Lolo, MT

We broke camp in West Yellowstone this morning in the rain - not too much of a problem.  What was supposed to be a 4 1/2 hour drive took us 6 hours; however, we stopped at a diner for lunch.  The sign on the diner said "Stop here for food or we both will starve."  The state of Montana is beautiful with a mixture of rolling hills with trees and without trees, wooded mountains and rock mountains.  We traveled through the city of Missoula, MT and whoopee I spied a Safeway grocery store and a Wal Mart.  We are now set up in the Square Dance Center and Campground.  They sell square dance clothing at the campground office.  I have hopes of getting Billy into some.  I'll take photos.  We have had dinner of pork chops, mashed potatoes, and brussel sprouts.  After I take Maggie around the park to meet her new friends I am curling up with The Diaries of Covered Wagon Travels.  Our sign is hanging outside our camper and "Life Is Good Today!"

Our Last Day at Yellowstone and Lazy

Maybe I really was not lazy.  Went to the laundromat this morning and caught up on the laundry.  Since it has gotten so COLD, and we have the heater, socks, shoes, and coats on I decided to put away my summer clothes and dig out the winter clothes.  See, when there is little storage space items get stuffed into strange places.  After washing the dishes and making the bed presentable I went into town in search of warmer clothing.  Ended up with two pairs of WARM socks and a hat.  Folks downtown are still muttering about the tornado yesterday.  After returning to the camper and Billy glued to golf on the TV set, I curled up with my book for a bit.  It is so interesting to read the diaries of the women who came over in covered wagons during the gold rush.  Picked up our new signs today.  They say - Hornsby's

                                                                               "Life is Good Today"
Most of the folks moved out of the campground today; however, we currently have a big diesel pusher moving in next door.  Hope they know that snow is predicted this week.  I will certainly miss the "Buffalo Parade" down the middle of the highway at dusk every night.  Above are photos of only two that we ended up behind on the highway.  We will break camp tomorrow morning and drive 4 1/2 hours to Lolo, MT where we stay at the square dance campground and visit with one of Billy's buddies.  Think I can get Billy to square dance with me?  I do so love to square dance, and it has been years since I have been Do-Si-Do ed!  "Life is Good Today"  Thanks for stopping by for a visit.

Wolf and Bear Exhibit - West Yellowstone

We finally dragged ourselves up and about out of the camper after lunch today.  The weather was looking like we will have a rainy day most of the day.  We went into the town of West Yellowstone to the Grizzly and Wolf Center.  The exhibit was very fascinating and informative.  They had an information center that stated that it is the male black bear rather than the female protecting her cubs who is most likely to attack.  Learn something new every day.  I was intriqued sitting at a picture window for an hour or more observing a pack of wolves.  Then suddenly a cloud popped up over us with a definite spin to it.  I began to panic and searched out Billy to take cover with me.  He announced assuredly that tornadoes don't strike in Montana.  Yeah  right!   We went across the street to a Mexican restaurant where an excited waiter described to us the tornado that just touched down.  Next time Billy, I will NOT listen to you.  Aside from that the exhibit was very entertaining, and we plan to go back tomorrow.  They are predicting possible snow here next week.  I believe it.  Winter coats are out and the heater is on as I type.  It is still raining on the roof our camper so I plan to curl up with my book.  I'll have to post the wolf photos tomorrow because the camera is out in the car.  "Life is Good Today!"  We pick up our sign that says "Life is Good Today" tomorrow.

Completed Our Tour of Yellowstone

We got another slow start to the day yesterday, and I remained in slow motion for the entire day.  Billy ate a breakfast at the RV park's commons area while I slept in yet again.  Then off we went to complete our tour of Yellowstone.  No trip to Yellowstone is complete without viewing Old Faithful.  We found it to be rather anticlimatic since we prefer finding lonely geisers who only spout every now and then.  Saw some beautiful waterfalls and mountain streams today.  I so fondly remember Sunday afternoons when I was kid.  Our family, including a few cousins, would take off into the foothills of the mountains where we always lived in search of deep woods along the sides of the road that contained streams, waterfalls and the all important swinging vines.  With barefeet and bare chests (we were young!) we would stomp through the streams making up our own rhymes and swing down hillsides on the vines.  All the better if the swinging vine traversed us over the stream.  We picked up hickory nuts, ate wild blackberries and persimmons.  Our parents were busy digging up wild dogwoods, rhododendrum and wild azaelas to transplant in our yards while we were frolicing.  Those are wonderful memories minus the memories of the chigger bites that we sustained!  After an afternnoon of exploration would usually enjoy a picnic that always included pickled eggs.  Life was good in those days.

