With a light morning breeze blowing through the RV, I glance out the window toward a view of the Colorado National Monument….well, kind of a view….as I peek around, up, and over other RV’s there sits the Monument in the distance. Ah, the RV experience; it is what we make of it. Unfortunately for now, I don’t have the views or space I have become accustomed to.
The month of August finds us parked in a full-fledged RV Park in Grand Junction, Colorado. We normally gravitate toward State or Regional Parks. For now, we have no fantastic views or hiking trails out our front door….bummer. I think I’ve become a little spoiled. The Junction West RV Park in Grand Junction is an ok place to call home while Al and I do a little organizing and repairing on the RV. The Junction West RV Park is conveniently located to shopping, restaurants, AND my brother’s house. It also offers nice spacing between rigs, showers, laundry, and free WiFi. Yep, this will do while we tend to the business at hand.
I’ll admit, I sure wasn’t ready to leave Ridgway State Park or the views southwest Colorado has to offer. I’m always hesitant to make a recommendation on a location or campground. I’ve come to realize, the personal element quite often plays a major role in ones overall experience, as does weather.
For example; let’s say the weather is nasty for your entire stay or you and your partner aren’t getting along or you become ill, the best scenery in the world cannot compensate for any of these examples or a combination of negative factors. Thus, your experience might be one you wouldn’t care to repeat or recommend.
On the other hand, when the stars are aligned, all is well in your little world, your life is filled with joy, you and your partner are in harmony…. the most mediocre view, so-so weather, and an ok location can conjure up the most pleasant of memories; such fond memories, that it becomes a place you hope to return to as well as recommend to your friends. Then your friends go and can’t figure out whatever were you talking about.
When we first pulled into Ridgway State Park I wasn’t overly impressed. I couldn’t figure out why everyone talked so highly of the place. However after my eight day stay, I would put this place at the top of my list of favorite places. What made MY stay so enjoyable that I would call it a favorite and even recommend it? Well, I’m pretty sure the stars were aligned and hubby and I were in harmony, so that helped….LOL, but the real reasons why I fell in love with Ouray County;
- The views….the photos say it all…..talk about beautiful country!
- Location; lovely Ouray, Ridgway, and Telluride are nearby
Ridgway, Colorado - hiking and biking trails out our front door and beyond are abundant
- beautiful lakes; enjoy water activities or sit lakeside and ponder life
- family and friends; my brother and his wife joined us plus we met up with fellow RVer’s / bloggers
Al on the left, sister-in-law middle, my brother on the right…..good food, good company - weather; cool nights for sleeping – comfortable daytime temps for hiking – the occasional storm to add drama
mountain storms can be scary and pretty at the same time! - excellent spacing between campers; campsites are well spaced
Plenty of room around camp for everyone to warm their toes - plenty of interesting history; the movie “True Grit” staring John Wayne was filmed around Ridgway. Ghost towns and remnants of old mines are readily found in the backcountry.
- nature……nature abounds
- A 4-wheelers paradise; exploring the backcountry via a jeep or ATV, miles and miles of gravel and dirt roads take you up and over mountain passes
I’m sure I’m missing something, but I think you get the idea of why this area has become a favorite spot of mine. Yes, I’d say there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this southwest part of Colorado. I think it’s one of those places worth visiting at different times of the year. I know I’m hooked. I foresee a revisit in my near future!
Ah, but first……those RV repairs….. 😥
Live Laugh RV 
Magnificent views, Ingrid. I’m not a happy camper person, but your photos are very compelling. 🙂
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Love the blog, glad that we got connected. Love the sceneries you are sharing to us, and you never cease to impress me with the way you shot them. 😉
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Thank you….that is quite the compliment coming from such a good photographer.
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Catching up on reading blogs between trips of our own… surprised to see you are right here in our hometown valley of GJ! We started a trip around Colorado the end of May with a stay in Ridgway and Ouray… some of our favorite spots, as well! We have been in Montana, Wyoming and back in Summit county on our summer jaunts… have to say it is a bit warmer here at home right now than would be my preference. Rafted down the Colorado river with a friend yesterday.. that helped cool things off a bit. I never mind coming home because I love the diversity here… the red rocks, river, hiking, and nearby mountains mean that if the weather isn’t just what you wanted you can get to it not far away. Planning hikes up on Glade Park soon… have you discovered that oasis? Always love being here for the peach harvest!
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No we have not discovered Glade Park. Feel free to share. Heading to Gunnison Monday then back to Ridgway and back to GJ the 14th. Need to hang around for the winefest then we’ll meander toward AZ for the winter. We really enjoy GJ even though a tad warm right now. Do you still have a blog? The gravatar isn’t linked to a blog!
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How did that happen? and how do I fix it?
My blog is called “Sure… Let’s Go”, but I haven’t blogged in awhile… we became RV owners about a year and a half ago and I’ve been too busy making memories to blog about them. I might be ready to jump back in and try to write about some of our favorite spots and adventures…. but have some big plans right around the corner that may keep me from it for awhile yet. Perhaps I need a push (or a kick in the butt 🙂 )
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I tried relinking my gravatar to WordPress… did that fix it?
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It’s still not working. I know I follow you and you haven’t posted in awhile. I’d love to hear more of the travels you’ve been doing so consider this a KICK 🙂 Let me know if you still have trouble setting up the gravatar. I think I know where to go to fix!
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I’ve done everything i can think of to make my blog appear automatically on my gravatar… Do i just need to write it in the quote area? Any help appreciated.
