Workamper Season is Over

Mesa, AZ     H95  L75

When the temps fall to the 20s & 30s, even if it is only at night, it is time to head south.  Our time at Alpen Rose RV Park is now done and we have gone to our winter location for six moths of recreation. Judy and I made some wonderful workamper friends at Alpen Rose this year and hope to see all of them back when we return in April.

Hitched up and Ready to Roll  

We got a late start Wed. (about noon) from the park but we only planned to drive to the KOA in Holbrook, AZ. The drive was about 270 miles and we arrived about 5:30 PM at the KOA. We did pick up an hour. After a good night rest we left Holbrook at 9:00 AM Thurs to finish the remaining 160 miles to Mesa. Judy and I pulled up in front of our house in Sunland Springs Village at 12:45. We plan to take advantage of the 48 hr RV parking rule to unload most of our stuff off the Fifth Wheel and then take it to the RV storage lot.

      Good to see the Superstition MTS.

Just arrived Home   

It didn’t take Judy long to get back into the swing of things, Friday  she was at the Pickle Ball courts by 7:00 AM! Since the temps are still pretty warm they start play around 6:00 AM through Oct. I hope to start playing shuffleboard by Monday.  

* A lot of people ask us, “What is Pickleball?” Click here for an explanation of the game.

Click here for short video.

 

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Next Blog: in a week or so.

 

One last trip to Silverton

Alpen Rose RV Resort, Durango Colorado   H71  L35

Sunday Judy and I headed up into the high country.  We are rapidly reaching the end of our time here and wanted to go view the fall foliage. The colors were brilliant throughout our drive up to the 10,350 feet elevation of Silverton.  The mountains have already received the first snowfall of the season.  Judy and I had a great time.

Below are a few pictures.

    

    

    

    

    

Judy and I are down to our last 10 days so we will be working on getting ready to head south.

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

 

 

 

Day Trip: San Juan Mts. Jeeping Excursion

Alpen Rose RV Resort -  Durango, Colorado    L45  H 80

I cannot emphasize  how much Judy and I have enjoyed our workamping experience here at Alpen Rose RV Park.  The area offers unlimited recreational and entertainment opportunities not to mention the best summer climate we have experienced in our five years of summer workamping.

The leadership team at the park has worked hard to ensure that all the workampers have a great workamping experience as well as a fun time. Thanks to managers Joan and Bob and Workamper supervisor, Jim for all you have done.

Recently, Judy and I had the opportunity to join Jim on a jeeping excursion up and over the San Juan Mts in his Jeep Wrangler.  The trip took us from a 6500 foot elevation to a high of 13,400 feet via Forest Service roads open only to 4 wheel drive/off road certified vehicles. Joan and Bob also brought fellow workampers Kay and William on the excursion. They traveled in Joan’s Jeep Commander.  I must add that all the workampers had the chance to take this excursion with the leadership team throughout the season. Most did.

Thanks to Jim (R) and Joan & Bob for a fun day.

 

     

Below are some pics. (Click to enlarge)

Heading Up

     

 

Up High

          

        

     

     

   

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by

Day Trip: Durango to Silverton Train Excursion

Alpen Rose RV Resort, Durango, Colorado    H72  L 51

Durango, Colorado was founded by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway in 1879. The railroad arrived in Durango on August 5, 1881 and construction on the line to Silverton began in the fall of the same year. By July of 1882, the tracks to Silverton were completed, and the train began hauling both freight and passengers.

The line was constructed to haul silver & gold ore from Southwest Colorado's San Juan Mountains, but passengers soon realized it was the view that was truly precious.

This historic train has been in continuous operation between Durango and Silverton since 1882, carrying passengers behind vintage steam locomotives and rolling stock indigenous to the line. It is a family-friendly ride sure to create memories that will last a lifetime while offering a view of Colorado's mountain splendor  inaccessible by highway.

The train ride to Silverton was one of “the must do’s” on our list of things to get done before we return to AZ. Last Friday Judy and I and fellow workampers Bruce and AJ got around to it.  We opted to take the round trip, so it was a long day. The scenery was indeed spectacular.  Durango is at an elevation of 6512ft and Silverton is at 9300 ft.

The steam engine required 7000 LBs of coal (hand fed) for the trip up and three water stops.  Since the trip back was down hill, only 2500LBs of coal was required along with one water stop. The train was used in the film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Three other scenes were also filmed along the route, including the famous “jump off of the cliff” scene.

Here are a few pics. Don’t forget to “click” to enlarge.

All Aboard, leaving Durango.

    

Passing Alpen Rose RV Resort

    

Views along the way

   

    

      

 

    

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Next blog: in a week or so

Day Trip: Pagosa Springs, Colorado

Alpin Rose RV Park,  Durango Colorado     H73  L51

Judy and I visited the small town of Pagosa Springs a couple of days ago.  Pagosa Springs is another of the many small tourist towns in southwestern Colorado.  It is only a hour drive from Durango and only 30 miles from the Continental Divide. There are many hot springs that contribute to high number of tourist that visit the area.  The area also offers a  wide variety of recreational opportunities including all forms of skiing, fishing, swimming, snow mobiling and relaxing in the hot springs.

     

    

Next Friday we will be riding the Durango to Silverton narrow gauge train.

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Next blog: in a week or so.