Colorado and Kansas were wonderful!
We started our exploration by visiting Toni and Paul
We started our exploration by visiting Toni and Paul
in their beautiful home with a breathtaking view overlooking Lake Granby.
They played hosts for us as we explored the area surrounding Rocky Mountain National Park (more about that later),
visited a couple of mouth-watering eateries, explored their ranch where the elk truly do roam, and in general, had more fun than a 6 year old in Disney Land. 
We also enjoyed a wonderful dinner with friends that I knew from the "DC Project", explored Denver (yes Dave, the capitol building is awesome!), 
and then headed for Rocky Mtn. Natl. Park. Simply beautiful - and cold! 
and then headed for Rocky Mtn. Natl. Park. Simply beautiful - and cold! The Trail Ridge road - which is the highest continuous highway in the world - stretches for 50 miles through the park and tops out at 12,183 feet above sea level. The road was closed at the highest elevations the morning we arrived due to snowfall 
and drifting from the night before. They broke out the rotary plow which had already been put away for the season, and had the road open again by noon. We tried to meet up with Al and Shirley, but due to technical issues (Wi-Fi) and some scheduling conflicts, we missed them and have put them on our "must visit" next time through here. We then headed a bit south to the Colorado Springs area and drove up to Pike's Peak.
and drifting from the night before. They broke out the rotary plow which had already been put away for the season, and had the road open again by noon. We tried to meet up with Al and Shirley, but due to technical issues (Wi-Fi) and some scheduling conflicts, we missed them and have put them on our "must visit" next time through here. We then headed a bit south to the Colorado Springs area and drove up to Pike's Peak.
Well, as far up as we could go anyway, because the road above 13,000 feet was closed due to snow and the wind-chill was 20 degrees Fahrenheit. (Hey, this is the middle of June - what's with all of this snow stuff?) 
We also spent a day at a place called the Royal Gorge,
spanned by a bridge constructed in 1929 suspended 1,053 feet above the Arkansas River. The bridge is about 1,260 feet long and the "floor" of it is made out of almost 1,300 wooden planks. I am not a great fan of heights, but walked across the bridge and took a tram ride, which is even higher (also listed as the longest single-span aerial tram in the world). We also visited 7 Falls in South Cheyenne Canyon. Here water cascades 181 feet in 7 distinct steps down a granite cliff of Pike's Peak granite. Next to the falls was a 224-step stairway which led us to the top and some wonderful views along the way (although I wish I had an oxygen bottle with me about half-way up). We also took a ride on Skyline Drive, a one-lane, one-way road climbing up an 800 foot ridge and then along it for over 3 miles. This road appeared to simply drop off the face of the earth in many places and provided enough adrenaline excitement to keep us going for quite awhile.
Heading east from the never-ending mountains and needing a chance
We also spent a day at a place called the Royal Gorge, spanned by a bridge constructed in 1929 suspended 1,053 feet above the Arkansas River. The bridge is about 1,260 feet long and the "floor" of it is made out of almost 1,300 wooden planks. I am not a great fan of heights, but walked across the bridge and took a tram ride, which is even higher (also listed as the longest single-span aerial tram in the world). We also visited 7 Falls in South Cheyenne Canyon. Here water cascades 181 feet in 7 distinct steps down a granite cliff of Pike's Peak granite. Next to the falls was a 224-step stairway which led us to the top and some wonderful views along the way (although I wish I had an oxygen bottle with me about half-way up). We also took a ride on Skyline Drive, a one-lane, one-way road climbing up an 800 foot ridge and then along it for over 3 miles. This road appeared to simply drop off the face of the earth in many places and provided enough adrenaline excitement to keep us going for quite awhile.Heading east from the never-ending mountains and needing a chance
to rest up a bit, we stopped at Lake Wilson in north central Kansas.
This large man-made (Army Corps of Engineers) lake,
has many campgrounds operated by the COE
and also a couple of state parks dotting its shoreline.
We had picked out a site in advance that surpassed our greatest expectations, located on a point of land that jutted out into the lake and parked nose-in so we could enjoy the ever-changing moods of the lake through our large front windows. But windy!!! The first night we brought the slides in as there were reported gusts in the area topping 70 mph.
We had picked out a site in advance that surpassed our greatest expectations, located on a point of land that jutted out into the lake and parked nose-in so we could enjoy the ever-changing moods of the lake through our large front windows. But windy!!! The first night we brought the slides in as there were reported gusts in the area topping 70 mph. (Reminded us of Texas ).
Arriving on a Wednesday, we stayed through the weekend
when it changed from a quiet, peaceful place into a Mecca for boat lovers
of all types, here to celebrate the Father's Day weekend.
To get away from the crowds, we used Saturday to tour a very large, working, underground Salt Mine. Traveling in a "cage" 650 feet straight down into the ground, we emerged into an underground labyrinth with 67 miles of tunnels burrowed through 970 acres that have been mined so far.
Leaving Lake Wilson, we headed east toward Missouri with a planned stop in Topeka and perhaps dinner with our friend Phaleta - but we did not manage to connect so continued on and spent a night boon docking at a Walmart in Nevada, MO.
Leaving Lake Wilson, we headed east toward Missouri with a planned stop in Topeka and perhaps dinner with our friend Phaleta - but we did not manage to connect so continued on and spent a night boon docking at a Walmart in Nevada, MO.
(Note - this is pronounced "Nevayda" as we were pointedly told by locals ).
On to Lake of the Ozarks to spend time with friends in that region.
Hugs,
Jon and Donna
*********************
And a few more balloons. 
Birthday kisses were exchanged.
There were 28 of us there, and it took a little time for our food to show up.
This is the Mexican plate. Sorry. Wasn't quick enough. 
all dressed in our finest.
and so do Darbi & Bill.
And no, they aren't cute. 
Hasta la vista, baby...
Washing of vehicles, trucks, boats, airplanes or mobile equipment-before 8:00 am and after 6:00 pm, on designated days only, with a handheld bucket or a handheld hose equipped with a positive shutoff nozzle for quick rinses. Washing may be done at any time on premises of commercial car wash or commercial service station.
Ahhhh...Ricky Raccoon...how cute.
Curled all up, awaiting my wrath.
Not so cute close up.
That raccoon was most unhappy, let me tell you. 
It was a big sucker, too. 
