Colorado Moments

 Hello Family & Friends,

Ok, I've got really good Internet connection so here's one more post with pictures I have collected from our outings -- I think these are all new and not included in the previous posts, but who knows??

One day out sluicing in the streams on our lunch break (Brad and Mickey were with us), Mr. (or Ms. Chipmunk decided to check our out lunch spot and got to enjoy a Ritz Cracker -- OK, I know don't feed the wildlife, but seriously, could you resist this little guy's face???  The blue in the right picture is Darrel's arm so you can see how close he was to us.

We call this the nub, it juts out on our trips up to Embargo and it a landmark when I get turned around.

Pretty picture, must have decided I liked the shot!

Flat plateaus and signal tower  -- look to the left for the gray line jutting out of the mountain top.

Better shot of signal tower, where I get my network connection!

Bontrager's is the Amish Variety store and outside were this huge Adirondack chair, so we posed for a shot and it took some work to get up there -- you can see that Darrel's feet aren't touching the ground either!

A storm was rolling in, we have run from the streams many times these year as the thunder booms and the lightning cracks -- still some snow (this was June) but now not so much!

Guess that was the end of the pics I have stored on my camera --- hope you have enjoyed catching up with the Pendergast's after my blog break.  Hopefully I have rested my mind and have new adventures to share.

Blessings from the road,

Susan & Darrel

North Clear Creek Falls and more

 Hello Family & Friends,

July and we are still in Colorado, enjoying the cool and then the warm.  Lots of rain has kept it green and the fire danger low.  Prospecting has been slow but you can always enjoy the scenery while you don't find the glitter!

We took a trip to see North Clear Creek Falls so I will add my pictures of that adventure.  Our neighbors, Ron and Mandy went with us and it was a really nice day, weather cooperated and some Bald Eagles showed up to share their glory.

You probably cannot read this sign but it helps me remember the name of the falls -- they are just out there in the middle of a meadow -- one minute the Rio Grande is flowing flat and then boom, it just drops off the falls.

As you can tell, it drops a LONG way down -- it is really a sight to see.

Caught the rapids and there were many that day, we have water flowing in CO and that is a good thing!

I loved the patch of "Christmas Trees' just along the canyon walls -- it just flowed right past them.

Into the valley below!

One of the canyon walls, lining the river.

The dead trees are from the Beetle kill -- it is still ongoing but they hope the rain and less drought will keep it from taking completely over.

Next on to Centennial Reservoir to check it out -- not may boaters that day but we did catch the Bald Eagles roosting until they realized they had an audience and took off.

Really poor picture but you can see the white head -- the 2nd one was flying and I couldn't get a good shot from the vehicle.

Beautiful scenery and lots of wildflowers blooming, the rains have been watering them faithfully!

Darrel and Susan                             Mandy and Ron

Enjoyed burgers for lunch at Freemon's -- a local favorite.  It was a great day and a sight to behold.

Sending blessings from the road,

Susan & Darrel

FR 380 and Platoro

 Hello Family and Friends,

It has been awhile since I have posted, and I will try to catch you up -- we actually took this trip before North Clear Creek Falls -- but I started the other post before this one so this come up probably later.

We headed up FR 380 to see if we could metal detect along the way -- we kept driving until we reached the little town of Platoro, CO -- it was a bumpy ride and mostly overcast but it was new territory and we saw so many deer that day (probably a dozen or so) -- the best one was a mother with a tiny, tiny fawn -- if the mom wouldn't have moved we would have missed the baby tucked under her belly.  I couldn't get my camera out quick enough before they hit the brush.

Here's a few other pics of the journey ---- the trail has beautiful scenery.

We still had some snow patches -- there is a pass called Elwood Pass and a cabin that I guess can be rented to stay at from the Forest Service.  The road was closed to it so I guess they haven't started back up with renting sites.

This is Lake DeNolda (private) tucked away along the route.  There is a lot of private land that borders the National forests and you have to watch for signs posted for private property.

