Pushed Southwest to Dolores, CO

Our fears for Buddy getting very sick was unfounded.  Amazing things happened that made the trip for Buddy much better.  He had the drug in him longer than we have done in the past; he accidentally got locked inside the closet in the bedroom, up off the floor, and located over the tires which meant he did not feel the swaying of the rig.  He did not get sick this time to our amazement.  Maybe I should do that more often???  Glad we moved, the morning temperature yesterday at sunrise was 28, way too cold.

Just past the Continental Divide, golden colors of aspens really stand out 

At headwaters of Rio Grande, about 10,500 feet elevation

South of Creede, heading towards South Fork

We left Lake City around 9:15, driving separately, and got to the Continental Divide/Spring Creek Pass and stopped to hook up the car.  Having sat for 6 weeks we were a little concerned that we would forget the steps to rigging up the car, but it went smoothly.  In 2 days the colors of the aspens went from a light yellow to neon gold.  Beautiful.

And we climb up to Wolf Creek Pass, the worst of the 4 of yesterday

Through tunnels

Drove inside snow sheds

Dropped down through Creede and on south to South Fork where we picked up Route 160 heading west.  We felt confident about going over the passes and knew Wolf Creek was coming up once we passed through Pagosa Springs.  Wolf Creek was not fun, construction around Dead Man’s Curve which limited the lanes to one each direction and we had an 18 wheeler in front of us, slow going.  The last time we came through Wolf Creek Pass it was just gorgeous.  This time the beetle infestation has killed all the Spruce trees and it was’t pretty at all.  Hope they don’t get a fire, will go up quickly.

On top of mountain, ski lifts, trees all dead

As we passed, saw lots of activity, getting ready for ski season

Notice dead trees

Serious rock retaining walls

After clearing through Wolf Creek we eventually came into Durango.  Could see the mountains in the distance near Silverton and we marveled that we were there in the rental Jeep 5 weeks ago, we could have taken the Alpine Loop over instead of all this way around! Wow - for 6 weeks we were on the eastern side of the mountains of Silverton and we swung down, then west and back up the other side of those same mountains here in Dolores.  Crawled up over Durango and then dropped down into Cortez and could see Mesa Verde National Park in front of us.  We were near our destination.

Passed Chimney Rock National Monument

Serene scenary 

Thankfully a controlled burn

Those dang mountains!

Mesa Verde National Park up on that ridge

Got into the campground at 3:45, almost 7 hours on the road and only traveled 202 miles.  As they say, you don't measure your journey in miles but in time to get there when you are in Colorado.  We are safely tucked in at Dolores River Campground, will be here a bit before moving south towards Picacho.