We changed our plans made in jello and will depart Yellowstone Monday rather than Wednesday.  We have seen it all although I want to go once more at dusk to see the "buffalo parade" down the middle of the highway.  With a headache I slept soundly for 15 hours last night so I am rearing to get out to enjoy the day. "Life is Good Today!"  Thanks for stopping by.

Yellowstone Bear World-Today-Today's The Day the Teddy Bears Have Their Picnic

Maggie wanted a piece of him as we drove past!

We slept in again this morning........zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz! I finally crawled out of bed and fixed Billy sausage/eggs and toast for breakfast. Then I browned some hamburger meat and made a crock pot of homemade chili. We have grown tired of seeing bear day after day that are not easily photographed, so we took off to Yellowstone Bear World where they farm out Yellowstone "bad" bears. That is bears that walk too closely to cars and people. It was well worth the drive into Idaho; besides that WE WENT TO WAL-MART! It was not a super Wal-Mart but I shall not complain. Not much else going on today but the photos are wonderful! Thanks for stopping in, and we'll try to be more exciting tomorrow. "Life is Good Today!"

Another Day Touring Yellowstone

We slept in this morning or should I say that I slept in this morning while Billy walked down to the campground commons area and had a breakfast of sausage/pancakes and scrambled eggs. I had thought I had another altitude headache; however, I believe it is a sore neck from looking up down and all around for critters. We finally got it together and went to the little town of Yellowstone to buy a lens cover for my camera. Yes, I lost it. We also purchased a tripod for the camera and then went to the "little" grocery store. You got it.......still no Wal-Mart. At least now though we have a few groceries. We came back to the camper and made a picnic lunch to take into Yellowstone and off we went.

Today we saw mule deer, moose, elk, bear, coyote and of course buffalo. I do so enjoy seeing those mighty buffalo meandering down the middle of the road like they own the place. We drove by a few waterfalls, geysers, and hot springs. There is so much to see here especially since we tend to take the side roads and dirt roads or should we say the roads less traveled. Maggie has caught on to these buffalo marching down the middle of the road and really gets excited when we see one. She goes absolutely nuts.

It's going to be a short post tonight. We are very very tired. "Life Is Good Today"

Yellowstone KOA - Montana

The photo of the Bull Elk was taken at night without a flash so it is not the best quality. Again, you can double click on the photos to enlarge.

We broke camp at about 10:00 am this morning, and I was truly sad to leave Dubois. Really enjoyed our four days visiting and hiking there. Had to fix Billy and I a picnic breakfast of sausage biscuits because from past trips we know that there is no where to stop for a quickie breakfast. It has been five days since we have seen a Wal-Mart, a real grocery store (as opposed to a 7-11), or a McDonalds. We really do NEED to see a real grocery store. This little RV refrigerator/freezer does NOT hold more than a week's worth of food. The construction going over the pass slowed us up quite a bit; however, at least it wasn't raining to splatter all over our truck and RV. We entered Yellowstone through the east gate and exited the west gate. On the way we saw a crowd pulled over, or should I say ALMOST pulled over. They were looking at a grizzly eating a dead elk in the middle of a creek. I was able to see the dead elk, but Billy had a difficult time pulling the RV through and around the rubber neckers and cars. On into Yellowstone we saw a few buffalo and then there were 2 buffalo crossing the road that forced us to stop the truck and let them go by. One crossed and walked right by my opened window so close that I could easily reach out and touch him. Maggie barked and tried to jump out the window to scare him. On down the road we saw a herd of elk off the side of the road, but again we couldn't stop because we were pulling the camper.

We are now almost set up at the KOA campground outside the west gate of Yellowstone. I say almost set up because as customary Billy is still working on setting up the tv satellite. I am eagerly waiting a trip to find a grocery store. I saw my first McDonalds in five days when we turned into the park so I know there must be a real grocery store around here somewhere. When Billy checked in they told him that grizzles have been in the park at night and not to go out at night, but if you have to go out to go in pairs and with a flashlight. We can't leave a barbecue grill outside and can't leave even an empty cooler outside or in the bed of the truck. They say that the bears know what is supposed to be in a cooler even if it is empty. We have to have ALL of our trash in the trash cans by 10:00 pm. I think they lock them then. That's a good thing because I remember the RV park at the Air Force Academy in Cheyenne that had bear proof and Jane proof trash cans. I like this system better. Off to explore and find that all important grocery store. Life is Good Today.

