Special Report: Benson Sculpture Park. Loveland, CO

A beautifully landscaped park to show off the sculptures

We're way behind on our culture/museum stops.  At the last minute, we headed over to one of Loveland's famous sculpture parks.  I'm not sure why we didn't do this sooner.  It's free.  It's a great walk.  It would have been a short bicycle ride!  And there are several in the city that I wish I had more time to explore.  Definitely, next year!

I could come back here many times to play with the sunlight

He's AWESOME (and huge)

Ironic

Gently moving in the breeze

I didn't have the right daylight for many of the sculptures.  And some just have to be seen in person...

This one is made out of metal (most are bronze cast)

And of our favorite...

Look closely...

It's stainless!

Fabulous detail. 

Just stunning craftsmanship!

This is another reason it's worth going out of your way to stop in Loveland!

Lyons, CO Campground Review

Parked along the St. Vrain river with a view of the red cliffs of Lyons

Access to the St. Vrain river

Lyons experienced a devastating flood three years ago when the St. Vrain took out many homes, including one where three of our family members were living (more family still lives here).  They've since voted in new building requirements and received FEMA money to help rebuild.  Meadow Park is a beautiful spot where you can walk along the St. Vrain and enjoy the red rock cliffs that tower above.

Our family set up camp

Campsites are right along the river

When I called the Camp Host to check availability, we learned Friday night was free to locals because it was the grand opening--so our family member booked the first night!  As a result, more family decided to come down and tent camp, so we officially were party central!

Gas fire pit/our s'more pit!

The Colonel made a big pot of chili.  We sat by the river and listened to the grand reopening ceremonies then waved to passersby as the crowd dispersed to walk around the grounds (One group stopped and asked if we set up camp as part of the grand opening.  Lol.  Yep, we're the camping models.)  After sunset there was acoustic guitar and s'mores by the fire pit.  We retired to the heated Winnebago for the evening (which turned out to be the coldest night of the year so far, for our tent campers!)

Meadow Park, now called LaVern Johnson park is also convenient to downtown (we left the car in Loveland) including The Stone Cup (best coffee, best patio), The Barking Dog (gluten-free bagels) or the St. Vrain Market (ice cream & great gluten-free selection).  

Juevos Rancheros and internet at The Stone Cup

Amenities:  The bathrooms closest to the RV section are brand-new and as of our stay, not locked yet.  We were parked on gravel with full-hookups (electric, water and sewer) but there was no picnic table/fire pit or grass between spots (we had left our car behind in Loveland or else it would have been tight.  The other option was to park it behind the RV in the parking lot).  There are recycling bins nearby but no wifi (our T-Mobile allowed us to stream and the coffee shops have wifi).

The missing flip flop

Warning:  During our stay, a flip flop went missing.  Odd, but since the park is popular with kids and dogs, we figured it had been carried off.  The next morning we noticed the tent campers across from us had also lost a tennis shoe.  Apparently, our neighbors overheard and later found both shoes, together, out in the grass.  I blame a kleptomaniac raccoon, but I advise keeping all shoes inside if you stop here!

To make reservations, call ahead to the Campground Host or the Visitor Center (be sure to check the Planet Bluegrass schedule to make sure there isn't a music festival in town--they often book all the campgrounds for events).  The rate is $33 which is a little high in my opinion (but Boyd is $23 + $8 to bring a car in or $70 annual pass).  It's first come, first serve as far as which space you get.  The attentive campground hosts greeted each camper as they arrived and directed them to their spot.

Arriving at the busiest intersection in Lyons--right to go up to Estes Park, left to go to Meadow Park

Directions:  Check Google Earth to get familiar.  Come into town on 36, go left at the T/light and Meadow Park/Lavern will be a quick right (the sign still said Meadow when we arrived).  Follow handmade signs to make the loop and the Campground Host met us as we entered rv parking and helped direct us into our assigned slot.

We had a spectacular stay at Meadow Park.  The combination of family tent camping, more family nearby (and a dog to borrow!), and a short walk into town made it an ideal stop for us.

Loveland, CO. Boyd Lake Campground Review

Spot #17

We picked Boyd Lake State Park for our stay because it was closest to family.  We knew it was very busy on weekends, so we booked a month in advance for the Labor Day holiday.  The Colorado Parks & Wildlife website has lots of info, but trying to find the "perfect spot" isn't obvious from the map.

cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/boydlake/Documents/CampgroundAerialView

Our site was $23/day.  You'll pay $8.50 service fee for booking over the CPW website or $10 through Reserve America ($24 walk-up rate at the gate).  There is also an $8/day fee to bring a "car" into the state park or you can purchase a $70 annual park pass (we were given a "tow tag" for our dinghy.  NOTE:  We left for the weekend and left our car at our family's house.  When we returned without the car, we were told we have to actually TOW the car in to get the tow pass.  Learn something new everyday.)

