This was a much better campsite then the previous Nebraska site (KOA).  We had perfect real estate that looked over the lake.  We were on the opposite side of Lake McConaughy.  The campground is clean and well spaced – but EVERYONE had a dog so it was a little loud during “walking time”.  But – can’t complain – our dogs were the LOUDEST by far.  So yippy yappy…namely Chase.  

Jason and Dandy Dog are wonderful.  We enjoyed seeing him and spending time with them both.  We ate well, we slept well, we were entertained 100% of the time.  We arrived a little late Friday, but Jason had the fire going and threw on some hot dogs for dinner.  Played a little bit with my camera and the lantern – as you can see in the pics.  Saturday it was windy almost all day, but it settled down about the time the sun set.  Today…just gorgeous.

We had wonderful neighbors beside us.  Jason be-friended them right away Friday.  Their daughter came for a visit and Jason and I helped set up their tent.  We watched them for a bit struggle with poles, fabric, stakes…Jason and I stood up about the same time and took charge – thanks Dad for those handy skills!  But we swapped stories, experiences, dog stories, they brought over some banana bread this morning.  We enjoyed them.

Trip home was a piece of cake.  Took about 3 hours or so.  We passed this lady pushing her car by herself down the interstate.  We decided to turn around…turned out she’d been trying to push her car for AN HOUR, she had her 2 year old strapped into a car seat as she heaved her 4 door sedan down I-76.  Anyway – no one stopped, not even a cop.  We initially called the state patrol and thought we’d just keep going, but our conscience wouldn’t let us.  She ran out of gas…took her to a station, filled it up, in the meantime the cop we called showed up, we wished her luck and that was that.  Just can’t believe that no one bothered to stop…disappoints me greatly.

 

But – back to the trip – all is good.  Dogs are zonked, appears they had a good time too..  Next trip is in two weeks…probably the last one of the season.  ;( 

Happy Trails!!!

Grand Teton's/Yellowstone National Park, WY

5 Sep – 8 Sep 2010

Lat/Long:   43.908653,-110.642667

Location:  Colter Bay, WY

Electric Hook Up:  Yes

Water Hook Up: Yes

WiFi: Yes, at the laundry/shower facility

Bathroom: 5 yard walk

Shower:  $3.75 a person

Reserve on web at: http://www.gtlc.com/lodging/colter-bay-village-rv-park.aspx

Site:  27

We have arrived at one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.  We left Greybull around 7:30 Sunday morning and drove thru Yellowstone National Park.  We saw thermal pools, Old Faithful and so much more.  Yellowstone is NOT a two day drive thru – it’s a week long stay if you want to see just a ¼ of it!  We were blown away with the sites we saw.  Old Faithful was cool – it’s something to check off the Bucket List….be prepared for 10,000 of your closest friends though.  It was packed.  We stopped, let the dogs out, made lunch, sat in the shade for a bit and then walked up to it when we saw the masses run to their cars and peel out in bumper to bumper traffic.  We sat for a good 80 minutes waiting for it to go, but sat next to a funny and friendly couple.  Afterwards we got an ice cream cone…even though it was FREEZING cold (it was on recommendation…and it was good Lindsey!)  We didn’t even bother going into the “General Store” b/c they were packed full of people.  Nothing like coming to Yellowstone to escape people…they are here….and here in masses!

Our campsite is nice, it’s quiet, wooded, shaded and we have a pretty private nice spot.  Ironically there is another T@B here!  They pulled up sometime today, but it’s the red one pictured below.  There is also a T@DA here (upgrade from the T@B) – they came up to us yesterday to talk, said they owned a T@B but upgraded for space and a potty/shower.  They are below as well.  

 

We drove to Jackson today.  I have to say…little disappointed.  From all the hype I pictured this epic little town with bistro’s facing the Teton’s.  This town does not exist…if it does, we did not go there.  We did however, go to Loaf and Jug, get gas and head back to our quiet little space here.  We stopped by Jenny Lake, which was very pretty (and full of people too).  I made a command decision that National Parks should NOT sell nacho’s and hot dogs.  There are very two different types of people that visit, those that pack a lunch and those that feed a family of 4 nacho’s and hot dogs…at a National Park.  

I guess I got a bad taste in my mouth because all day I saw people just act poorly.  About 30 people crowded around this moose down at Jenny Lake to get a picture…but the moose was trapped in between the water and the hill (that all the people were on).  I saw a guy CHASE DOWN A BEAR and it’s cub…that’s right, chase down.  We saw tons of people stopped on the road…so we stop to see what it is (touristy I know) but it was a bear.  Next thing I see is a guy running parallel with this thing with his point and shoot.  They give you SO much information on bears here, but the first thing on EVERY one of them is this:  “If you encounter a bear, do not run.  Running can elicit an attack.  If the bear is unaware of you, detour quickly and quietly away.  If the bear is aware but has not acted aggressively, back away slowly, talking in an even tone while waving your arms.”  I quietly hoped that bear would have stood up and scared the crap out of that guy…it did not. 

