Motorhoming to Colorado and Beyond 2011

We left Mary’s Lake CG around 11 AM. We were both nervous about hooking up the car and towing it again. Ron said we had to do it and make sure everything was OK before leaving the area.

I don’t think I mentioned that when setting up at Mary’s Lake CG we had an incident with our right front leveler. Ron usually places blocks under the front levelers but had miscalculated on the right. The ground was gravel so the block twisted, wedging the two sides of the right front  pad and bent it up.  Soooo,  Needless to say we were frustrated that another problem occurred – this time it was our fault.  Only we could hope is that the Jacks would store properly.

Thank goodness as we traversed the last of the mountains through Colorado everything seemed  to be OK. We still were worried that something else would happen. For the first time in his life, Ron was paranoid.

Once on flat land we both felt more at ease and Ron was in the driving mood. The ride through Kansas was just as long and  boring as on the way out. We stopped for lunch and then for dinner. There was a great breeze blowing so we decided to spend the night at a rest area.

We stopped in Russell Kansas at the rest area around 9 PM. Ron drove over 400 miles so was tired and ready to call it a day. Unfortunately, there was no breeze and the temp had climbed. Oh, Oh,  we felt another bad sleep night coming on.

It was only 50 miles down the road but the weather was completely different. Didn’t see that coming. Once again we ran the generator to turn on the AC’s. We went to be around 10 PM hoping to sleep through the night.

After  a decent nights’ sleep we tossed around the idea of either just leaving and heading home or going into RMNP. We weren’t in the best of moods but opted for the park.

Ron had checked under the Jeep to see if he could figure out what the scraping noise was. OOPHS, not good – the front end was not bolted to the frame so it was just hanging by two screws. WHAT!!!! How could anyone return a car in that condition. Ron called me outside and asked me to take a look. So there we were at 8AM under the car in our PJ’s. Yep, the front end was not attached. Great!!!  And of course the shop is closed until Monday. Ron was quite angry about that. He grabbed some wire ties and attached the front end to the frame so it would not come apart while driving. The saga just did not seem like it was ever going to end.

We had to regroup our thoughts and finally agreed we needed to put the issue to bed and get on with our plans. I packed a lunch and finally after 4 days we were finally going into RMNP. The drive covers 48 miles one way and climbs to over 12,000 feet. The day was gorgeous with bright sunshine and crystal blue skies with fluffy white clouds.

The drive was very pretty and the mountains quite spectacular.

Rocky Mountain High with winding roads.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the top (0ver 12,000 feet) we stopped at the visitor center. The roof was reinforced with huge logs. Certainly, not anything we had ever seen before.

 

Pictures Posted in the Visitor Center.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We saw lots of Elk along the road

The Rockies had record snowfalls for the 2011 Winter

and there were still remnants of snow left on the mountainsides.

 

 

We stopped for our usual picnic lunch and were entertained by the beautiful birds flying all around us. This bird was waiting to grab my grapes and bring them back to its’ nest.

We stopped t the Grand Lake Lodge and had a great view of the lake, some vintage cars and a peek at the inside of the Lodge itself.

We headed back and the views of the mountains were even more spectacular.

We were greeted by a baby Moose crossing the road. We didn’t see MOM Moose anywhere.

After leaving the park we headed to Stanley Hotel famous for the filming of Steven King’s “The Shining”  TV Mini- Series. Scenes from the movie Dumb and Dumber were shot at the Stanley Hotel as well. It is a beautiful hotel with the claim that it is also the most haunted hotel. We took a tour and were treated to the folklore of the hauntings.

The Stanley Hotel LINK:

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=ll

 

r0n NOTE:

I know, I Know It is the 1 who Haunts ME!

 

 

The Stanley Steamer

One of two replicas of the hotel used in the “Shining.” They burned one down at the end of the TV movie.

After completing our tour we stopped for gas and groceries. We went to the CG to spend some time with Don and Martha before saying our good-byes. They are heading back to South Dakota, then Martha will be flying to NY to care for her Mom.  We hope to see them again in the near future. Our stay in Estes Park was much more pleasant with their company. We will miss their smiling faces and great stories!!!!

Heading home on Sunday. Hopefully we won’t have any more mechanical problems!!!!!!! Keeping our fingers crossed.

We were told that we would be getting our Jeep back by late morning. While waiting for the call I went to the CG office to see if there had been any cancellations, hoping we wouldn’t have to move. No such luck we had to leave.

We hadn’t heard anything by 11 am so headed over to the Mary Lake CG. Yes, we did secure a site for Friday and Saturday – no problems. I guess the booking  issue from Thursday was resolved.

The sites at Mary Lake weren’t very big so we had to take up all the available dirt there was. Full hook-ups and only $27.00 a night. Not a beautiful  place but a site that we needed, so we were good with that.

At the park there was a large group called the On the Fly Ladies. It was  a woman's group that had both an interest in fly-fishing and vintage travel trailers. They were there for the weekend and had an open house planned that got rained on.