Dubois, WY Hate to Leave It

Double click to enlarge photos.

Today is our last day in this beautiful area. We slept in because of the cool 43 degree temperature then I prepared to go into the little town of Dubois and do some retail therapy. I was surprised to be informed that the little western town that I find so unique is a mostly authentic town that has been here for quite a long time. The town was first settled in the late 1800's. It is said that Butch Cassidy purchased a rifle here and lived here through fall and winter before one of his most notorious crime sprees. That little bit of information just made it that much more appealing to me. To quote the website "Dubois, WY is an authentic western town located along the Wind River, rimmed by the Absaroka and the Wind River Mountains. It's an area of striking contrasts from the badlands to the high mountain peaks." We have certainly enjoyed lingering in our RV park by the Wind River. While touring that cute little western town today I purchased a few books at the book store. Two books authored by Kenneth L. Holmes BEST OF COVERED WAGON WOMEN Volumes 1 and 2. I also purchased BLUE HEAVEN by C.J. Box who authors a series of western stories that are reported to be outstanding reads. Then I just had to experience the works of Craig Johnson who authored THE COLD DISH in his series of books. One of these last 2 mentioned books has been contracted to be featured in a movie possibly starring Jack Nicholson. So ends my day. Billy washed the truck before I was able to get a photo of it. It was literally caked in mud. I went to the laundromat and caught up on the laundry and cleaned the entire camper for our move to Yellowstone tomorrow morning. A few mornings ago I awoke early to take Maggie out to read her P-mail and Billy sat up and inquired "what time is it?" I had to think for a minute before replying "where?" Neither of us has changed our watches to Mountain Time Zone. So now it is 3:00 pm in Panama City and 2:00 pm in Dubois, WY. I plan on decking out in my pj's and curling up with one of my new books and a blankie down by the Wind River. A big Thank You to the residents of Dubois for being so kind and hospitable to us while we were visiting. "Life is Good Today."

Grand Teton National Park, WY

After a leisurely breakfast in the camper we loaded up the truck with picnic supplies to travel for an hour to the Grand Teton National Park. At the entrance we were informed that we had to be 62 years old to purchase the senior citizen National Park passes. Now, that is sure a bummer. We were counting on the old folk's discount; however, she let us enter Grand Teton National Park free today because her credit card machine was non functional, and we will be entering Yellowstone on Tuesday. Grand Teton National Park is indeed beautiful with rolling mountains, glacier-covered mountains, and sage plains all around. After our wilderness journey on Saturday, we were very determined to find an isolated viewing spot that was away from tourists. We climbed a narrow, paved two lane road that we thought would entail meeting only a few rock lickers. We were surprised when we reached the summit to a full parking lot and people milling around like worker ants. At the summit we could look down and in the distance see a deserted dirt road. We both immediately thought "that is where we want to be, but how do we get there?" We climbed back into the truck and pulled a map out of our "propaganda" pile of brochures and ala Billy figured it out. The dirt road across sage brush, treed forests and hills was as isolated as we had hoped it would be. The "road" was 4 wheel drive only and VERY rough driving. We had to drive very slowly but we reached the exact place where we wanted to be-atop a mountain all alone looking down into a lush valley with a beautiful stream winding around the trees. We each pulled ourselves up a rock to sit on, and Maggie curled up under a sage brush bush and life could not have been better. We sat up there for a long time peering through our binoculars and still did not see an elk, moose, big horned sheep, or bear. We did see two Bald Eagles and their nest in a tall tree in the background. We think that if could have stayed until dusk we would have witnessed a "critter party" down by the stream as we could see hoof and paw prints everywhere. The dusk viewing was not going to be because we had a curfew of 10:00 pm to cross the highway back to Dubois. They were doing major road work and closing the road at 10:00, so we began our slow crawl/bounce/bump/scratch path down the mountain. At some point during our travels up to this point we saw a few cars pulled off the road and we stopped to inquire what was happening. There was a grizzly bear walking quickly parallel with the road and about 50 yards away. With camera in hand I rushed along the road to keep up with him. When he stopped so that I could click a photo he was behind bushes. No photo, but I was able to keep up with him until he turned away and wandered down the mountain. Yippee, first grizzly siting. After leaving the Grand Teton National Park we again saw a few vehicles pulled off the side of the road. Being good American "rubber neckers" and well-heeled tourists we pulled over to see what was happening. Yippee! Our first moose siting. Poor thing was just trying to take a little nap in the creek so she would be freshened up for the big "critter party" that would begin when all the tourists went home to bed. What an awesome site. Billy and I were so involved in looking the sides of the roads for critters that we almost failed to notice that snow was beginning to pile up in some places on the sides of the road. I instantly got cold and put on my jacket. We stopped in Dubois to eat a quick and light dinner at the Cowboy Cafe and truly enjoyed our dinner. After stopping, we got our first look at our truck. Oh my, we look like locals now as the truck is literally covered in dirt and dust. "Life is Good Today" Thanks for stopping in to visit.

