Pagosa Springs Colorado

Pagosa Springs, located in southwestern Colorado, is know for its hot springs.  Deep geothermal hot springs provide pools for soaking; a rich sulfur smell is in the air.

The San Juan River runs through downtown; the San Juan Mountains and national forests surround the town.

About 20 miles east is Wolf Creek Ski area.

We spent about a week here, in a campground along the river just outside town.  The October weather was warm and sunny, with abundant golden foliage on trees nestled among the pines.

Munsinger and Clemens Gardens

Not far from our Minnesota campground is the city of St Cloud.  A short car ride led to Munsinger and Clemens Gardens, located along the Mississippi River across from St Cloud State University.

Munsinger Garden, built along the river on the site of an old sawmill, was started by Joseph Munsinger, first park superintendent. Plants were grown in an on-site greenhouse.  Shade loving hostas and other plants are nestled among the trees.  Paths, ponds, and stone fountains were built by the WPA in the 1930's.

Clemens Garden, started by William and Virginia Clemens, was donated to the city following the death of Virginia, who had a long battle with multiple sclerosis. The gardens are formally arranged, with paths and fountains interspersed among the flowers.  In 1990 the Rose Garden was constructed; roses being Virginia's favorites.

2020 Social Distancing & Facemasks

 It all started while we were still in Arizona for the winter...something called the corona virus.  First we were instructed to "social distance": keep at least 6 feet apart when socializing with friends.  Resort Activities were restricted to 20 people, then 6 people, then no activities at all.  Offices closed.  Residents started leaving to go back to their home country or state.  Facemasks were recommeded.

We stayed in Arizona until the end of April.  Finally we got word from Minnesota...our seasonal campground would be opening for the summer.  We drove the RV back, stopping at familiar campgrounds along the way.  We had no problems obtaining fuel, or picking up a few groceries along the way.  But, we could not stop to visit friends and relatives as we usually did.

When we arrived in Minnesota, we self-quarantined for 14 days.  Not too hard to do, when living in the RV.  We learned there would be no activities here either.  Facemasks were recommended. We have not traveled anywhere with the RV this summer, the year of  the pandemic.

Hoover Dam and Lake Mead

Hoover Dam, originally Boulder Dam, was constructed between 1931 and 1935.  Thousands of depression-era workers found jobs there. Many lost their lives.

This large concrete, arch-gravity dam is located in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River, between Nevada and Arizona. Powerful generators use water flow to produce electricity.  Lake Mead formed as a result of the dam. It is one of the largest reservoirs in the US, supplying water to western states, and providing a water-sports recreation area.

When we last visited 30+ years ago, the top of the dam was highway 93 across the river.   We stopped there to look at the dam over the edge of the railing...Now the landscape around the dam has changed.

 A new bridge completed in 2010 crosses the river downstream from the dam; viewing platforms, walkways, and observation areas line the top of the dam. Multiple parking areas are connected to the walkways. Tours are available.

Death Valley: Racetrack Playa

The mysterious sliding rocks of Racetrack Playa were one feature we were unable to see while in Death Valley National Park.  The Racetrack, a dried lakebed nestled in the mountains, contains boulders that leave tracks in the mud, indicating that they have wiggled, jiggled, slipped and slid across a perfectly flat area. These "sliding stones" have been studied by scientists, but no one has actually seen them move.  Recent observations using GPS and time-lapse photography have started to show some insight as to how the boulders move.

To get to this area one must drive 27 miles on an unpaved rocky dirt road. High-clearance vehicles with heavy-duty tires are recommended. And check with a park ranger for road conditions!

Death Valley: Mesquite Flat Dunes

Located near the village of Stovepipe Wells, Mesquite Flat Dunes area contains acres of white sand dunes, some as tall as 150 feet.
Sand that forms these dunes originates in the Cottonwood Mountains just north of the dunes field. Quartz and feldspar rocks are broken by erosion, and eventually become sand sized pieces.  Winds cause the sand to blow into ever changing piles.

 This area can be explored on foot, after parking in one of the access points along the way.

"Devil's Cornfield" is the name given these unusual looking formations that occur as sand dunes form around the mesquite plants that dot the area.

Death Valley: Furnace Creek Area

A variety of sights exist within the Furnace Creek Area of Death Valley National Park.  All the following are accessible by car, and fairly easy walks from parking to observation areas. A Visitor Center and Museum are located at Furnace Creek.


Artist's Drive exposes mineral deposits in a palette of colors in the volcanic formed rocks.  Pullouts are available for short term parking and photos.






Badwater Basin allows visitors a chance to stroll through the basin of an ancient lake.  What remains are layers of salt deposits.  At 282 feet below sea level, it is the lowest point in North America.






Dante's View, an observation area more than 5000 feet above sea level, allows one to view the expanse of Death Valley.  From high above it is easy to see the distinct valley between ranges of steep mountains. Access is via a steep, winding hard surface road. The last 1/4 mile is a 15% grade!





Zabriskie Point may be one of the most popular lookouts. A short uphill climb from the parking lot allows one to see a panoramic view of golden brown mudstone hills etched with gullies from the occasional intense rainfalls this area experiences.