White River National Forest, CO

​July 23, 2022

All things considered, parking in the city lot next to the excavation vehicles went better than I expected. Although having said that, the trains did come by at least four times overnight. I heard the low rumble, but fortunately none of them blew their horn, which would have probably and literally hurled me off my bed. It was still quite warm. I had all the windows open, and I was locked in, but it definitely felt like a summer day. The morning was cool, as I took a walk through a tunnel leading me towards the river. Plenty of joggers and bicyclers joined me along this area, which was quite pretty and very quiet. I saw a house nestled in across the river with their chairs in the river, and dreamt about living there. Yes, I do love the water. After a bit of time getting caught up on the Internet, and email, I headed south a slight backtrack towards the town of Carbondale, onto Route 133. In an attempt to get out of the heat, I have to climb back into the mountains to seek higher elevation. Route 133 followed the Crystal River, and it was absolutely beautiful, like so many areas here in Colorado. I set my sights at the closest dispersed campsite called Avalanche Campsite. The reviews were mixed. As I travel down this dirt road it was definitely a one lane to a 1.5 lane width. And quite rocky with plenty of steep inclines and declines forcing me to ride diagonally over tall humps. I questioned whether it was the right move, until I finally hit a creek. Bulldog Creek, which would’ve lead me into the creek, down and over to the other side of the road. Yeah, no, I don’t think so. I have no desire to drive into moving waters to see what will happen. All things considered, these days, my adventuresome spirit does have a limit. I backed up a bit noticing a car behind me who barely passed me. Oddly enough, he was driving a BMW sedan and I believe he did get through the creek. Good for him. I backed up a little further and finally felt like the road was wide enough for me to do a multi faceted K turn.  And I mean multi faceted 1/2 foot to one foot at a time, until I could pivot around. It’s times like this that I am thankful that I am not towing a travel trailer. The Sylver Gypsy class B was the right choice for me. Within a half mile I found a spot where I carefully backed in and here I stay for the rest of the afternoon and evening, and hopefully the night. There are signs here indicating that camping is allowed in designated only sites. I don’t know if this is designated, however it does have a fire pit which I never use. There have been several other motorists probably 20, that have passed me back and forth, and so far no one has bothered me. I can hear the Avalanche Creek, as it’s probably 200 feet from me. I took a poor trail to the edge through the woods, and it drops down quite a way. So I have no intention of reaching the edge of the water but can appreciate it from the cliff. It’s still warm here at over 7000 feet. 91 inside the RV. But we were out doing some chores including cleaning, laundry, and believe it or not I got 28 stations on my TV which is surprising and rare. No cell service for the big bucks that I pay to Verizon. I will be reaching them when I get home, to have conversation about that.

















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