Searching for Big Horn Sheep and Petroglyphs

You can double click on the photos to make them larger.

This morning we woke to chilly weather and had to turn on the heater. I walked Maggie around the RV Park to read her P-Mail and check up on the longhorns and horses. We found the Carr family sitting outside practicing for a concert this afternoon in downtown Dubois. The mother and father played the guitar while the three children played violins. It didn't sound like practicing to me. I could have listened to them all day. Then we took off for the National Bighorn Sheep Exhibit in Dubois. The central exhibit, Sheep Mountain, will draw you into the world of the bighorn. It features full-sized bighorns and many of the plants and other animals that live around them. After touring the center we were ready to venture out into the wilderness and find real live bighorns. Upon leaving the center we heard the drums of Indians singing and dancing. We walked over to be entertained by what we think were Shoshone Indians demonstrating their native dress, song and dance. What fun.

We then drove to just outside Dubois near our RV park to view Whiskey Mountain, home to the largest wintering Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep herd in North America. A unique feature of Whiskey Mountain and the Dubois area is that you can view bighorn sheep up close. We stopped all along the way and peered through our binoculars to no avail - Little Bo Beep could not find her sheep. Then we ran into some hikers who were looking for ancient Indian Petroglyphs. Petroglyphs, carved in stone, were used by past cultures as ways to record history and share stories. Thus we added petroglyph hunting to our search list and actually found a few to photograph. As we approached mile one and looked to our right, on the smooth, treeless north-facing slope we should have been able to pick out bighorn sheep, elk, and mule deer with our binoculars. Oh well. We were still having a blast just gawking. The road then dropped into Torrey Valley, carved by glaciers that ground their way out of the Wind River Range as recently as 10,000 years ago. Glacier-fed Torrey Creek tumbles out of the mountains and feeds the valley's chain of three lakes. Torrey Creek was flowing to the left of our road and it's willow-lined banks provide food and shelter for moose. When we reached mile 6.6 we approached the entrance of Glacier Trail that goes into Fitzpatrick Wilderness. It was on foot from here up. I had on flip flops and answer to the name of Calamity Jane so I had to convince Billy that Caroline would not kill him if he let me hike into the wilderness. So with bear spray in hand, we began our climb. We hiked up Glacier Trail to a foot bridge that passes over a rocky gorge and a series of thundering waterfalls. It was definitely a Kodak moment. We hiked up to just under 10,000 feet and I had to stop often to take in deep breaths of oxygen. Maggie was searching out any shade that she could find.

We drove back down the mountain to Wind River Canyon where our RV Park is located. The Wind River flows through the beautiful Wind River Canyon right behind our RV. The canyon walls reach 2,500 feet into the sky at many points. As you travel you see sphinx-like shapes of rocks 1,000 feet above the bed of the river. There are castle formations and waterfalls that tumble out of the rock-formed canyon sides. The Wind River Canyon is a showcase for the geologist. Its towering walls reveal formations for each major year of the earth's formational development.

We are very tired but plan to get up tomorrow morning and explore more of this beautiful Wilderness. "This Land is Your Land. This Land is My Land."

The Long Horn Ranch - Dubois, WY

It took us 8 hours to get here today but the scenery was continously changing and the views were beyond description. We finally gave up looking for a "Burger Biggie" for lunch so we pulled the camper off the shoulder of the road and fixed lunch. While driving through Wyoming it is wise to stop at 1/2 tank if possible and buy gas. Didn't see a Wal Mart ALL day. We are staying at http://www.thelonghornranch.com/. The campground is beautiful, and our camper is parked on the banks of the Wind River surrounded by mountains and Cottonwood trees. The Long Horn Ranch is in the town of Dubois - http://www.duboiswyoming.org/ We enjoyed dinner in town at the Cowboy Cafe. They sponsored a varied menu and the food was delicious. Lots of homemade desserts, so we do intend to return. The town of Dubois is almost 7,000 feet high and has a population of 962. The downtown area is the perfect little western town complete with all the western flair. I noticed that there were quite a few locals eating along with us at the Cowboy Cafe and pointed out to Billy that it was blatantly obvious that anybody in town wearing flip flops was a tourist. Maggie went swimming in the Wind River, had a bath and then went to sleep. I am right behind her and will catch up with the rest of the blog tomorrow. "Life is Good Today."

