During the long hard New England Winter with historic snowfall, in between all the shoveling, I had lots of time to plan out my next move for #Camp50. I mapped out the first trip of 2015 to include six states Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Wyoming. This would be the biggest trip yet for #Camp50 but, I knew I had a lot of ground to cover in 2015.

I had a lot of battles with myself over where to fly into and start this six state goal I had set for myself. The decision was finally made, fly in and out of Denver and go counter clockwise….. in a sense it was a way to reset my inner clock, to reevaluate my goals and allow myself to truly feel where I was with my healing process.

The trip went something like this…..

Boarded Patriot, worked 8hrs,  jumped on a flight after work arriving in Denver around 10pm, grabbed my bags/gear, the rental car and I was on my way. I drove about 90 minutes then I knew it was time to stop and find a place to get some sleep. I stayed just outside of Colorado Springs in the town of Monument “Ramada Inn” it was clean, close to REI and Walmart  so I could pick up most of my supplies in the morning before heading out.

The Great Sand Dunes

With all my trips, watching the weather is key for planning, thankfully I’ve never had to go to Plan B during my trips. The Great Sand Dunes was my first stop, so I watched the weather all week,  the reports showed temps around 25 – 30 degrees at night so, I opted to stay at the lodge vs. camping. I have to say this was a very good decision, since it gave my body time to aclamate to the higher elevation and adjust to the time change. In advance of this trip my friend Dylan told me to hydrate and stop drinking caffeine so I did,  I believe that helped me adjust smoothly to the higher elevations. THANK YOU DYLAN!! You’re a ROCK STAR!

 

 

There is so much more to see and do at The Great Sand Dunes but, not this time not this trip. This place is definitely on the “Return To” list.  After a few hours of photography & exploring, I was at the end of the road leading out of The Great Sand Dunes, here is what I saw.

 

On Sacred Ground………

I spent quite a bit of time at this sign, taking in the history and legend that surrounded the mountains referenced in this sign.

• Arizona “San Francisco Peaks”
• New Mexico “Mount Taylor”
• Utah “Mount Hesperus”
• Colorado “Mount Blanca”

A section of the sign reads ; Many Native American groups believe that this valley is the source of life, where humans and spirit enter and leave this world.  Mount Blanca is considered to be the Eastern Boundary and Doorway to Navajo land.  How amazing it felt to be here even for just one day.

I took this picture for my good friend Matt “The PeakSeeker”, this mountain has your name on it my friend.

 

Clayton Lake State Park

After leaving The Great Sand Dunes, I headed south to New Mexico. I planned on camping at Clayton Lake State Park because during my research I discovered there was a section of the park where there are dinosaur tracks. WHAT? Dinosaur tracks, I want to see them.  With most trips, I find camping spots that are roughly a 3-5 hour drive time between each state.  Crossing the border into New Mexico, there was an electronic highway sign that said “High Wind Warning” so I stopped at another Walmart to buy longer tent stakes, because if you need supplies and you see a store, you should stop……… because you just don’t know when you’ll see another store. True!

There were only about eight campers set up so I had plenty of sites to choose from, it was very windy so it didn’t really matter where I set up but, a room with a view is always a good idea.  There’s not much to say about this park especially since I wasn’t there for very long and I don’t particularly like fishing but, if you like fishing this is a great place for you to come to.  I did enjoy the early morning walk with the dinosaur tracks, that was nice, imagining they were there eating right where I was standing.  Circle of life & existence!

 

 

Palo Duro Canyon State Park

This wonderful state park is just 20 miles south west of Amarillo Texas, It is the 2nd largest canyon in the United States, 2nd only to the Grand Canyon.  They proudly call this park “The Grand Canyon of Texas”. Upon arriving at the park, you register at the rangers station.  There, I talked with some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met. I was quickly given my site number and congratulated on making Texas #23. Off I went to explore the park, as I drove to the canyon floor there were lot of people hiking and ALOT of people mountain biking along the red clay landscape. I felt so at ease here, so relaxed. I set up tent, organized the car, then noticed storm clouds moving in along with the winds picking up so I grabbed my camera and went on a little adventure.  I captured a rainbow while dodging the rain drops. It’s hard to really get the size perspective of things in these pictures, but if you look closely at the below picture “lower center” you’ll see a white building that looks extremely small compared to the walls of the canyon. GREAT PARK, I’d stay here again if I could bring my mountain bike.

