Day 10: Dog Days in Durango (10 Aug 14)

Today, we decided to focus our attention on our furry kids, since they've been spending lots of time alone in the RV while we're out having human adventures. First, we took them to the best dog park EVER, right here in Durango.  It's a giant off-leash fenced area that runs for 3/4 of a mile along the river, and up into the base of the mountains. The pups ran and played with other dogs, went swimming in the river, chased balls, herded, and even made friends with a pack of 4 other Border Collies.  After that, we took them on a 5-mile hike in the mountains, where they chased lizards and harassed mountain bikers.  To top it all off, we stopped at the creek in our campground so they could swim and cool off. Safe to say, they were ready to pass out when they returned to the RV. 

Of course, we didn't want to disturb their afternoon nap, so we left them in peace while we went into town to check out the remaining breweries. First one had a great little patio with the "biggest bike ever" (or so said the sign) and a fantastic Amber and a creamy Nitro IPA for Doug.  They even had a veggie sandwich, which made Jen extra happy. The next brewery was a little disappointing, and then we went back to the one we liked Friday night.  Great town - good beer, healthy food in all the restaurants, and no fewer than 75% of all cars on the road have mtn bikes on their roofs. Yeah, we could live here.

Day 9: MTB Durango (09 Aug 14)

Today, we jumped into the Durango mountain bike scene. The mountains here are, uh, how should I put this.... MOTHER FREAKING HUGE!  We were both gasping for air at 7500+ ft of elevation (and the trail only went up from there) and conquering lots of short, steep hills. There's a reason why everyone in this town looks like an REI model. We made it 10 miles though, up and around two buttes, before we succumbed and enjoyed a long downhill back to the car. Note the picture below of the bones alongside the trail - looks like some other rider wasn't so lucky. (just kidding, they were animal bones!)

Since Durango is a lot like North Conway (touristy and packed with flatlanders on the weekends) we opted to enjoy our patio at the campground and grill the veggies and peaches Jen was so excited to find at a roadside farmstand.  (you don't realize how much you miss roadside farmstands until you've spent 3 years in the desert!!)

Days 7 & 8: Flagstaff to Gallup to Durango (07-08 Aug 14)

Day 7 - Took the pups for a short hike in Flagstaff, then reluctantly pulled out of town to continue our journey East. We'll be back, Flagstaff... we'll be back. 😆

Stopped in Gallup, NM only because it was the half-way point to Durango.  We've been there a few times before, and already ridden all the trails there, so we used this as a much-needed rest day.

Day 8 - Out early to make our way to Durango, CO.  Amazing how the landscape changes so dramatically on this leg of the trip.  We went from the tan and stone of the AZ desert, to the lush green and flowers of Flagstaff, back to the dusty, tan desert of NM, and now finally back to lush green meadows, mountains, and flowers.  The campground is beautiful, and we have a giant site with a gorgeous patio, which is making the pups very happy!  Weather is dry and sunny, with temps in the high 70s and a beautiful mountain breeze.  Although we've both been to Colorado before, we've never been here together, and never in an RV, so we ceremoniously added a new state sticker to our map (See pics below)

Since we got here too late to ride, we called the first day a 'tourist day' and headed into downtown Durango.  Cute little historic mountain town with lots of breweries. We hit two, and saved the rest for the next few days. 

Day 6: More Flagstaff Adventures (06 Aug 14)

Last day in Flagstaff (unless Jen gets serious about finding a job fast!).  Nearly killed ourselves on a lung-busting, treacherous MTB ride. The views at the end were good, but not worth the nearly 14 miles of pain. We were even too tired to find a brewery after that!  Tomorrow:  heading east to Gallup, NM.

Day 5: Flagstaff Adventures (05 Aug 14)

Had a leisurely "we're on vacation" kind of morning before heading out for an epic ride up a mountain under ponderosa pines, and then down an awesome stream bed.  Now Jen REALLY wants to move here. Finished up the day with two breweries - Lumberyard and Beaver Street.

For details of our rides, go HERE

Day 4: Williams to Flagstaff (04 Aug 14)

Arrived in beautiful Flagstaff early enough to scope out our new favorite trails EVER.  (See a pattern here?).  Weather is a beautiful sunny 72 degrees with a light breeze.  Within the first mile, Jen was saying "that's it, we're never leaving!"  We were both amazed by all the green -  grassy, trees, and even flowers!  Finished out the day with a short hike behind the campground with the pups and a trip to Flagstaff Brewing Company for us. Jen's now busy looking for jobs in Flagstaff. .

Day 3: Grand Canyon (03 Aug 14)

Another early wake-up in an effort to beat the crowds to the Grand Canyon.  It worked; there was only one car ahead of us when we reached the front gate (on our way back out, there were 3 lanes of traffic, each backed up at least 30 cars each, waiting to get in!).  Thanks to the National Parks Service program, we got in for free because of Jen's active duty military status (usually $25/person!).  See the pic below of the ginormous elk who greeted us within the first mile of the park.   

Doug found an article in a magazine that directed us to an unmarked trail out to a deserted point with fantastic views. Seriously, there wasn't a single human being anywhere with ear or eye shot, which, if you've ever been to the Grand Canyon, you know how rare that is! Despite the misting, foggy weather, there were breaks where we could see some of the canyon (check out the pics below).

Then, just out of curiosity, we drove to the visitors center and fought the crowds for different views of the canyon.  Within a few minutes, though, we were both annoyed and ready to get the hell out of there.  We did our obligatory reenactment of the famous "vacation" movie where Chevy Chase spends 2 seconds looking at the Grand Canyon and then rushes the family back to the car, and we were out.

Ended the day with a rainy walk with the pups at Dogtown Lake Park in Williams.  These two desert dogs were overwhelmed by all the new smells and the feel of soft pine needles under their paws.

Day 2: McDowell to Williams (02 Aug 14)

Mission:  Beat the heat.  Up at 0420 to get a ride in before the sun cooked us alive. Rode our favorite trails EVER one last time (until we retire and spend our winters here anyway).  Even that early it was 85 degrees! 
Mission successful, and we were packed up and on the road North before 9.

Williams, otherwise known as the "Gateway to the Grand Canyon" is a cute little tourist town centered around the famed Route 66 (and was, in fact, the last town to be bypassed, according to a billboard on the outskirts of town).  We promptly found the Grand Canyon Brewing Company and rehydrated from our morning desert ride.  We were astonished to see little piles of snow on the ground, and to need a long-sleeved shirt!  From 105 to 60 in one day!

Day 1: Ft. Huachuca to Phoenix (01 Aug 14)

On her first day as a civilian, Jen slept in until 0600, and enjoyed several leisurely cups of coffee outside in the shade.  Then we were off to McDowell Mountain Regional Park just north of Phoenix to ride our favorite trails EVER one last time. By the time we got there it was a blistering 106 degrees, with warning of severe monsoon storms, so no riding that day for us.