Camping

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Mike

When we first came to Colorado in 1972 we fell in love with the mountains and fresh air. It did not take long for us to start backpacking where we slept in down filled bags in a small tent at 11,000 ft. What I remember most about those trips is how nice it felt to be done, as the ground was hard and the nights were very cold. We still like to camp, but our accommodations have changed some over the years……Living close to Rocky Mountain National Park gives us the opportunity to find very clean air and escape the lowlands for as long as we would like.

Whether we are close to home or a little further, there are many possibilities for great camping. Last year we drove to Woodland Park, CO, for a week where we stayed amongst pine trees that smelled great. There too it was nice and cool and we had a wonderful trip.

Today is March 1st and soon it will be summer again…….right?

And then there is Pumpkin who loves to camp but would rather be driving.

62 thoughts on “Camping”

Bonnie Michelle on March 1, 2012 at 8:04 am said:

I am so ready. Today is gray and dreary, at least it’s not snow!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- m5son on March 1, 2012 at 8:07 am said:
  
  Here too.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
disperser on March 1, 2012 at 8:07 am said:

I work in Woodland Park . . . I think I know where you stayed. Is it the camping park right off 67?

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- m5son on March 1, 2012 at 8:08 am said:
  
  Yep! I love woodland park. When we lived in Lakewood and our son was young we would camp there often.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
mcolmo on March 1, 2012 at 8:20 am said:

Nice! i imagine you get to see bears, deer, raccoons, squirrels and lots of birds. 🙂

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- m5son on March 1, 2012 at 8:24 am said:
  
  Hi Marielba! The only bear I have seen was in Yellowstone but there are bears in our mountains as well. Mountain lions too although I have yet to see one.
  Nice to hear from you, your Eminence….
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - disperser on March 1, 2012 at 8:39 am said:
    
    https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/115313759609771538518/albums/5227055647047165201
    
    Bears do wander through Woodland Park.
    
    LikeLike
  - m5son on March 1, 2012 at 8:41 am said:
    
    What do you do in Woodland park, Emilio?
    
    LikeLike
  - disperser on March 1, 2012 at 8:47 am said:
    
    I play at being an engineer, hoping to retire before I keel over.
    
    LikeLike
  - m5son on March 1, 2012 at 8:51 am said:
    
    I hear that.
    
    LikeLike
  - mcolmo on March 1, 2012 at 9:27 am said:
    
    That would be “my lady” or “your highness,” my lord… lol
    😉
    
    LikeLike
  - m5son on March 1, 2012 at 10:25 am said:
    
    Yes, I guess your “Eminence” would be a lordly thing. My mistake, my lady 🙂
    
    LikeLike
Vicki on March 1, 2012 at 8:33 am said:

love the mountains and the blue sky in your photos.. we love to camp also, but alas, not a motor home, just a small tent trailer.. when and where did you see a bear in Yellowstone?

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- m5son on March 1, 2012 at 8:35 am said:
  
  Oh gee….we have been to yellowstone 4 times and I think it was mid 90’s when we spotted a large bear by a thermal pool close to the road. It was hard to miss. I have a photo somewhere….
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - Vicki on March 1, 2012 at 9:24 am said:
    
    thanks for your reply.. I wondered if it was in the Hayden Valley.. we have been to Yellowstone 3 times and all we saw were a lot of buffalo, pronghorn and elk.. alas, not a bear.
    
    LikeLike
  - m5son on March 1, 2012 at 10:30 am said:
    
    I guess I did not really answer that the first try but I don’t know where in Yellowstone it was. I did not take note.
    
    LikeLike
tearoomdelights on March 1, 2012 at 8:37 am said:

That looks great and I’m with you, I like a bit of comfort when camping.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- m5son on March 1, 2012 at 8:40 am said:
  
  And I would like a bit of your dark chocolate! Please….
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - tearoomdelights on March 1, 2012 at 9:03 am said:
    
    I would be delighted to share it with you! 🙂
    
    LikeLike
  - m5son on March 1, 2012 at 10:31 am said:
    
    As would I be delighted by the pleasure of your company.
    
