It’s not very birdy here this trip. Last time we were here we had birds on the feeder the first day. We have magpies, ravens, and robins in the neighborhood, but not a chickadee, hummer, nuthatch, or finch in sight. No kingbirds either. It’s too quiet. We need a new bird. Haven’t seen a new one since August.
Along the way
The one that got away.
Glenwood
Denver to Glenwood. A four-humper. Two uphills, two downhills, to get to Idaho Springs. A big hump over the continental divide. One more over Vail Pass. A long roll-out from there, through Glenwood Canyon, to Glenwood Springs. Back to No Name. We’ll be here a week. Early September, the beginnings of fall color, a cool cloudy day in the high country, fresh snow on the higher ridges. Sunday morning. No traffic. An easy drive. An afternoon thundershower. The air is fresh. It’s good to be here.
St vrain state park
I think, at last report, we were in Chatfield State Park. A nice family get together there on Monday. Our kids and kids. Cousin Jennifer with her kids and kids. Kids everywhere. About two dozen of us altogether. Nice mild weather. Then a thirty mile commute to Conifer. A long commute, but it’s that good one up Deer Creek Canyon, past Tiny Town and Windy Point, through Aspen Park, and into Conifer. A busy time getting the job done in a four-day week, but done it is. We relocated the motorhome out to the north of Denver after work on Thursday. Spent the night in the parking lot at a truck repair shop in Frederick for a quick fix-up. Judy spent Friday, while they worked on the coach, with Becky. Together, after work, we picked up the coach and headed to St Vrain State Park outside Longmont for a couple nights. A rest-up day at the State Park next to a pond. Lots of tennis and college football on the tube, accompanied by occasional thunderstorms in the afternoon. Tomorrow, we’re off for Glenwood Springs. Go Broncos.
Things not to do in a motorhome
Here is a $1,000 mistake not to make. You think the alignment might be a little off, but it’s no big deal. Then you notice a little cupping on the right front tire, but you’re headed for Bend in a few weeks, and they’ll probably just take care of it for you under warranty. But by the time you get to Bend, the tire is worse so that after they’ve aligned it, it still doesn’t feel right, but you got the coach back last thing on a Friday afternoon and it was time to leave, you couldn’t even talk to them again until Monday, so you head off to Montana. By then you realize that something more needs to be done, so you schedule an appointment the next week in Colorado to check the alignment, but by the time you get there, the right front tire is completely shot. Worn out tires are a problem, but do you replace just one front tire? I don’t think so! Alignments on big motorhomes are expensive: $250. The price for trying to avoid paying for the alignment: Two $500 tires, plus we still had to pay for the alignment. Just in case that ever happens to you, now you know what to do. Just do it. At least we get to drive away with our smooth, straight, nice riding motorhome back. Problem resolved.