Monday, June 08, 2015

Steamboat Springs


Friday, June 5
When we got up, this morning, we had the entire camping area to ourselves. A deputy sheriff pulled in last night. I thought he was going to say we couldn't camp there but he just waved and continued on. 
We spent all day in Steamboat Springs.  
For breakfast we went to the Creekside Cafe and Grill. This is probably the best breakfast restaurant we have been to since our trip to New Brunswick, CA years ago when we had breakfast at Cora's in St. John. Carol had the special which was French toast, filled with chocolate and topped with strawberries. I had  real corn beef hash, with two eggs and a homemade biscuit. What a breakfast!  Feeling slightly guilty, and very full, we skipped lunch and had a salad for dinner. Everything averaged out. 
The weather prediction for today was for strong thunder storms. Yesterday, in Longmont, they had a serious storm including a tornado touchdown, lots of lightning and hail. Fortunately, for us, the tornado was a few miles away. Around our house we just got the 4 to 6 inches of rain.  Not wanting to be camping in a high exposed area on dirt roads if a storm like that came through, we  opted for the only commercial campground in Steamboat; a KOA. $51 for the most basic site they had. Commercial campgrounds are nice, now and then. We got rid of three bags of trash, dumped the tanks, filled up with water and took long, hot showers. 
Stopped by the FS office to pick up the MVUM for the Routt NF. Over time, I want to collect the map for all of the CO NF's.  These maps are the best way to find legal disbursed camping areas. 
In the afternoon, we parked by the river and took a nice long walk. The Yampa River is running high and fast like the Eagle and Colorado. 
The weather turned out just fine. A few light showers but that's about all. 

Saturday, June 6

We went for one more  breakfast at the Creekside Cafe. Carol had the special; apple pancakes with cream cheese topping. I had the juevos rancheros with home-made sausage. Like most restaurants in ski towns, they charge ski town prices. Breakfast with coffee runs about $30 for the two of us. 
On our way out of town we stopped at the Howelsen Ski Area off 5th Street to take Gopher for a walk. At the far end (west?) of the parking area was an RV that had clearly stayed the night. There were park employees as well as a sheriffs deputy in the parking area, none of which seemed concerned with the RV. This might be a nice overnight spot for future use.
The weather forecast for Saturday was dreary so we decided to get some of the drive home behind us. We followed SR 14, the Poudre River/Canyon Road.  Pulled into the Kelly Flats campground. Someone had just pulled out of a great riverfront site. Like the other rivers, the Poudre is running high and fast.  We were here two years ago just after a big forest fire. The river bottom was covered with ash from the fire. I remember talking to a ranger who said it would take a season of high water to flush out the river and return the  good fish habitat. 
From our campsite.

Sunday, June 7

Headed home. The Lazy Daze was flawless. Not even a little problem . I guess this is why people are willing to wait for a year or pay a premium for a used rig vs an off-the-lot Winnebago, and such. 

Monday, June 8

Gave the camper a bath, had the oil changed at Walmart, dumped the tanks, installed a grab bar in the bath for Carol and just poked around getting it ready for the next trip.