Thursday, Sept 26. Relocation Day

After much deliberation of possible routes, we decided with the help of our campsite manager to take the scenic route 143 An American Byway, as the signs proclaimed.  They also proclaimed pretty quickly that this route was not recommended for trucks weighing more than 26,000 pounds.  That is us, unloaded, and not towing!  But he assured us that they do, and I figured we should forge ahead, and we could always turn around if we had to.  I think part of the problem is the steep grades and lower speed limits which don't give you a head start, and therefore cause you to slow to around 35 MPH!  Well, probably not the truck drivers, as they don't pay attention to speed limits, and those big engines are powerful at any speed.  But hey.....who's in a hurry!  There were many 25mph zones where the signs displayed curly cues the likes of which I had never seen, and the road twisted and turned up and down grades as much as 10%!  No windshield photos this route!  Both hands on the wheel!  But I have to say, I was perfectly at ease, and enjoyed the scenery more than I can tell you.  It is rather a high for me to be amidst such beauty.  The dark green cedars punctuated by aspens colored by the fall air, the breeze making it evident why they are referred to as quaking.  And the vistas!  Spectacular.  And nary a place to pull out for a photo.....at least for a 40 foot rig.

iphone panorama.....gotta love that camera!

                                                                             If Clem looks cold, it is because he is!  Windy and very cold at this point!

We were able to pull out at the peak, at 10,350 feet.  Had to block a truckload of Mexican workers in to do it, and the look on their faces when they turned around and saw us behind their truck was priceless! I assured them they could back up and get out if they really needed to, which was met with smiles and nods....obviously little English.  But we managed to understand each other, and they were very good natured, and returned with a camera anyway!  Rather, an ipad!  I am amazed at the number of people taking photos with ipads these days!  Such a strange sight!

What a spectacular sight it was!  Head of Cedars  is a National Park or Monument, and I was planning on stopping at the visitor center a little farther down the road, but skipped the turn in because of cars, and then met too sharp a turn at the next entrance, so I didn't get my stamp!  My National Park passport is getting full, and I love collecting the cancellation stamps, and I was disappointed to miss this one!  I have learned, however, that you can send a stamped envelope to them and request a cancellation for the day you were there and they will send it.  I love the Parks......I sincerely hope that as this budget crisis approaches Tuesday, it does not shut them down. The least of our worries, I am sure, but a shame none the less.

This will be home for the next several days while we explore.  Not a bad view!  We relaxed, planned the next adventure, and had a nice dinner, though we had to put our wine in water glasses, as the wind blew our wine glasses over!  One gust even took the lawn chair!