Travel to Dolores/Rico, Colorado

Dave wanted to get out of Oro Valley really bad so I found a ranch 25 miles north of Dolores, Colorado  and 18 miles south of Rico. And of course, high elevation.  But I'll get to the particulars in a bit.  2022 is our 3rd summer in the home in Oro Valley but why is it affecting us not RVing? Well, 2020 we watched the mountain in front of us burn - the Bighorn Mountain Fire - and we were so busy getting the house comfortable, and the world was in lock down from COVID, that we did not notice how hot the summer was.  2021  we were dealing with Dave's health issues, doctors appts, physical therapy, procedures, we did not  have time to think about what we were missing by not RVing. And we had sold the RV in May of 2021 because we just could not figure out how or when to use it. 2022 we did it - this is our second trip, without the cats.  And no RV, just figuring it  out as we think about where to go for a get away.  So far, it's working.

This past Wednesday we packed up the car and headed to the Circle K Ranch which I thought would be a 9 1/2 to 10 hour drive. We made really good time and made it in 8 1/2 hours and 487 miles later.  Only hang up we were planning on stopping to tank up and do potty break at a grocery store to get some lunch but convinced Dave that if we took this alternate route, we would slice about 45 minutes off.  So we did but we did not get to get a sandwich.  Instead, I had packed lots of snacks which kept us going.  On our return trip I will be better prepared food wise.

Did the awful drive through Salt River Canyon north of Oro Valley, switch backs down to the muddy Colorado River, then switch backs up.  Hate this drive.  Glad we were not traveling on the weekend - the traffic is terrible with everyone trying to get to PineTop or ShowLow or Greer, Arizona or any one of the lakes.

Headed north to Holbrook, AZ and picked up Interstate 40 eastbound towards Gallup, New Mexico.  Stopped at a Navajo trading post about 12 miles outside of Gallup for a quick break and then into Gallup and headed north on Route 491.  Long, lonely ride. We were on Navajo land and all signage is in Navajo with English in small lettering under.  Watched a terrific thunderstorm ride to the side, thankfully we dodged it.  

Saw the beginnings of Shiprock (Tse Bit'a'i which means rock with wings) and Cathedral Cliff    Rock in the distance.  It's been 5 years since we have traveled along that route.  Forgot how majestic the rock formations are.  These rocks have religious and cultural significance to the Navajo. 

Into Shiprock, and were amazed at how much the city has grown, crossed the muddy Colorado, and headed north on 491 towards the Four Corners of the US.  Crossed out of Navajo country into Ute Country, passed into Colorado and headed to Cortez.  This is the town where Mesa Verde National Park is.  If we stayed in Cortez, we would pretty close to Durango.

Followed Colorado Route 145 north out of Cortez to Dolores and headed further north into the mountains towards the Circle K Ranch.  It is a dude ranch as well as hunting and fishing lodge.  There are 6 full hook up RV sites as well as cabins (we are in 1 of them on the Dolores River) and they also have a lodge and motel.  Known for kids to come in the summer to learn how to take care of horses and they take many rides.  We walked back to the stables behind the bunk houses for the kids and I saw maybe 40 horses there.  Reminded me of my childhood riding Jerry, my friend's horse, every summer.

Settled in and slept really well.  The altitude is 8,030 feet but we learned that we have to drink a lot of water and eat snacks.  We did well.  Yesterday we spent going back into Cortez and grocery shopping (we are in a loft park model -  weird to be back in one after almost 3 years) and we have cooking facility, full bathroom, and a deck where we sit just above the river and listen to the roar of the water.  And we are serenaded all the waking hours by Stellar BlueJays - a family with a couple of young chicks.  Cute.  

The forecast is for rain every day, but it is the same forecast (monsoons) in Oro Valley.  Much rather look at greenery, water, grass, mountains rather than sitting inside the house being bored.  We have some things to do while here, rain or shine we will.