Anyway, after driving and seeing some of the area, we really have a sweet spot.  We can see the whole range and it’s gorgeous.  I got some sunset pictures last night, some sunrise pictures this morning.  Will be posting lots on flickr, check back soon.  A few below to see.

Got a guide to the “best” spots to shoot in the area today, we plan to follow the map around and see what we see.  I will have a lot of editing to do when I get home—but that’s a.o.k!  So worth it!

Happy Trails, see you back in Denver!

 

Greybull, WY KOA

2 Sep – 4 Sep 2010

Lat/Long:   44.493004,-108.04999

Location:  KOA Greybull, WY

Electric Hook Up:  Yes

Water Hook Up: Yes

WiFi: Yes, but a little weak

Bathroom: 50 yard walk

Shower:  Free, Free, Free and super clean

Reserve on web at: http://www.koa.com

Site:  27

This has been our longest trip with the T@B, however, it’s been fantastic!  We left Denver about 9 am on Thursday, got to Greybull a little after 6.  Met with friends at a local hot spot – Trapper.  If anyone is in the area – I highly recommend it.  Affordable 5 star food for sure!

The KOA is great.  It’s a little small and all of the RVs are kinda on top of each other – but if you’re staying at your camper all day in a place like this then enjoy looking at the back of my camper -- cause I won’t be looking at the back of yours.  There is SO much to see and do here.  We decided to drive to Yellowstone yesterday (hour and a half or so drive) and was glad we did!  Not only was the park gorgeous but the drive getting there was just as gorgeous.  I wanted to stop the car every 10 minutes and take 10 or 100 shots.

Just in this area there is lots to see and do and we hope to make another trip to see more of this part of the state, however, time is short and we will be moving on to our next site on Sunday.  But, the Big Horns are here, endless hikes and a landscape that you don’t get to see everyday.  It’s like a different world out here!  Kayle had a GREAT day yesterday, she swam in the clearest water.  She had to stay on leash….but it did not deter her a bit.  

Looking forward to the Grand Tetons – I mean I CANNOT wait!  I’m so stoked to be able to see this.  We didn’t have reservations when we left Denver for that area, however, this morning I booked a site (little pricey) – but will be worth it as I was reading that the National Park was going to be dry camping…and it gets really stinking cold here at night, so having heat was a must. 

Met with friends today for their daughters birthday.  If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t be on this trip – so big thanks to them.  And a very happy birthday to Baby Kate!  She is the most adorable little girl, I always look forward to taking her pictures.  Will be an early bedtime and an early rise…headed back to Yellowstone….with T@B in tow tomorrow morning!  Yee-haw! 

          

Gothenburg, NE (KOA)

20 Aug 2010

Lat/Long:  40.91167, -100.17030

Location:  KOA Gothenburg, NE

Electric Hook Up:  Yes

Water Hook Up: Yes

Bathroom: 50 yard walk

Shower:  Free, Free, Free

Reserve on web at: http://www.koa.com

Site:  56

Trip number two.  We traveled and met my brother Jason halfway across Nebraska in a little town called Gothenburg.  Since neither of us knew anything about the area, the KOA was the safest option for us all. 

However, that being said – we thought safe meant, showers, electric, WI-FI and maybe, just maybe a pool.  Due to recent flooding, not much was happening except the showers and the electric – which is still a.o.k with us.  We’re pretty easy to please.  The place is owned by a British lady (odd to run into such an accent in nowhere, NE). 

The town doesn’t have much.  Has a gas station, grocery store, some all purpose kind of store, a farm store (which came in handy) and…that’s about it.

Jason brought his canoe and we hoped to do some fishing.  Not a line was thrown due to an unfortunate event down at the “Tri-County creek”.  Kayle decided to launch herself off a steep little hill – on her way back up she got about 500 burr’s in her.  I’m not blowing things out of proportion either.  We HAD to come back to camp and do something about it.  After 2-3 baths, combing, cutting…we all decided – we’re going to have to shave her.  I was devastated.  So, drove down to the farm store to get some clippers.  The lady who works there saved me – gave me some sort of spray that they use on the sheep to get stuff out.  Dag gum if it didn’t work.  Collision avoided.  After bath number 4, 3 hours of brushing and more cutting…she’s still Kayle.  Just a little patchy is all.  I am so glad I didn’t have to shave her, that would have been awful. 

