June 13: Molas State Park

June 13^th
WOW, what a day! I can’t believe that I’m writing about the same days.  This morning we woke up early (well Riv woke up early).  We decided to take a drive around the RIM of the canyon this morning for another look.  It was beautiful, and kind of scary b/c it really was a HUGE drop off

We then went back to the campsite and started packing up.  While we were packing up we were visited by our mule deer friend again.  River LOVED it and was the first to spot her, “Mommy, deer….. bang!” (he thinks that deer make the sound of a gun)

I was in desperate need of a shower, and we needed to fill up the water in the camper as we weren’t sure our next spot would have water.  Luckily, on the way out, the lady at the entrance was able to tell us where we could get both.  We found the neatest KOA, and paid for a shower and to fill up our water tank.  The shower was AMAZING, I’m pretty sure I took at least a 30min shower! 

Then we drove less than a mile to the Burger King for lunch.  In that short distance, River fell asleep in the car. He then proceeded to sleep as we waited in line and ordered and sat down!  He finally woke up and the first thing he said was, “Hamburger!” Then he told the older couple beside us, “Hi! I wake up!”. 

Then we started the most gorgeous drive from Montrose to just south of Silverton on Hwy 550.  Now, I have been blessed to see so much of this world and New Zealand is probably the most beautiful country I’ve seen but this was a VERY close second!  The cliffs were pretty scary at points and I was shocked that there were no guard rails.  Luckily, my husband is more fearful of heights than I, so he took it VERY slow!  I am so bummed that we didn’t get many pictures but we did get a few

The only reason we were able to get this pic is b/c when we pulled over to let a car pass us,  a really sweet, funny, great, older couple jumped out of their car and waved us down.  Our tire on our camper was shredding!  This couple was hilarious and from North England.  I wish we were staying in the same place as this couple b/c 5 min along the side of the road was NOT enough time! 

Todd went to look at the tire and THIS is what we found!

Then he got the spare out and of course, guess what we found. Yep, it’s starting to shred too.  Keep in mind that we are on the most “sketchy” road we’ve been on this entire trip and probably ever in the United States! Our new mission, find a new tire!  Todd had to drive very carefully and slowly to make sure not to shred the spare tire.

We made it to Silverton (which is the cutest “old-timey” town EVER) but no tire stores.  So we dediced to head to our next camp ground, Molas State Park.  Luckily it was only 10 or so miles away.   Between Silverton and camp, Todd found a construction worker to ask where we could get a tire.  Durango was the answer. 

We checked in to the most BEAUTIFUL campsite EVER, dropped of the camper and headed to the walmart in Durango.  I took advantage of the trip to get more DDP’s, protein bars, and milk. 

On the way back from Durango we found this really neat hot spring by the side of the road.  We didn’t stay long b/c Riv was DONE being in the truck and we needed to get back.

According to our originaly plan we were to make to Molas by around 2pm.  We weren’t set up and ready to start making dinner until after 8PM.  We had grilled cheese and tomato soup and I had a salad.

Then Todd went fishing for a few while River and I played in the camper…… all before a HUGE storm hit! It was loud and quite an adventure.  We all played on our electronics until they finally died.

Not sure how we’ll sleep tonight with the rain, but at least we are not in a tent and have a heater.