Let's Try Gunnison Again

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I awoke to a beautiful bright day, clear blue skies and an awesome view of Monarch Mountain through my
windshield, but I had snow flakes all along the fused-out windshield wipers. It was the chilliest morning I had experienced since I left the U.K. in February. But I packed up and made ready: today was a new day. I didn’t know that that beautiful mountain up there was to be my challenge for the day. Monarch Mountain is just short of 14000’, and I was about to climb to 11312’ in the next nine miles to get to Monarch Pass. There are times when the grade is 6%, and I think I was using more than a gallon of gas/petrol/mile because my onboard computer was registering -----. The way down is equally steep, and I had to engage the grade break, talk about white-knuckle driving. Needless to say I didn’t use much gas/petrol on the way down! I got tickled by the runaway signs. In Canada on some of the steep mountain passes the truck runaway lanes are every mile or so, and believe me they are used. The ones on Monarch Pass were spread almost 4 miles apart. “Truck runaway lane 3.75 miles”, oh great, I’ll steer this run away x thousand pound semi trailer around these hairpin bends for the next 3+ miles, and try not to hit any other vehicle on my way down! I kept my speed down to around 30 m.p.h. and thankfully reached the bottom without incident or causing too much delay for my fellow motorists. The next fifty miles was a pleasant drive, very pretty scenery, winding through rocky canyons beside rushing rivers and right opposite the resort a beautiful big lake known as Blue Mesa Lake; which is where the resort gets it’s name “Blue Mesa Recreational Ranch”. The lake is 20 miles long with 96 miles of shoreline, it was still somewhat chilly when I got here but there were people out wind surfing on the lake brrrr. Thankfully I got here before the wind started to blow AGAIN. This is a beautiful resort, the club house has everything a person could ask for, indoor pool, hot tub, pool tables etc., activities are planned for almost everyday, there are lilacs everywhere and their perfume is wonderful. I have a great site and will be able to relax here until June 10th.

From west Texas to here the locals have spoken about the very long cool spring and current temperatures here are about 15°F below normal, mainly because of the d------ wind. I haven’t experienced the 60’s for a day-time high and overnights in the 30’s since February, so it is certainly a shock to my system and of course there is very little humidity at this altitude and my lips and skin are very dry. I actually walked in a jacket and gloves this morning.

On reflection, I am glad that I am doing this trip now, I am enjoying myself although I may have bitten off more than I should -- which for anyone that knows me isn’t anything unusual. The trip so far has definitely been an experience to learn from and I know that I will have good and bad days. I have already got an appointment at my next destination to have my awning replaced. I absolutely believe that Wally is looking over my shoulder and minimizes looming trouble. I have however, made the decision that if the road has more than two numbers it’s not for me, and after this trip, I‘ll stick to the Interstate system wherever possible, and that may be his decision for me anyway.

I’m going to explore Gunnison and this area over the next few days.
I thought it might be interesting to keep a record of the price I am paying for gas/petrol as I travel. I have a 75 gallon tank in the motor home, and on flat road I average about 9 miles a gallon. I filled up in Abita Springs on April 29th at $2.79/gallon. It was $2.86 at the Louisiana/Texas border, $2.89 just outside Austin, $3.25 in Van Horn, Texas, $3.11 on the Texas/New Mexico border and $3.35 just outside Santa Fe. I am sure that it is only going to go up from here but will keep you posted.

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Photos

Monarch Mountain
View from my windshield

Mountain Road
Parked in a pull-off spot coming down Monarch Mountain

Blue Mesa Recreation Ranch
View from the top, very early in the morning.

Blue Mesa Lake
From just outside the club house.

Comments

[Al]

HHmmmm
Great Pics, Scary but interesting goings on! Get those wipers fixed. Find out where the fuse box is located and carry spare fuses. Probably under the dash somewhere? Great adventure. What about a satellite phone? Dunno much about them cost wise. Take care... Al