June 28 2020 Kebler Pass, Redstone, Snowy Range

Sunday, June 28

43 degrees this morning as we check out "our" lake one more time.

Unfortunately, our water pump seems to have quit working.  Not a major problem, but we'll have to depend more on bottled water and heat it on the stove, in the microwave or through the coffee maker.  We heat some to wash hair and do a quick "bird bath".

The rest of Kebler Pass is very pretty. Lots of beautiful aspen. Thinking it would be lovely to come back in October!

 We spot several deer and wildflowers everywhere.

 And then we come upon a pair of moose, meandering down the road! They separate and retreat a little, but we can still watch them watching us.

 Unfortunately a loud vehicle comes from the opposite direction and ends our moose viewing as they take off.

The road is quite good, allowing 40mph or so (except on the steep climbs!), and the scenery is terrific.

 Flowers are everywhere, and we spot some more turkeys (with little ones) and two marmots (speedy little buggers!) We turn to check out Lost Lake, another NF campground. Looks nice around the lake with lots of fishing going on here.  Apparently it is trout season and we will continue to see fishermen throughout the trip.  Maybe we should look into this.....

The pass road ends and we head north on 133, stopping to ogle Hays Creek Falls (see Greg in there?);

then again to check out the Redstone Coke Ovens.  These ovens were built 1899-1903 and used to burn coal for two days to form coke, which was then shipped to a steel mill in Pueblo.

This only shows about half of them, so it was quite an operation!

The road continues along rivers and through canyons.
We will see time and again that water is the lifeblood of the west, with its support of agriculture, cattle, fishing, towns and recreation.  Many many dams and reservoirs.

Some places the river is manageable.  Other places is goes through private property and is dangerous (or so they want you to believe).

 We continue north and cross into Wyoming about 3:00.  We are headed to Rob Roy campground in the Snowy Range Mountains.  24 miles of (good?) dirt road, then another 9 miles. Are we isolated enough??  The campground is located next to a large reservoir where a few families are enjoying the outdoors, but none of the campsites adjacent to ours are occupied.  We find a few interesting rocks on our walks and enjoy the fresh clean air.

 It is warm - 70's - and we opt for a simple dinner with tuna and cheese on crackers, and the rest of our tomatoes and mozzarella.  No dishes!  As the sun sets, mosquitos decide to feast as well, so we retreat inside.  As I read over this I smile at our thinking that 70's are "warm".  Boy would we love some of this kind of warm weather back in Texas!