Drive to Mesa Verde National Park

After visiting Black Canyon National Park I drove south along a very pretty route that was recommended by a friend from Colorado. It was very enjoyable, and at times it reminded me of the Alps, or the Dolomites in Italy.

This river ran under the narrow highway. There was no shoulder on this road and you had to drive with great care. This was the river on one side of the road...

and the river on the other side.

The town of Silverton, Colorado. From the Silverton Chamber of Commerce website -
"Gold was discovered here in 1860, and after negotiations with the Ute Indians, the area was opened for settlement. The Town of Silverton was platted in 1874, and by 1875 the population had doubled. The Stony Pass wagon road became a toll road in 1879, and supplies came in over the Continental Divide from Del Norte. The greatest boom to the area was the construction of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad (now known as the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad) in 1882. By that time, there were seven towns, including Animas Forks (now a well-visited ghost town in the summer months) and Howardsville, which was the first county seat on the Western Slope."

It's a charming town, and must be beautiful under winter snow.

From Silverton it was a climb back up into the mountains.

Koka loves the snow so much! She loves rolling around in it. Silly dog!

The town or Ouray, Colorado, seen from above. This is the town of ice and steam. There is a big ice climbing festival in winter, and the natural hot springs are popular.

This is a pic from the Ouray website. I was there in early spring so I didn't get to see any ice action.

The hot springs must feel awfully good after a day on ice!

Black Canyon National Park

Black Canyon National Park is a few miles east of Montrose, Colorado. It's quite an impressive place, with steep canyon walls and the Gunnison River at the bottom.

There were very few people around, one of the advantages of visiting National Parks in the off-season. Koka would go right up to the edge and look over the cliffs.

The Gunnison River through Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park drops at an average of 95 feet per mile. By comparison, the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park drops an average of 7.5 feet per mile. There are some fearsome looking rapids down there!

Aspen and Snowmass - and baby Louie!

After spending time in Portland with Mary, Ari, Celia and baby Olive, and doing routine tasks like appointments and taxes, I headed to Colorado to meet up with Paul, Tessa and Louis for skiing and fun.

Cute family!

Louis is adorable, and the most pleasant baby ever. Didn't care for the trampoline!

First tram ride

Louis loves the tram! He was fascinated.

Top of Ajax.

Contemplating nature...

Beautiful snowy creek - scenery Aspen is famous for.

Tess and Louis on the tractor.

Aspen is a great place to celebrate a birthday - thank you Paul and Tess! And Louie, you're the best!

Olive Mae

Little Olive Mae was born on January 22, and she's a cutie. Welcome to our family little Olive! I will be hanging around for a while to help my daughter while she recovers from an unplanned C-section. Momma and baby are doing well, and big sister Celia is very sweet with her new little sister.

I'll be in Portland for a while longer, and then who knows where?

Beverly Beach State Park

On my way back to Portland to await the birth of Mary and Ari's second child I camped for a few days at Beverly Beach State Park on the Oregon coast. Although it was raining when I arrived and the first night, the following two days were cool but sunny. The beach was glorious!

My campsite - full hook-ups plus cable - in a state park! I didn't expect such luxury in such beautiful surroundings. Cable TV was nice to have when it was raining.

View from campsite

Tsunami debris sign

A very old tree stump - it doesn't seem interesting until you read the sign.

The beach, on a sunny day. So lucky to have this weather in January!

Gulls and pelicans gather at the spot where a creek flows out to the ocean. They didn't seem to be looking for food - just standing around. When Koka walked near them they flew away, but came back to the same spot.

Koka was so happy - free to run around like a crazy dog!

By Wednesday afternoon storm clouds were looming on the horizon, and the water was getting rough.

I was sad to leave this perfect camping spot, but I'll add it to the list of "must returns".

Another favorite RV park to add to the list...

When in Port Townsend, Washington I stay at the Hudson Harbor Marina. Full hookups, water front sites, lots of beautiful views of Puget Sound. Boats of all sizes come and go - sail boats, tug boats, ferries, research vessels, schooners. There is a walking path along the water, and three restaurants. You can walk to the main street of town in less than five minutes. The staff is friendly and helpful. If you plan to stay here, reservations are a must in warm weather, and also check to see if there are events going on in the town. The first time I stayed here was during a film festival and the town was lively and fun.

Highway 101 through the Olympic Peninsula

After five days in Port Townsend I drove west on Hwy 101 around the Olympic Peninsula. The day was very foggy, but not really cold. This area is a rain forest and when you wave your hand through the air you can feel the moisture. Everything is wet. I stopped along the way to let Koka run and in five minutes she was soaked and my clothes were quite wet. And it wasn't raining! Just foggy!

This is a stream on one side of the highway...

...and the same stream on the other side

Cool moss -

On the coast the sun made a brief appearance. It banished the gloom of the forest, which was beginning to feel oppressive.

When I stop to think about all the places I've seen since I started this journey last June, I am so thankful. Alaska, British Columbia, the Yukon, amazing National Parks, the northwest tip of the US in Washington, and amazing California and Oregon coasts...and so many more beautiful places. How lucky I am.