 

 

Oklahoma

I took down the tent, grabbed a quick shower and before the sun came up I was on my way to Oklahoma. For the last 3-5 days there were tornado reports in Oklahoma but, the reports were in eastern Oklahoma so I stayed with my original plan to camp in the western part of the state. No wind, No rain in the forecast, just an increase in the humidity levels OH goodie, I despise humidity. I set up camp, made some lunch, organized the car, washed all the windows/mirrors before long it was time for bed. I think I was overtired because it took me a really long time to fall asleep and it seemed like right when I was able to fall asleep is when the trouble started. I was awoken up by wind and the feeling like the tent was moving…… in fact when I realized it, the tent WAS moving, pushing the back of the tent towards the front. I didn’t understand what was happening but during this time of year, this state was prone to tornado’s. I grabbed my sleeping bag and camping pad (I couldn’t let $400 in gear just blow away) and tried to get out of the tent while it was blowing over, I couldn’t get out very easily, but, after what seemed like forever, I was finally able to get out. I tossed the sleeping bag and pad in the jeep and went back for the tent. At this point the tent was being held up with one stake, I somehow grabbed the poles, tent and footprint and tossed them in the jeep.

Scared, alone, no cell service,  completely black outside and only 2 RV campers in the entire park who didn’t seem to be bothered by this wind, I stayed in the jeep. I started thinking about the movie “Twister” the scene when Helen Hunt came around the corner at the Drive-in and told everyone to get underground, that sky was scary.  The jeep was solid not moving at all, after a few minutes in the front seat, I told myself “you can’t sleep in the same position as driving” so I jumped in the back seat, covered myself with my sleeping back and tried to get a few hours of sleep.

 

The events of last night scared me, they had me wondering “What was I doing this for”, there are plenty of other ways to heal my heart, dying isn’t supposed to be one of them. At this point I wanted to give up on #CAMP50. Sometimes it’s good to bounce things off someone else, so I reached out to two separate friends, I value both of their opinions and of course they both had wonderful words of advice for me.

Roy, thank you for reminding me to follow my heart, it always knows the right path, I just have to be open to hearing what it’s trying to tell me. Thank you for your endless support of #CAMP50

Tyson, I don’t think you know how much I value your friendship. Thank you for reminding me that everything is temporary.

Tetonsports, you’ve been amazingly supportive during this trip. You provide me with useful information and you make me laugh. I appreciate all that you do and I LOVE all of my Tetonsports gear #DoItRight

Because these people took the time to talk with me, to help me….. #Camp50 continued on. Please watch for Counter Clockwise Part 2 coming soon.

 

It’s difficult to write about a place you visit often,  without thinking about it you just go, in this blog report I will try to explain a few of my favorite places in The White Mountains of New Hampshire.

*************************************************************************

I’ve camped in The White Mountains of New Hampshire for roughly 15 years, mostly at the same campground. Once the campground opens in May then it’s camping season to me. Traditionally, I’ve camped the last week of June into July, then sporadic weekends from May – October. In my opinion, Fall is one of the best times to be in The Whites.

I’ve found over the years that heading up on a Wednesday or Sunday is the best time. Why? Well if you get there on Wednesday, the weekend campers haven’t arrived yet and if you get there on Sunday they’ve already left the campground so you WIN either day, either way. Campgrounds along the Kancamagus are part of the National Forest, most are first come first serve. Jigger Johnson is the only campground with showers and the sites are spacious. You won’t be disappointed with this campground.

The ride from my home to The White Mountains takes roughly three hours up Route 93N arriving at exit 32 (Kancamagus Highway Rte 112), then it’s another 20  – 24 miles to Jigger Johnson campground. When you exit 93 North onto Rte 112 you’ll be in the town of Lincoln, there you can grab gas, coffee and any other supplies you may need/want. I’d call Lincoln semi-commercialized but, thankfully no big chain stores so it still has a small town feel. There’s a visitor’s center when you come off Rte 93 so drive straight across Rte 112 for a bathroom break and maps of the area.

