Canon City to Conejos River Campground & WAR EAGLE

Gosh, it seems like I'm always catching up and this post is no different. Guess we're having way to much fun and posting is taking a back seat!

Last Wednesday we left Canon City en route to Conejos River Campground in Fox Creek, Co. This drive took us back through the Big Horn Sheep Canyon on US Route 50, west of Canon City, again. I think I could drive through this canyon many times before tiring of it. This time, being in the motorhome, gave us a different perspective since we sit up much higher than in the Jeep. If you ever get near this area, I highly recommend driving through the canyon. I posted earlier about our previous drive through here, so won't bore you with repeats.

I was a little apprehensive about the pass we had to go over at Poncha Spring. The elevation was only just over 9,000 feet but it was still a good climb. Since I'm posting about it, you know we made it - LOL! Once we arrived at the summit the ride down was nothing - from the summit it opens into a very large valley which descends very slowly about 1000 feet in 50 - 60 miles. You don't even realize that you are coming back down in elevation. The drive through the valley was pretty - mostly high desert, but you have large mountain ranges on both sides. As we neared Alamosa we could see the Great Sand Dunes Natl Park off to the east. More about this in a later post.

We arrived a Conejos (pronounces co-no-hos) Campground around 1 pm, got set up and drove back to Antonito (about 13 miles east) for some lunch. We found a nice Mexican/American restaurant and had some pretty good food. I stopped back at the office when we returned and found out that Gary, the owner, is from Auburn, AL - WAR EAGLE!!! He even has a Auburn Flag flying in front of the office - yea!

We spent the rest of the afternoon getting our internet dish set up and waiting the arrival of Tom and Dianna. They arrived around 4 pm and it was really great seeing them - it's been a long while.

Tomorrow Wes and Jan are due to arrive and it will be great seeing them again as well.

Thursday ----

The campground is near the Conejos River - state park land separates us from the river. Thursday morning, Dianna and I took a walk to find the river and were very disappointed that once we crossed the state park land we found the river to be down a very steep embankment of 20 to 30 feet. Guess we won't be dipping our toes in that river!

Tom, Dianna, Dean and I went back to the Mexican restaurant for lunch and enjoyed it again.
After lunch it was relax and wait for Wes and Jan to arrive which they did mid-afternoon.

It is fun getting re-acquainted with old friends. We are going to be spending several days with them and I'm sure that there are good times ahead.

Tomorrow is the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Train Ride so be sure to check back.

I've posted a few pictures of the campground and river at our picasa web site.