July 29: a little sight-seeing in the area of Frisco

We took a little drive up 70 to Black Lakes (between here and Vail) where we had a marmot encounter....

Marmot at Black Lakes, not happy we're in his space...

Marmot running....

Marmot butt...

and my favorite shot - the mighty marmot LEAP!

Dillon Marina

Also did a scenic drive around Dillon Reservoir, through the towns of Dillon and Keystone.

July 27 - 31: Peak One Campground - Frisco

From our terrific camp spot at Stillwater / Lake Granby, we moved southwest to Frisco.  Ah, the foggy mornings, cool breezes, seagulls and pelicans - I love Frisco.  But this is not the 'Frisco I'm used to in California!  It sits at 9000 feet elevation, just north of Breckenridge, on the Dillon Reservoir. We had reserved a camp site at Peak One (White River National Forest campground - also managed by Thousand Trails) with the best lake access, and really enjoy our back deck view across the lake to the town of Frisco. Our campground sits on a little peninsula on the lake, sadly with many tree stumps as evidence of the pine beetles' deadly influence, but still with lovely scenery all around. We've had our coldest, rainiest weather yet on this Colorado trip...but can't complain!

Our first night, made friends of some neighbors Zell and Brad in a little "Bambi" airstream, and had a great evening with them. But alas, they had to leave the next morning....

a book exchange in the national forest campground!

July 26: Steamboat Springs and a visit to Strawberry Park Hot Springs

We heard Strawberry Park Hot Springs were very nice, pools in a natural setting, so set out for Steamboat Springs, about 1.5 hours Northeast of Granby.  The route took us through the town of Hot Sulphur Springs (where they also have hot springs, but we'd heard they really do smell like sulphur, which Gary can't tolerate), then through Byers Canyon which alone is worth the drive - then through the town of Kremmling, through rich ranchlands, past huge reservoirs, and up through Rabbit Ears Pass towards Steamboat Springs...

Coming into Steamboat springs, a view of some ski runs...big town, lots of ski resorts, big chain stores, etc. But they also have bike paths, natural areas, and the surrounding area is beautiful. Wow, the fancy homes....clearly an affluent area like all of the ski towns we've visited so far in Colorado.

Then out of town towards the hot springs, we found ourselves passing through a fantastic aspen glen.....

Spent half the day at this hot springs, they'd done a great job designing the pools in a natural setting, with multiple paths / entrance points into each pool (much better than Mt Princeton!)...though it was quite slippery in spots. At $10 for the day, it was a good value!

However, their two big hotter pools were a bit too hot to sit in for more than a couple minutes, so most folks spent the day mostly on the side or in the "cold" pools...we would have preferred (as clearly, the majority of folks there would have as well) that they keep their hot pools a bit cooler and thus comfortable for a longer soak...

Left feeling relaxed and rejuventated....what else can you ask for?!

Monarch Lake, a small lake at the south end of Lake Granby

We visited this lake twice; it was gorgeous, had a nice trail around, so Gary fished while I hiked. It was a nice walk around the lake - about 4 miles - and though the weather was warm, a majority of the trail was shaded. Gary did not have much luck fishing, a few small ones which he released.  There were warning signs about moose (and the headwaters into this lake definitely looked like moose territory), but we did not run into any...

July 23 - 26: Stillwater Campground on Lake Granby

Possibly the "shortest spot" we've ever parked in, but we had no reservations so this was the only first-come, first-served spot we could use; backed up to the lake in a 25 foot spot, meant for a camping van or C-class, with deck hanging right out to the firepit. With a long stick, we coulda roasted marshmallows from the deck!  Gary doused the deck with water to keep it from getting hot (just in case, as he can't help but build a roaring bonfire), and then he had to douse the fire when the wind changed and we thought the deck might melt.  But it was a terrific camp spot where we had views all around, with gigantic mountain peaks to the south and east. The campground was busy on the weekend, but we had this whole area to ourselves on the weeknights...

Stillwater from across the lake...

Lake Granby is big and deep, and turns from calm to scary in moments when the afternoon thunderstorms come in....

Our camp spot at Stillwater...