Time for my annual cross country trek.

[Griffin]

Campers on the truck, coolers full of beer, credit card balances on $0. Hittin the road as soon as the wife gets off work this afternoon.
This year we're heading to southern Colorado. San Luis valley here we come. Base camp at Great Sand Dunes National Park, air down the tires on the 4WD and bounce up to Medano Pass (https://www.nps.gov/grsa/planyourvisit/medano-pass-road.htm). Couldn't possibly be in the area without checking out the UFO Watchtower (http://www.ufowatchtower.com/) and hopefully see the daily exit of bats out of the Orient Mine (https://www.olt.org/mine/bats).
Next the San Juan mountains. The Alpine Loop (https://www.colorado.com/articles/colorado-scenic-byway-alpine-loop) has been on my list for awhile.
From there over to Canyons of the Ancients National Monument (https://www.colorado.com/national-monuments/canyons-ancients-national-monument-anasazi-heritage-center-blm).
That's just the highlights but as usual we'll take our time and see as much as possible along the way.

[Goofy]

Have fun mate :bye:

[Noilly Pratt]

Nice! When I was 6-7 years old I lived with my parents in a 18' travel trailer and we went across the country, stopping every now and then.

Are you prepared for weather changes? With that much ground to cover, you might experience very cold and very hot temps.

[Muddy]

You gonna smoke any reef up there?

[lost in melb.]

Enjoy Griffin!

Careful you don't run into any lefties... They be wild in 'dem woods this time o'year

[PorkChopSandwiches]

Post up pics :tup:

[RBP]

Sounds amazing!! Have a great trip! Safe travels!

[DemonGeminiX]

I really need to take notes on where you go when you take off. You set out to see some of the coolest stuff I've never heard of. Enjoy your travels, Grif.

[Godfather]

That's so awesome, have a blast man.

[deebakes]

looks like a great trip ahead, enjoy it! :tup:

[Griffin]

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5091_zps0hngjhms.jpg

<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/291701412" width="640" height="1138" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p></p>

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5148_zpsbyb92r7c.jpg

[Muddy]

Grif, I think one of the pics has your name on it.. May way to block that out..

[Griffin]

That's the vimeo video, ain't worried about it.

[Griffin]

besides... when notoriety catches up with me you guys can say "HEY! I know that jerk."

[Muddy]

All good.. :)

[Griffin]

Capulin Volcano National Monument in New Mexico.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP4808_zpsgsaszpd4.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP4795_zps6zzmpfvt.jpg

[Teh One Who Knocks]

I see no lava flows [-(

[Griffin]

yeah...been awhile since this one blew. :meh:

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP4781_zpsbkzgopie.jpg

[Griffin]

sleepy little town we stopped for lunch, Stonewall CO.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP4824_zpsa35v91xz.jpg

[Griffin]

little reservoir above Stonewall

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP4841_zpslmtssxdl.jpg

[Griffin]

Great Sand Dunes as the sun sets

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP4842_zpsrpxqqpi7.jpg

[Griffin]

night sky was crystal clear, virtually no light pollution

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP4856_zpsabrdltcb.jpg

[Griffin]

Medano Pass Primitive Road - Great Sand Dunes National Park

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP4909_zpsfdzhzkuo.jpg

[Griffin]

left side of road...

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP4911_zpswpfuz7ec.jpg

...right side of road

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP4915_zpsugpumf4t.jpg

[Griffin]

lunch time (notice the left light on the hitch haul didn't survive the trail, about 5 days later I had a matching pair) :meh:

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP4922_zpsotio4n5g.jpg

[Griffin]

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP4938_zpspqrlfigc.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP4939_zps2zn8mqfp.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP4943_zpspcc4inxg.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP4952_zpsc6w7lwqn.jpg
http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP4959_zpsjveuxedh.jpg

[Griffin]

are we having fun yet?

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP4961B_zpsqdtfwu4o.jpg

[Griffin]

fast little fucker

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP4981_zpscp2xwpri.jpg

[Griffin]

CR30 start of the Alpine Loop

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP4992_zpsarett9ou.jpg

[Griffin]

Above old mining town of Sherman, southeast

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5012_zpsawx4zbch.jpg

...southwest.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5015_zpsh5onq869.jpg

[RBP]

Gorgeous! Thanks for the updates, Griff!

