I awoke early. Early enough to see the sun rise and the moon setting. Our neighbors never did return, nor did we see any changes in the other sites since last night.
Tom made some coffee while I checked out the facilities for showers. They were clean but took quarters. Oops! No quarters. I walked over to the office where they said on a sign that they had change. Oops! Office closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Back to Tom and the dogs.
Coffee was done and Tom had begun to strike the tent on his own. Not an easy fete. Our tent is big, but also only has two poles, 3 if you count the rain fly. The unpoling is not so hard, but the folding it up is. There is always the trapped air to deal with and then trying to fit into it's bag is even worse.
Fortunately, Tom got an old travel bag which, fairly, comfortably fit the tent, poles, rain fly and stakes. The air bubble still was always an issue. We'd try one way to fold it one day and then try a different way the next. Today was the tri-fold with all windows and doors open. Workable.
As I mentioned, we were just across the dry lake bed from the Great Sand Dune National Park. We looked on the map and were able to make a left pass the empty ranger station and drive directly towards this sandy expanse. It was early so we took lots of pictures from the road before finally reaching the National Park Headquarters for the park.
There were a number of displays in the Visitors Center. The one that I liked the most was a classic paper maché model of the park, seen below. It explained how the winds picked up the sands from the mountains and blew them down onto the ground below causing a great, ever-changing, sand dune forming and reforming for eons.
We exited the Visitors Center and headed towards the dune. The dogs were both very excited and we could hardly keep them in the car when we opened up their door. We were able to put on their leashes and grab the camera before being yanked down the path heading towards the sand.
As most coastal dogs, BuddyJack and Luther love the beach. All we have to do is say the word, B-e-a-c-h and they start to jump around, heading to the door and whining with anticipation. Seeing all this sand was so similar.
I released Luther with his leash still attached while Tom held onto BJ. "Let him go!" "They have no where to go." BJ was released and they ran. Ran around and around, chasing each other, their leashes and us. It was a great release of energy in a foreign land with hardly anybody in sight.
There were no ORV's in the park. There was hiking and sledding. The picture below gives you some perspective. Those tiny dots at the base of the dune are people. There were some hiking up the dune for pleasure (I guess) and others carrying sleds. I would imagine that it would be a lot of laughing as you are sliding down that hill. I would be a tad careful of road rash though.
We began to head back to the car when BJ & Lu found a fun hole to jump in and explore.
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| an iPhone panorama |
Back into the car we all went, leaving the Great Sand Dune. We stopped at the General Store to pick up some ice and some water. Upon coming out, there was a hubbub happening behind me. Come to find out, a doe and her fawn sauntering through the parking lot. Coming from Los Osos, deer are always around us. Heck, just before we left, one cut us off on the street while we were walking towards downtown Baywood. For other families, though, it was quite a sight to see. Mothers were pointing them out to there kids, cameras in hand, clicking away. It was nice.
We headed back towards Rt. 285, cutting through a green valley with mountains on either side of us. I was expecting sharp turns, steep hills and slopes, but found a very gentle drive. It was quite, well paved and mostly deserted. Great for driving.
We did have to go over just a few passes as we headed towards Denver to check out the capital. The woods closed in on us as we went through them. It was getting near lunch time and the dogs had barely been sleeping as they were more into the smells of the woods.
Just over our last pass on 285, we approached Bailey, CO and I saw a hot dog stand. Not just a stand, but the Coney Island Boardwalk hot dog stand. The building, shaped like a hot dog, really stuck out from the forest green of it's surroundings. It sat next to a rapidly running stream with tall trees offering shade along a few picnic benches. Tom and the dogs found a spot at one of the benches while I went inside and ordered some dogs inside the big dog.
While waiting for the dogs, as there was a long line looking for food, I found Tom and the dogs still hanging under the shade. The dogs had already and checked out the water and patiently waiting for my return. I treated them to a few dog treats that were offered at the order counter.
I went back in and waited for my number to be called. "96!" That's me. Two dogs, some fries and a root beer. I brought the order outside and gobbled them down with Tom. The dogs even got a few extra biscuits from a few people walking by. Great stop!
