June 27/28
Durango, CO (at time of post)
We’ve gone dark. Well, not literally, just in terms of posting updates to the blog. We have been held up in Santa Fe, well, not literally, just taking a few days from the road to get caught up on some work, play in the pool, and enjoy some proper Mexican food!
Once again, the weather is getting the better of us. Only in this case it is not the current conditions, those are spectacular, no it’s what happened 4 to 5 months ago. Snow Pack. The plan was to head north out of Santa Fe and spend a few days navigating the Alpine Loop. A 65 miles jeep trail that connects Ouary, Lake City, and Silvertown, CO. Sorry to any non-jeepers out there who take offense to me referring to The Alpine Loop as a Jeep Trail, but come on, in it’s essence, that is exactly what it is.
At any rate, the path is closed due to snow pack, so once again we had to call an audible. We came up with two good options, both of which would take us north towards Colorado as we need to be in Grand Junction on Saturday to resupply before our excursion on the White Rim Road in the Canyon Lands (more on that in future posts).
One option would have us head up toward Taos and turn east to Cimarron State Park. This would have been Dads pick, as the fly fishing is suppose to be excellent. The other option was to head Northwest towards Heron Lake State Park, and here we are.
We are camping at 7000+ feet in a Ponderosa Pine forest on the shores of Heron Lake. While there are other campers about it feels as if we have the whole place to ourselves. I am writing this post fireside as Mac munches on some popcorn and Jameson retreats to his oasis, AKA my Big Angus pack tent. He has taken to this little shelter like a fish to water. In fact, he and Mac made a deal that he gets the ground tent for the rest of the trip and Mac gets the comfy bed whenever we stay in a hotel.
We had to pull out more from my bag of tricks this evening. While I noticed nothing, Jameson was complaining that he was being eaten alive by no-see-ums. After dosing him with some benadryl and sending him to this shelter to escape the onslaught, Mac and I pulled out the bug screen for the awning. I figured if I packed it all this way I might as well set it up so he can eat dinner in peace. Plus, you know, I had to check out my purchase. I must say I am impressed with the Front Runner gear I am using (shameless plug, yes) on this trip. Sure we almost lost the roof tent the other night when gale force winds picked up at midnight, but it survived and seems no worse for wear.
Today we have traveled north into Colorado. If fact, I am updating this this post from Steamworks Brewing Co in Durango, CO as we grab some lunch and watch the USWNT take on France in the World Cup.
Cheers from the road!
Matt & Co.
Brandywine Overland 