[Griffin]

I wonder... :-k

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5042_zps2dctye2v.jpg

Why yes...A natural picture frame.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5043_zpsuxwcdkcb.jpg

[Griffin]

Gorgeous! Thanks for the updates, Griff!

Welcome. I have to go on record and say all picture credit goes to the spousal unit, I am shit with a camera.

[Griffin]

An old mine site is directly behind us, notice the 2 dams built to create a sluice to wash the ore.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5075_zps4r9unwuv.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5078_zpset8rf2zs.jpg

[Griffin]

The hitch box is not on the back, I do sometimes learn from mistakes. :oops:

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5082_zpsvi3hxucr.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5087_zpskqr2k20r.jpg

[Griffin]

Ghost town of Animas Forks between Cinnamon pass and Engineer pass.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5102_zpst144kk1r.jpg

They're all connected by a shelf road. For those that don't know a shelf road is just a ledge hanging on the side of the mountain like a shelf. Not for the faint of heart.
(on hind sight a F150 is probably not the ideal vehicle) :lol:

[Griffin]

"Heyyyy, I’m trying to eat lunch here."

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5155_zpsbjnpzslm.jpg

[Griffin]

You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? Then who the hell else are you talking... you talking to me? Well I'm the only one here. Who the fuck do you think you're talking to? Oh yeah? OK.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5232_zpslb5e7klu.jpg

[Griffin]

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5178_zpstncjzvt6.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5193_zpsyejl8z4v.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5195_zpsldqb74gr.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5202_zpsqubankdf.jpg

[Griffin]

For years the wife has called moose "the fictional beast" because she could never see one in the wild no matter where we tried to view. This trip she had moose overload.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5251A_zpsqkymu6tw.jpg

[Griffin]

just leave me alone and let me die...

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5262_zpsmju6fh63.jpg

[Griffin]

Lake Fork Gunnison River north of Lake City

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5273_zps8ugzsb8y.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5276_zpsctdnasri.jpg

[Griffin]

Black Canyon of the Gunnisons

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5282_zpssstkueyp.jpg

" This is the sort of thing you lifeforms enjoy, is it?" (Marvin from Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy)

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5283_zpsi0gdptm5.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5290_zpstx0asqne.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5303_zpsa9sthbpt.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5333_zpszccflmuj.jpg

“Wearily I sit here, pain and misery my only companions. Why stop now just when I’m hating it?”

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5342_zps8xfdw3m5.jpg

[Noilly Pratt]

Wow- great pics. Thanks for taking us along!

[Griffin]

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5343_zpsiwc7d8fd.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5346_zpsqz9ommwz.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5353_zpsdixyvzbs.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5372_zpszrqennue.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5384_zps5epkmror.jpg

[Griffin]

bottom looking up

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5391_zpskopuhoy2.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5399_zpsahnln1hm.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5404_zpsifbdr2nx.jpg

“Well I wish you’d just tell me rather than try to engage my enthusiasm.”

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5411B_zpspohchufx.jpeg

[Griffin]

Had a bear try to get into my beer cooler...

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/IMGP5412K%20Bear%20Bites_zpspyoa90vs.jpg

...the guy at the KOA said "Oh yeah, we got got a small one hanging around... only about a 230 pounder."

[RBP]

Love this thread. Amazing, Griff. Kudos to the photographer, she is obviously both the more talented and the better looking one. :nana:

[Griffin]

I am only the chauffeur and requisition officer.

[Griffin]

Overlook above Ouray,

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5416_zpsafphfgcw.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5425_zpsdtqin87a.jpg

This section of the million dollar highway south of Ouray is just a glorified shelf road. Imagine a granite wall on your left with a semi coming between you and it, then on your right the only thing between you and a shear drop is a white line.

[Griffin]

I tried to get the wife to get a pick of the drop. I risked a glance to see why she hadn't answered and her eyes were the size of saucers staring straight ahead.

... I still haven't figured out how to get the finger dents out of the dash.

[Griffin]

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5428_zpssfl9bvqj.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5432_zps91jy5afk.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5439_zps9moyqmcu.jpg

ohhh, solid ground... I think I need to poop.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5445_zpsrjyfnyp5.jpg

[Griffin]

More moose. It's amazing something so large can hide in plain sight so well.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5461_zpsls3g7ctq.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5465_zpsw2equpgb.jpg

No telling how many times when searching for them they were right there saying "Hey Rocky, watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat."

