Hiking and Doing in Buena Vista

Today, Monday, we collapse.  This past week has been so jammed packed with things we needed to get done, most planned, some not, in anticipation of Rob and Dee (my brother's son and his wife) and Emily, Cody, and Imana who are great niece, and great-great nephew and niece (Dave's brother's granddaughter and her children) to visit this past weekend.

Rafting company dropping off people and rafts, downtown BV

Walk bridge over Arkansas River in BV, start of trail

The unexpected chore we had to do was our car.  Seems in the middle of the night one of the taillight's running light came on.  Could not get it off so Dave took the taillight apart and disconnected it.  Good.  Then at 2am that same night, the other taillight came on.  Grrr.  Monday morning we were off to a town next to Breckenridge (79 miles one way) to get to the Jeep dealer.  Dropped off the car, got a loaner, and traveled on back.  Our way back decided to drive through Vail before heading south.  It has been 34 years since we have been in that town and has it changed!  Crowded.

And they are off, heading downstream towards Salida

Climbing up the trail, river to our right

This guy practicing his board moves, crazy

Tuesday we got the call to come back and get our car, so off we headed (after we had done some shopping in Salida which is south of us about 25 miles.  Back through Leadville (at 10,000 plus feet in altitude) and back down to Breckenridge.  Got back to the RV late afternoon.  Pooped.

Little did we know that we would be pulled out of here on our
own rafting trip the next Sunday 

Salida, downtown, at the Play Hole

Wednesday we decided to do a quick hike in town, walked the Barbara Whipple Trail which is a trail system right on the Arkansas River, follows it for some distance then various branch trails break off.  Saw some rafters come down, pretty walk. Afterward we traveled back to Salida to visit the Forest Service office and get more information plus the Colorado State Park pass since we will be here for another month or so (in various towns).  Saw rafting at their famous Play Hole, headed home after that.

Slalom course set up

This is a prelude of us on Sunday

We texted Rob and Dee if they would be interested in joining Emily, Cody and Imana on a white water rafting trip on Sunday, and of course they said they would love to do it.  Stay tuned for that blog entry - it's a doozer.

Hotdogger flipping around at the Play Hole 

Rob and Dee got into our campground late Thursday evening, had a nice visit with them and we all anticipated the arrival of the Denver folks (Emily, et al) on Saturday morning.  Lots planned for this past weekend - will do separate blog entries for Saturday and for yesterday.