Every Day Seemed to Be Better Than the Last

Day two in the mountains was glorious! Minus the part where my wife and I were not speaking to each other for a couple hours that is. Ha!

Nice place to sit and have coffee, no

The day started great, Zeke and I woke up and I made some coffee. While sitting outside enjoying our surroundings, I watched about 8 to 10 elk on the far mountain grazing. Too far to get a pic but quite the spot for a sun rising over a couple cups of campfire coffee.

About the time Zeke and I went for a morning walk and came back to the rest of the crew up and ready for some adventure. The main plan for the day was to get on over to slate river, find a site and enjoy the day.

However, once over there, campground is packed. So onward up the mountain to maybe find some dispersed sites open. We learned from the first day, that camping is like going to the beach. Get there early and you claim your spot by throwing your camp (beach) chairs and/or whatever gear you wish to leave stating this spot is taken. And for us up this road, most were taken.

So the only spot left that I could think of was up to Gothic. So we set off to do what we said we wouldn't, spend more time in VanDora and head up north. Tensions were running high. Even Zeke could feel it, he would not ride anywhere in the van except for on the front floorboard beneath Sally.

Mr. brave Adventure dog at his finest.

Once in Gothic, the exact spot a friend and I camped for a week mountain biking was open. Different time of year though. While we sat there contemplating on this being the campsite, literally 200 flies hovering around us was making the decision for us. It would have taken agent orange to make it tolerable. Back down the mountain. again..... Add everyone being hangry at this time. Not fun/disaster. What have we done?!?!

Once back down we decided to head to town get something to eat and not speak to each other in public instead of just privately in VanDora. And TACO'S to the rescue!! It must be the competition for tourist money. That is the only reason I can find that every time we are in a town like this (CB, Brek, Nederland, etc, etc) the food is always awesome.

Some of the best tacos (Teocalli Tamale) I have had gave us a second wind. Well, maybe not completely but we were communicating and came up with a game plan. We were going back to where we started and even if we have to sleep in the parking lot, that was are area for the remainder of the trip. We have a rad adventure van, why not.

Great decision! Slate river is beautiful and that's where we stayed the rest of the trip. You know those camp t-shirts that say "this is the place"? This is the moment that it happens. You just know when you are there. All is back right in the world.

When All is Right in The World!

Slate River

Even Zeke is Starting to Relax a Bit.

I Love This Place!

"This is the Place" . We spent the rest of the week here and will be going back for the rest of our lives.

There is nothing better than seeing your family happy and at peace.

They were catching quite a bit of Trout here.

Later on that evening, I brought a portable grill to this very spot. Not a bad place for a berger and a beer. Or more ;-)