Visit our Popular Forums

dbj216 · 07-27-2015, 07:04 PM

Enjoyed the photos of Hutchinson. My former employer had a factory there and I used to visit once or twice a year. Nice folks, very hard working and very clever. I enjoyed my time there.

I hope Lucy is keeping her cool.

David

**moosetags** · 07-27-2015, 09:49 PM

Lucy broke camp in Halstead, Kansas this morning. We were actually rolling a little after
9 o'clock. We headed west on US 50 through the Kansas countryside. It was another hot one, reaching 101 degrees by the time that we crossed into Colorado.

Even with the heat, it was a good travel day. We visited several small Kansas towns, and made a stop to look around Dodge City, Kansas, the famous cow town of the 1870's. We continued into Colorado and got a lakefront campsite at Martin Reservoir State Park.

We have settled in for the night, and will head out across Colorado tomorrow.

Today's pictures include:

- Old Theatre in Stafford, Kansas
- Traffic on US 50
- Palace Theatre , Kinsley, Texas
- Wind mills, Dodge City
- SuEllyn posing with Doc Holiday
- Commercial building, Cimarron, Kansas
- Feed lot along US 50
- State Theatre, Garden City, Kansas
- Northup Theatre, Syracuse, Kansas
- Campsite at state park

Brian

Lily&Me · 07-28-2015, 05:12 AM

I did the route you are following to New Mexico a month or so ago, and just returned that way last week.

There are old highways that cross this country....50, 36, 24....without being on the interstates, which are such a great way to see and explore this country.

Not the fastesf way to go, but certainly the most scenic, and small town America is where we came from.

Have a great trip.

Maggie

**moosetags** · 07-28-2015, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJMarks

Subscribed!
Our virginal big trip starts September to Glacier NP then to Washington state before meandering our way back to AZ

Make sure that you check on the status of Glacier. They are having some serious fires there this year.

Brian

**moosetags** · 07-28-2015, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lily&Me

I did the route you are following to New Mexico a month or so ago, and just returned that way last week.

There are old highways that cross this country....50, 36, 24....without being on the interstates, which are such a great way to see and explore this country.

Not the fastesf way to go, but certainly the most scenic, and small town America is where we came from.

Have a great trip.

Maggie

Hi Maggie,

We are making a concerted effort to stay away from the Interstates on this trip. It is a little slower going, but we get to see so much more of America.

Brian

JJMarks · 07-28-2015, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moosetags

Make sure that you check on the status of Glacier. They are having some serious fires there this year.

Brian

Thank you for the reminder. We are following the wild fires. Fortunately our camping vacations are usually very flexible as we tend to slowly wander on our big yearly trip. Our firm goal is to "go north or northwest or maybe just get to the left coast".

We have been reading your posts since we settled on an AS this spring. After 25 years of RV'ing, the decision to change is never easy, but we are loving our 25' FB. Adjusting the WD hitch has been our biggest issue -- so far.

**moosetags** · 07-28-2015, 11:48 PM

Lucy had a long day today. She covered 300 from Hasty, Colorado, westward on US 50 to Sapinero, Colorado, on the Gunnison River. About a quarter of the distance was on the section of US 50 that goes through Monarch Pass that reaches 11,312 feet above sea level. This section of US 50 is slow going with the truck traffic having trouble with the 7% grades.

We stopped along the way to visit the small towns. As we got into the mountains, the temperatures dropped significantly. When we stopped at Monarch Pass late this afternoon. The temperature was 64 degrees! It went up again as we went down the western side of the mountain, but only got to 80 degrees.

We got to Lucy's campground just before dark, and got her all set up as darkness fell. We are settled in for the night.

The temperature here right now is 63 degrees, and the forecast low for tonight is 55. Lucy is relieved to be out of the oppressive heat.

Today's pictures include:

- Lucy's view this morning.
- Barn along US 50.
- Fox Theatre, LaJunta, Colorado
- 1915 LaJunta Post Office.
- Fowler State Bank Sign, Fowler, Colorado.
- Rockies in the distance from Pueblo, Colorado.
- roadway view US 50.
- Monarch Pass.
- Runaway truck ramp on US 50
- Lucy's campsite on Gunnison River at Sunset.

Brian

dbj216 · 07-29-2015, 08:33 AM

Lucy's nice campsite by the lakeshore is why Airstream created front bedrooms and panoramic windows in the rear. No need for a view while sleeping. Even Fred's rear end doesn't bother while sleeping with the blinds down. I imagine it was nice having breakfast looking at the lake.

Old Fred had his work cut out for him on those steep uphills and downhills. Any good tips on navigating steep downhill grades (other than going good and slow)? I read some say using the diesel exhaust break and not the trailer brakes could result in the trailer pushing the tow vehicle. I never really thought about that. Possibly the Hensley hitch keeps Lucy in line anyway.

Love those cool mountains.

David

Gearheart · 07-29-2015, 12:31 PM

How was monarch pass? Any snow up there still? I'm headed to Glenwood Spgs. and then Steamboat Spgs. Sans trailer unfortunately.

**moosetags** · 07-29-2015, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbj216

Lucy's nice campsite by the lakeshore is why Airstream created front bedrooms and panoramic windows in the rear. No need for a view while sleeping. Even Fred's rear end doesn't bother while sleeping with the blinds down. I imagine it was nice having breakfast looking at the lake.