There were at least 35- 40 vintage trailers. All a little different and some vey unique.

We waited all day for a phone call from the repair shop but the hours kept ticking by. Finally, At 4:45 PM Ron called them. The shop closed at 5 PM so we were definitely getting nervous. Well, the Jeep was NOT finished but they would stay until it was done. Oh dear, now we’re looking at OT. How much was that going to cost??????

Around  6 PM we got the call that they would be retuning our repaired car to us. Ron was told that it was better then new but that there was an odd sound coming from the font end not related to the repair. What now? Does it ever end???? Ron paid the guy $400.00 for the repair and we finally had our car back.

Sure enough there was an odd grinding sound when going over a speed bump. Never had that noise before so not sure what it was.

Well, we had a show to attend so couldn’t dwell on any new issues. We met Don and Martha at the theater. The show was great and much better  then we expected. There didn't seem to be anything they couldn’t do from rock & roll to opera and everything in between. We were stomping our feet, clapping our hands, singing along and reliving our youth. Just an all round great show!!!!

After the show we went back to Don & Martha’s Fifth Wheel and had Peach pie with ice-cream and coffee. We talked until 11:30 PM and then we headed back to our CG. Another great evening with our new/old friends.

Since we had the Jeep back, our plan was to take the 96 mile R/T road trip through RMNP on Saturday. Another great day despite the mechanical problems we were encountering.

All photos for Day:

 

While walking Jewel this morning Ron met Don and Martha Mack. They struck up a conversation and Ron was gone for a very Loooooong time. I headed out around  10 AM to find him and sure enough he was chatting up a storm with the Macks’. Ron told them about our plight and they offered to help if we needed them for anything.

Ron drove the car over to the Collision shop around 11 AM as instructed. After being dropped off at the MH Ron realized the cell phone had slipped off his belt and was on the way to the shop in the Jeep. So – no way for the repair shop to make contact with us.

Sooner then we would have thought Ron was back talking to Don and using his cell phone to call the repair shop. The plan going forward was to call the repair shop back to #1 – find out if the Jeep frame could  be repaired and # 2 when could it be done.

After more conversation with Martha and Don (who already felt like old friends) we headed back to the MH for the waiting game to begin. Neither one of us was in a good mood so we didn’t get much accomplished.

Later that afternoon Don and Martha stopped by to see how we were doing and also to ask if we wanted to attend the variety show at  the Rocky Mountain Opry on Friday evening. We did and off we went to buy tickets.

Since we knew we would be at the CG for an additional night we walked to the CG office to secure one more night. We were told on arrival that our site would be available through Friday but  oh – contraire – no site for us – period!!!!! After some wrangling and down right begging – still no site. Our MH  was too big for any of the few available sites left after the expected influx of people on Friday.

Well we had already purchased the show tickets and we were sure we wouldn’t be getting our car back until  at least Friday so we had to secure a camp site somewhere else.

Once again Ron borrowed Don’s phone and called the repair shop. Good news – they could fix it  and we would have the car back late Friday morning. OK – now the camp site issue and how to get our phone from the Jeep.

Once again, Don and Martha to the rescue. Not only did they take us to get the phone they even took us to secure a site at the Mary’s Lake CG. Sounded easy enough – pay for a site for Friday and Saturday and move in the morning. WRONG – the saga continued. Couldn’t secure a site unless we paid for three nights including Thursday. Since we already had  a site for Thursday there was no need to book that night. Hello – I am speaking English?? Something has to go right, doesn’t it???? OK so we were left with – come back in the morning and you can book two nights  but you can’t book two nights tonight??????????? Why Oh Why – Never did figure that one out.

After running us around we went out to dinner with Don and Martha at a local Italian restaurant. Again , great conversation and that feeling that we had been friends for life, not just the last few hours. How great was that and how lucky are we?

After dinner we walked around the town of Estes Park. Martha and I shopped while the men sat on the benches and chatted. It was a beautiful evening and we truly enjoyed ourselves.

 

 

Back at the CG we waited to see the black bear that walks through the CG nightly. We were lucky enough to get a glimpse of him but because it was so dark couldn’t get a clear picture.

We said good-night to our friends and headed back to the MH for some sleep and hopefully good news in the morning.

After a good nights’ rest we prepared for  the 244 mile trip to Rocky Mountain National Park. We were told that the climb up the mountain into the park was very gradual and should pose no problems. Good to hear.

The final preparation before leaving is to inflate the air bags. HMMMMM – the front inflates but the back doesn’t.  Ron checked and thought maybe there was an air hose leak but with nothing to fix it with we decided to ride without the airbags. Most gas MH’s do not have air bags so should be no issue – or so we thought.

Ron mentioned that he had noticed on top of the pass that the back of the MH looked lower then the front. He thought it was just the angle. I mentioned the rough ride in the back and again noticed it on the drive to RMNP.

We were 1.8 miles outside the gate of the park when Ron pulled over in front of a hotel. He told me he had to check something. OK then- When he tells me he has to check something the bells go off in my head. Usually it means he thinks we have a problem.