We continued over on 285 towards Denver approaching the city and relying on Siri to direct us. Zipping along highways now, we approached the city and it's capital in the afternoon. Much to our dismay, the capitol building was under renovation. It's dome was under wraps.
We parked the car, took the dogs out and proceeded through the blazing temperatures towards the capitol grounds. There was a fair amount of shade from trees, which the dogs gravitated towards. There was also the trail of squirrels, a standard of capitol grounds, which the dogs followed with noses to the ground. We saw the Liberty Bell and a few monuments on the back side of the building, but everything was blocked off with caution tape and fencing.
Tom stayed with the dogs as I proceeded inside. It wasn't as easy as others as this capitol building had metal detectors and security. Surprising to say, at the capitals we have visited, this had never been an issue. I followed the directions, emptying my pockets and proceeding through the security line.
Again, I headed towards the rotunda. I was pleased that there was still some lighting on their ivory rotunda. The whole building had a bright ivory/golden look.
We left the capitol building and talked about visiting the bar that Tom's brother Kevin frequented before he passed away a few years back. Back to Siri and her great directions. Tom put in the name of the place and we were directed 40 blocks North. We were being directed through some neighborhoods and then not so great neighborhoods until we landed at the destination, Buffalo Bills.
It was still pretty hot so we went around the block once before finding a spot behind the building. As we drove in, a "gentleman" asked if we needed "anything." Uh, "no." We opened the windows so the dogs would be able to stand it for a few minutes. Only a few, though. It was hot.
We approached the back door and it was locked. We went to the front and were told that the "man" will be back in a few minutes. Tom peered inside and realized this was not the place he thought it was. Good! Back to the car. Back to Siri. We never found the right Buffalo Bill's. We'll have to cheers Kevin at Buffalo Bill's on another visit.
We left Denver with the option of taking I-25 or a Rt. 85. It was getting later in the day and felt that 25 would bring us to our destination of Cheyenne quicker. We hopped on the highway and decided to turn off onto the secondary road after a few exits. The fast pace and crowds were shackling our buzz.
We followed Rt. 85 north until reaching Cheyenne. We learned fairly quickly that this was the week of Frontier Days, an annual blowout in Cheyenne. I searched the web for a campsite while Tom drove. I found one that had a site available after calling the campground.
We headed toward the A. B. Campground. It seemed great with a BBQ, shaded areas, showers, etc. When we arrived, they were quite busy. I asked to take a look at the available spots. I am glad I did. They were getting ready for their Frontier Days and had spaced out campsites 10'x14'. Our tent is 10x12. We would have no room to do anything. On top of that, the "tent area" was placed on the dog walk area. Uh, no thank you.
We decided to head to Curt Gowdy State Park on the other side of Cheyenne. It was late so a phone call would not work so we headed west and took our chances. We loaded Siri up and off we went. Siri led us through the city and then down this road which led to another road which led to no where. "You have reached your destination, no walk." What?!?
We turned around, eventually finding the road to Curt Gowdy SP. It was certainly out there. Miles down a dirt road. But when we got there...It Was Wonderful!
A huge lake with camping sites jutting out into the water. Tranquility at it's best, except for the bugs. Lots of bugs! Due to the time of day, they did not seem like the biting kind, yet. Still water meant that the mosquitos would be out soon enough.
We set up camp on the ridge of one of the outcroppings. We had been skirting weather all day but it seemed to have kept to the South of us. The best thing about our tent was that it gave us all some room to move around. We have the blow up mattress, two chairs, our kitchen box which served as a table and a few other items to pass the night such as our solar light ball and cribbage board. This tent has been very useful in buggy areas. Once at camp, we never had to go outside.
Tom prepared some dinner as I took the dogs for a quick walk. There were some click clicks with camera and iPhone (to GPS the photos) of the lake and setting sun on the lake and then into the tent we went. A few games of cribbage and we were done.
Tomorrow we would be the start of the Dakotas after visiting the capitol. Sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs come in the tent.
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