Old Fred had his work cut out for him on those steep uphills and downhills. Any good tips on navigating steep downhill grades (other than going good and slow)? I read some say using the diesel exhaust break and not the trailer brakes could result in the trailer pushing the tow vehicle. I never really thought about that. Possibly the Hensley hitch keeps Lucy in line anyway.

Love those cool mountains.

David

Hi David,

I agree on the rear view. We have found that the best view is out the back of the trailer at least 60% of the time.

Fred has been great with Lucy on these significant grades. Fred can accelerate up a 7% grade carrying Ethel and towing Lucy. His torque is amazing.

As far as Fred's exhaust brake is concerned, it works great on significant downgrades. I don't use Lucy trailer brakes at all.

Brian

**moosetags** · 07-29-2015, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gearheart

How was monarch pass? Any snow up there still? I'm headed to Glenwood Spgs. and then Steamboat Spgs. Sans trailer unfortunately.

Monarch Pass was an easy pull. There is no snow on or near the highway. There is some road consruction and there were a couple of delays.

Brian

**moosetags** · 07-29-2015, 10:34 PM

Lucy is still camped near Gunnison, Colorado. She rested today while we headed out on an exploration of the area. We visited the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. The scenery was breathtaking. We spent several hours touring the Park.

We continued around the area seeking out more interesting scenery. We followed Colorado Highway 92 from Hotchkiss down to US 50. This route provided us with some spectacular scenery.

We got back to Lucy in time to catch a great sunset at the Campground.

Today's pictures include:

- Morrow Point Dam.
- Deer in the Campground at the National Park
- Several shots of Black Canyon.
- Downtown Crawford, Colorado
- 2 shots of scenery along Colorado 92.
- Sunset at the campground.

Brian

Antique Pedaler · 07-30-2015, 08:11 AM

The boat tour of the canyon is worthwhile if you can get tickets without a reservation.

Aerowood · 07-30-2015, 09:02 AM

Have you gone to Taylor Park yet, there are Moose in the area. I've seen more on the southern part of the park. The cemetery outside of Tincup is unique, you'll have to go there to figure out why.

**moosetags** · 07-30-2015, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antique Pedaler

The boat tour of the canyon is worthwhile if you can get tickets without a reservation.

Thanks Jay. We had already gotten over to Grand Junction when I read your post.

Brian

**moosetags** · 07-30-2015, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aerowood

Have you gone to Taylor Park yet, there are Moose in the area. I've seen more on the southern part of the park. The cemetery outside of Tincup is unique, you'll have to go there to figure out why.

Thanks for that tip. We will put it on our list.

Brian

**moosetags** · 07-30-2015, 11:24 PM

Lucy broke camp this morning in Gunnison, Colorado, and we headed west on US 50. Lucy covered the hundred miles over to Grand Junction in pretty short order.

We got Lucy a very nice campsite on the west side of Grand Junction. We got there early, so we got set-up, and headed out to explore the nearby Colorado National Monument.

We spent the afternoon exploring the Colorado National Monument. It is about a twenty-five mile drive through the park. The red rock formations are spectacular.

We got back to Lucy right before darkness fell. We are settled in for the night.

Today's pictures include:

- Lucy's campsite in Gunnison.
- Coming into Grand Junction.
- Lucy's campsite in Grand Junction.
- The remainder of the pictures were taken in the Colorado National Monument.

Brian

**moosetags** · 08-01-2015, 12:05 AM

Lucy is still camped in Grand Junction. We set of this morning to see the Grand Mesa. We got about 30 miles east of Grand Junction when Fred the Truck flashed a warning regarding his diesel exhaust fluid. His computer was saying that he was almost out of fluid when the tank was almost full. This type of warning, false or otherwise, can cause a shutdown of his engine. Accordingly, we turned around and headed back to Grand Junction.

We got to the local Chevrolet dealer a little after noon. The dealer took Fred right in. They diagnosed his problem as a computer miscommunication error. They were able to reprogram his system, and everything was working properly again. Of course, this took two hours to accomplish, so the trip to the Grand Mesa was kind of shot for today.

We took a short run to see the Little Bookcliffs Wild Horse Area. We didn't get to see any of the horses. We ran into a road wash-out about two miles into the wilderness.

We took a dusk run back out to the Colorado National Monument to see the sunset and the rise of the full moon. Tonight's moon was a blue moon as it was the second full moon in the same calendar month.

It was well after dark when we got back to Lucy.

Today's pictures include:

- Two pictures of rock formations on the road to Grand Mesa.
- Little Bookcliffs Wild Horse Area.
- SuEllyn with Fred on the Horse Area road.
- Road wash-out that forced us to turn around.
- Sunset at Colorado National monument.
- Full moon over the mountains.

Brian

Goal15 · 08-01-2015, 11:26 AM

Are you going to drive up to Gene's and get your fix of house remodeling while you are in GJ? Or have they already left for Pac NW?

Dana

Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

Gene · 08-01-2015, 03:41 PM

We are getting ready for our trip to the northwest. We leave on Wed. Brian, when you went through the Monument, you were about a mile from our house and if we looked really hard (and we'd need X-ray vision to see you through the trees), we might have seen you. Are you at the campground just west of the I-70 junction with US 50 on the west side of Grand Jct.?

Gene