Pueblo to Elk Creek and Gunnison, CO

My last day at Pueblo was a peaceful one (well, Russ was gone). I lazed about a bit, then took one last long, refreshing swim in Lake Pueblo.

My favorite swimming spot.

Perfect steps down
You can step into the water from here
… or jump off these rocks!

Moe was upset at being left in the camper alone, but I pacified him with a nice long walk in the evening. We came around to the far side of the camp loop, where there were a bunch of people having a lively party. I don’t mind the party—what I do mind is that I can hear their music clear across to my campsite. And, having just endured a weekend full of loud parties, I was possibly not as calm as I might have been. After I asked them to turn the music off, to my surprise, a woman who looked astonishingly like my godson’s wife Linda, put her arm around me and asked “Now, your name isn’t Karen, is it?” I sheepishly said no, and the whole dialog changed. In the end, I was invited to share the pot (sure) and the tequila (straight? Uh, no thanks). It was getting late, so I declined their invitation to stay and party. The music was turned off immediately, even though it wasn’t quiet time yet.

I did want to thank them for being so nice to me, but when I took Moe around for his morning walk, no one was awake. I didn’t think they would appreciate being woken up by some snippy nearly-Karen just to be told they were decent people. They were, and that interaction was a valuable lesson for me.

Driving to Elk Creek, outside of Gunnison, CO, I get a call from Russ, who has fallen behind in his schedule. He doesn’t think he can make it to Elk Creek in time—could I pick him up near Salida? Which I do. He had just stopped to take a shade break, and luckily I saw him and was able to pull over quickly. I gave him the rest of my cold soda, he packed his stuff away, and we were off.

To Elk Creek!

Blue Mesa
Blue Mesa Reservoir
You can see the smoke haze from Utah wildfires

The difference between the first and second pictures was the difference between Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning. That’s smoke from multiple wildfires in Utah. So far, Moab and Arches National Park where we are headed next are OK, but who knows? We’ll keep our fingers crossed.