Well, we did have a problem. Ron believed that the blots holding the face plate on the Jeep were loose again. We had them tightened 20,000 miles ago and Ron checks it every day before leaving for the day and in-between just to be sure. OOOPHS, they were fine before leaving in the morning!

We were in Estes Park, a tourist town, so not sure if we could get services. Ron went into the hotel and the young man was very helpful. He directed us to a local garage and even printed out a map and directions. We disconnected the car and I followed Ron to the garage.

We arrived at the garage  and  OMG – CLOSED on Wednesdays. Ron saw a couple of men at another establishment and asked them if they knew anyone else. Sure enough 30 feet up the road another garage – OPEN. We stopped in there and Nathan, the owner dropped everything to check out the jeep. I mentioned the air bag problem and Nathan asked his father to take a look. What service!!!!

Good news- bad news – as Nathan put it. The car is drivable but cannot be towed. What the heck does that mean?????? The faceplate is intact but the frame of the car is broken on both sides of the face plate. OWCH!!!!! His Dad Guy said there were two welders in town that could fix it for us but not sure how soon. He called a place and we were able to get to see the owner. He set us up for an appointment on Thursday at 11 AM. No promises but he would see what he could do.

If unable to fix for towing I will have to drive the two thousand miles back home myself following the MH. OH Please don’t let that happen.

Back at the first garage Nathan and Guy were working on the air leak. The hose had melted through. It must have happened when climbing Wolf Creek Pass and everything heated up. Anyway after some effort they did get the line changed and working again.

Not sure when the frame on the car broke but we did hit some nasty bumps along the way. Thank God nothing worse occurred. All we could do once back at the CG is wait for the verdict on Thursday. Hopefully we can get it set up to tow and we’ll head home.

Ron did some research on-line. I guess what happened to us is not so unusual. Forum members are pointing fingers at Blue Ox and Jeep because these were issues everyone believes should have been known to both manufacturers.We just want it FIXED.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elk in the Campground. We were told there was a bear that ambles through daily but we didn’t see it.

I took Jewel for an early morning walk and ran into Dot our neighbor from MA. Had a great conversation with her and do plan on touching base once we are all back home.

We left the KOA around 10:30 am  and had our propane tank filled before leaving. We were not sure if we would be  dry camping so made sure we had enough propane to heat the camper in the high elevations of the park.

Then it was off to buy gas for both the MH and car. Then to the grocery store. We actually didn’t get on the road until after 11:30 am but whose rushing.

As we were driving we could see the mountains ahead of us. Quite spectacular to look at but not so wonderful to drive over. Ron doesn’t like pulling mountains but there was no choice. We pulled 12,000 feet in Vail without difficulty so 10,000 feet should be no problem!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

Wolf Creek Pass has a notorious reputation with the truckers so we were not really sure want we were in for. Ron’s plan was to take it slow and not push the MH.

Well, the pull was a lot more difficult then we could have imagined with a very steep grade. Although we pulled the pass over Vail  at 12,000 feet, it was a gradual grade and less stressful on the MH and us.

About  three-fourths of the way up the pass we realized we probably should have disconnected the car, but at that point it was too late. The MH was beginning to show signs of  strain – along with us, and when finally at the top the temperature gauge was starting to climb. It never got to hot  but it did go up one notch. That had never happened before. The temp gauge on the mirror which tells us the outside temp and the temp from the engine read 131. Yikes, not good.  Ron opened the hood and you could here the cooling system gurgling. Again – not good.

At the top of Wolf Creek Pass is the Continental Divide.

We sat for a while, had lunch and when engine sufficiently cooled we headed down the pass. Going down was not as bad as the climb and thank goodness  no  more difficult passes to go over.

Ron checked the entire rig and car and everything looked OK. Our only regret is that we didn’t disconnect the car putting less strain on the MH.

web site

http://www.motorcyclecolorado.com/wolf_creek_pass.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_Creek_PassWaterfall

 

Waterfall Along the Way

Tunnel Through Mountain Pass

The  Road from Hell

 

 

 

 

 

By the time we finished our drive over the pass we were drained. Sounds crazy, but it was not a fun drive. Coming down the pass wasn’t as bad but the pass was 16 miles  long and the first 8 miles was at least a 6-8 % grade up.  Really tough. The maximum speed limit, even for cars was  35 MPH and we were going 22 MPH. There was a State Patrol Car pulling people over who were exceeding the 35 mph limit.

We decided we would catch a CG down the road. I had walked back to the BR and noticed that the MH was not riding as smoothly but didn’t think much of it at the time. The roads were a little rough so I thought that was the issue.

Around 5 PM we pulled into the Lathrop State CG for the night. We had only driven 200 miles but it felt like 400. It was a difficult 200 miles with rough terrain and really low speed limits.

 

 

We had dinner, settled in and just had to discuss our drive over Wolf Creek Pass. Despite all the research  and  discussions Ron had with people who knew the area we were still not prepared for the difficult pull over that GOD-AWFUL PASS.