Chappy's Colorado Through the Eyes of a Native

We had a great stay with Jim And Bobbie at the Park Creek Campground.  We got the up close and personal tour from both of them, but especially Jim whose roots run deep in this part of the state.  Jim lived here his whole life until they went on the road in 2007.

They showed us all the beautiful campgrounds they manage.  This is Big Meadow Lake near one of the campgrounds that is being renovated.  What a fantastic view of the lake and the snow capped mountains.

While Jim and Bobbie were working, we spent a couple of days just kicking back and relaxing by Park Creek.  These two ducks were swimming up stream and jumped on this rock for a break.  I don't think the jay was very happy with us infringing on his territory.  We saw the mountain goats along the road on one tour.  Jim said that was a first for him and he has been in the area for 62 years.

We did a day trip to nearby Creede where Jim's grandfather once lived.  Creede is a neat, little old mining town that today has many shops and restaurants.  We did not get to see the old mining area because they were building the set for the new Lone Ranger movie that stars Johnnie Depp as Tonto.

The mountains above Creede are beautiful.

The Creede Cemetery where Bob Ford, who killed Jessie James, was originally buried.

We had Jim and Bobbie over for dinner.  Nanc experimented on them as she made shrimp gumbo from scratch for the first time.  From the smiles it looks like it was a grand success.

We did another day trip over Wolf Creek pass to Pagosa Springs where Jim's Mother taught school.  The view coming down the west side of the mountain is one of the best we have ever seen.

Here we are at Treasure Falls.  The water was still flowing really good from all the snow melt at this time of year.

Pagosa Springs is an old mineral springs town.  There are several hot springs right along the river with steps into the river so you can cool off.  We did not do these springs but we did move on to a springs in New Mexico that were wonderful.  (Another post to follow)

It was a beautiful enough day that we had lunch on the patio overlooking the river and springs.  We had a great time with Jim and Bobbie including daily happy hours where we swapped travel tales and made plans to get together in the future. Part of our plans are to return to this area in the future.  It was great having the up close and personal tour and we truly appreciate Jim and Bobbie sharing their little piece of paradise.