    LikeLike
wolke205 on March 1, 2012 at 9:26 am said:

I can smell spring already 😀 My hubby to be loves to go camping..I don’t….But we get a new bigger caravan this year, so I might give it a try again 😉

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- m5son on March 1, 2012 at 10:26 am said:
  
  Perhaps you will love camping with him, eh? Ah, sweet spring. Can’t happen quick enough 🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - wolke205 on March 1, 2012 at 10:39 am said:
    
    Oh noooo, I was camping with him 2 or 3 times the last years & I really hate it..Spiders & bugs everywhere..an over 30 years old, very very small stinky caravan..And did I told you about the looooong dark way to the toilet?? 😛 Yes, I m craving for spring already 😀
    
    LikeLike
  - m5son on March 1, 2012 at 10:46 am said:
    
    LOL! Well, there is no rule that says you have to like any of it. And your husband, being the good guy I am sure he is, will not insist that you do, sweet Frauke.
    
    LikeLike
Dezra Despain on March 1, 2012 at 12:39 pm said:

One summer, I once took my kids on a National Park Across America tour. We LOVED Rocky Mountain National Park. I’m originally from Utah transplanted to the plains of the Midwest. I miss the mountains so terribly!!! Please go over and over and then post pictures. So wonderful.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- m5son on March 1, 2012 at 12:42 pm said:
  
  I will. We live exactly 50 miles from Rocky Mountain National Park, which makes us lucky, I guess. Truth is to be living anywhere in America, in love and in good health is the lucky part.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - Dezra Despain on March 1, 2012 at 1:07 pm said:
    
    I agree. It’s very easy to think that the “grass is greener on the other side.” I have been trying to convince myself that what is typical of Indianapolis, can be exotic to someone else. It helps me see my city through new eyes, however difficult that actually proves to be. Your posts of places you see impacts the rest of us not in your world. I love your posts. They make me look at Indy in a different light. Thank you!
    
    LikeLike
  - m5son on March 1, 2012 at 2:09 pm said:
    
    I suspect that the old adage about our health being the most important thing is true. Consider too that we could have been unlucky enough to be born in a country where daily survival is no guarantee, and everything is hard. I have never been to Indy but I am guessing there are all kinds are wonderful things there, you being just one of them.
    What you said about my posts has weight for me and I thank you very much indeed.
    
    LikeLike
2 Rivers Photos on March 1, 2012 at 2:17 pm said:

The mountain view is gorgeous, I could stare at it all day long 🙂

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- m5son on March 1, 2012 at 2:20 pm said:
  
  Come on up this summer. I’ll buy you a beer.
  Thanks!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
niasunset on March 1, 2012 at 3:07 pm said:

Sounds so exciting and you captured so beautiful photographs… Especially lovely Pumkin! Driving car 🙂 Thank you dear Mike, have a nice camp and journey, with my love, nia

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- m5son on March 1, 2012 at 3:08 pm said:
  
  Nia, I love your face!!!!!!!!!!!!
  Thank you, as always.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Sylver Blaque on March 1, 2012 at 5:01 pm said:

I wanna hitch a ride w/ Pumpkie! Does she pick up hitchhikers?

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- m5son on March 1, 2012 at 5:17 pm said:
  
  I only let her drive when I have had one too many.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
seekraz on March 1, 2012 at 6:18 pm said:

Looks like loads of “comfy” fun, Mike!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- m5son on March 1, 2012 at 7:44 pm said:
  
  At my age comfort does play, Scott. Yo.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - seekraz on March 1, 2012 at 8:04 pm said:
    
    Roger that Old-Timer! 🙂
    
    LikeLike
The Blissful Adventurer on March 1, 2012 at 6:56 pm said:

Absolutely fantastic! I love the scooters and the RV. I love the mountains and I hate sleeping on the ground. I could cook and drink well in this bad boy!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- m5son on March 1, 2012 at 7:42 pm said:
  
  Thanks Mike. What you don’t see on the rv is a big ass slide and the pristine interior. We could live in that and may one day. Yeah the scooters are a blast and get 100 mpg. I appreciate the comment.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - The Blissful Adventurer on March 1, 2012 at 9:15 pm said:
    
    I would love to do this man
    
    LikeLike
  - m5son on March 1, 2012 at 9:24 pm said:
    
    So make it so, grasshopper.
    