Mountains to the west.  Lake to the east.
http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/boydlake/Documents/CampgroundMap.pdf

Finding the perfect spot:
1)  The view!  Yes, I'm always in search of the perfect spot with the perfect view...
2)  The sites have electric but not water or sewer.  If you are planning the maximum of 14 days every 45 days, then look for a spot close to a water spigot and bathroom.
3)  Shade!   It was pushing 90F when we were here, and we prefer leaving the windows open to air conditioning

This is an interesting set-up.  Everyone seemed to need more than one attempt to get comfortable.

The sites are all 60 ft pull-thru but are curved with a gravel area--which was new for us.  There is a large, fixed, metal picnic table which is too far away from the awning for shade (locals use a separate awning) and needs a tablecloth because of age (something I hadn't purchased yet).  An outdoor rug would also be nice because of the gravel--another purchase we haven't gotten around to yet.

Spot #130

Some reviews said there wasn't a view of the lake, so I didn't try very hard (OK, that's a fib.  We reserved the only spot we could find!). We started out on spot #17, next to the camphosts:  close enough to run two hoses to the water spigot and a short walk to the bathroom/showers (until the holiday weekend which required walking through other campsites).  We had a small peek of the lake out the windshield and a view of the mountains behind us from under the awning.  We decided the mountains were the best view (I anticipated it would be the lake, but the water was quite low) so our second spot was #130, with a view of the mountains out the windshield (and close to the bathrooms, camphosts & water spigot).  

The best lake view from spot #57/58

There are good lake views if you have windows on the driver's side and choose and end spot (or pull through "backward" if you want an awning-side view):

• 31 (close to water spigot)
• 32 (close to bathroom)
• 57 & 58 (best view of the lake)
• 83
• 84 (close to bathroom).  
• Sites 105, 106, 125, 126 have limited views of the lake through the prairie grass.

The best mountain view from spot #1/2

If you want a view of the mountains, consider spots on the opposite end that will give you a view out the passenger-side awning:  

• (Generally, not close to water spigots or bathrooms)
• 1 
• 2 
• 34 
• (59 & 60 is a view of the dump station)
• (85 & 86 across from boat parking)
• 107
• 108 (close to the bathroom)
• *Site 127 (close to the bathroom) seems like a good site with a view out the side and windshield.  

The even numbers of Loop F have curved around to where the mountain view is out the windshield so:  

*Site 127 (close to the bathroom) seems like a good site with a view out the side and windshield.

128

130 & 132 (close to bathroom because 131 closed)

134 (view blocked by tree)

136 & 138 (close to water spigot) 

140

142

144 (close to water spigot)

146 and 148 (no shade). 

There is a little used parking lot for the bike path off the end of 147/148 if you need extra parking or are expecting visitors.

View from the main bath house

Spots #45, 49, 51(shade) & 53 look like a good spots if you want to be close to the main bathrooms, showers ($0.75 for 3 min and 0.25 for additional minutes) and laundry (surprisingly good condition for a campground.  $1.75 to wash & $1.25 to dry).  There is also a nice outdoor area with covered, picnic tables.

The main entrance

DIRECTIONS:  Our GPS's had two different routes.  The CPW signs will take you from Highway 25 to Hwy 34 West/Eisenhower, then right on Madison.  *However, Boise Road now goes all the way through and this is the route we used the second time we came to the park.  (CPW Directions)

CAUTION:  The first sign you see for the park is the OFFICE with a scary-looking roundabout out front--which we navigated without a problem.  We stopped here on accident, but you can check in here & purchase your state park pass.  The second time, we had a reservation and continued onto the second State Park sign which is the entrance gate.

After the gate, continue to the stop sign and turn right.  The first left is for Cottonwood Campground (WE SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE MISS THIS TURN and have to turn around in the little parking lot at the end)

Entering your Loop:  The Park doesn't give instructions on how to enter your loop.  However, there are three choices (left, straight or right) and the consensus amongst campers is stay left of your campsite.  This will put your power pedestal at the back right.  (ie. If you are assigned spot #95 you stay left.  If you are assigned spot #118, go down the center.)  However, some people pull in "backwards" either for the view of because they are camping next to friends.

The map doesn't show you the roads in a loop

My map for next year

I walked through the campground and marked up a map for next year's visit.  It's still not perfect, and everyone will disagree on the perfect spot.

Colorado State Parks, Boyd Lake website:  http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/boydlake/Pages/Camping.aspx

Road trip! Off to Colorado

I largely neglect our Twitter page except to post blog updates and while we're moving. Winnebago responded to our maintenance manual post!

We are spending October in Colorado visiting family.  We try to avoid being on the road over holidays and with Labor Day on the 5th, we get rolling early.   We are spreading the drive over three days with the goal of being tucked into the campground the Thursday before the holiday weekend rush starts.  (Ironic, since we used to do this drive in one day--12 hours straight through--and made fun of those who didn't!  Spare time is a wonderful thing!)

