Camping Trip To Pitkin

 I can't believe I have only been camping ONCE this summer!!!  It was an extremely busy summer having grandkids down, a trip to Iowa, a trip to Michigan and other activities, including some of the grandkids!

And of course Covid slowed me down also so it was FINALLY time to take a trip and I decided I wanted to go to Pitkin - we have one special spot we love to wilderness camp in, although it is usually taken.  But I absolutely love their campground!  Glenn and I rarely camp in a campgrounds but this one is nice because the spaces are so far apart and it's covered in trees, surrounded by mountains!

We left on a Wednesday morning - and BONUS - the leaves on Monarch Pass were starting to turn - I was thrilled!  After arriving (and taking a little shortcut which Glenn had found ) we unloaded the razor and drove over to the wilderness spot - yes, it was taken.  No problem - we drove up to the campground and the first spot we came to was empty and perfect!

After getting set up, Glenn needed a nap so I read awhile.  Then it started to rain - so no ATVing that day - we grilled up some yummy hamburgers and played a game in the toy hauler - a nice evening!

The next day we were up and going and headed out to the razor by 8:00am!!  BRRRRRR - it was darn cold out and I'm so glad there's a heater in it!

I love the mountains over that way - these aspens were just turning light green!

But going up a hill, the aspens were starting to turn!

I must have been slacking since I only took a couple of pics that first day riding - it was beautiful late afternoon and we had a fire and roasted hot dogs!  YUMMY!  Everything always tastes better over the grill!

We were only planning on staying 2 nights but since we didn't get to atv the first day and checkout is at 1:00pm on Friday, we decided to ride all day and spend another night!  And I DID take pics on Friday!

We tried to get up to the Alpine Tunnel on this extremely narrow road but you could only go so far as a huge boulder was in the road - there was a larger ATV ahead of us and he sure had problems trying to turn around - luckily we are small and had no issues!  But it was a great drive up there!

Lunch at a favorite spot!

But of course there's ALWAYS an issue with the razor it seems - we were making a huge loop and were out in the "bare" country by Wuanita Hot Springs (it's about 9 miles off the highway to Gunnison and is known for hosting private events so isn't open very often).  Anyway, the razor starts making horrible sounds - we stopped and Glenn checked the oil and it needs it!  But there's only like a cup in the huge jug - what I DIDN'T know at the time was that Glenn had already put a pint in that morning!!  So he put the little bit in but said he had to have more or it would ruin the engine - so let's go to the hot springs and see if they have any oil!  REALLY???  I know they also run some horses at the hot springs and there's a huge barn and corral but I didn't think they were going to have oil!

We turn around and head to their gate - oh my gosh - it's closed for a WEDDING!!!  And of course he has to choice but to drive in - the razor is extremely loud - and we're covered in dust and dirt with old clothes on - and I'm SO embarrassed!!  The wedding had not started but there were quite a few people around the grounds and the hotel part - I stayed in the razor - Glenn got out and eventually found the owner who took him in HIS UTV somewhere while I'm sitting there hiding my head - HA!  Anyway, they come back with a quart of oil - all I can say is I'm glad Glenn had his billfold so he could pay the guy for the oil!  He gets it put in and we head out, having to drive by all the people standing around !  OH MY!  Not my favorite part of the day!!!!

We made it back to camp just fine!  I had no food for the evening meal as just had packed for 2 dinners so we went downtown to eat - this is a really cute sculpture that I hadn't seen before right across from where we ate.

We ate at the Stumbling Moose!  Food was just fine!

We headed back to camp but stopped so I could take a picture of the stream!  It's always so pretty there!

It was a great 3 days of camping - and our fall trip is right around the corner!!