Black Canyon of the Gunnison, day 2

​July 29, 2022


Well,  just after the mouse wars, ugh, I headed up hill 5 miles towards the top of the rim. No downshifting or brake work here as I put the pro master in “tow haul.” The engine revved the entire way up. This is a challenging road, a 16% grade and continual switchbacks. I consider this a mini “independence pass” roadway. I stopped at the very first look out. A woman took my photo of me and Jo Jo. As I spoke to another woman regarding our travels. Little did I know that I would run into them shortly there after. I stopped at the south  rim Visitor Center, heading towards the RV bus parking, and low and behold, there was a gray Travato, and a red Travato, as I calmly parked in between the two of them. I had to take a photo as this looked like a Travato meet up. Before I knew it, the three Travato owners were grouped in the parking lot having conversation on our experiences. One couple from Colorado Springs, and the other couple from Prescott. I had seen two other Travato owners along this route today, making it five Travato‘s in one day! Shortly there after, I met up again with those two women from earlier today, Bobbie, and Sandra, who were originally from Illinois, and traveling as friends in this area. We talked for the longest time as I gave them my card, containing my blog address. I felt empowered and inspired that these women were very interested in learning more about independent travel in an RV. I feel like I’m a mentor! I continued on to almost all of the lookouts along the rim here. The weather went in and out of downpours to bright sun, so it was fascinating seeing the canyon among gray skies, bright sun, and everything in between. It was stunning. I finally returned back to my campsite mid afternoon, and it was pretty warm. So I took my camp chair down to the river and sat there with my feet submerged for a while until I finally cooled down. I also headed down towards the Crystal Dam which was a dead end. Officially US government property, no trespassing, with a huge chain-link fence. I parked for a while right before the area and spent the longest time in complete solitude with no other traffic. The only sounds I heard were a distant bird’s nest, and the moving waters below. 














































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