My Great Adventure Continues

[JudyJB]

I am in Rocky Mountain National Park right now, and enjoying the cool and clean air. No hookups or even electricity, but don't need AC, and can certainly do without the rest of the stuff. I have been overspending on campgrounds on this trip, so I also like the $10 a night camping fee for 4 days and the free admission into the national park.

I am finding that one night in a lot of state parks is expensive when you have to pay an online booking fee and a day pass for that park. For example, I was only planning on one state park in Nebraska so it was not worth an annual pass.

I started a blog, but my sons are very nervous about me posting it anywhere. However, if any of you on this forum would like to know the link, please send me a private message. I just don't want all the visitors and guests to know details of my travel. I have NO problems with any of you who regularly post knowing this.

I had a very hairy drive getting here on the road to Estes Park--narrow, curving, uphill, and along a river with little edge on the road. Vehicle made a lot of noise going uphill, but did not overheat at all. Also, because I have Verizon, I have relatively good cell phone access in this campground and good internet.

My plans are to leave my motorhome parked and take the shuttles everywhere. Tomorrow, I will go through the park and the next day, maybe go into Estes Park. Might need to do some recharging of laptop and such. Fire restrictions are ended as they have had some rain and cooler weather. Looks like more rain might even be coming.

[snowball]

been years sense I've been to that part of CO so pretty as I recall but it is dry this year so might not be
as green but that shouldn't change the vista's
enjoy the area...
will send you a pm later
sheila

[Dawn309]

Judy, so glad you are doing Ok and enjoying the cooler temps. Stay safe.

[Travelinana]

Glad you finally got to cooler country. Maybe if you keep us all posted on your travel, some of the girls will have been there and can advise you. We all want the best sites for our money. Did you ever get your booster seat problem solved. I'm tall enough but when riding with my husband in a truck I used one or two bed pillows and it was very comfortable.

[JudyJB]

Actually, they had some rain last week and it is quite green. Also cool. Last night temps outside went down to 53 and inside down to 64, so it was pretty chilly, but I have lots of down throws and things, so I was very cozy. Tonight I will have to close my windows and vents a bit earlier to keep in the heat better, but I really do not mind the cold. Supposed to be 80 today and is beautifully sunny as I get ready to go out to take the shuttle and see things.

What I am REALLY worried about is driving on the road that goes west over the park and out of here on Saturday. Has anyone done it in an RV and what kind??? How scary was it????

[sharon]

I probably have, but if I did it was on a motorcycle and I can't for the life of me remember what the road was like. Maybe ask the shuttle guy or gal as they live in the area or maybe one of the other campers came in that way.

[RitaMc]

I find Judy's question interesting. John and I travel towing an 18 ft 1969 restored Shasta travel trailer. Last October we took it to Yuma,Az and are when we go back this fall we are thinking of going to Denver, then west across the rockies to Utah and then south to AZ. But we are somewhat nervouse about the grades in the rockies. Not so much going up...but coming down. Anyone who has done the route towing a trailer... what has your experience been? Would you do it again.?

[Echo]

As to those roads? I can't help ya out. But I have towed the trailer down a couple of good sized hills with no problem. Put your transmission in a lower gear and only use your breaks to maintain your speed at your comfort level. In other words don't ride your breaks. When your speed creeps up use your break gently to bring it back down to a little under your wanted speed and that's all. If you smell anything a little off your breaks might be getting to warm. If you seem to be pressing on the break harder or the pedal goes down a little further than it usually does that is called break fade. It would be best to pull it off the road and give them good time to cool off. And cooling off will take some time so the lower the gear you start out in the better. If when after you start out and the tranny isn't helping to hold the speed down you can then use the breaks to bring the speed down enough to downshift into a lower gear. Starting out in a low gear is key.

Hope this helps a little bit.