After spending part of June, all July, most of August in Colorado boondocking at elevation to stay cool, we thoroughly enjoyed this slower pace and relished the time here during the hottest times of the year. Taking this opportunity of down time, we also were able to set up some routine medical appointments and taking care of personal business.
Its nearly time to meet up with brother Bob and his family for our annual RV trip so we cross over to Oregon to stay at his place for a while. Of course, along the way we intend to have some adventures too!
Crossing the Continental Divide on 2 lane roads we see a different portion of Colorado, high plains with much different foliage. it appears that the east and west sides of the Continental Divide have very different climates and therefore different foliage. Much dryer on the west side and short juniper trees compared to the east side. Sagebrush and much less hay fields. Although the hay fields here did have irrigation where the east side did not. I had learned that the water on the east side is owned by the cities of the Front Range and is piped to the cities through the mountains. This gives a better understanding of why water is so critical in the western states and just as the news report that severe droughts in the west is changing the demographics.
Along the way we visit the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, what a remarkable place, A National Park that's not very accessible for it is so steep there are only a few places to access. We stayed one night in the National Park campground, and it is truly a Dark Sky area. beautiful views of the Milky Way! It's difficult to see the river in the bottom because it is so deep.
There was not any cell service here, and so little access, so we continued on after one night. The Gunnison is known as a Blue-Ribbon Trout stream. Appears to me this must be in the upper portions for several dams have created massive lakes prior to entering the Black Canyon and below the Canyon the river is quite large. Another time I plan to visit for the fishing, perhaps after we get starlink so Tanya can work.
Farther along our route I remember the Green River from fishing magazines but the area we passed through did not seem so hospitable for fishing. Farther up in the upper reaches must be the better areas of fishing.
There is a very good museum in Green River demonstrating the history of the area. I got so much information from the display boards outside the museum that I was on information overload and did not go inside.
Along the way in Nevada there was a very cool tall sign.
Our route is through Utah and Nevada where we had never been before. It is part of the "Great Basin" and many small towns along the 2-lane highway.
Near Winnemucca, NV we experienced a flat tire on the motorcycle trailer. Taking the motorcycle off to remove weight from the flat tire, Tanya limps along at 5 mph to keep from causing damage to the tire rim and I scooter up the road for a place to pull off the highway. 2 miles Tanya travels at 5 mph, I then continue scootering to find a jack to raise the trailer and remove the flat tire. I come across a couple towing a trailer and pulled off the road changing their own tire. I ask them for help and to stop down the road where Tanya can pull over. So nice having decent people that "do the right thing".
The next morning, I place the tire on the back of the motorcycle, drive 50 miles one way to get a replacement. This worked out really well, by the time I returned Tanya had finished her work for the day and we were able to move on down the road!
Near Lakeview, OR we began to notice what appeared to be cow droppings on the highway, maybe it is mud from off road vehicles? There is too much of it on the road... its been over 10 miles of this???? Eventually we find ourselves in the middle of a cattle drive!
A young woman in a truck at the rear of the cattle drive rolled her window down and explained that they are moving the herd from summer pasture to winter pasture. This particular herd is 160 cows. Last week they had over 300 cows! She explains to pass the cows slowly, stay on the left side of the road for the most part. So that is what we did, sometimes a cow would stand in front of us and not move until her calf had crossed the road. We had quite a following of cars once we clear the cows. WE ARE PART OF A CATTLE DRIVE!