Terry Bison Ranch - Cheyenne, WY

Woke up to a slightly rainy and chilly morning. Since we had to wait on the rain to stop, I took the opportunity to run to the laundromat to do a load of laundry. With that out of the way we took off a few miles down the road to the Terry Bison Ranch. http://www.terrybisonranch.com/ We had lunch at the Senator's Steakhouse on the ranch but we didn't eat anything exciting....onion rings and barbecue sandwich. Billy knows his barbecue and said that it was indeed excellent. They had horses, ponies, alpaca, camels, ostrich, goats, and llama at the ranch but we were eager to ride the train through the herd of buffalo. They had 5,000 head of buffalo on the 27,000 acre ranch and explained that that was a small ranch by WY standards. Most ranches are 100,000 acres or more. Go figure. We sat around the ranch most of the afternoon and the 150 year old Cottonwood trees growing around the barns were a beautiful sight to see. After seeing the buffalo we went into the Trading Post and purchased two buffalo rib eye steaks to cook on the grill. Will let you know how much we enjoy them.

I think that we may have outdriven our accents, sweet tea, and possibly our intelligence. Let me explain. Seems that everywhere we go and ask for advice or order from a menu folks seem to have a difficult time understanding us. I've taken to making more hand gestures than usual. We ordered sweet tea at the Senator's Steakhouse today and waiter looked at us like we had two heads. I'll let you try to figure out how we have outdriven our intelligence.

For our lurkers who are watching for RV park reviews, we have truly enjoyed F. E. Warren Fam Camp. The pronghorns who walk freely around the base and through the RV park are a treat for me to watch. The folks here are all friendly and fun to be around. The trees behind and through the RV park are beautiful....I think they are young cottonwoods. We will have to try out the park in Pensacola, Fl when we return home. We can highly recommend the Tyndall AFB Fam Camp in Panama City and the Navy Base in Panama City. We have stayed extensively at each of these. Tyndall Fam Camp has regular tribe of "Snowbirds" who come down every winter so sometimes it is difficult to find a space there Nov - Feb.

We will be leaving here tomorrow for a ranch in Dubois (sp?), WY. It will be a long drive for us - 6 hours. We have learned that 4 hours driving a day is enough. That's okay. We will be on the ranch for four days so we will have time to recover. Been humming "Oh Give Me A Home Where The Buffalo Roam....." all day. Awesome animals. "Life is Good Today"

F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Cheyenne, WY

We left the Air Force Academy Fam Camp about 10:00 am and drove a short 2 1/2 hours through Denver, CO to Cheyenne, WY. We saw lots of snow on the tops of the mountains as we drove through Denver and then we came to what they call the "High Plains." The Fam Camp at Warren Air Force Base is wonderful thus far. It is a very old base and the Fam Camp sits off to the back of the base. We saw lots of what we think are antelope right in the campground when we drove up to park. Couldn't get pictures because we had to drive into Cheyenne to find, what else, a Wal-Mart to buy a new camera. While Billy was setting up the camper Maggie and I walked to the end of the campground and found a field of antelope (?). We took photos; however, I hope we can do better after we read the instructions. Billy is still trying to set up the satellite TV, and I think I will call it a night. "Life is Good Today!"

Red Rock Canyon Hike...Colorado Springs

Soon as I woke my people up this morning they took me out for a walk to check my "p-mail." There are many little dog friends for me here at the Air Force Academy Fam Camp, and I like to check to see what they have been doing while I have been sleeping. The temperature this morning was 56 degrees so I think my people are going to have to put my "Snuggie" on for future walks. I shivered all the way around the park. After checking in on my neighborhood friends we got in the truck to ride. I never know how long I am going to be in that truck but always curl up on my people's lap and go to sleep. Let me tell you that we didn't go for a long ride. We went to a place called Red Rock Canyon and my people said that we were going on a hike. Well I knew we were going outside somewhere because they brought along my water bottle. There were lots of black Labs hiking through the canyon but they didn't scare me. Billy kept complaining that his knees hurt as we climbed up the rocks. When Jane slipped and slid down a big hill on her butt squealing that she wrenched her back I pulled a sit down and said that I was a high bred lap dog - not a black Lab - and I am stopping right here. See above photo. I got my way so they only hiked for about 45 minutes and I heard them make a pact that there would be no more hiking.