You could continue up Rte 93N into Franconia for some exploring if you wanted and you would not disappointed but, for the purposes of this writing, I’ll stick with along the Kanc, Crawford Notch, Mount Washington and North Conway.

Heading into the Kancamagus (Locals call it the Kanc)

There’s very limited, if any cell coverage along the Kancamagus Hwy, so make any last minutes calls or send those last minute tweets before you start heading in. You’ll pass Loon Mountain on your right that’s pretty much the last spot for cell coverage. There are many places to stop, take pictures also many trailheads if you’re looking to do some hiking so it could take you time to reach Jigger Johnson if that’s your destination. If you’re heading into the town of North Conway, take Rte 112 the entire 32 miles until you come to Rte 16 then take a left, this can be a congested area but, it’s will be ok as long as it’s not Friday of a holiday weekend #TRUE

Along the Kanc, I’d recommend a stop a

Lincoln Woods

Sabbady Falls

Lower Falls

Rocky Gorge

If you’re heading to the Crawford Notch area (Rte 302), I recommend taking a left onto Bear Notch Road from the Kanc just after Jigger Johnson Campground. Bear Notch Road takes you NorthWest of North Conway into the town of Bartlett. At Route 302 (end of Bear Notch Road) take a left for Crawford Notch. There are many enjoyable hikes in the Crawford Notch area, there’s also the AMC Highland Center if you prefer a lodge type place to spend the night. There are many great trailheads just outside of The Highland Center so it could be a great location to spend the night if you don’t have camping gear with you. It’s a little pricey for some people especially if you’re not an AMC member but, you do get breakfast and dinner included, another option is their huge bunkhouse (cheaper, I think you only get breakfast). I love staying at the Highland Center, there’s no TV, no internet a huge fireplace, chairs to sit outside to watch stars….. ask for a room with a view of the Notch, there’s nothing like a misty morning.

If you’re heading to the Mount Washington or North Conway at Route 302 (end of Bear Notch Road) take a right for Mount Washington Rte 16 or take Rte 302 straight into North Conway. If Mount Washington is your destination, from the intersection of Rte 302 / Rte 16 take a left. This is another wonderful scenic drive around the 20 mile mark AMC has another lodge Pinkham Notch / Joe Dodge, which you could also spend the night at with Tuckerman’s Ravine trail and many other trails just outside their doors. Joe Dodge is much smaller than the Highland Center so you’ll need reservations for this location. Small but, an exceptional place to stay. I’ve seen many moose in the small marsh across Rte 16.

Another 5 miles from Joe Dodge is the Mount Washington Auto Road and the Great Glen Trails. You could spend an entire day in this area easily so grab as much information from the rangers in the Pinkham Notch visitors center.

Please be cautious when driving any of the roads in The White Mountains……. MOOSE are out there. I’ve had a lot of luck seeing Moose early in the am and around dusk. I was told many years ago that if you see a moose in one area they’ll be back in that same area in 12 hours, I was also told Moose will travel 250 miles per day so who knows when or where you’ll see a Moose but, Pinkham Notch and along the Kanc have been good spots for me.

My out of state friends that frequently visit The White Mountains generally stay at Golden Gables in North Conway, it’s clean and reasonably priced.

Favorite Places

• Kancamagus Highway http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/byways/byways/2458
• Jigger Johnson Campground
• Flatbread Pizza Company  http://flatbreadcompany.com/FlatbreadDirectionsNorthConway%202010.html
• Arethusa Falls
• http://www.northeastwaterfalls.com/waterfall.php?num=34&p=0
• Pinkham Notch / Joe Dodge lodge http://www.outdoors.org/lodging/lodges/pinkham/
• Highland Center http://www.outdoors.org/lodging/lodges/highland/
• Golden Gables http://goldengablesinn.com/

There’s so much more I could share with you about this area but this is a good starting point….. just grab a map and get out and EXPLORE.