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Mt. Princeton - July |
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On our way to Mt.
Princeton we encountered a long backup due to an accident near US 24
and 285. So after the first person in the traffic line asked to use
our camper bathroom (we said no, sorry), we flipped a U and drove 13
miles into Hartsel, population 32. Here you see our rig parked
across from the jail...although Kathy had to explain to Randy that
this was not really the jail and was actually an abandoned auto
repair and fuel station. She took all the nostalgia from Randy in a
single sentence. |
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We hit a very cool bar
and grill (the only bar and grill) and noticed a very helpful sign
for those encountering problems when entering the establishment. |
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Not everything was old in
there. |
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We grabbed a table by the
window so we could take in the beauty of Hartsel. Speaking of
beauty, check out that girl through the glass. |
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Kathy and I ordered the
exact same bison burger. It was very, very good. |
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We also had the
opportunity to taste some Rocky Mountain Oysters. Kathy had never
tried them so the decision to order was easy. Pictured here is the
biggest (and only) bite she took. |
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Randy...no problem. He ate
the entire basket. Good eatin'! |
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After dinner we decided to
spend more time in Hartsel and explore the town. What does a town of
32 people look like? Look at this cool fixer-upper we found. |
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Kathy took this great
picture from an different perspective. |
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Kathy wants to move to
Hartsel after seeing the school. |
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Here is the Hartsel
library.
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The library is open just 4
days a week for a total of 12 hours.
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That is one good-looking
fire-girl there.
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This is what a town of 32
people looks like. |
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Later that evening we made
it to Mt. Princeton and took our place in site 5. |
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Yes, the girl does come
with the camper. |
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Randy ensures the
residence for the next few days is level and safe. |
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Mt. Princeton is
beautiful. |
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Site 5 has excellent
access to the river just past those trees. |
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Kathy chillin'. |
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We cooked breakfast
outside using the outdoor kitchen. |
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Randy loves smelling up
the campground every morning...with food! |
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Eggs and sausage...yum. |
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Here is the Sprinter
outside kitchen. Not pictured is the grill that swings around from
the back side. |
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Kathy prepares a light
lunch before we take a nap and then head to the hot springs. |
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Veggies, chips, hummus,
guac, and Pinot Grigio from New Mexico makes for a great lunch. |
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We took a short hike to
the river. |
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The water was cold and
flowing fast. |
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This is how Randy sees
Kathy and pretty much everyone else. |
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Randy hiking near the
river.
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We took the short drive
into St. Elmo, a great little ghost town not far from Mt. Princeton.
Kathy checks out the antiques. |
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Every building in St. Elmo
is privately owned. |
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Kathy said she prefers the
bathroom in the camper to this outhouse. |
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St. Elmo Post Office. |
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It was a really beautiful
day exploring St. Elmo. |
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People were much shorter
back in the day? |
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The St. Elmo school is
being restored. |
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On this trip to St. Elmo
we decided we want a Jeep Wrangler so we can explore the trails.
Maybe we will buy one for rent-a-daughter Lizzi so she can meet us
up there. |
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Super cool and creepy
Aspen forest between St. Elmo and Mt. Princeton. |
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Must be scary at
night to walk through there. |
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Refreshed from a 2-hour
nap, we decide to visit the hot springs. We paid the upgrade to be
admitted to the 16-and-over Spa area complete with a lodge, bar,
sauna, steam room, and excellent bathrooms with private showers. We
had the best Bloody Marys EVER. |
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And yes, we still do this
now and then. |
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On the way home we
stopped in Woodland Park at the Mexican Fiesta restaurant for the
best margs in town. We also watched Germany beat Argentina in the
World Cup. Randy was the only person in the place cheering for
Germany. |