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Sounds like the blind leading the blind. Just spent 20 minutes trying to figure out how I did that awhile back. I’ll keep playing around 😉
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Hi there thought I would finally comment on your travels. I have so enjoyed your blogs and have them on my email so I get them when ever you put them down. I am so envious but it gives me a goal to work toward. I will be out there in the future just have to get alittle more put away. I am taking short trips around Colo and your blogs about oruay and teleuride (spelling) are making me want to go down there this next month .I went up to Rocky Mtn Park and Estes last week and hope to catch the other in the next few weeks . It looks lovely and I have really enjoyed your pictures.Miss our lunches but I know your enjoying your ventures. Have fun enjoy for me and I will catch up to you in the future!
Merry Sue
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Thanks Merry Sue. We’ll be in Gunnison the 26th-29th then back at Ridgway State Park the 30th-13th. If you decide to cross the divide, be sure and let me know. We’ll need to do lunch or a campfire. I’m not sure if we’ll see any fall colors….might be just a tad early. I’ll be back in Grand Junction Sept 19-23 for the Palisades Winefest. Ashton and her roommate will be driving over for that. Please stay in touch and hopefully we’ll meet up soon!
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This certainly looks a beautiful place to stay and explore… and having the family around on occasions is a treat… I love the first photo, that would be enough to keep me there for weeks…
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Thanks. It’s been fun hanging out with my brother and his wife. We’ve lived apart for many years so it’s been fun spending time together…..and the scenery is pretty darn nice too boot.
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Sorry. That should read “a”. Was rushing. Must go.
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Slow down…..life’s too short 🙄
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‘k
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Not as bad place to get “stuck!” And wine? You have wine?
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Wine? Do I have wine? Do the Rockies get snow? Does Phoenix get hot? But of course I have wine and I also know how to whine 😆
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Made me laugh!! lol! Or is it the Chardonnay?
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Ridgeway does look like a very pretty area and you got some nice shots of it. We’ve been to Ouray but from the other direction – not in an RV for sure.
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Driving into Ouray from the north is a lot less adventurous than coming from the south via “the million dollar highway”. Scenery and thrills galore that you obvious know from experience! Gorgeous country for sure 🙂
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keep those wheels a rollin’ and those photos a comin’ – nice post, I can see why it is a favorite place.
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Those wheels will be moving again in about eight days and I can’t wait and more photos to document 🙂
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Great compilation, Ingrid, and a testimonial to why we love this state so much! 😉
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Thanks….this really is beautiful country and we get to call it home 🙂
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HEY!!! I just happen to have two houses for sale in Lovely Ouray (grin). I know you will fall in love with some other place as soon as you leave the area…it’s a cryin shame, tho. 🙂
Box Canyon Mark
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You have to admit there’s something about Colorado. Every time we think about becoming SD residents, we resist. I think Ouray County will see a lot more of us BUT not in winter 😉
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How beautiful! I wanna come play!!! Nice camper spot too.
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There’s plenty of room so come on down!!!
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I love when you find that spot that just speaks to you and becomes a part of your heart:) Beautiful Captures – Happy Weekend!
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Well this area has definitely spoken. I can’t wait to return 🙂
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Beautiful! Thanks for the view!
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Glad you enjoyed. If you haven’t been to this part of CO, I highly recommend you put it on the agenda.
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The scenery was gorgeous! I hope that the repairs needed aren’t that extensive, so that you enjoy your stay at your “new” home.
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Fortunately repairs tended to and we’ll be off exploring in about ten days….stay tuned. I’m working on some bird photos; nothing worthy of posting just yet.
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I love your posts. The pictures are always unique. I love the feet one and the one that shows mile 6. Many times you take pictures that just make you smile and other times say ahh.
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Thank you….what a wonderful compliment. Safe travels!
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I think you summed it up pretty nicely Ingrid. 🙂
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Thanks LuAnn. Hopefully you and Terry can make it to Colorado next summer. If not the CO mountains perhaps the Carolinas. We’ve always wanted to visit Asheville NC. Maybe you can visit it for us and save us the gas LOL.
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Terry has been to Asheville NC in a past life and says it is wonderful. We may get there this winter.
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Hope you don’t mind that I am riding along. I’ll be in your truck, Ingrid. Al may remember I talk a lot and he needs to keep his mind on pulling that fiver..besides, I have wine in my purse and you and I could REALLY have a great time 😉 I promise I won’t put my feet up on your dash …Can you tell how envious I am???
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I keep telling ya (in my Price is Right tone) “Come on down…..we have plenty of room”…..LOL. Wine? I have two bottles chilling and another six under the dinette – I assure you, we won’t run out – for a few days anyway. Will you be able to get away at all this winter or are there concerns with the elders?
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Parking is one of our biggest challenges. We love the beautiful scenery to surround us, but I am quite spoiled and like FHU. I am really a terrible boondocker. I consider 30 amps boondocking!! So we usually sacrifice the beauty some. It was nice that in most locations in Utah we had both beauty and FHU!
I can see why you love that State Park. What a magnificent area! Breath taking!
Hope all goes well with your repairs.
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I think we have found our niche; we like a combination. We enjoy dry camping followed by FHU then back to boondocking. BTW….Ridgway State Park does have a loop with FHU….they book up pretty quick though.
Fortunately all our repairs are minor and done except for the microwave which probably needs to be replaced. Thank goodness I don’t use often and thus don’t miss.
Heading toward Utah end of Sept and will need to review where you stayed 🙂
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I am looking forward to heading back to Utah with you!! That was such a wonderful three months! We did southern Utah March, April, and May.
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OMG….you guys did some awesome hiking and I will use your blog as a reference. Although we still need to work up and get in shape for much over 2 hours…..goals 🙂 I do have some new hiking shoes/boots that will hopefully help with endurance. The running tennies aren’t going to cut it!
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