Hot Sulphur Springs, CO

​I left my beautiful dispersed campsite in the Arapaho National Forest. There was absolutely no disturbance. No generators, no shrieking voices, no slamming doors. Ultimate pristine bliss. Yes, these times are like my “I died and went to heaven moment.” It was chilly this morning, but I am at 8900 foot elevation. As the sun came over the hill, things warmed up very quickly. I headed further south on a mission towards Hot Sulphur Springs, Colorado. And I encountered several recent mudslide cleanup areas. Along with mostly 100% forest road closures going off to the right or left of Highway #125. My ultimate destination to the Denver Campsite, was non-existent, so in hindsight, my premature stop to find this campsite was the best thing that I could do. Who knew? I thought I would find one or two cleaned up mud slide areas, but I literally encountered more than a dozen. The bulldozers and backhoes were not quite in operation when I passed through, but they were there to clean up the mess. The burn scar areas leave the landscape vulnerable to these landslides, much like what you hear occurs in California, also occurs here. I feel fortunate that the road wasn’t completely closed off, as a few days prior, I might’ve been blocked out from reaching this destination. I checked into the Hot Sulpher Springs resort and spa for a senior pass to enjoy 18 pool springs, for the day. I got here early enough to secure a camp spot right over the railroad tracks within walking distance. Fortunately, I was here at 11 AM which opened up the portal to my chosen campsite. And I also met the camp hostess who said I could park in the day use area which was much more shaded, and a much better location for Jo Jo. I spent a couple hours, then returned for lunch and went back leaving JoJo in the RV which I never really feel comfortable doing. But the weather is comfortable here in the low 80’s, if that, and in the shade it’s doable with the fans and windows propped open. He was fine and he’s a very accommodating little boy. Nonetheless, I think about him all day long, and the guilt sets in while I’m having a relaxing spa day. Engaged in the sulfur springs and magnesium, and in the end all of my sterling silver is now “liver of sulfur” black, but apparently very trendy. I’ll be spending the night here at the campsite. The only drawback, potentially, is the fact that we’re right next to a railroad track. They passed by a couple of times today with their horns blowing, and yes it is blistering loud. I met two women Elisa, and Beth, who was an art teacher. We talked a lot about my travels and about they’re teaching careers. Both of them no longer teach as they left the profession a few years ago even though they are about 10 years younger than me. I hoped I inspired Elisa, and she talked about traveling in her van. It was a wonderful time to spend with other women discussing the challenges of day-to-day life in a very relaxing environment. What a wonderful day, and as I prepare to be awoken by blowing railroad horns, but I guess it’s a trade-off for being pampered in a spa and soaking in the minerals that are healing.


















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