Continuing South --- Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico

 

Roger here...  It has been a while.  We have discovered that Verizon coverage and campground internet coverage is definitely lacking in Southeastern Wyoming, Estes Park Colorado, Pueblo Colorado, Northwestern New Mexico, the panhandle of Texas, Abilene Texas, and even Fredericksburg Texas.  It has been frustrating to keep up to date.  We are now outside of Austin, Texas where everything is hunky dory.  We are probably three posts behind.  Oh well!

CASPER, WYOMING 

We were staying at a KOA in a northern suburb of Casper.  It was a two-night stop to replenish provisions and do a little laundry.  

When we checked in at the KOA, the young lady who took our information practically begged us to visit the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center.  We had some extra time, so we did --- a very well-done little museum that documented the western trails during pioneer times.

The museum surrounded a central amphitheater that played continuous (and colorful) programs.  Evidently, Casper was a major crossing point for pioneers crossing the Platte River.

A couple of interesting active displays required visitors to climb into Disney-like pioneer conveyances to be immersed in video and audio scenarios.  

The first "ride" was in a covered wagon.  After Dianne and I sat down, a docent engaged the wagon in a trip across the Platte River.  The wagon tossed and turned when we entered the water.  A wagon in front of us overturned.  Boxes of supplies bumped into our wagon.  Eventually, we made it across.  

The second experience involved a later period of time as we boarded a stage coach.  As before, the visuals gave the effect of actual movement as locals wished us well on our journey.  

There were many interesting displays throughout the museum.  A wire sculpture of a horse greeted us as we exited.

ESTES PARK, COLORADO...

The drive into Estes Park, the eastern entry to Rocky Mountain National Park, was somewhat harrowing as we twisted along the narrow canyon of the Big Thompson River.  We eventually parked our little Airstream at the Spruce Lake RV Park.

The full-hookup dirt sites were pretty basic.  The sites were somewhat crammed together, but they served the purpose.

The surrounding mountain views, though cluttered with RVs,  were great.

There was not a dog park; however there was a great walking area along a stream for us to walk the dogs.

A walk to town....

Since the traffic and parking in Estes Park was difficult, we followed the advice of one of the campground workers and got our daily exercise by walking a 3-mile round trip with the dogs into town. 

 

The town reminded me of Gatlinburg, Tennessee surrounded by bigger mountains.  It was an interesting place.  I wanted ice cream, but the business was closed, but Dianne did find a candy shop that met her liking.

On the way out of town we stopped at the (outdoor) Left Hand brewery for lunch.

The mountain views during the return walk reminded us of why we were there.

It was a bit windy on that day.

Rocky Mountain National Park...

This particular national park now limits the number of visitors per day.  In order to visit the park we had to reserve an entry pass on a particular day and time. It was recommended that we do this the month prior to our visit.  We did.  We picked a Monday, thinking it would be less crowded.  We were not able to get a pass until 2:00 p.m.  Since it snowed the night before, we used the early part of the day admiring the white mountains from the campground.

We arrived at RMNP at our allotted time, but despite our pass, we still waited in a line of cars for 45 minutes to get in.  We went to Bear Lake Road, hoping to take one of the shorter hikes.  Even later in the afternoon, all of the parking spaces were full and park rangers were forcing traffic past the lots.  It was frustrating to be in such a beautiful area and not be able to stop.  We did manage to get a few photos by stopping along the side of the road at pull-outs.

CAPULIN VOLCANIC NATIONAL MONUMENT...

After leaving Estes Park we did a quick over-night stop at the KOA in Pueblo, Colorado.  We were on our way to Capulin Volcanic National Monument in New Mexico.  It turned out to be a much more satisfying stop than Estes Park.  

We stayed two nights at a small, privately-owned RV park in Capulin, New Mexico.  It was nothing fancy, but the quiet atmosphere and the friendly owners made it a great stop.  BTW.  The restrooms were immaculate.  

The photo below shows a view of the Capulin Volcano (extinct) from the park.

You can see how the road to the crater spirals around to the top of the volcano.  During our full free day, we spent most of our time hiking around the rim and taking in the magnificent panoramic views.  Dianne took the video below from the parking area at the rim before we started our trek.

This is a view of the crater from the parking lot.

The well-maintained trip around the crater involved quite a few elevation changes --- none of them severe.  It was a perfect hike for the two of us.

The views were jaw-dropping.

Placards were strategically placed along the pathway.  

Since we both read the Lonesome Dove novels,  this "cash cow" notice was of particular interest....  as was the view of the prairie below.

Another placard spoke of the frequent lightning strikes on the mountain and the unlucky bench that I had been sitting on.

I especially like this photo of the final descent back to the parking lot.  It gives the impression of walking off the edge of the mountain.

The photo below, taken from the Capulin Campground, seems to be a fitting end for this post.

In the next post we will explore the wonders of Caprock Canyon State Park in the Texas Panhandle.  We will also tell the tale of our treacherous and harrowing trip from Caprock to Abilene State Park.

PET PICTURE OF THE DAY...

All dressed up and going to town!