After the hike, they brought me back to the camper to take a nap in my condominium while they went to Cracker Barrel for lunch. That is the life I have come accustomed to living. I heard them say that there was a bus load of Amish folks from Ohio in Cracker Barrel. I heard Jane threaten that she was going to start cutting Billy's hair in a "bowl" cut like the hair cuts on those Amish men. That's great. He would look like a Shih Tzu. I think their camera broke so Billy has gone to the PX to buy a replacement. They said something about taking pictures of wild game somewhere called Montana and Yellowstone. Oh My.....Where to next? I know we are leaving here soon because Jane cleaned the camper today and they packed up the lawn chairs. I am waiting for my dinner and "Life is Good Today!"

Thunderstorm in the CO Mountains

Woke up this morning and put on a pair of shorts. After walking Maggie around the RV park, I promptly changed to long britches then Billy and I set out to find a place to have the oil changed in the truck. Seems like we have passed Jiffy Lubes for a week now, but it took us 30 minutes or more to find one when we needed it. After the oil change we were prepared to go hiking in Red Rock Canyon for real this time. We took a long look at the angry clouds hovering over the mountains and thankfully decided it was a bad idea. One heck of a thunderstorm blew in about the time we returned to the camper. I had a visual of Billy, Maggie and I hunkering down under a red rock for a LONG time. We will try again tomorrow. The thunder was magnificent as it echoed off the sides of the mountains.

We have noticed that folks traveling in their RV's like to travel on Mondays. Most of the park packed up and moved this AM, and we have a new crop moving in. Maggie and I like to walk around the park and look at the "yard art" that folks display. Pink flamingos, decorative hanging lights, whirly giggies, all sorts of flags, signs, and doggy statues. We really don't display yard art except to Billy's dismay I tote around a live Basil plant. It smells so good. We have an outside rug and our chairs, but I don't put the rug down unless it is necessary. Too much trouble when it gets wet.

Thanks for stopping in......"Life is Good Today!"

Golf!

Woke up this morning in a crap mood. If "one" doesn't put stuff where it belongs in a 200 square foot camper, it is a MESS!" Billy spent most of the day watching golf. I tried to sit out on the porch and read a book but it was too cold. Oh my! After it warmed up a bit we finally mustered up some energy to wash the outside of the camper. It was a MESS, TOO! Maggie had a little "high bred dog spite work" accident which caused me to have to go to the laundromat and do another load of laundry. UGH! This little dog is going to have to endure a bit more discipline! Pictures? No photos today. Billy cooked steak out on our new grill! Yum! It is thundering and raining now, so I am planning on curling up with a book and listening to the rain on the roof. Feeling real badly for the 10 folks down the way from Michigan who are sleeping in a pop up camper. Not feeling sorry for the rest of the folks here living high off of the hog! In spite of it all......."Life is Good Today!"

Manitou Springs Cliff Dwellings

This morning we had a breakfast of sausage/livermush/eggs and toast AFTER we turned on the heater. Then we drove about 20 minutes to the Manitou Springs Cliff Dwellings. Maggie was welcomed there so she came along with us. We were able to just walk around the dwellings, room by room and get a glimpse of the world of the Anasazi, also known as the Ancient Ones or the Ancestral Puebloans. This is one of the most accessible examples of cliff dwelling architecture. The alcoves provided shelter from wind, rain and snow. The people of this advanced culture existed in the Four Corners area from 1100 AD to 1300 AD. This preserve was first open to the public in 1907. Until 1984, local Native Americans lived in and utilized this space. Today, you will find similar structures still being inhabited by Pueblo Indians in the Rio Grande Valley of New Mexico.

After visiting the Cliff Dwellings we drove across the highway to the Red Rock Canyon hiking trails. We hiked with Maggie for about 30 minutes and then gave it up for an earlier and cooler start one day next week. The trails were beautiful and even include a dog park. We will come better prepared next week. After a stop at Home Depot to buy everything possible to fix a leak we came back to the camper for a relaxing afternoon. Billy is again under the bed working on the leak and I am fixing country fried steak, fresh butter peas, and mashed potatoes for dinner. "Life is Good Today!"