Trip report, Colorado Springs

[Pahaska]

We left Austin in the dark of morning, 9/15, west on TX 71 through Llano and Brady. No traffic, in the first 2 hours, we were passed by no more than 10 vehicles. Then, up to Abilene, west to Sweetwater, and north to Lubbock. We intended to overnight at Lubbock, but it was early so we went on to a municipal RV park at Plainview. $10 honor box. Pretty bleak and right by the jail, but also right by the sheriff's office, so we felt quite safe.

Next morning north to Dumas and west to Raton, NM. Raton Pass was under construction with a 35 mph limit. I had been worried about the 8000'+ pass, but I found it hard to stay under 45 mph going up. We pulled into Trinidad, CO in early afternoon. $23 tacky RV park. Great town. My wife loved the shops and old buildings. Great Mexican food.

Next morning, off to Colorado Springs. I had to stop and buy a 50 amp to 30 amp dogbone because the RV park we were going to had only 50 amp service. We stayed at Northwood Village near the center of town. It is a mostly permanent resident park, but for the location and $20 a night, it worked out well.

We left for home Sunday morning early. No traffic. We turned east at Pueblo and followed US 50 to Lamar, then south on US 287, joining our original route at Dumas. We stopped for the night at Palo Duro Canyon SP at Canyon, TX. $12 for the night and beautiful scenery that my wife hadn't seen before.

We left our outbound route again at Lubbock and took US 87 through Lamesa and San Angelo, stopping for the night at Brady, TX in the worst laid-out RV park I have ever had the misfortune to stop at.

This morning (Tuesday), we came on home in about 2 hours.

Outbound 12 MPG; coming home, 13 mpg. Perfect weather all the way out and back.

[KIMILI]

sound like you had fun!
...wish we had some of your good weather down here!!

[Pahaska]

I had 2 casualties on the trip and one problem that will be fixed under warrenty.

The hidden end of my sewer hose storage tube under the trailer came off and I lost the hose somewhere enroute. I had never looked at the "other" end of the tube since installing it 15 months ago. I will put a screw in the new cover to prevent losing it again.

My sway control broke on a day that I never backed up even once. I did have to turn quite tightly getting out of a gas station and I think that is where it failed. It appears that the bar of friction material broke and wedged the slider so that when I turned right, the bar buckled. I towed a full day without the bar and had no difficulty, but I bought a new bar in Colorado Springs for the trip home.

The warrenty failure concerns the water pump. The limit switch has failed and the pump runs continuously whenever the power is on. We didn't hook up to city water in Brady since I didn't know the source. With the AC on, I didn't hear the pump running until I turned off the AC at about 4 am; it had run all night. It pumps just fine. I tried it wen I got home and even city water pressure will not turn it off.

[KIMILI]

Sorry to hear that.
Seems little problems are neverending with AS.

[Silvertwinky]

Outbound 12 MPG; coming home, 13 mpg. Perfect weather all the way out and back.

Does this indicate that we travel somewhat faster when we are getting nearer to home? I sometimes think that I do.

I’ve heard that the statistics are that most accidents happen within 25 miles of home!

[Pahaska]

Originally posted by Silvertwinky


Does this indicate that we travel somewhat faster when we are getting nearer to home? I sometimes think that I do.

I’ve heard that the statistics are that most accidents happen within 25 miles of home!

I think you have it backwards ... I got better mileage coming home. Of course, there is that 5000' of elevation loss coming home that must count for something. Actually, I travelled at the same speed in both directions; 60 mph except for the very flat areas in the Texas panhandle where I travelled at 65.

Most driving is within 25 miles of home!

[Stefrobrts]

I was in Colorado Springs a few years ago for a business conference. I flew into Denver and drove down to CS after spending a night in Denver. Along the way I'm driving down the freeway and glance out my passenger side window to see, in the distance, a B-52 just skimming the treetops! I almost drove off the road! Then I realized it was static, so I got off at the next exit and found the Air Force Academy. What a great treat to run across. I got to stand under the B-52 (amazed by it's size, the only time I'v seen one in person), and look at a bunch of other planes mounted on display around campus, and then went in to the visitors area and learned about the academy. Way cool! The business trip was boring, but that place made my day!

Glad you had a nice trip, I can't wait until we get a chance to take some long trips in the AS!