Now in Buena Vista, Colorado

If we could have chosen a place to stay and recoup with a great view, relaxing scenery, we could not have chosen better than Rio Chama RV Park in Chama.  The fire in Durango (416 fire) closed the national forest near us so we were not allowed into the forest to hike or sight see.  We did manage a quick little hike the day before that happened, was a beautiful wildflower mountain trail - timing was everything.  We were up about 9800 feet in elevation.  The forest shut down on Monday which meant we sat from then on.  We could see the smoke in the distance, really bad.  And as of this morning the fire is only 25% contained.   Very sad.

Beautiful alpine lake, about 10,000 feet

Conejos River

Start of our hike, well marked trail

Evidence of bear activity

So many different wildflowers

The sound of a babbling brook - priceless

Deer running away from us 

But, we watched the scenic train go out in the morning, and return later in the day, able to see it from our RV.  We did drive into Pagosa Springs to look one more time to see if we liked the area (it's east of Durango over the Wolf Creek Pass, but we decided that the town did not fit our requirements for a summer home.  And of course, it was very smoky.

Officially now in Colorado

Passed that summer home section we saw from train ride 

Yesterday we left Chama on a good note, we liked the town, was enthralled with the train, but it was time to move on.  Very uneventful trip north on Route 17, passed the Cumbres Pass and La Manga Pass again, climbed down into Cayones River and the world renowned trout fishing lodges, then up and through Antonito, through La Jara, into Alamosa and we kept creeping up Route 17.

San Francisco Peak - in New Mexico

Passed the Great Sand Dunes National Park to our right, traveling the length of the San Luis Valley.  Towing mountain peaks on our left and right, then climbed up to Salida.  Rocky Mountain peaks on all sides of us.  We are in the midst of the 14teeners, 12 of them right here near us.  Still some snow on them, but very pretty.

Amish community in Antonito

Crossed over Rio Grande again

Settled into the campground by 3pm, and just marveled at the scenery around us.  We will stay here for 3 weeks, have much to see and do.  Our niece and her 2 children are visiting next weekend, and the following weekend our nephew and wife will be camping at this same campground for the month of July.  Will be great to catch up with all of them.

Large white blob at base of mountains - Great Sand Dunes NP

Very lonely road heading north on Route 17 

And then we head into the Rocky Mountains

And we arrived