Back in Canada!

Happy to be back in Canada? Not really.

Excited about the next five months? You bet!!

Hello, Montana!

Another new state for us. Too bad we're not getting to spend more time exploring, but at least we're seeing a new part of the U.S. that we've never been to before. In fact, this whole drive has been new for us, so despite the length of the drive, at least it's been different scenery.

Why are we up in the cold???

We've had some comments and emails recently from quite a few new readers asking why we're so far north in the cold when it looks like we don't really need to be.

So we just thought we would explain again, in a little more detail!

Accidents on the I-25, but we made it through!

So we left Fort Collins yesterday morning and the snow had finally stopped. We checked the highway website and they said the road was open, but with "blowing snow and icy sections".

And boy, they weren't kidding!

Snowstorms, icy roads, and beer!

Those three items probably don't go together very well. But we had to find something to do in Fort Collins yesterday, and one of the things Fort Collins has become popular for is beer!

Stranded in Fort Collins!

When we woke up yesterday morning, we found out that they had opened the road leading back to Denver from Winter Park Resort. In fact, there was hardly a cloud in the sky and the sun was shining bright.

That would not last long though!

Our stay at the Zephyr Mountain Lodge

"As close as you can sleep to the chairlifts without sleeping outside!"

Totally true. The two lodge buildings are located right at the base of the mountain and are the most convenient location in the village. The ski rentals and lift tickets are also available in the lodge.

Spring skiing at Winter Park Resort

When we found out that we were going to be spring skiing at Winter Park Resort in Colorado's Rocky Mountains, we had visions of 60 degree temperatures and short sleeve shirts, and sitting on a patio in the sun while having a cold drink with our ski gear on.

It wasn't meant to be.

Snow, cold,...and a great dinner out!

We didn't have much in the way of a lunch yesterday, so after we got ourselves settled at the Zephyr Mountain Lodge we were about ready for an early supper.

Denver to Winter Park Resort

We left Kent and Lynn's place around 10:00am and headed west. Thanks for everything Kent!

We knew it was about an hour and a half drive from Denver to Winter Park, so we had enough to time stop along the way and go for a hike!

Butterflies and Giant Spiders!

We had some shopping to get done yesterday morning. There's a few things we needed to stock up on before crossing back into Canada and Denver is likely the last really large city we'll be in before the border. One of the stores we went to was the big REI (Recreation Equipment Inc.) location near Confluence Park.

A Day in Downtown Denver

First plan though, was to figure out how to get there. Kent and Lynn's house is about 3.5 miles (5.5 kms) from the downtown core. They have a bus stop really close by, but the fare is $2.25. With the two of us going round trip, it would be $9.00, which is about the price of parking downtown for the day. Unless I could find free parking!

We're liking Colorado!

Some people like the desert, some people like the mountains. Ruth likes both, but I'm much more attracted to the mountains and the trees. I've been wanting to see Colorado for a long time, and so far, we're not disappointed at all.

A great spot to spend a week or two in the motorhome!

After our non ballooning adventure yesterday morning, we made the best of it and got an early start to our destination in Taos, New Mexico. It was only a two and a half hour drive, so we knew we had lots of time to explore along the way. And explore we did!

No balloon ride today...

Despite the best efforts of World Balloon Company in Albuquerque, New Mexico...we were not able to get off the ground! They really tried hard knowing that we were only in Albuquerque for three days. But the weather just wouldn't cooperate.

We got up at 5:30am this morning and so did our couchsurfing hosts Cheryl and Mike. Cheryl made coffee for everyone and we said our goodbyes. Thanks for being such great hosts Cheryl and Mike! Then, we headed out to the meeting spot for our balloon ride.