Fool Hollow Lake State Park - Show Low, AZ - October 21-24, 2018

Fool Hollow Lake State Park - October 21-24, 2018

Bambi is quite disappointed in the behavior of his scribe for forgetting to document a short trip that was taken to Fool Hollow Lake State Park back in October of 2018.  So, to make amends, I am adding a short post just to satisfy Bambi's need to have some documentation of his myriad travels.

The decision to head out to Fool Hollow Lake State Park was born out of the fact that we had done so much other travel in 2018 (China, Scottish Highlands, Maine), that we had not had time to take Bambi out during the summer.  So, we decided to head up to Fool Hollow State Park for a short trip, hoping to catch some fall color in the aspen trees before snow hit the higher elevation mountains.

As with many state parks, we find the campsites to be spacious and generally equipped with hook-ups, at least for water and electricity ... Fool Hollow Lake was no exception.  At 6300 foot elevation, near the town of Show Low, Arizona, the lake was named by the locals.  In 1885, Thomas Jefferson Adair, decided to farm in the area now covered by the lake.  The locals reportedly said that "only a fool would farm in that hollow", and the name stuck ... although the small town of Adair is under the water that forms the lake.

It was a bit too cold to head out onto the lake ... we had borrowed some inflatable kayaks from our friends, Jim and Kathy, but decided not to tempt fate heading out into the water.  Instead, we took a hike in the Apache-Sitgraves National Forest, the Buena Vista Trail, a 10 mile loop.  It turned into a much longer hike ...

About two miles into the hike, I took off my jacket, which necessitated taking off my backpack and the camera strung around my neck.  About half way through the hike, I realized that I no longer had my camera.  I guessed that I had left in near a bush where we had stopped to remove jackets ... so, we finished the loop and we re-did the first two miles to find the spot where we stopped.  I think that Paul was losing confidence that we'd find the camera ... but, to our joy, we found the camera (exactly where I had left it), and proceeded back to our car ... as I said, it made a long hike much longer (and the cold beer tasted so much better).

Perhaps the embarrassment of nearly losing the camera prevented this humble scribe from documenting Bambi's trip ... who knows ...

But, at least now, there is some retelling of the trip to Fool Hollow State Park and the saga of the nearly lost camera ...

Silver City KOA, NM - August 11, 2019

Silver City KOA, NM - August 11, 2019

All things must come to an end ... we're heading home ... time to get our "ducks in a row" after we have been traveling for almost a month (including our trip to France).  We're getting a little ragged and Bambi wants some attention (a few screws loose) ...

We traveled to Silver City along I-25 to NM State Route 152 through the Gila National Forest and up over Emory Pass.  I suspect that if we had any idea that the SR 152 was so steep, so narrow, so twisty that we might have had second thoughts ... fortunately, we didn't have an opportunity for those second thoughts.   While it was a very slow and tenuous ride through the mountain pass, it was beautiful scenery (and we were traveling slow enough to enjoy it) ... and we breathed a sign of relief when we came out through the other side of the mountain range.

It was a bit disappointing to see the scale of the copper mining production, Chino and other mines, on the other side of the Gila National Forest ... whole mountains torn down and re-built with mine debris and tailings.  The destruction of the landscape with open pit mining is breath-taking and disheartening ... no amount of "mine restoration" will recover the loss of the mountains that have been torn down.  No pictures were taken ... it was too depressing ... Bambi leaves it to your imagination ...

We arrived at the Silver City KOA, which is not in Silver City (in Arenas Valley, about 3 miles from Silver City).  While the Silver City KOA is really quite a lovely campground, well-run, with spacious lots and tree cover, it is not in Silver City.  We had hoped to be able to walk into town and explore a bit ... but, we did not want to dis-connect when we were leaving the next day.  We satisfied ourselves with a walk around the grounds, enjoyed the cooler temperatures (before we headed back into Tucson), and the wind that kept any flying insects at bay.

Oliva and her twins, Rouge and Rojo, wanted everyone to understand what a classy trailer Bambi is ... Bambi has custom made artwork decorating his humble abode honoring the partnership between Bambi and Fritz.

And, we all agree ... great trip and time to head home ... que la vaya bien!

Heron Lake State Park (Continued) - Los Ojos, NM - August 10, 2019

Heron Lake State Park (Continued) - Los Ojos, NM - August 10, 2019

After a heavy rain, the temperatures cooled last night and the night skies were filled with stars and intermittent clouds.  Unfortunately a bit too cloudy to see the Perseid meteor shower, but we had a lovely moon with Jupiter hanging out nearby.  

Today we decided to do another hike, the East Meadow Trail to explore the northern reaches of Heron Lake where Willow Creek pours into the lake.

We could see lots of sign of mule deer and elk, but alas, no actually deer or elk ... probably started out too late in the morning to catch them.  However, we did find the spinal column remains ...

And, we did find a cute baby horned lizard ... 

... lots of flowers perked up by the rains ...

The views were lovely ... and again, we hiked back before the next rain storm came through the valley ...

Willow Creek that enters into Heron Lake

Los Brazos Cliffs in the distance

Heron Lake State Park - Los Ojos, NM - August 9, 2019

Heron Lake State Park - Los Ojos, NM - August 9, 2019

We left Durango ... Jim and Kathy headed back to Flagstaff ... and we headed to Heron Lake State Park in New Mexico ... about 3 hours away.  We were hoping to extend our stay in the cool of the high country for a bit longer before heading back to Tucson.

Heron Lake is actually a large reservoir

We set up camp and headed out for a hike ... Salmon Run Trail ... which skirts the lake.

Our big find was an osprey nest with two chicks in the nest (looked nearly as large as the adults ... but had not seemed to have fledged yet) ... the female was on a branch near the nest and the male was on top of a dead pine tree.

We got in a good hike and managed to get back just before a rainstorm hit ... Fritz and Bambi both got a "rain water rinse" (and they needed it).

"Mom"

"Dad"

"Can't we just go for a flight ourselves?"

"Mom ... it is boring just sitting here!"

"Please ... we just want to have some fun!"

Hitting the "Travel Wall" in Durango - August 8, 2019

Hitting the "Travel Wall" in Durango - August 8, 2019

We met Kathy and Jim's family members, Walt and Eileen (they drove down from Greeley, CO), in Durango last night ... Jim and Kathy cooked up a feast and we ate, drank and shared stories into the evening.  Jim even wanted to build a fire (all the better for sitting around and eating ice cream).  But frankly, the temperatures in Durango have been on the warm side.  So, we settled for just eating the ice cream and chocolate sauce while enjoying some new members to our group.

The plan for the next day was to walk in Durango ... which we did ... along the downtown sidewalks and along the Animas River Walk.  We met the manager of the local Patagonia store, who also happens to be the daughter of friends of a hiking buddy of ours (who lives in Seattle and recently bought a home in Tucson ... and she had encouraged us to stop in the store and greet her friends' daughter).  Of course, I found a few things to purchase ... even got a hiking hat for Olivia.

The afternoon was to be a trip to the Aztec Ruins National Monument ... everyone went except us.  We just hit the "travel wall" and stayed behind with Bambi and Fritz.  Paul did some work editing a paper for a colleague while I slept, and read, and slept some more.

Fortunately we were able to rally for a fun dinner at Chimayo in Durango, sitting out on the patio, watching the Durango world flow by the restaurant.

Tomorrow we head our separate ways ...

Ridgway, CO to Visit Laurie and Harry - August 7, 2019

Ridgway, CO to Visit Laurie and Harry - August 7, 2019

On our separate ways ... Jim and Kathy wanted to visit Mesa Verde National Park.  We have recently trekked all over Mesa Verde National Park and decided instead to visit our neighbors ... Laurie and Harry.

Yes, we traveled all the way to Ridgway, CO to visit our neighbors on our street.  Laurie and Harry recently completed the build of their custom dream home on a lot that they owned in Ridgway overlooking a lovely meadow valley with the San Juan Mountains in the majestic background.  The drive is about two hours from Durango and through the mountain towns of Silverton and Ouray, over three significant mountain passes (Coal Bank, Molas Pass, and Red Mountain).  Fritz was very glad that he was not having to pull Bambi through those high mountain passes.