    LikeLike
Sheila T Illustrated on March 1, 2012 at 9:12 pm said:

Good to meet another happy camper. Have never been to Colorado, but would love to experience it some day. We have a fifth wheel toy hauler; it’s handy to take along the golf cart or the Ultra Classic.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- m5son on March 1, 2012 at 9:28 pm said:
  
  Yeah toy haulers are a blast. I kicked around the idea of getting one, but wanted the additional living space in a 35 ft motor home. But with a toy hauler I would have all my toys indoors, including 2 scooters and a big bike. Always a trade off. Thanks for the comment. Have fun!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - Sheila T Illustrated on March 2, 2012 at 4:30 am said:
    
    Would be cool to meet you in the same campground some day! A bike tour would be the ultimate!
    
    LikeLike
  - m5son on March 2, 2012 at 8:58 am said:
    
    That would work for me. I’ll be the guy who refuses to act his age 🙂
    
    LikeLike
Gracie on March 2, 2012 at 12:31 pm said:

Summer isn’t here fast enough, I so want to go camping now.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- m5son on March 2, 2012 at 12:32 pm said:
  
  I hear you. A long winter for sure. Soon enough Gracie.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
susielindau on March 2, 2012 at 4:17 pm said:

Go Colorado!!
Nice photo essay!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- m5son on March 2, 2012 at 5:30 pm said:
  
  Thanks Susie. Apparitions and premonitions based on some of your own experience…..now that piques my interest. Do have a blog post about that?
  Where are you transplanted from? My son went to CU. I know and like Boulder.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - susielindau on March 2, 2012 at 5:52 pm said:
    
    I am from Madison, WI. The paranormal fiction book I am writing is based on a lot of weird ghostly encounters. I did write two stories. One is http://susielindau.com/2011/10/25/unnerved-at-the-winchester-house/ and a creepier one is http://susielindau.com/2011/10/19/haunted-at-the-stanley-hotel/ Let me know what you think!
    Thanks for taking a look!
    
    LikeLike
f-Stops.net on March 4, 2012 at 1:21 am said:

Pumpkin is too cute 🙂

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- m5son on March 4, 2012 at 9:04 am said:
  
  That she is. And she says thank you.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Alex Autin on March 4, 2012 at 11:57 am said:

You are one lucky man! Thanks for making us all envious!
Summer….camping…hiking…getting in some quality hammock time…sign me up!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- m5son on March 4, 2012 at 12:02 pm said:
  
  You are on the list Alex. So far its Judy, Pumpkin, me, and you. Bring beer and a smoked rodent.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - Alex Autin on March 4, 2012 at 12:04 pm said:
    
    Cold Shiners….check!
    Smoked rodent….check!
    
    We’re all set….just please tell me that Pumpkin doesn’t text and drive!
    
    LikeLike
  - m5son on March 4, 2012 at 12:18 pm said:
    
    In truth I have only let her drive twice, and she was careful and mindful. None of us text, ever.
    
    LikeLike
Jude on March 5, 2012 at 11:28 am said:

Good to see you’re enjoying your camping Mike! We’ve just put our camper up for sale and I’m yearning to get back on a bike! Love your pic of Pumpkin driving!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- m5son on March 5, 2012 at 11:30 am said:
  
  Well have fun and be careful out there!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Michael Glover on March 7, 2012 at 8:09 pm said:

I love camping and that looks like a great spot for it!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- m5son on March 7, 2012 at 8:25 pm said:
  
  Well thanks Mike. We are lucky to be living in N. Colorado, except for the winter of course which generally sucks.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
canoe & communications on March 15, 2012 at 2:32 pm said:

I still camp with a tent, but I do appreciate a shower and indoor bathroom now.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- m5son on March 15, 2012 at 2:33 pm said:
  
  I hear that!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