[Griffin]

If you're ever in Silverton, eat here. I just ordered the wings which was enough for 2 meals. The burgers looked awesome as well.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5472B_zps2norhy5o.jpg

[Griffin]

just look straight ahead as if nothing happened...they'll never smell it.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5474_zps0sx8on8z.jpg

oh man...who ordered that last pitcher of margaritas?
...no,no...don't shake the camper

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5487A_zpsgyjbhfpd.jpg

[Griffin]

This is our third trip through Mesa Verde, it just doesn't get old. Well the ruins are, but it's amazing what these so called primitive people accomplished.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5492_zpsggmfo7xg.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5497_zpskrujxtxt.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5500_zpshfz3pklj.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5519_zpsolb8m1ug.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5522_zpslfymbyd0.jpg

[Griffin]

The wife saw something large moving in a tree down in the valley, but couldn't make out what it was. I told her what it was but she didn't believe me. She tried different lenses and after about 3 dozen shots she still couldn't tell what.
I said to wait and see the bigger picture.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5540_zpsjjan8cip.jpg

As god is my witness she thought turkeys couldn't fly. :razz: ( only a true WKRP in Cincinnati fan will get that reference) 8-)

[Griffin]

whoa... check out that long legged bitch in the subaru!

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5545A_zpsdyimxa0d.jpg

[Griffin]

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5648_zpsyy1zwpfb.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5651_zpsjphegscp.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5655_zpsofujxth8.jpg

a herd of elk outside Telluride

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5658_zpsnwqgjmh4.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5669_zpsl5zuwkcs.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5679_zpsrymbgjbk.jpg

[Godfather]

Great pics, so neat Griff. Your dog is beautiful too.

[lost in melb.]

Just caught up with this! Fantastic, had no idea that there were primative buildings in the US. Beaut scenery, cute dog

[Goofy]

Awesome pics mate, amazing how beautiful the countryside is when you get away out of the cities :)

[Muddy]

Thats a pretty awesome trip, Grif.. And I do get the WKRP reference.. :lol:

[Griffin]

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2t3g8q

[Noilly Pratt]

Oh, the humanity! :D Thanks for the memory jog. Will have to get out my old WKRP DVD set.

[Griffin]

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5683_zpsd3zqxxvo.jpg

Petrified redwood stumps at Florissant Fossil Bed

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5703_zpsprtm22oh.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5714_zpsdnmkgcwb.jpg

[Griffin]

Heading up to Pikes Peak, elevation 14,110 feet

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5719_zpslpqkgtwh.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5722_zpsgrsnqmmy.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5727_zpshekc2txe.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5733_zpsz4lg6u54.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5756_zpsrljwurbl.jpg

[Griffin]

When you get to this point coming down, everyone is stopped and get your brakes read with an infrared thermometer. Mine read 382 degrees so yeah, I got to pull over for half an hour.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5764_zpsophmxvwv.jpg

...but at least we had company

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5765_zpsjc6ypiez.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5768_zpscoehbvkk.jpg

[Griffin]

what the....TURN OUT THAT LIGHT!

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5774A_zpszilsg1ll.jpg

[Griffin]

Getting toward the end of our journey but thought you might find this place interesting. Monument Rocks in the middle of Kansas cattle prairie. After hours of flat land this kinda stands out.

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5779_zpszerluogk.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5777_zpsjvfpzu0x.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5784_zpsn2ejhurz.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5800_zpsymidmxlo.jpg

[Griffin]

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5814_zpsxibmd2uk.jpg

[RBP]

More awesomeness!

[Griffin]

I know the way we vacation isn't for everyone, but it's hard to see this stuff at 30,000 feet. ;)

[Godfather]

what the....TURN OUT THAT LIGHT!

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii308/johng52/2018%20San%20Juan%20Mountains/IMGP5774A_zpszilsg1ll.jpg

God I'm dumb, when I first looked at that picture I thought it was a hand holding your dog as a puppy :rofl: Had to look at it for a second.

[deebakes]

thanks for the share :clap: