Family Camping
The western adventure of 2019 has begun. We pulled the rig through Colorado Springs to find a boondocking site outside of Buena Vista. For the novice camper, “boondocking” means to camp in a remote spot with no services and typically with no one around. This is a beautiful area of Colorado primarily inhabited by rafters and kayakers along with a few bikers. The 4th of July week brings out a lot of families who like to camp. Which is the main reason the Princess and I were boondocking.
We were able to find a relatively private campsite just a few miles off the pavement in the San Isabel National Forest. Driving along Co Rd 272 every few hundred yards there was another group enjoying the week. Our spot was surrounded by large pines that gave the air a wonderful fragrance and privacy.
Our son only lives less than two hours from where we have camped, having a few days off he was able to join us for a several nights. The Princess and I do not see him often so it was a real treat for us and we got to meet a very good friend of his, Sara. The only thing missing was my grandson and daughter to complete the group. I, for one don’t talk much but, the Princess enjoyed asking them a million questions. All I had to do was sit back, listen and refill cocktails from time to time.
Just up the road a fair piece (Montana speak for about 50 miles) was Leadville, the town with the highest elevation in the U.S. It has been probably 10 years maybe longer since I had been there. For those of you not acquainted with the place, Leadville is real western mountain town with a main street and a few side streets with small historic houses that all have a well-used Subaru or truck in front. We had lunch at the Silver Dollar Saloon built in 1879. The back bar is original except for the mirror that had to be replaced after someone threw a mug of beer at it after his sports team lost a big game, cost him $5,000 to replace it. According to signage Doc Holiday actually bar tended and played piano here for a spell after the OK Corral incident. Besides the history, the food was good and all of the patrons were cheering the US women’s soccer team while they played France. Fortunately, the US team was winning so we didn’t see any beer flying thru the air.
Up the street a few blocks is a business named Melanzana. This company manufactures outdoor clothing right there on main street Leadville. The clothing is made from recycled plastic, it is very functional and lasts forever. The Princess wore her 10+ year old pullover all over Scotland because it is very warm, light and easy to pack. When I last visited, they were in a smaller place on main with maybe three or four sewing machines. Now there must be close to twenty machines. They just can’t make clothes fast enough. The only way to get a particular piece is to see the production schedule and come in as it is being made. They no longer take any orders on-line or over the phone. The business side of me says this is a crazy way to work but has allowed them still make everything in Leadville. The Princess and I will be the only people at the fall campfire with Melanzana fleece since we were able to buy two pullovers for this trip.
While exploring town, we found the Temple Israel built in 1884. Never knew there was a Jewish synagogue in Leadville. There is a lot of history in this building. When it was built there was about 300 members and it grew to 600 members in the height of the mining boom. They were prominent members of the community. Distilling was one enterprise that did well and there was a dry goods merchant that it turns out I have a loose connection with. David May, founder of the May Co. started out here. My first real job was working for the May Co. in St Louis.
Lest you think all we did was eat drink and talk on this stop the Princess suggested that I include photos from our hike above Buena Vista on the Midland Hill Trail. The trail provided stunning views and a chance to work off the calories from the primary activities mentioned above.
Hours were spent every evening in conversation and watching the clouds blow across the mountains. When the sun finally went down, the show continued with so many stars in the sky. Was just amazing.
Next Stop Steamboat Springs and then Pinedale.
Dennis and Sherrie
PS – You may have been surprised that we have added a new member to the Fickstravels team. While in Scotland Lassie, a Highland Coo, stowed away in my luggage to see the world. I have known for a long time we needed to add a four-legged companion to our travels since it is an unwritten rule that every blogger includes a dog as part of their team. The Princess and I decided to give Lassie an opportunity.
