T.Ex. 1.0 (Turtle Expedition 1.0) Week 2

We left Jim and Barb's place on Monday. It was very sad to look in our rear view mirror to those two balling faces. Breaks our hearts thinking about it but they have to get over us. As hard as it may be.

We headed northwest to see Devils Tower. It has been many years since we were there last and this time we wanted to camp in the park, not at the KOA.

You can't beat this view. It was spectacular. When we pulled into the campground we found our spot. But as we were driving around the loops we heard a squealing noise and it was coming from us. What is that sound. Lisa got out and confirmed it as I slowly rolled past her. Crap! The beast has been sabotaged by BUCKZILLA no doubt. "Curse you BUCKZILLA!" we cried.

Well there was nothing we could do until tomorrow so we decided to hike to the visitor center and then around the base of Devils Tower. Checking the map it didn't look too bad. It was 1.3 miles to the visitor center and then the loop was a mile around the base and then 1.3 miles back. Easy peasy. As you can see that the hike up to the base involves some elevation climbing. We did it and it was actually a very nice hike. You start out going through a prairie dog town and then it gets very peaceful and the views are outstanding.

Once back at camp we ate dinner and enjoyed some well deserved cocktails and just looked at this amazing sight.

The next morning we got up early so that we could limp into Gillette Wyoming to the nearest Dodge dealer to have the beast looked at. I always like to have the dealers work on my truck, but this dealer let me down. "I'm sorry, we are booked and we are short 3 mechanics. But I will give you the name of someone that would be happy to work on your truck" Okay? I called and confirmed with him and he said that there was a campground in Gillette. So we dropped the pickup camper off at the campground

and then found his little shop. We left the beast and hiked back to the campground a short mile and a half away. He called and said that it was the front bearing and would work on it into the night so that it would be ready in the morning. You don't find service like that now days.

We got the truck back and then headed south to Douglas WY. It was a desolate drive but we saw many antelope along the way letting us play the antelope game. We found a city park there where you can camp for free.

Other than the price, I don't know if I would stay there again. Very noisy with lots of people just driving through or using the showers.

We left Douglas very early, happy to get out of there and headed south to Colorado. Turning onto Hwy. 34 and then headed into the mountains. What a beautiful drive through the canyon. We got to Estes Park in time for lunch.

This is where "Dorks On Parade" starts. It was sunny and 64 so we parked the camper, put out the slides and opened all of the windows and vents. We put the cats inside so that we could have lunch and shop a little. We found an Indian restaurant and ordered and the food was very good. But as we sat there eating we heard thunder. Skies are still blue over head. Pretty soon a dark cloud comes over. We quickly pay and headed back to the camper because all of the windows are open. As we start walking back, a sprinkle, then a little heavier so we walk faster, then it just let loose with a downpour. So we are running in the rain dodging cars and deer, yes, a deer, and if that isn't enough motivation, it starts to hail on us. We got to the camper and of course we were soaked and the floor was soaked and the rugs were soaked. So much for shopping.

We then drove into Rocky Mountain National Park to our campground called Glacier Basin.

Glacier Basin Campground RMNP

The campground was very nice and that white stuff on the ground is not snow. It is hail from the storm that afternoon. We enjoyed the views and tried to get our clothes to dry. Next day we drove over the top of the park to a campground on the other side of the park. We stopped at the Alpine Visitor center for some photos. 

What spectacular views at 12,000 feet. It was a beautiful day. 

Our campground on the other side was Timber Creek. Another National Park campground that was nice. You could hear bugling elk all around us and several times throughout the day the elk came through the campground just feet away from us. It was fun to see.

We then went west to Steamboat Springs,Colorado. We stayed at Stagecoach Reservoir State Park for the remainder of this week.

It is a drier climate on this side instead of the lush pine forests. There is a lot of sagebrush. It has been a lot of stops for the week and the traveling has been easy. With this pickup camper we can unhook and sight see or stay hooked up also. It doesn't make much difference.