Boulder, Colorado back to Maryland

Boulder, Colorado (map wp55)

back to

Tilghman, Maryland (map wp88)

Usually a stop in Boulder, Colorado to visit our friends Bill & Pearl is a stop to look forward to. Not this time. We have lost count of how many times we have been here. suffice to say that the area is known well enough that we stopped needing a map to get around a long long time ago.

Bill, at 87, was not in a good way when we arrived & he was in a hospice when we got there. This is a man who went downhill skiing right up till last year, 2011. If only the rest of us could stay so healthy so long. He hung on for about a week after we got there & passed the night Jenny & Jason arrived, unfortunately as we were on our way to the hospice after picking them up from the airport.

Another member of 'The Greatest Generation' is no longer with us.

Though the reason for Jenny & Jasons visit was somber it was good to see them in the middle of a long trip & they both got a chance to do a little of that favourite Bermuda pastime, shopping.

A thunderstorm rolls in from over the mountains

St Vrain State Park, Longmont, CO

There is something different about a high altitude
thunderstorm to a sea level one. Much more noise.
The rumble goes on & on

 One unexpected stop was Rocky Mountain National Park & a day doing the
15 mile Fall River Rd which is all gravel, one way, parts no more than 10' wide
& limited to vehicles no longer than 22' i.e. our truck.

Huge rock slide

Above the tree line Rocky Mtn NP

Safety barriers! We don't need no safety barriers

A second time at this bluegrass festival high in the mountains
at Westcliff, CO.

The winner of the ugly boat competition, Land between the Lakes, TN

Boat porn: A line of Sabres at the Maine builders boat show, Rockland, ME

Rockland, ME

Did you ever wonder what becomes of old buses?

Norwich, CT: The Podunk Bluegrass Festival

Best part of this festival was the jamming in the car park after the show.

The right outfield never sounded so good

A New Hampshire barn

This one was a surprise. The entrance to this commercial CG looked like a bit of a dump.  The stream side sites were among the most beautiful that we have seen in any National or State Park









The resident dropped food clean up squad.

Tuscon, Arizona to Boulder, Colorado

Tuscon, AZ (map WP41)

to

Boulder, CO (map WP55)

This is where the trip took a diversion from plans. The original intention was to go to the Pacific Northwest & stop in Boulder to see our good friends, the Colvins on the return east. That was not to be. Bill had taken very sick & time dictated that we turn & head east early.

Next stop was Flagstaff, AZ & relief from the heat of Tuscon. The elevation of Flagstaff makes a world of difference in climate. The cooler temperature allowed more comfortable repairs to the trailer underside from the Texas tire blowout & a quick oil change for the truck. I think it took less than 10 minutes at the Jiffy Lube.

As usual click on the pics for full appreciation.

 Potty break

North Rim, Grand Canyon

Busy highways of N Arizona & S Utah

Somebody does not like picture taking

A quiet no utility cg about 10 miles from the Grand Canyon North Rim

The Colorado river almost a mile below the rim.

The Grand Canyon North Rim though busy does not get anywhere near the visitors as the South Rim. Only 5% of Grand Canyon visitors go to the North Rim which is a solid days drive if you want to get from one to the other. There are no short cuts unless you are a bird.

 

 One of our most favourite places, Bryce Canyon

One of the Bryce residents 

No fear as long as it thinks it might get some food 

 This is our fourth stop at Bryce Canyon. It is one of those places that draws you back.

One of the many Bryce rock formations

Bryce hoodoos

Energetic people far below. It is not the going down the trail that is tiring. It is the coming back up. Can't get Carolyn on one of those mule rides they have.

Dillon Reservoir, Frisco, CO. A familiar sight for anyone who has skied Colorado

Smoke haze sunset from the wildfires N & S of Denver 

St Vrain State Park, Longmont, CO.

 Rain. Most of it evaporates before hitting the ground

Distant evening thunderstorm, St Vrain SP