We found Alamosa Canyon and there is an Alamosa River that runs through it and a past town of Stunner.  Now there is a campground at Stunner.

It was a great day, a little long but a good ride.  I have included a link about Platoro, CO, it is from a travel sight but gives you a good picture of the town and some history.  There is a reservoir there with camping but I wouldn't want to drag Zoe up there to stay.

Hope you enjoy the post,

Sending blessing from the road,

Susan & Darrel

Headed out of the Heat

 Hello Family & Friends, 

I have not posted for over a month (so that tells me that I am probably at the end of this blogging journey) but I didn't want to leave you high and dry : )

We have returned to Colorado for our 4th season -- again to South Fork.  I think the reason May slipped by so fast was all the packing up and rearranging we do to start that process -- it really is an art!

We did have pretty nice weather until the last week or so, there were up temps days and then it would drop back down. 

We did the trip in 2 days but went up through Flagstaff and across the Navajo Reservation arriving just south of Cortez, CO and stayed at a Casino RV Park.  Nice place to fuel and rest.  We headed out the next morning and just over Wolf Creek Pass the engine exhaust brake decided to not let us get out of 2nd gear so we pulled over at a turnout to shut it off.  Good thing as our "hydraulic jacks" that we fixed the line were dropping down -- we had to strap them up to finish the trip.

Once we got here we bleed the lines and were back to operational.  I don't know maybe the elevation? but they had been working fine the night before, oh well, that is the travel life!

So before I wrap this short post up, I told my sister that I had walked the Great Wall of China and she did not believe me --- but according to my FitBit data -- I have walked that many lifetime miles since owning my Tracker -- yay, me!

Also, Darrel's brother sends all kinds of funnies our way and here's one I had to share if you haven't seen it before ---

I feel this was especially after traveling!

Sending love and hugs from Colorado,

Susan & Darrel

PS  If I decide to quit the blogging venue, will send out a Farewell post and let you know!

Life's Little Moments

 Hello Family & Friends,

Here's just a few things to make you smile and appreciate nature's beauty!

These are Carole's cats and they like to sleep in baskets in her front window of her motorhome.

Goofy is the one still nestled in his basket and Fletch is the one standing proudly like a lion.

They greet Carole when she comes home -- she shared this pic!

Last week we had some beautiful sunsets -- and this is one Carole shared with me.

Another snap, and look at the changes!

One thing I can say is that AZ has some pretty awesome sunsets!

We have also had the chance to see the International Space Station go overhead a few times in the last couple of weeks.  It is an amazing site.  It takes about 7 mins for it to cross our sky space until we can no longer see it.  You can go to this link https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/sightings/index.cfm and enter your town or city to see when it might fly over.  Enjoy!

Guess all I have for now.  We are 6 weeks out from Colorado departure (early June) -- the heat has remained with us with a cool down expected for next week -- I certainly hope so -- nights are still cool but the days make us look for shade and appreciate the breeze.

Sending blessings from the road,

Susan & Darrel

Poppy Pass & San Marco Mine

 Hello Family and Friends,

It has been awhile since I wrote a post, the heat is on and we have been trying to stay cool.  We celebrated Darrel's birthday end of March and our anniversary was on Easter this year.  Next up, Susan's birthday in a few days.

Our last "big" UTV ride was to a place called Poppy Pass -- we were looking for Poppies which are much smaller than the poppies you might see in gardens and are yellow.  Last year the pass was filled with them but this year it was difficult to find any.  The trip was warm but still pleasant (I believe we did this ride on March 20).

Here's a few pics along the journey -- plus we stopped at San Marco Mine for a little rest.

We had a large group and the trail was pretty intense in a few places.  I did a lot of the driving and was ready to take a break at the end of the canyon.

Next up was San Marco Mine --- not a working mine but we scouted around the area.

We had great weather but the wind really picked up in the afternoon and we were dusty and UTV weary.  Headed home to shower and put the ride clothes in the washer.

Beautiful weather and a great ride.

Sending blessings from the Road,

Susan & Darrel