The view from their back porch was stunning!  Harry has long promised me a chair in his breakfast nook to gaze on the mountains and the view was worth the wait.  No picture can capture the grandeur of the setting ... mustangs (rescue) grazing in the valley below, storm clouds building over the mountains.  Paul took a panoramic shot of the mountains, but even that did not capture the beauty of the peaks still littered with snow.

After the grand home tour (and the house is grand ... one might need a walkie-talkie to remain in contact with other people in the home) and catching up on what has been happening both in Colorado and here in our Tucson neighborhood, we headed into the town of Ridgway for lunch at the True Grit Saloon and Restaurant.  Apparently the movie, True Grit, was filmed in the surrounding area and one wall of the restaurant was included in the original True Grit film.  The restaurant is a shrine to all things pertaining to John Wayne ... and lots of stuffed animals (to add to the rugged, western atmosphere).

We enjoyed the town ... it had an old Colorado town, but a sense that real people lived in the town ... not just a re-created town for tourists.  We hope to come back ...

Our trip was punctuated by a dramatic rain storm that swooped into town as we ran for our cars ...

We'll definitely be back ...

Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad - August 6, 2019

Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad - August 6, 2019

We have been considering taking a ride on the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad for perhaps as many as 40 years ... clearly we over-think some things!  It took our friends to get us to take the train ride ... beginning in Durango and heading to Silverton along the Animas River valley and returning again to Durango.  The train actually runs right through our campground (three trains a day up and back) ... we've waved to the passengers (while sitting and enjoying a cold beer) ... now we are going to be some of those passengers ... thanks to Jim and Kathy.

Our friends know how to travel and had us seated in the classic rail car, Alamosa, at the tail end of the train, which gave us a platform on the rear of the car to view the route from which we came ... we had a guide in our car to give some history as we moved along the rails and also served as the bartender for the small contingent of passengers in our car ...

The scenery along the Animas River valley was magnificent ... the chugging of the train as it made it up and over the steep mountain passes became hypnotic.  Three and half hours later, we arrived in Silverton ... time for lunch and a short walk (and a couple of ice cream cones)
before re-boarding the train and heading back home ...  life is good!

Silverton Court House

Silverton American Legion Hall

Our travel car ...

United Campground - Durango, CO - August 5, 2019

United Campground - Durango, CO - August 5, 2019

After a long drive from Flagstaff, through the Navajo Reservation, we're at United Campground in Durango again ...

Both Bambi and Jim and Kathy's Jayco are tucked in side by side ... some tree cover, well-run full-service campground ...

But the real benefit of being at the United Campground is that it is at the northern most stop for the Durango Trolley ... allowing the happy campers to board the trolley (and for a mere 50 cents for us oldsters) ride into town and enjoy the activities (and food) of Durango without having to drive and find parking ...

Happy Campers!

Bonito Campground - Sunset Crater National Monument - Flagstaff, AZ - August 4-5, 2019

Bonito Campground - Sunset Crater National Monument - Flagstaff, AZ - August 4-5, 2019

All good trips start and end at Bonito Campground, just north of Flagstaff … dry camping (no hook-ups), but quiet, spacious, tucked in between the ponderosa pines, in the shadow of the mountainous cinder cone of an ancient (about 900 years ago … although certainly not ancient in geological terms) volcano.  The land is still covered in cinder pellets and edged by ancient lava flows.  

The talk among our camp hosts, Gary and Dana, was about the human-caused Museum Fire that had been extinguished the previous week by rain.  Apparently the entire campground was on pre-evacuation notice up until last week.  Our camp hosts watched warily as some fire Hot Shot teams rode up the loop road and assured us that we would be notified promptly if a new threat of fire emerged.  The threat of fire is ever present in the West ... 

We ate out under the cool shade of the trees … Paul’s spaghetti sauce with a salad of Paul’s tomatoes … a nice Ripasso Italian wine … and the company of our friends, Jim and Kathy … made for a lovely evening as we began Bambi’s latest adventure.

Yes, Bambi has company on this trip … our friends from Tucson, Jim and Kathy, and their Jayco White Hawk … not sure of his/her name … perhaps they don’t name their trailers … but, Bambi enjoyed having company on this outing.  

We're off … headed for Durango ….