Our destination is Boyd Lake State Park in Loveland, Colorado.  It's a popular spot with locals on weekends and we squeaked in by booking a month in advance (losing a site and finding another site while trying to consult the calendar and The Colonel).

This is our first time towing the car and we are quickly stopped on our way out of Sundermeier RV Park.  Turns out it wasn't because of concern over the tow bar hook-up but "You aren't headed back to Florida already are you?"  Ha, ha.  Nope, we're going the other way!

Facebook:  "On the move after sitting in one place for a month!  We're not used to that. Colorado bound."

Traveling is exhausting!  Thank goodness Princess Amelia has access to the couch while we're moving...

"Is the house moving again?  I'm not talking to you!"

Facebook:  Lunch stop on the first day is Oak Grove, MO.  "The same stupid white Nissan has been tailgating us since we left!  Oh, that's our car...   Bahahaha"

Facebook:  "Passing through my hometown. Go Royals & Chiefs!"

Lots of "green" for an RV park

Stop 1, Deer Creek Valley RV Resort.  Topeka, KS:  After lunch, I ended up on the couch with an upset stomach (crew member down!).  Then we hit a small rain shower with more gloom on the radar.  The Colonel pulled over at a rest stop before Topeka to:
1) call our second choice stop (first choice hadn't called back)
2) bring the iPad back so I could reprogram the directions
Then he had to:
3) go in to check in on arrival.
4) set up on his own
5) make his own dinner & toast for his wife
Yep, he appreciates everything I do!

We ended up stopping 20 miles short for the night.  This turned our to be a great stop.  $39.60 (Good Sam).  Large pull-thrus, large grassy areas between pads and the park is surrounded by trees (second best to parking under a tree).  Great atmosphere.  Staff is very friendly (and reviews say the bathrooms are immaculate).

Bonus:  the rain showers didn't arrive until after we'd gone to bed.  An overall good day.

Stats:  313 miles

Ahhhh, beautiful Kansas with light rain thrown in for variety!

Lunch stop, day 2:  Flying J Truck Stop, Salina, KS.

The windmills of breezy Kansas always make me smile

Despite all the jokes, Kansas can be beautiful!

This afternoon's road trip music:
Pandora's Southern Rock Radio...
"Somebody is gonna hurt someone before the night is through..."
"There's gonna be a heartache tonight, a heartache tonight, I know!..."

I do miss the fabulous sunrises & sunsets from the boat, but we still keep an eye out.

Stop 2, High Plains Camping.  Oakley, KS:  This was a bare bones stop but the options get sparse in western Kansas.  It turned out to be a decent facility.  The owner's keep it tidy and are very enthusiastic.  They even convinced us to check out the adjacent restaurant but it turned out to be a little disappointing.  Oh, well.  At least I didn't have to do dishes!

Stats:  309 miles

For people who skipped last winter, this is chilly!  Digging out the flannel jammies!

Day 3:

Hanging with the big boys!

An advantage to a Class A RV is we sit up high with a great view. How high?  The Colonel requested a pic as a semi goes by because "they look so close!"  (They are close!). It took him awhile before he realized many were waving. Got the perfect shot today--see the stuffed animal in the window?  We're up here with the big boys!

Mountains in sight--a little hazy today.

Spot #17

Destination, Boyd Lake State Park:  Check in was interesting.  We accidentally turned into the office entrance instead of the main gate.  I quickly panicked, thinking I'd directed The Colonel into a dead end but he maneuvered the round-about like a champ (we saw several large rv's make the same maneuver during our stay).  It gave me opportunity to purchase a state park pass ($70 for the year, versus $8/day in addition to the $23 campground fee.  We'd later learn our family didn't have a state park pass either, and paid $8 to come in to greet us!)

Stats:  289 miles

A view of the lake or the mountains. Pick your seat.

Welcome to Colorado--sunset over the mountains.

Catching up on some paperwork.  Leg One from FL to St. Louis was 1395 miles.  Leg Two from St. Louis to Colorado was 904 miles, for a grand total of 2299 miles in Odin the Winnebago in two months!  Certainly much faster than the Odin the Sailboat!

Road route map for leg two is up (interactive--zoom in and switch to satellite to see the rv parks):  https://goo.gl/maps/rKa2WVAtPBq

St. Louis Month 2, Historic St Charles area

A sunset over Sundermeier RV Park

When we get bored, we just MOVE!  OK, we loved Babler campground but now we're 20 min closer to Grandbaby, next to the Katy Trail, we have on-site laundry, and we're close to several yummy eating establishments so our friends can come visit (hint, hint)!

