Summer Camping Trip - Day 2 - Canyon de Chelly to Durango

Day 2 - Canyon de Chelly to Durango

We planned to take a guided tour of the Canyon in the morning, but then got caught in the rain 

We also had car problems (some hose came off or was leaking), so we skipped the tour. and just took pictures from above, instead of a guide taking us into the canyon. 

We tried fixing the car issue in Chinle, but everything was closed for the day, so we cautiously headed to Four Corners.

After leaving Four Corners, we spent much of the day driving through rain as we reached Durango. 

To make life a bit easier, we camped at the Durango KOA. The weather improved once we set up our tent.

Summer Camping Trip - Day 3 - Durango to Silverton

Day 3 - Durango to Silverton

We got a slow start leaving Durango, so the girls could swim in the pool at the KOA, leaving around noon. From there, we drove toward Silverton. Along the route, we stopped at various scenic overlooks to take in the views. At one in particular, we could see a lake in a distant valley. The girls asked if they could hike to the lake. We didn't realize the distance, so we told them to go ahead and we would meet them there.

When Steve and I arrived at the lake, we did not see the girls. I started  walking on a trail towards the direction they should be arriving and found them as he got in the jeep to go looking. I tried calling him as loud as possible (STEEEEVE) but he didn't hear it. Eventually we found each other (but didn't get any pictures of the lake!!)

Summer Camping Trip - Day 4 - Alpine Loop

Day 4 - Alpine Loop

Today we decided to drive part of the Alpine Loop trail. 

On the way, we saw a bunch of sheep on the hillside.

As we neared Animas Forks, we saw an old mining ghost town and stopped to explore for a bit.

We then drove up to Engineer Pass, despite warnings that we wouldn't make it with the trailer (we did). 

It was starting to get late and we didn't have a campground lined up, so we headed back towards Animas Forks, where we saw a few nice places for wilderness camping.

We arrived as it started to get dark and had just set up the tent and started the campfire when a major thunderstorm and torrential rains hit. We hunkered down in our tent (part of it leaked slightly) for a couple hours until the rain stopped and we could make dinner. The stars were beautiful once the skies cleared (although it was really cold!!)

Summer Camping Trip - Day 5 - Silverton to Montrose

Day 5 - Silverton to Montrose

Today, the skies were clear and we packed up the tent. Steve would have liked to spend another night here, but we had plans to meet my parents and brother in Montrose.

For much of the drive, we took forest roads and avoided the main highways. 

We saw lots of deer along the way

It was a beautiful scenic drive.

We then had a break from camping and spent the night in a motel in Montrose. 

Summer Camping Trip - Day 6 - Montrose to Grand Junction

Day 6 - Montose to Grand Junction

Today, we met up with my parents and my brother's family who were also traveling to the area and headed towards Grand Junction. 

We arrived in Grand Junction mid-afternoon and checked into a motel (same one as the rest of my family). We then took the afternoon off from driving/sightseeing and the girls had fun playing in the motel's swimming pool. Everyone went out to dinner together, and my dad ordered Rocky Mountain Oysters for everyone to try. We didn't tell any of the kids what they were until they tried a bite!