McPhee Resevoir Campground, Telluride, and Mesa Verde NM, September 19-21

McPhee Reservoir is located a few miles from Dolores, Colorado and is a wonderful little campground. There were few campers there due to the lateness of the season.  The campground host was pretty firm that we not say any later than through the weekend as he had been there since April and was closing down the campground on Monday. We assured him we were only staying for a few days.

Since we arrived early in the day I took the opportunity to go to Cortez a few miles down the road and do laundry and hit up a McDonalds for wifi.  Wifi has been the pits lately, which is why all my blogs are posted several weeks after the fact.

The next morning we headed up to Telluride.  It's not that far, but I've been on scenic byway several times and it is not fun driving it in a large motor home.  I had hoped to go all the way to Ouray and drive on the Million Dollar Highway, but there were signs the pass was closed.  We did stop and Lizard Head Pass on the way.

 More evidence that Fall is here.

The scenery is very dramatic on the way up to Telluride

A Blues and Brew fest was in progress so the little resort town of Telluride was hopping and parking was at a premium.  While looking for a spot to eat our picnic lunch we happened on the Gondola which traveled up and over the mountain to Mountain City.  It was free! AND pets were allowed on the Gondolas.  Tara had her first gondola ride!.  We found a spot to picnic and walked around the village before riding the gondola back down the mountain  to town.

We also checked out the old mine at the end of town and the Bridal Veil Falls (not as dramatic as the ones in Yosemite and I didn't take any photos.

Mesa Verde NM is a short distance from Cortez, and the next day we drove over to the Monument. A new visitor center has been constructed and  it is quite modern  and beautiful but a bit of a disappointment because the main focus is on selling ticket tours to the cliff house ruins.    Unfortunately, many of the cliff houses were closed  for the season so we decided to not participate in any of the tours but to explore the main road into the park.  We'll return another time.  While late September is an ideal time to travel because the crowds are less, the down side is many things close after labor day which is too bad in a year that has had such great weather.


One of the vistas from the road towards the ruins.

 This statue greets you at the entrance to a brand new visitor center.  The photo is of a Native American climbing the cliffs. It is taken from the back side.  He is carrying a large basket.

 We returned back to the campground and made preparations to leave for our next stop: Durango.