Where the trail ends

Katy Trail: I was laying down a blistering pace on our local rail trail when it suddenly turned into a singletrack. We rode quite a ways on our road bikes before I almost wiped out in a sand pit (at least the landing would be soft but I always bend something on the bike). We don't usually have to worry about poison ivy and thorns on our rides! It's a shame our state parks are the first to suffer with budget cuts.

On the boat, there is a moment where all your neighbors pop out at the same time as you to secure, stow and take stock before a storm (at night, you can see all the flashlights/headlamps bobbing around).  It always makes me giggle.
It's a little more cozy in an RV park.  Some wind ahead of a 3:00 am storm.  All the men were out putting in the secondary awnings in their underwear.  I can now answer the question, boxers or briefs!  Our lifestyle is so entertainining.


And yes, it's all about the food!

Some Missouri BBQ at our favorite local establishment (I'm a coffee girl.  The Colonel is hot & smoky!)

Out with the girls in historic St. Charles.  She charmed the waiter into a free brownie!

I just can't duplicate the "bowls" from Crazy Bowls and Wraps...

Unlimited veggies!  This still gives me heart palpitations.

Our new ding ding and it matches!  LOL

We found our dinghy!  Unfortunately, St. Louis doesn't have many RV parks, everything is spread out, they've chased Uber out and public transportation stinks.  We tried getting along without but after borrowing a friends truck (over 200,000 miles & no air but LOTS of personality), then renting a car while we scoured Craigslist & used car lots, we found it.  Our friends at the airport never let us down!  A 2006 Nissan Altima with manual transmission so we can tow it.  Now we just need the tow bar & braking system (which will cost as much as the car!)

Guaranteed to work!

He wasn't happy about this project

Tank access 

Yeah!  The black water tank reads empty! (Update: it never moves from this reading.  Project ongoing!)

Project:  The shitter is NOT full!  On the boat we just call it a holding tank (sink water goes overboard).  In the RV, we have to deal with a black water tank (toilet) and a grey water tank (sink drains).  We can't see our tanks (like we can on the boat) so they only way we know they are full is by the gauge.  Our gauges weren't working.  The Colonel bought some new "guaranteed" probes for the black water tank (that made our RV friends laugh!).  The directions were my favorite (Remove.  Replace the way they were).  They are working so far!

My tea haul--don't tell The Colonel!

Apparently drinking tea is directly linked to becoming "the cat lady"!  Good to know.  The English Shoppe

Historic downtown St. Charles is known for it's shops.  There are no fewer than three tea shops on top of antiques, candy/ice cream/fudge and crafts.  It's also becoming a hipster area due to the close proximity of Lindenwood College.  This is a good thing and a bad thing. I like seeing an old neighborhood being embraced by the next generation but I don't appreciate the "you're lost old lady" look at my favorite coffee shop (which is now also a wine bar with an open mike night)!

The balance of our time was monitoring weather as "Invests" start spinning off of Africa toward the Caribbean.  Good times.  Hang tight, Odin the Sailboat!


A shiny Fleetwood Excursion just arrived at Sundermeier's pulling a...
wait for it...
classic VW Bug!
Hey, honey, how come we didn't get one of those?!

We are officially a moving road hazard.  Yes, we know it.

A neighbor came out and advised moving the chain attachment on the RV to the hitch but I didn't take a second pic so....We also use bungees to keep everything from dragging.

Monitoring Ding Ding through the backup camera.  I see you back there!

I should have written up the tow bar project.  It actually took quite awhile, but unfortunately I wasn't paying attention and didn't get enough pics.  eTrailers.com is actually headquartered in St. Louis so it should have been easy to run over to the warehouse & buy everything--but they didn't have the base plate for an Altima so we had to order it!  (Eek!  Leaving for Colorado soon...). It involved running hydraulics from Odin the Winnebago to the car (Odin already has a hydraulic line at the hitch but a hydraulic line with a quick attach had to run out through the grill).  Mounting attachments for the foot brake, and attaching the base plate to the car.  We also had to purchase a tow bar.    

Above is the practice run with the dinghy to the new Love's truck stop. Fingers crossed!  The only problem we had was the accessory brake lights fell off--they are supposed to be magnetic but luckily we didn't lose them.  Also, it was a little tricky getting the tow bar unhooked from the car but (after reading the directions) we learned that turning the front wheels will help release tension.  Huh?

Normally we can access the engine by flipping up the mattress & frame by the hinge but this is serious work.  Note the mattress flipped up against the wall.  It's a small bedroom!

He did some cool spider man moves while working but I wasn't fast enough with the camera (Note the iPad YouTube Cat diesel video...)

Countdown to our drive to Colorado. Yesterday, The Colonel gave the dinghy an alignment. Today's chore:  adjust valve clearances on our Cat diesel, that lives under our bed. I'm afraid I encouraged this activity. Plans with family this afternoon. We may be sleeping on the couch tonight!