Trip went great.  It’s wonderful to see Jason, meet his new little dog Dandy (who is adorable).  We ate well…as always-thanks to the Chef!  Campground was full of lots of older people.  A family of four checked in really late last night...and then immediately lost their dog. They walked around the campsite for hours screaming..."Willy, here Willy".  They never found the dog, they were at the KOA store this morning still looking for that dog.  Guess Willy is free...for good.  We had quite a few people want to come see the trailer.  This morning I was laying down talking to Karon as she made breakfast, an older lady came right on in and said, "Let me see this thing -- oh, how cute!"  If we charged every-time we opened the door at gas stations or at campsites...we'd make some money.  ;)  

Trip home went fine.  We thought we were having a very SERIOUS problem about 80 miles from home.  Had a very very strong smell of gas in the car.  We stopped the car, smelled the car, popped the hood…..nothing.  The smell in the car even went away.  Drove another 15 miles…same thing – out of the car, smell, lift the hood….we are freaking now.  Really freaking.  We kept driving until we got home…just imagining what was wrong.  At one point we were convinced that the silicon spray we bought for the awning had exploded.  In fact we were 80% convinced.  But…can was in tact – all was good – but stench was bad...I had a headache it was so bad.  After dropping all our stuff at the house, we went to base, washed the trailer, washed the car….washed my Chaco’s (flip flops)…low and behold, the smell went away.  I had gas on my shoes, the AC blew full blast on them…filling the car with GAS FUMES.  Idiot move. 

 

Good trip, minus Kayle’s burrs, her awful haircut and my nasty shoes.  Safe travels.  Next trip – Yellowstone/Grand Tetons!  

Lake Jackson State Park, CO

Lat/Long:  40.40026, -104.09440

Location:  Lake Jackson State Park, CO

Electric Hook Up:  Yes

Water Hook Up: No, but water is within walking distance for washing dishes, etc.

Bathroom: 100 yard walk

Shower:  75 cents for about 5 min. (If you can keep it under 4.28, your good to go)

Reserve on web at: http://www.reserveamerica.com/

Site:  237

Our first journey in the T@B.  We left home anxious, not having towed it a lot and not knowing how we would do on the interstate…but alas…70 mph is a.o.k, trailer handles perfectly. 

Got to camp and was relieved to see that the reserveamerica.com was spot on accurate.  The site looked pretty private and away from most…and it is.  I wanted to be able to make sure Kayle and Chase didn’t have much to bark at and still have a view of the lake.  Honestly…I think it’s the best spot out here.  We can see down onto the “masses” and enjoy the quietness of our spot all in one shot…group pulled up yesterday and had a projector screen displayed on the side of their camper, so glad we’re not down there. 

Talk about learning experience.  I thought we had a few “epic fail” situations, however – those were only due to my unknowing.  First…the water will drain from the sink, if you unscrew the plug below the trailer-duh.  Second…the awning is not missing, it’s in the secret cubby below the couch-duh.  Third the stove DOES work, you just have to turn the gas all the way on, don’t just “half ass it” (as my Dad would say). We’ve also learned that the AC gets its air from the arctic circle and then it pipes into the vents—thing works like a charm! 

Dogs have done well, this is Chase’s first camping trip and the camper seems to fit him.  He does fine outside, but he enjoys to pull his security detail from the window…but mostly curled into a small ball in an extra blanket. 

We ate wonderfully, beenies and weenies Friday night (this was my request), Saturday night, the chef got down to business -- had bbq chicken, potatoes, squash, we had breakfast bagels for breakfast with a token cup of instant coffee.  Needless to say, we ate very well.  I don't think eating like we're camping is going to be an issue.  ;)

All in all, what a wonderful experience for a first trip.  We look forward to many more.  

Thanks for a cure to our disease this weekend!  We'll see you next time around.  

Def: Magic Bullet

magic bullet (plural magic bullets)

1. (idiomatic) A simple remedy to a difficult or complex problem, especially a cure for a disease.

Recently we (Karon and I) acquired a T@b camper.  Reading thru blogs and posts and facebook updates -- everyone names their T@b, I thought to myself "I'm not going to do that."  However, I feel to be "part" of the community I should.  So..let it be, the Magic Bullet.  The hopes of this magic bullet is simply stated above; "a simple remedy to a difficult or complex problem....cure for a disease."  What difficulty or disease do we have?  The same one that every other working American has....the need for escape.  That's just what the T@b will do.  

I'm active duty Air Force, stationed in Denver, CO and keep a very hectic schedule.  Karon is currently an unemployed chef, but we are both avid lovers of the great outdoors.  We plan to travel with our beloved golden retriever Kayle and on a few trips our little Yorkie Chase.  I'm also an amateur photographer and hope to utilize the T@b for photo trips.  All in all -- we're thrilled to get on the road as soon as possible!  

America...here we come...in our Magic Bullet -- a cure for our disease.  

Happy Trails.