Monday - Tuesday, August 16 & 17 - Pagosa Springs & Fowler, CO

Monday - Tuesday, August 16 & 17 - Pagosa Springs & Fowler, CO

We left Moab at 9:13am headed east to Pagosa Springs, CO.  We are meeting up with a couple we met several years ago at one of our Escapee campouts.  We've sure had some fun times with them and we are looking forward to spending time with them, even if it's just an overnight stop.

We did not make it but a couple of miles from our campground in Moab, before we saw this large rock - that was painted with the words "Hole N The Rock" with an arrow pointing down.  We did not see a Hole N The Rock where the arrow was.  We were not sure what it meant, so I looked it up later to see what it was all about.  Here is the link if you want to know more:  Hole N The Rock

We enjoyed clearer skies this morning and the drive through these gorgeous red rocks.

Another arch we noticed.

We thought we might get some rain, but it never reached us.

It wasn't long and we were beginning to enjoy the mountains of southern Colorado.

Dean nudged me and pointed to my right - a ski lift!

We stayed on Highway 191 from Moab until it intersected with Highway 491 at Monticello, UT.  We continued on Hwy 491 just south of Lewis, CO, where it transitioned to Hwy 184.  At Mancos, CO we picked up Hwy 160 that led to Pagosa Springs, CO, our destination for the night.

We were able to book a site at the same park our friends were staying, Mountain Landing Suites & RV Park.  We arrived at 1:31 pm and were soon set up.  Once we had the slides out, and a few things put away I sent Joyce a text to let her know we were here.  A few minutes later, we were stepping outside, and they where here, they just walked over to meet us.  

It was so good to see Frank & Joyce.  It's been over a year since we last saw them in Branson for a few days.  The year before we spent a week with them in Yellowstone National Park.  While we don't see each other often, we do keep in touch with text messages and through the blog.

They asked if we'd like to take a tour of Pagosa Springs and have an early dinner.  Sure!  They walked back to their site to get their car.  Soon they were back, and we took a drive downtown to the San Juan River.  Along the river they have pockets of water from the hot springs nearby.  It's a beautiful area.

A location along the walkway above the San Juan River with water from the springs.  The water felt hot to our touch.

A beautiful pavilion above the river.  A family was enjoying their picnic lunch here.

This is where the springs originates, a short distance away, at the fountain just above the foliage.

We took a drive near the golf course and some of the houses in the area.  Pagosa Springs is a very pretty area with many things to see and do.  We decided to eat an early dinner at Junction Restaurant, which was a great choice.  Dean chose chicken fried steak.  Joyce and I had a chicken/bacon sandwich with guacamole, lettuce, tomato and pickles.  Frank chose one of their Mexican meals of enchiladas, I believe.  We all deemed the food as delicious.  Excellent meal!

After our meal, we made a quick stop at City Market for a few things.  Joyce wanted to get ice cream for later, and I needed some milk and lunchmeat.  Upon returning to the campground they dropped us off at Bentley.  A short time later, we walked over to their site.

We set outside and enjoyed visiting with them until it started getting cool, then we moved inside for our dessert.  We enjoyed peach pie and ice cream!  Yum.  We visited a little longer and made plans to have breakfast before we leave in the morning.  What a fun evening we had.  

Junction Restaurant

Tuesday, August 17 - Pagosa Springs & Fowler, CO

We were up early this morning to shower, and get as much packed up in Bentley as possible before we leave for breakfast.  Frank and Joyce picked us up between 8:30 and 9:00.  As we left, headed toward the restaurant, Joyce noticed this balloon near the restaurant, so Frank was kind enough to drive by so I could take a picture of it.  Dean and I took a balloon ride several years ago in Sedona, AZ.  It was fun, but we aren't sure how experienced our "driver" was.  Our landing was not exactly what we expected.  As it came down it scooted across a road (thank goodness it wasn't the nearby highway) and we ended up in a field, then it tipped on it's side.  Fortunately, no one was hurt, just a little stunned.  We laugh about it now!

We had breakfast at 2 Chicks and a Hippie (see below).  We had a wonderful waitress.  The night before as we were discussing the restaurant and their menu I was excited about the Huevos Rancheros, but when I saw the fried potatoes with gravy and a biscuit, I changed my mind.  It was very good, but after seeing Frank's Huevos Rancheros, I wish I had stayed with my original choice.  Joyce had blueberry pancakes and Dean had his normal breakfast plate of eggs, sausage, potatoes and biscuit with gravy.  The food was delicious and we enjoyed sitting outside at a table right next to the lamp stand in the picture below.  It was a beautiful cool morning and we went prepared for that.  The coffee was very good too and warmed us as well.

We took a drive east of town before they dropped us off at Bentley.  Of course, I had to take a picture of them to include in the blog.  Thank you Frank and Joyce for spending the evening and morning with us.  We had a great time and look forward to the next time we can meet up.

It didn't take us long to finish packing things away in Bentley and for the slides to come in.  We left the park at 9:35am headed east.  The picture below shows what awaited us at the outskirts of Pagosa Springs.  Fortunately, we didn't have to wait too long and we were on our way again.

We enjoyed the scenery as we drove through the mountains as we made our way up the west side to Wolf Creek Pass, then began our slow descent to the east side of the mountains.  It was a beautiful day enjoying the beauty of the area.

We stopped for a break here.  I could hear the water gurgling but the brush was too thick to get to it - or at least I wasn't thrilled about trying to get through the brush. 

As we drove through Del Norte, CO I snapped this metal statute of an elk as we were entering the community.  

Also in Del Norte, CO.  There were several different metal sculptures on the poles in town.

A pretty drive through Monte Vista, CO

Notice the whooping crane sculptures at the light poles.  Monte Vista holds a Crane Festival each year in early March.

At some point we lost an internet signal and it remained spotty a good part of our travels for the day.  There wasn't much to see as we made our way to Fowler, CO.  We arrived at the park at 2:43pm Mountain time.  

Fowler RV Park was only a place to spend the night as we make our way back to Kansas.   As usual once we had set up, we took a tour of the town, giving Bentley time to cool down a bit after his long travel day.

Beautifully restored Train Station now being used as a commercial business.

And what Kansas girl doesn't love Sunflowers!

We returned to Bentley, had dinner and settled in for the evening.